How do I include Summer Camps in my College Search?

Many summer camps are hosted and run by college coaches. This is a great place to improve you game and be seen. While attending soccer camps always expands your game, the summer of the junior year is that camp that will have the biggest impact on your college prospects.

How do I decide where to go? There are numerous strategies to integrate camp into your collegesearch program and it is a great way to see and be seen. You may or may not want to attend a camp in or affiliated with your top pick, we recommend that you pick the camp based on giving you the most exposure to programs that you are interested in. In reality many players select a camp with a set of schools in mind and end the camp with very different ideas.

Obviously the camp is the perfect place for you prove yourself. Go in with the idea that you are going to work hard and project a positive attitude throughout the camp. Typically camps are 4-6 days and are quite intensive. This gives coaches an opportunity to see you in many settings, skills work, small sided play, full matches, social setting, etc. Keep focused throughout and take the steps   necessary to “prove yourself”. Camps give you an opportunity to see the school and various coaches. Be sure to be mindful of the things that you most enjoy in camp. While coaches are looking at you to determine what you can contribute, it is important that you evaluate all of your possibilities to see where you feel that you fit in best. Keep an open mind and a positive attitude as camps are frequently where many players make the connection that results in a great college career.

Be sure to do your research. You can approach other folks in your club that are recent graduates to get the perspective on what camps they think are best. With these suggestions, your next step is to get the camp brochures or check online to get complete information on a few camps before you make your final selection. Typically there are a few changes each year and you want to be sure that you have done your homework to be sure which your top two or three camps are. Once you have done your homework, you are now ready to make an informed choice. Good luck on your search and remember while camps are a great proving ground, they can also be very important in helping you decide which program is right for you.