Camps are the most expensive part of recruiting for many families, and the part where they most often overspend. This guide helps you decide what's worth it and how to use visits well.
Types of events
- College camps run by a school's coaching staff on its own campus. You work out for the coaches of that program.
- Combines and showcases run by independent organizations. Testing and drills, often with many programs' coaches or none.
- Position or skill camps and training, often run by coaches or private trainers, aimed at improving you.
- Team camps run by colleges for high school teams.
Coach recommendation
Ask one question before you pay: "Who will be watching, and why would they care about me?" A camp is worth it when the coaches who attend recruit players like you, and when you've already been in touch with them. Showing up cold at a big showcase and hoping to be discovered is the most expensive version of recruiting.
Is this camp worth it?
Checklist
- Is it at a school on my target list, or run by a program I'd actually consider?
- Have I already contacted the coaching staff, and did they invite or encourage me?
- Will I get real reps and real feedback, or mostly stand in lines?
- What is the total cost: fee, travel, lodging, food, time off?
- Is the cost sensible compared with other ways I could use that money (a second camp at a school I'm more serious about, a campus visit)?
- Does my timing make sense? Is my film ready first?
Example
Example (made up): A rising junior has $600 to spend on camps. He has emailed ten programs and heard back from three. He signs up for one camp at a Division II school that replied and one at an NAIA school that invited him, and saves the rest for visits, instead of paying for a large showcase with 40 colleges listed but no replies.
The Coach's Recruiting Game Plan kit includes a camp budgeting worksheet to help you do exactly this math.
Personal strategy
One big showcase or several smaller camps? Some families like a single big event for exposure; others prefer targeted camps at schools on the list. Either can work. The key is a reason for each stop.
Official and unofficial visits
Official rule
An official visit is a campus visit paid for by the college hosting you. Before a Division I or II official visit you must register with the Eligibility Center, be on the school's institutional request list, and send the school a copy of your high school transcript. Each school may extend only one official visit to you. An unofficial visit is any campus visit paid for by you or your family. You may take an unlimited number of them. In Divisions I and II, each must occur after the first permissible date for your sport. Source: NCAA Guide.
Official rule
NAIA: you may have a maximum of two days of tryouts throughout your entire athletic career. If a school has a policy for reimbursing all students for such visits, the same can be applied to you. Source: NAIA High School Students.
Dead periods matter. In an NCAA dead period, campus visits (official or unofficial) aren't permitted. Check the calendar before you book travel. See Recruiting Rules.
Make a visit count
Checklist
- Contact the coaching staff first and confirm the visit is permitted.
- Prepare your questions (use the question lists in Guide 7).
- Meet with someone in admissions and someone in financial aid, not just the football staff.
- Look at the academic side: your major, class sizes, tutoring and support.
- Notice how current players talk about the coaches and the school.
- Send thank-you notes within a day or two.
Heads up
Don't accept gifts, extra benefits or "free" travel outside what the rules allow. If a school or a booster offers something unusual, ask the compliance office. It can cost you eligibility.
Your next step
Next up: Guide 9: Junior Year Game Plan.
Sources checked
Official pages used for this guide, and the date we checked each one. Rules change, so confirm before you act.