Getting Ready for Soccer Camp

Getting Ready for Soccer Camp

Whether it's a day camp, a weeklong sleep-away camp or a month-long camp abroad, sending your child to soccer camp for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience for the both of you. Here are a few ways to ease the transition and help them enjoy the experience.
Involve them in the planning and the prep work.

Likely there are many soccer camps to choose from, so narrow it down by your child's needs and your budget, and let your child make the final decision on where to go. If that's not possible, then perhaps he or she can pick some of the activities or classes to take at camp.

Also, let your kids pick out some of the things they'll need for camp. Whether it's practice clothes and new shin guards or a toothbrush holder and face soap, letting them help with the planning and preparation will give them some control over the situation, and hopefully stave off the worst of homesickness.

Practice getting ready for new experiences
One of the scariest things about any first time at camp is that it's an unknown. Find out what will be new to your kids and help them practice doing it. If your kids are going abroad, buy a language dictionary and practice saying simple things like "please" and "thank you" and asking for directions. If they're just going out of town, spend a day over in the town if it's within driving distance. If you happen to know or learn some of the drills they'll be doing, practice those with your kids in the backyard or the local soccer fields.

New experiences are an exciting and sometimes terrifying part of soccer camp, but practicing a little before your kids go will make the adjustment a lot easier.

Talk to them.
Are your kids worried about camp, that they won't be as good as the other players? Are they excited? Both? Sit down and talk with them about it. Let them know that it's OK to have mixed feelings about going. Talk about homesickness, but be positive and encouraging about all the new things they'll learn and experiences they'll have.

If they're worried about keeping in touch with friends and family, give them some stationery and an address book, or a phone card so they can call. Or, try giving them a journal so they can write down their soccer camp adventures, and they can share it with their friends when they return.

And don't forget to have fun!
Scary as it may be, the first time away at soccer camp can also be a fun and rewarding experience that will have your kids begging to go back year after year. By taking a few steps to make the transition as smooth as possible, you can make sure they get the most out of their time at camp.

About the Author
EduKick's mission is to provide intensive soccer development training programs that also teach youngsters about cultural diversity and foreign languages. For more information about soccer camps and boarding schools, or to register for a soccer camp abroad, visit EduKick.com.

Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Soccer Camp Experience

Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Soccer Camp Experience

Author: Joey Bilotta

The soccer camp you choose should depend on what you want to get out of the experience. Somebody who just wants to get away for a week and play a little soccer wouldn't get that experience at a camp that focuses on intensive training...

Soccer camps are a great way to improve your skills, get some exercise, and make memories with friends. However, not all soccer camps are created equal, no matter what the paperwork says.

The soccer camp you choose should depend on what you want to get out of the experience. Somebody who just wants to get away for a week and play a little soccer wouldn't get that experience at a camp that focuses on intensive training. Before you sign away your time and money, ask yourself a few questions about what you want from a soccer camp.

Do you want to goof off with your friends, or get in shape?
If you'd like to get in better shape for soccer or other sports, look for camps that put an emphasis on physical training and conditioning. Make sure you get a physical to verify that you're in good shape for the camp.

However, if you just want to have fun and make some memories with your friends, look for a cheaper camp that's not as intense.

Do you want to improve your basic skills, or do you want more than that?
Getting better at basic skills may sound like something you can get at any soccer camp, but getting them perfect is something that takes time, dedication, patience and a lot of correction to learn. Look for a camp with lots of coaches who will take the time to correct your problems.
On the other hand, if you'd like to improve your tactical sense, like when to pass and shoot and where to move, it's a good idea to look into longer camps or even soccer boarding schools. Tactics aren't something that can be easily taught, and they take a lot of time and mistakes to learn.

Are you looking for more than just soccer training?
If you'd like to get a little more out of camp than just soccer training, then see what else they offer. Some soccer camps combine a cultural experience abroad with soccer training, and some even offer the chance for exceptional players to try out for professional teams. Do a little research into the camps to find out what else you'll be getting out of them.

Find the right camp for you
Keep in mind that all intensive soccer camps should provide four aspects of skill development: strength and conditioning, technical precision, tactical development and sport psychology coaching. By taking a little time to research the other aspects of the camp, you'll find just the one you need to make your experience fun, beneficial and memorable.

EduKick’s mission is to provide intensive soccer development training programs that also teach youngsters about cultural diversity and foreign languages. As professionals, soccer fanatics and fathers, Joseph Bilotta and Corey Zimmerman wanted to create a program that maximized the

EduKick youths' time abroad; instilling a sense of independence and pride through experiencing international travel, structured language study, cultural excursions and daily professional soccer training. For more information about soccer camps, or to register for a soccer camp abroad, visit EduKick.com