Showing posts with label training camp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training camp. Show all posts
How Should I Choose the Camp I Need?
HOW SHOULD I CHOOSE THE CAMP I NEED?
One comment, take it seriously.
It should be much more than s'mores and sing-alongs -- top camps provide lifelong memories and skills.
Here is how to pick a winner -- and help your kid have an awesome summer.
General Recreational Camp
Even before I had kids, when I was studying in the States, I knew they could go to summer camps almost every long holiday.
What did camp really matter, anyway? It is a question many parents struggle with -- and one that camp professionals are eager to answer.
Camp, they say, lets kids roam and play in a way they rarely do in their own neighborhoods these days. It takes them away from computers, TV, and other high-tech time-suckers, swapping them for conversation, fun, and games in a natural setting. And perhaps most important, camps are no-parent zones (yes, that's right, you shouldn't come along!).
'Kids have to learn how to separate from their families and become resilient and independent. Camp gives them a safe way to take these steps," says Peg Smith, Chief Executive Officer, the American Camp Association.
Day camps are a good starting point: 'Kids learn about being part of a community and to cope with temporary separation,' says Smith. "They're not only a good transitional step for kids but also for parents, who often need to learn these same separation skills.'
'Camp directors say most kids are ready for an overnight option by age 12 -- especially if they have enjoyed day programs. You just might have to give your child (and yourself) a little push. Whether you are thinking about sending your child to the little day camp down the street, or an overnight outfit a few states/provinces away, follow these tips for planning a no-regrets summer.
Sports Training Camp
'Sports Camps' can range from places where kids of all ages enjoy physical activities to intense boot camps in a specific sport.
Research is the key to choosing the right sports camp for your child, and the sooner you start, the better. Camp directors advise parents and campers to investigate several camps before choosing.
What is the Goal?
'If they want to spend their entire summer playing tennis every single day, that is great and there is a camp for that,' says Susie Lupert, Executive Director of the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey. 'If they want to have a more general experience but they are very sporty, there is also a camp for that.' Introducing younger kids to many sports allows them to find out what they like best.
'Our day camp for 8- to 12-year-olds has 35-minute sessions where they are going to get tennis lessons, swim, play basketball, Wiffle ball, soccer and other sports,” explains Dave Szaroleta, Director of Sanford Camps in Hockessin, DE. After an introduction, many campers join one of the week-long Sanford programs devoted to a particular sport.
Questions for Sports Camps
• How much time will be devoted to a particular sport?
• What other activities will be offered?
• Will games be played during the day and at night?
• Will all campers receive equal playing and coaching time?
• Are parents allowed to visit or attend games?
• What is the quality of the coaching staff?
• What are the facilities like?
• What happens in rainy weather or excessive heat?
Local colleges and universities offer a variety of sports camps. Some appeal to varsity-level high school athletes. 'Most of our coaches are going to run at least one camp during the summer where they might find a diamond in the rough or the type of kid they may be interested in recruiting down the road,' says Mike Mahoney, Director of Athletic Communications at the University of Pennsylvania.
In addition to camp type, you must decide how many weeks to enroll your child and whether a day or residential camp is best. Costs can range from US$200 a week to US$10,000 for the summer.
Talk to the Directors
It is best to visit the camp the summer before your child will be enrolled, so you can actually see it in progress. Talk to the director about your child’s interests and abilities. When you find the right fit, don’t delay. 'There are limits on how many people can get into the camps,' Mahoney points out. If you are not able to plan a year ahead, 'Many parents will come and do a home visit,” says Lupert. 'They will show you a slide show and speak directly with your child about what the expectations are of the camp.'
Mistakes Parents Make
Be sure your child is included in the decision-making and knows what to expect. Lupert cautions, 'We have spoken to families who sent a child to a certain camp because they thought their kid was really into sports,' but the camp was more competitive or difficult than the child expected. It is also important to think about how independent your child is and, especially for residential camps, how comfortable he will be on his own. For some children, going away with a friend is an easier experience than being alone. 'Age is irrelevant,' says Lupert. 'It really is about the maturity of your child.'
8 Major Points to Consider to Choose the Best Camp
As you are conducting your search, be sure to keep these things in mind when choosing a sports camp.
What is the Camp’s History and Reputation? There are definitely some great new camps out there. But camps that have built a trustworthy reputation for offering a quality staff and environment, and top-notch summer fitness are often worth the extra cost. A camp would not still be in business after many years if it were unsafe, poorly run, or did not deliver a quality experience.
What is the Camp’s Philosophy and Focus? There are camps where kids play sports, and there are camps where kids learn how to improve their skills. Just because the flyer says that this is a basketball camp does not mean that your child will be doing more than scrimmaging all day. If that is what you want, then go for it. But if you want your child to learn something new to help his game, find out what you are paying for.
Does the Camp Have a Well-Trained Staff? Nothing wrong with high school kids helping out the younger ones, but be sure they are well-trained and know what they are talking about when it comes to your child’s sport. Ask how they are trained and how they are chosen to be on the staff. The same goes for the adult staff. Don’t assume just because they are working at a sports camp that they know their stuff.
Does the Camp Offer Your Child Choices? Your child will feel more independent if he can choose some activities, rather than having every moment planned for him.
Does the Camp Communicate Well With Parents? Do they have a plan for letting parents know about upcoming events, and for notifying them if a child becomes sick or injured? What is their rule on camper cell phone usage? What is the Camper-to-Counselor Ratio? To make sure your child gets the individual attention and supervision he or she needs for his or her age, compare the camp's counselor-to-camper ratio to the American Camp Association standards.
For day camps, ratios range from 8:1 for 6-to-8-year-olds, to 10:1 for 9-to-14-year-olds, and 12:1 for campers ages 15 and up. For sleepaway camps, the general recommended ratio is 6:1 for 7- and 8-year-olds, 8:1 for 9-to-14-year-olds and 10:1 for campers ages 15 and up.
What are the Camp’s Rules for Behavior? Be sure your child understands his boundaries. No mobile phones allowed? No going for a walk alone? If it is an overnight camp, what are the curfews and male/female restrictions?
Does the Camp Care about Creating Community? Even sports camps that heavily focus on developing skills are a social environment for kids. Good camps try to create an inclusive experience for every kid. In 10 years of sports parenting, I sent my kids to quite a variety of sports camps. And the bottom line was that I usually got what I paid for. If you can afford more quality instruction and that is what you and your child are looking for, then go for it. But if your child just wants to play, have fun, and just get some summer exercise, then less expensive summer camps are probably your best choice.
Making Camp Affordable
How much do you have to pay for your kid to have a summer of fun? Camp costs vary dramatically among countries, from just a couple hundred dollars to more than five thousand (the latter mainly for super-fancy, international programs).
Also, virtually all STEPIO Camps offer discounts and financial aids to our athletes, previously attended and newly joined. And it is our intention to invite sponsors and foundations to support our Camps and provide camp scholarships to our athletes.
What is Sports Training
WHAT IS SPORTS TRAINING CAMPS
Sports Camps are for athletes and coaches who want to develop their athletic skills. Outstanding instruction, skill development and intense competition prepare the camper for future athlete competition.
Why Should I Participate in a Camp or Training Program
WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE IN A CAMP OR TRAINING PROGRAM
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Other than the FAQs we have on the high-level questions Who/What/When/Which/How, here are some more FAQs that you might have for the STEPIO Camps :
Why are 5-year-olds not included in Sports Camp?
We have found that most 5-year-olds are not ready for the full day camp environment. We want all campers to have the best camp experience possible so they want to continue in the future with sports and camps. We have determined that 8-year-olds are consistently ready for camp and can adapt to our camp setting most successfully. Enrolling campers that are camp ready helps ensure positive experiences for all campers. Please see the age group page for further details.
Can you group my child with his friend?
Yes, usually. In the interest of keeping things fun and effective to operate, we like to accommodate such requests. Sometimes, however, for personnel or behavioral reasons, we may choose to separate a pack of friends. Please note that campers are grouped by grade in the morning and afternoon sessions and offered free hours in the evening for friends to gather.
Will my child learn to play all different kinds of sports like Tennis/Volleyball/Basketball/Soccer in one camp?
Usually not, unless it is an All-Sport Camp held in the States and Moscow in summer. Usually we offer training camps for one particular sport, or some supportive sports as exercises to balance body training and/or warm-up.
In those All-Sport Camp, we certainly touch on the basics of these sports (and more!) during different sessions of camp. However, in the interest of keeping it fun and semi-competitive, we often play hybrid versions of these sports, in game form. The children usually enjoy the hybrid games much more than traditional sports partly because of their novelty and partly because they usually are appropriate for a larger variety of abilities while some sports are difficult for younger and/or smaller campers to all play.
Each session we offer both repeat and new activities to maintain camp favorites and also mix things up for campers attending multiple sessions. We are not able to guarantee specific sports offerings during specific sessions because facility and instructor availability varies throughout the summer.
If you want your child to play a specific sport at camp or focus on specific sports skills, we recommend the sport specific camps offered through STEPIO that focus on one sport for the entire camp session. Please see the Sports Training Camp specific page.
Why the Field Trips?
In the interest of trying new things and see the world around us – we include a weekly field trip to our camp sessions.
Field trips range from watching a local sports game, tourist spot visit, Olympics training campus visit, interview with country Olympic athletes, famous sport club skill exchange, etc. The learning opportunities are immense – ranging from learning a new skill, history of a country, a different culture, and to working with a group to taking care of themselves away from mom and dad. Please see further on our website homepage to see the list of the diversified countries we offer camps at.
I am concerned about my child going on field trips to certain places. Is there an alternative option on field trip days?
On field trip days, all campers and staff go on the trip so there are of no alternative programs or supervision on camp venue. We have many safety rules and protocols in place to ensure the safety of all campers on our trips. Specifically, for the younger campers, they are matched and remain with an assigned counselor for the day. If you have any questions about our field trips or safety protocols, please let us know. Please refer to our Safety page on our protocols
My camper really wants to be with her friend on the field trip? Can I make this request?
Unfortunately, with so many campers each session, we are not able to take requests for campers to be in certain groups on the field trips. However, counselors will often work together so that campers can be with friends or near their friends on the field trip even if they are not in the same group.
What if I want my child to go on a specific field trip or have a specific activity?
The availability of sports/games/activities rotates on a daily basis based on facility availability, size of the age groups and staffing. We do not always provide field trips and special activity schedules in-advance but we do strive to offer a variety of activities kids will enjoy.
Please note that field trip locations are subject to change for a variety of reasons and we will not be able to process registration changes/transfers/refunds as a result of field trip changes after registration begins.
Please consider Field Trip is an add-on bonus on the sports training camp instead of a main program.
Do STEPIO Camps provide lunch?
It depends, some do and some don't. Please check with the specific details of each camp.
Lunches, or even all meals, might include especially for international campers, i.e. the camp is held in another country.
For local camp, your camper should bring lunch on Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, we provide a pizza lunch for the campers.
Some field trips will include lunch but we will let you know in-advance for those days.
Campers in older age range (age 12 or above) can bring lunch or money to purchase lunch at nearby restaurants and shops, Monday-Thursday.
Please be sure to let our staff know if your camper has any food allergies both on the camper online registration form and when you check in on the hotel check-in day.
Does All-Sports provide snacks during the day?
We provide the following for all campers each day : bottled distilled water and Gatorade, or equivalent, throughout the day and post-camp campers will also receive an afternoon snack.
Please be sure to let our staff know if your camper has any food allergies.
What does a camp day look like?
Below is an example of a day at camp for Fencing Training.
Location of activities will be at the destination of venue
DROP OFF 8:30-8:45
Coach Intros 8:45-9:00
Game in Groups / Warm-Up 10:00-10:45
Group Practice 10:45-11:00
Snack Break 11:00-12:00
Conditional Practice 12:00-1:00
Lunch 1:00-2:00
Footwork and Physical Training 2:00-3:00
Group Competition 3:00-5:00
Coach Conclusion & Comments 5:00-6:00
PICK UP 4:10 – 4:25
Can I sign up for multiple sessions?
Yes! Due to our access to multiple facilities and other benefits of STEPIO Camp, each session can be different. While there is some repetition of activities, things like field trips and session theme days will change on a weekly basis.
Is there a discount for siblings or registering for multiple sessions?
There is no discount for registering for multiple children yet there might be some discount on registering for multiple sessions. Please see the Camp details for such offer.
Do camp sessions fill up right away?
Most of STEPIO Camps is open pre-registration internationally, and the camp is always a limit on participant to ensure quality and safety. It is always some grade groups and sessions do fill up quickly once online registration opens.
Pre-registration is a way to maximize the participant with STEPIO before the official registration. And pre-registration is FREE. We usually can get the seats by getting us ready way before the day comes.
We typically have some sessions fill up the first day while many others fill up in the first few days. Some sessions will remain open longer as each year high demand grades and weeks differ. We recommend registering early to increase the likelihood of confirming your preferred sessions.
If the session you want is full, we recommend adding to the wait-list at no charge. We work hard to help move campers from the wait-lists, especially those that tried to register within the first week of registration.
Do I have to register online?
You do need to register online for our camp program. Many sessions fill up quickly and pre-registering online allows you to :
1. increase the likelihood of securing a place and;
2. immediately know your registration status (enrolled or waitlisted) in order to better make decisions regarding additional/alternate sessions or to coordinate with other camper friends.
Our staff is not able to take credit card payments by phone, paper form or in person. If you do not have access to a computer or prefer to pay with check or cash instead of online with a credit or debit card, you can schedule to meet with our staff during business hours to complete the pre-registration on one of our computers.
We are not able to hold spots in camp so registration is first-come-first-serve online whether you register on your computer or come into our office.
Please email stepio.camp@gmail.com if you need to come in to use our computer to register.
Do I need to pay a deposit to register?
Once you pre-register, you have a spot in that training camp. You can pay the deposit in official registration date, a non-refundable EUR100 deposit is required for each camper’s session. And the remaining balance should pay before the deadline in each registration. Please refer to the registration details of each camp.
What is the refund policy?
You may cancel your camp registration for any reason within 2 weeks of your session and receive a refund less your non-refundable deposit for each camper’s session.
Cancellations less than 2 weeks before the camp session begins are non-refundable.
What happens if my camper is sick or is injured before camp?
Ill or injured campers may transfer to another session if there is availability or be eligible to receive a partial refund if approved, upon request only. All transfer/refund requests for illness/injury must be submitted stepio.camp@gmail.com before the first day of the session (unless it is an injury that occurs during your camp session in which it is due before the last day of the camp session).
Each request will be reviewed and additional documentation may be required before transfer or refund decision is made.
How do I know if there is a place available when I am on the waitlist?
If a space opens in a session for which you are waitlisted, you will be emailed by camp staff and given instructions on how to register from the wait-list. In most cases, we will need your response within 48 hours to move your camper from the wait-list but the email notification will give you specific information regarding response time to confirm your registration.
What happens if I am able to enroll one of my children but not the other?
If you can register one camper but the same session for your other child is full, you may register the first camper, add the second camper to the wait-list and email us at stepio.camp@gmail.com. While we cannot guarantee a spot for the wait-listed camper, we make every effort to keep siblings registered together for the same sessions.
Where do I drop off my child in the morning and pick up in the afternoon?
The Drop-Off and Pick-Up are at the same entrance of the venue. Please note that parking rules will be enforced during camp hours so parking without a permit or paid meter could result in a ticket.
Please allow for extra time on the first day if you are not familiar with the area and parking.
The check-in table will be located at the venue entrance in the morning during the check-in time. At pick up time, it will be at the same spot to sign out your campers. Campers must have a parent or authorized person sign them in and out each day. All authorized pick-up people must be designated on your online registration account and may be required to show a photo ID at time of pick-up. You may add any additional authorized persons on your account for camper pick-up. You can also add names manually to the list at sign-in on Monday.
What is the policy regarding early drop off or late pick up?
For staffing and planning purposes, it is important that you arrive at the appropriate times for drop off and pick up.
Drop Off : You may drop off your camper between 8:30-8:45 a.m. Please respect our other campers by dropping off by 8:45 a.m. so that we can start our program on time without interruptions. It can be very disruptive and challenging to get campers to various program locations when campers repeatedly arrive late. There is no additional charge for the pre-camp supervision as it is included in your tuition.
Pick Up : If you are late for registered pick up time (i.e. after 6:10 p.m. without registering for post-camp supervision), you will be charged for the post-camp supervision for the session after the second incident. If you arrive after 7:00 p.m. for pick up, additional charges may apply. Please respect our counselors and their personal time by arriving on time for pick up and allowing them to leave work on time just as they arrive on time ready to work and play with your children each day! Repeated incidents of drop off after 9:30 a.m. and/or pick up after 7:00 p.m. may result in dismissal from future camp participation during current or future sessions.
Can my camper arrive late or leave early for a doctor’s or other appointment?
If you need to schedule an appointment for your camper, we recommend doing so early or late in the day for easier drop off and pick up. Let your camper’s group leader know about the appointment at check-in the day before the appointment so they can give you the location of the camper’s group at your expected arrival or departure time or the contact information to reach them.
What should my child wear to camp?
Campers should wear clothes they are comfortable wearing while being active indoors and outdoors. Camper should also wear their own sport-specific outfits to ensure the training is well taken. We recommend campers wear shorts, t-shirts, sneakers and SUNBLOCK to attend and get changed at the venue.
Also, it can be cool in the mornings so a sweatshirt is good layer to have on. See below for additional items campers should also bring and be sure to label everything so we can get it back to you if it is separated from your camper.
Does my child need to bring sports equipment?
Yes, as always, the campers should bring their own sports equipment. We WILL NOT provide the equipment that the campers need. Depending on the specific venue, it might not be possible to buy supplies on-spot but it is the campers' responsibilities to bring their own equipment.
Can my child bring an iPhone, iPad or other portable electronic devices?
We strongly discourage campers from bringing electronic games, music players, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. Not only are they vulnerable to being taken, forgotten and broken, they discourage personal interaction and participation. Campers that bring electronic devices and accessories, do so at their own risk. If campers do bring these items, counselors will ask that they keep these devices in their bags and out of sight throughout the camp day. We want campers to interact with each other and the counselors while being active for the best training experience possible!
What should my child bring to camp?
Please label everything so we can more easily return it to you if it is left behind :
- A bag or backpack
- Bottles of water
- Towel
- Sports-specific outfit (e.g. for swimming, swimsuit, pool shoes)
- Hat (outdoor)
- Book, comic book, coloring book or other item for down time after lunch (please no iPads, mobile phones or electronic games – we don’t want them to be lost or taken!)
- Sunblock! for outdoor sports, please apply sunblock in morning before drop off and we will remind campers to reapply throughout the day.
- Lunch (if not provided) Monday-Thursday. The 11-year-olds or above may bring lunch or money to buy lunch at the student union. Top
Additional Questions
If you have a question that is not answer by our FAQ’s, please email us at stepio.camp@gmail.com.
About Us
CHAMPIONS ARE MADE NOT BORN
Devised by a team of sports lovers, athletes, players and coaches from leading countries, STEPIOTM is dedicated to MAKE YOU WIN -- despite it is not just about winning.
Training camps, individual lessons & workshops, meetings & tournaments we organize simply the best available across the globe. Blended with special attentions from our coaches at the best sports venues and training facilities in USA, Italy, Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand etc., we offer the most innovative, inspiring and effective programs to benefit your every game.
Every individual is unique though. We all have unique personality style, beliefs and values that give meaning to the world around us. Our mission is to provide the best training opportunities that allows young athletes to reach their true potentials.
Knowing that everyone is different, we have formulated an unique approach to athletic development, which is personally overseen and directed by specialized coaches, and no matter which program you attend with STEPIO, we will adopt this holistic approach to give you the ultimate opportunity to be your best.
Our purpose is to build athletic skills : technical, mental, strategic and physical, and to build character, producing well rounded and balanced individuals. Winning is not the only goal in life!
Although many of our training programs are delivered in group, we believe in individualized plans for improvement, creating custom training programs and workshops for each athlete based on their individual needs and goals. We get to know our athletes, their strengths and talents, as well as the areas that hold them back from being their best.
Feel free to explore our different programs in various countries listed below to see which one is right for you :
USA : San Francisco, Houston
ITALY : Frascati, Jezi
RUSSIA : Moscow
CHINA : Shanghai, Beijing, Harbin, Guangzhou
HONG KONG : Hong Kong, Macao
TAIWAN : Taipei, Taichung
JAPAN : Tokyo, Iwata
SOUTH KOREA : Seoul
NEW ZEALAND : Wellington
SINGAPORE : Singapore
Or listed by sports :
Fencing
Football/Soccer
Swimming
Golfing
Alpine Skiing
Figure Skating
Don't forget to go through the list of our coaches who do their best for the athletes and the clubs and sponsors on their courtesy to support our programs, as well as our gallery of how our athletes enjoy their commitments.
Enjoy your every moment in life, especially in sports life!
Best wishes!
The STEPIO Team
