The Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Right Summer Camp

Picking a summer camp can feel weirdly high-stakes. Not because it’s life-or-death, but because you’re choosing who your kid will spend long days with, how they’ll be treated, and what they’ll come home talking about. You want them safe. You want them happy. You want them to make friends. And if we’re being honest, you’d love for them to fall asleep at 8:30 without a fight because they actually burned some energy.

I’ve been on both sides of this. I’m a dad of three. I spent five years teaching. I coached high school and college basketball for about a decade. And I’ve been running sports camps for more than fifteen years. I’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and what parents always wish they’d asked before they registered.

Here’s how I’d think about choosing a camp you’ll feel good about.

Start with the experience, not the hype

Before you compare price, location, or the highlight reel video, ask one simple question:

What will my child actually be doing all day?

Some camps are truly active and structured. Others are basically controlled chaos with a lot of lines, waiting, and downtime. Neither is automatically “bad,” but you should know which one you’re signing up for.

A well-run camp should be able to explain their day clearly, including:

• how the day flows (start to finish)

• how kids are grouped

• how instruction works

• what happens if your child is brand new to something

If they can’t explain it, that’s usually a sign the day isn’t organized enough to explain.

Who’s actually in charge matters more than the activity

Parents sometimes think they’re paying for activities, but what they’re really paying for is leadership.

Ask who is running each group and how they work with kids. A great camp doesn’t just “watch kids.” They lead, teach, and manage energy so kids stay engaged and the environment stays positive.

A few questions worth asking:

• Who is coaching and supervising each group?

• What’s the coach-to-kid ratio?

• How do you handle behavior when kids get tired or frustrated?

• What does “safe” look like in real life, not just on a website?

  
  

Match the camp to your child’s personality

Parents usually focus on skill level, but personality matters just as much.

If your child is shy, you want to know how they help kids feel included quickly. If your child is high-energy, you want a camp that builds movement into the day. If your child gets overwhelmed, you want routines and smooth transitions. If your child is super competitive, you want a camp that teaches sportsmanship in a real way.

A great camp works for a wide range of kids because the structure and staff support them.

Look for signs of real structure

Kids don’t need “strict.” They need clear.

A good camp day has rhythm and purpose. You can usually feel it within the first ten minutes.

Good signs include:

• a consistent warm-up and start-of-day routine

• teaching before games (not just chaos and scrimmaging all day)

• small-sided games so kids get more touches and reps

• breaks planned at the right times

• clear drop-off and pickup systems

Skill levels should be supported, not guessed at

Most parents carry one of two worries:

• “My kid is new, will they struggle?”

• “My kid plays year-round, will they be bored?”

A quality camp should be able to confidently say: “We meet kids where they are.”

That usually means coaches can:

• adjust drills on the fly

• group kids smartly

• make sure beginners feel successful

• still challenge more advanced kids

Safety and logistics are part of the experience

These aren’t the fun questions, but they’re the ones that help you feel confident.

You should feel comfortable asking about:

• check-in/check-out process

• first aid and emergency plans

• hydration, shade, and weather plans

• how injuries are handled

• how they communicate with parents during the week

If the answers are vague or dodgy, that’s your answer.

A quick gut-check: the 5 questions I’d ask any camp

If you only ask five questions before registering, make them these:

• What does a typical day look like?

• Who is coaching and supervising kids?

• How do you group kids by age and skill?

• How do you handle behavior and safety?

• What should my child expect on day one?

If you get clear, confident answers, you’re probably in the right place. And as a parent, that’s what you’re really after. Not perfection. Just confidence that your kid is going to have a great week with adults who know what they’re doing.

If you’re looking for a camp that’s organized, high-energy, and built to keep kids engaged, that’s exactly what we do at Next Level Sports Camp. We’ve been running camps since 2017, and our goal is simple: kids have an awesome week, improve their skills, make friends, and leave excited to come back. 2026 registration is open for Ventura (June 15–19 and July 20–24), Santa Barbara (June 22–26 and July 13–17), and La Jolla (July 6–10) for ages 6–14, with full-day and half-day options. If you have questions, reach out anytime, and if you’re ready to lock in a spot, registration is available on our website.