Summer Sport Camps Are Great for Young Athletes

As summer break draws closer many young athletes are eagerly awaiting their educational offseason. Despite freedom from academic duties, young athletes should stay conditioned and brush up on their skills for the year ahead. 

Although a home basketball court is a great way for children to practice the sports they love in a familiar atmosphere, if a child wants to further his or her athletic career, he or she may need to consider a summer sport camp. A summer camp experience is crucial for getting a college scholarship in athletics. 

With the rising costs of tuition the opportunity for scholarships is something most families cannot afford to pass on. Deseret News, a Utah based newspaper, reports, “Experts say a talented kid can receive a Division I football or basketball scholarship without going to camps, but it is the exception, not the rule.”

A home basketball court is a convenient way for an athlete to keep practicing his or her sport through the long break. However, the advice, instruction and exposure of summer sport camps is crucial if they plan to play in college. 

“Since the NCAA banned Division I coaches from attending the some 15 Nike Camps nationwide, many of those elite camps have established marketing days where they film attendees and send clips to major college recruiters, complete with biographical information that includes a report on academic qualifications,” says Deseret News. 

The USA Basketball Team’s website offers several tips for picking a summer sport camp. First, the website suggests narrowing down on what you want to accomplish by attending a summer camp. 

Are you looking to improve your skills, have fun, make friends or gain exposure? Summer sport camps are often catered to one of these specific motives. Find the camp that fits what you want to accomplish while you’re away from your home basketball court. 

Next the website says to get referrals from other people who have attended camp or have friends and family who have attended a camp you’re interested in. The advice and experience of others will give you a better idea of what type of camp is right for you. 

Find a camp that works within your budget. This may mean choosing a local camp rather than an out of state camp or a camp that focuses more on playing sports than video or technical instruction, says the USA Basketball Team’s website. 

A home basketball court is a great way to stay active over the summer break. However, a summer sport camp offers the comfort and convenience of a home court alongside the instruction and training necessary for gaining a competitive edge. 

Lura Briggs is an athletics writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Sport Court. Follow on Twitter.