As a parent, you want your child to make the most of their time off from school. The good thing is so many soccer camp programs can cater to a child. Choices may range from advanced programs for the serious player to introductory programs for the youngest or newest player.
However, with so many choices, it can be overwhelming to pick which one is most enjoyable for your child while giving you the best value for your budget. Here are some factors to consider in choosing a soccer program!
1. Safety
Dropping your child off can sometimes be a daunting experience for any parent, particularly for the first time. A good camp will have a robust check-in and pick-up procedure in place that gives you peace of mind that the safety of participants is at the forefront of the planning process.
2. Staff
What accreditation, qualifications, and experience do the coaches at camp possess? All coaches should be background checked through a recognized organization and held to high standards through training and observation by their camp provider. A camp whose staff have experience working with the same age group as your child is more important than choosing a camp with the highest qualified staff you can find. All being said, professionally licensed, qualified, and trained coaching staff who are accountable to a respectable parent organization are more likely to be held to the highest standards of program delivery.
3. Curriculum
Does the camp teach more than just skills?
A good measure of the quality of the experience is if a camp has taken time to build a curriculum that will teach more than soccer skills. Sport has a great opportunity to teach social skills, cognitive skills, goal setting, initiative, and building confidence. A camp that recognizes this opportunity will likely have a solid vision for what its program sets out to achieve for its participants.
4. Price
Camp pricing may range from around one hundred to several hundred dollars, and each program caters to a different level of player. Understanding the needs of your child and how this relates to a balance between fun and soccer development is important. Remembering that FUN is the most important driver of success for your child should help you evaluate the investment you make into a camp program for your child.
5. Dates and times
Naturally, choosing a program as a form of childcare is often a great option for many parents. Caution this with the need to prevent burnout of your child. An outdoor soccer camp for seven hours a day for your eight-year-old may not be their idea of fun, but a three-hour program may just be perfect for them. After all, the opportunity to learn only happens in a fun environment, and the last thing your child needs is to be disengaged for long periods of time in a program that lasts far longer than they are able to handle.
6. Friends!
Finally, going to camp with a friend is often comforting for younger kids and fun for older kids! It’s not a determining factor since the ability for kids to interact with others and make “new” friends at camp is a great opportunity to develop their social skills as well as learn how to adapt to new situations. Consider syncing calendars with school or community friends for some camp weeks and allowing your child to experience the opportunity to attend on their own on others!
When it comes to a great soccer camp experience, LFC IA SoCal Camps strive to tick all the above standards to provide the best experience for young players. Our Summer Camps are a great way for every player to develop their individual skills. Following an age-appropriate player curriculum delivered in a FUN yet challenging environment, our camps are an excellent opportunity for all players!
There you have it! We hope that this list helps you find the best program for your child. Remember, enrolling a child in a camp positively focused on their interests ensures their vacation time is well spent.