PAGE 22

June 2006

Chalk Talk

Parent's Guide to Choosing

a Soccer Camp

way to fill time in a summer schedule;

length of any day camp for these older

able week at camp. For me, the most

By Dave Schumacher

important criterion for staff is that they

the child should be eager and excited to

players shouldn't exceed four hours. Not

WSYSA Coaching Director &

have experience working with young

participate.

all camps are five days in length; some

US Soccer National Staff Coach

children; the ability to relate and com-

are four days which is fine, especially for

Length of session

municate with youngsters is a tremen-

the younger players.

ith summer just around the corner

W

To me this is a critical area as I don't

dous asset. Another important thing to

many parents are beginning to

believe in marathon day soccer camps. If

Instructional curriculum

look for is the coach's experience in

plan their children's summer schedule,

you compare a camp to soccer practices

Another key area to look at is the

teaching soccer at the age of children

which includes a week of soccer camp.

for 6-, 7-, and 8 year olds, practices gen-

actual soccer curriculum that the camp

attending the camp. The ability to organ-

Over the past 20 years, I can't remember

erally last only about 45 minutes.

is presenting. After establishing the cur-

ize and implement age appropriate activ-

a summer without being involved some-

However I have seen parents send their

riculum, the camp director's main func-

ities and games will help ensure an

how in a soccer camp program. My

child to a camp that begins at 9 am and

tion during the week should be aiding

enjoyable soccer experience. Knowing

experience has ranged from counselor,

lasts until 3 pm. For several years I ran

and assisting the staff in the actual imple-

the number of years an instructor has

instructional staff, and primarily as camp

Micro Soccer Schools for kids 6 to 8 and

mentation of these various age and

been with the program is generally a

director, for both residential and day

limited the duration to three hours. The

developmentally appropriate activities.

good barometer as is finding out the

camps. Armed with this knowledge, I

camp was a unique combination of soc-

This type of system ultimately ensures

instructor's license level. While a good

would like to provide parents a guide to

cer related classroom activities and on-

greater consistency and quality when it

indicator, it is not always a guarantee.

selecting the day camp program that is

field participation. Even changing activi-

comes to the soccer activities. The cur-

Not every "A" licensed coach is going to

right for their child.

ties every 20 to 30 minutes was really

riculum should also be balanced with

be effective with a 6-year-old.

What age to start?

stretching the limits for this age. You

other non-soccer activities and breaks

Instructor/player ratio

need to remember that camps are often

This is completely dependent on the

for refreshments, snacks, or lunch. If the

For 6- to 8-year-olds, the ideal ratio

during the hottest months of the year

child. I have seen kids five and six years

camp is over 2.5 hours, you should ask if

would be 1 to 6 or 1 to 8. Having this

and weather can be a real factor when it

old dropped off at camp looking quite

there are other types of supervised non-

type of instructor-to-camper ratio does

comes to balancing activity and rest.

comfortable, while I've also had older

soccer activities or games. The key here

mean higher instruction costs for the

Often times, camps are at facilities

kids very upset at their parents for leav-

is to be supervised.

camp, however the increased attention

where protection from the elements is

ing them. The main key here is to be

to the player outweighs the decrease in

Instructional staff

sure that your child, regardless of age, is

limited at best. Generally, for players 9

camp profit. Most camp ratios are

The instructional staff is another

willing and ready to participate. I would

years old and above, the length of camps

caution parents not to use any camp as a

can be longer, however the maximum

important area to consider for an enjoy-

(continued on page 24)

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