Sharon Nagia, Montgomery Sports

Sports Camps Build Confidence

By Karen Finucan Clarkson

Special to The Gazette (January 15, 2003)

While there's no pre-determined age for starting a sports camp, few programs accept children younger than age 5. When deciding on a camp for elementary-school-aged child "you should choose a camp where the emphasis is on building one's skills and self-confidence rather than on competition," said Sharon Nagia, president of the Montgomery Sports Association, which offers a summer camps in Bethesda and Gaithersburg.

"When a child feels good about himself and is put in less-pressured environment, he tends to learn more and to develop an interest in the sport," she said.

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase YMCA offers a "sports festival" camp for 4- and 5-year-olds. This program allows young sports enthusiasts to sample several different sports and to build a variety of gross motor skills. "When your child is young, it makes to expose her to a variety of sports than to lock her in one," said Kristi Mans, youth sports and family programs director at the B-CC YMCA. "Early on, camp is all about socialization and learning basic coordination," she said, "These kids still need to grow, both physically and emotionally,"

When choosing a camp for your child keep an an eye out for peer pressure, Nagia warned. "Choose a camp best suited for your child's needs," she said. "Don't send your child just because the neighbors are sending their child."

As a child progresses through various skill levels, she may crave a certain amount of competition, That's fairly typical, said Mans, "and that's when parents need to give some serious thought to a camp's philosophy."

Most area camps do not hold tryouts and accept every child that applies. It's up to parents, therefore, to determine whether a child will be over matched. Even if a camp serves all skill levels, it could be that they tend to attract children with specific skills already in place.

Some camps group kids strictly by age, others groups by skill level; and still other group by skill level within a certain age range. If your child would be uncomfortable in a mixed-age or mixed-skill setting, be sure to explore how the camp breaks out kids.

Another important consideration is the way in which campers are evaluated. "With older kids, we actually  put them through skill screening," said Mans. "That way we can break them up and they all can grow at different levels."

That skills checklist can be an important learning tool for both the campers and parents, particularly if a similar evaluation is performed and shared at the end of the camp session.

Depending on the sport your child favors, you may have to supply some or all of equipment needed to participate. Most soccer and basketball camps provide the basics, but suggest that parents send in safety equipment such as shin guards of safety goggles (if a child wears glasses). Tennis and in-line skating camps often require parents to provide rackets, or skates, helmets, street hockey sticks and other protective equipment. Some camps rent equipment.

"Read the program guide," said Mans. "it tells you everything. And don't be afraid to ask questions, because each camp is different."

Because many local sports camps rent space at schools, parks and other recreational facilities, it is not always possible to visit in the off-season and get a feel for the program and its staff. Both Nagia and Mans agree, however, that parents should talk to camp administrators and should leave the conversation with all their questions answered and satisfied by those answers. Some things to consider when speaking with sports camp staff:

• How long has the camp been in business?
• Who is the director? If the camp is run by a well-known coach or professional league player, find out if that person is a figurehead or if he plays an active role.
• Are the coaches trained or certified: Are they experienced in working with kids?
• What is the coach to camper ratio?
• What is the daily schedule: Is there down time? Are there activities other than sports?
• What provisions are made for outdoor practices should it rain or become extremely hot?

Soccer, tennis, football - both flag and tackle, baseball, tee ball, basketball, ice or in-line skating, martial arts, and golf are just a few of many sport-specific camp options available to children in the area. Once the right match is made, parents and campers can look forward to a summer of fun and learning.

Summer of fun and fitness

Parents should talk to camp administrators and should leave the conversation with all their questions answered and satisfied by those answers.