Youth Academy - NO 1 Soccer Camps

Youth Academy Meets Distinct Needs of Younger Players

You Asked, We Answered: No. 1 Soccer Camps Youth Academy

For years, parents have requested a soccer camp for their younger children, and No. 1 responded. No. 1 Soccer Camps Youth Academy is designed for players aged 7-10. Based on our 40 years of soccer camp experience, No. 1 Soccer Camps created a curriculum specifically constructed to meet the distinct needs and abilities of the emerging player.

The participants at our Youth Academy benefit from a positive and encouraging setting. We create a fun, nurturing environment and ensure no 3 L’s. No lines, no laps and no lectures are a mainstay of our youth curriculum. We understand our younger players have specific needs that if taught properly can insure a greater appreciation of the game. Fun, exciting, and engaging activities are all part of the week. We achieve this with individual and small group activities with the introduction of entertaining technical exercises and games that are engaging and relevant for the age group and ability level.

No 1 Soccer Camps Youth Academy is available at many of our residential camps across the country. Half day and full day options are available for greater flexibility and to meet families and players individual needs.

For specific locations and dates for No. 1 Soccer Camps Youth Academy in 2017, please visit our Youth Academy page here.

12 Questions To Ask A Potential Soccer Camp

Choosing a summer soccer camp can be a difficult decision. With so many options, how do you know which one is the right fit for your child? No. 1 Soccer Camps Regional Director Christine Huber asks the twelve vital questions parents should pose to potential camps to ensure a rewarding and safe soccer camp experience.

ASK YOUR SOCCER CAMP THE TOUGH QUESTIONS

1) How many years has the camp been in the business?

Experience matters. While it is not always a guarantee of a superior camp, this can be an excellent indicator of the caliber of the camp experience, its management, and its coaches. No. 1 Soccer Camps has been in continuous operation for over 40 years. VERY few camps can make this claim, and we are proud of our tradition and history.

2) Is the camp a soccer specific camp or a camp that offers soccer? Which is best for your child?

A camp that offers soccer may have different activities and may not be focused on just on soccer. Dances, plays, and skits may be incorporated into the camp day which limits the amount of time spent on soccer. No. 1 Soccer Camps is a specific soccer camp geared towards the player who loves the game. We offer on and off the field soccer specific training, films, and lectures to make sure the camper gets the most comprehensive soccer experience. Each session we see amazing improvements in the campers’ skills in a relatively short amount of time.

3) How does a camp facilitate maximum amount of touches on the ball to foster the most positive results over a short period of time?

Many camps play 11 vs 11 games which means some players are only getting a few touches a game. In these camps you will also see drills with long lines and campers waiting to shoot or touch a ball due to limited equipment and staff. With well thought out and designed lesson plans, No. 1 Soccer Camps plays small sided tactical games based on a recently broken down technical skill. This not only increases the amount of touches on the ball but also mentally prepares players for tight situations in the final third of the field. Field players are preparing and taking more shots while goalkeepers continuously have shots coming at them. We bring in full sized official goals to mimic the real game.

4) How does the camp challenge its players? Will the camp allow the player to “play up” if warranted?
Every player needs to be challenged physically and mentally in order to improve. A good camp will be flexible enough to adjust to the needs of every camper. During the first session of camp, our staff evaluates the campers and makes any necessary adjustments under the direction of the Camp Director and Striker/ Goalkeeper Director. This ensures each camper receives a tailored experience geared toward his/her current level of play.

5) What is the average number of training hours per day? How many hours of your camper’s day are actually spent working on the field getting better?

A good camp like No. 1 Soccer Camps will have perfected the proper balance between training, recovery, and free time. We offer evening lectures, group discussions as well as the on the field training to create a comprehensive program geared to the mental and physical needs of the player.

6) What is the staff to camper ratio? Is it 1:8 or less?

This ratio is required legally by many states. A smaller staff to camper ratio will ensure your player receives the individual attention necessary to improve. No. 1 Soccer Camp aims to have a 1:6 or less ratio at all of our locations.

7) How many years has the Camp Director been running the camp and how extensive are the staff coaches backgrounds in coaching younger players?

Not all professional coaches are capable of coaching youth players. Your camp director and staff coaches should have many years of experience in the camp industry along with coaching the specific age groups. Our No. 1 Soccer Camps Directors are leaders in the soccer community and have been an integral part of our company for many years. Several are even former campers themselves! Our Staff coaches are selected and matched based on coaching experience with a particular age group in mind for maximum success.

8) Does the camp perform background checks on all staff?

Most state legislation requires criminal background checks and SORI checks for ANYBODY around children. Be sure any camp under consideration meets these requirements and thoroughly checks its staff. No. 1 Soccer Camps uses a national company to perform background checks on all staff regardless of state requirements.

9) What kind of access do campers have to the camp site’s facilities besides the fields ie. indoor spaces for inclement weather, dorms, cafeterias, pool, lounges etc?
The access to and quality of these amenities are important to a camper’s overall experience. No. 1 Soccer Camps chooses its locations based on the excellence of the facilities and the needs of our campers. The quality and stellar reputation of No. 1 Soccer Camps allows us to secure some of the most coveted university and private schools locations in the nation.

10) How is the camp supervised? Do coaches, directors, and medical staff stay on campus? Is there adequate staff coverage in the dorms?

Safety is a paramount parental concern and proper staff supervision is necessary to make sure campers are well cared for on and off the pitch. At No. 1 Soccer Camps our directors, coaches and camp nurse are on campus throughout out the day and night to provide supervision and assistance 24 hours a day.

11) How does the camp prepare it’s players for the collegiate experience?
Only a few camps address the many issues the college-bound player faces. Collegiate level training, recruitment, and application processes are just a few of the areas our College Showcase ID, College Prep and Sr. Academy programs address both on and off the field.

12) How are players evaluated?

Camp is over. Now what? At many camps, once the last session is played, you are on your own. On the final day of No. 1 Soccer Camps, each camper receives a written 75 point evaluation, the most in depth detailed soccer camp evaluation in the industry. Our staff takes great pride in the quality of each camper’s evaluation and the Personal Development Plan which offers a post camp game plan for the further enhancement of each camper’s abilities. Campers and parents have the opportunity to review and discuss the evaluation with the camper’s staff coach at the end of camp creating a positive conclusion to camp’s training.

Regional Director Christine Huber has been with No. 1 Soccer Camps since 1996. A former four year starter and Hall of Fame Player for the University of New Haven, Huber is now the head coach at Hamden Hall Country Day School and Assistant Coach at the University of New Haven. The following No. 1 Soccer Camp locations are under her direction: Brewster Academy, Northfield Mount Hermon, Pomfret School, CFC Arena, and Hamden.

Get Packing: Preparing For No. 1 Soccer Camps

GET READY FOR A SOCCER SUMMER TO REMEMBER!

Your time at No. 1 Soccer Camps is going to be one of the most memorable of your soccer career. You’ll work hard, learn from professional coaches, improve your game, and meet like-minded soccer players. In order to maximize your time at camp, we have put together some pertinent information to help you prepare and pack for your No. 1 Soccer Camps experience.

Preparing for Camp

Prior to the start of your camp you will receive a detailed information sheet from your Regional Director that is specific to the site that you are attending. If for some reason you do not receive this information within two weeks of the start of camp, please contact your regional director directly. Their phone numbers and email addresses are listed on our website and individual site pages. Please also note that the contact number on our website (571-428-8387) is for our national office in Virginia and can be used if you are unable to reach your RD directly. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Youth Academy Camps

Your Regional Director will provide you with detailed information concerning the specifics regarding the Youth Academy Camp schedule, check in, location and other important information.

Residential Camps

Your Regional Director will provide you with the time and location for the first day of camp check in prior to the start of camp.

Medical and Camper Profile Forms

The Medical Form must be completed by a parent and your physician. Physical exams conducted for the 2016/17 school year may be attached to our Medical Form provided all necessary information is provided. It is imperative that you remember to bring your medical form to camp. Please note that you cannot participate at camp without a completed Medical Form.

The Camper Profile Form must be completed by the player and/or a parent. The picture is important and will help us to get to know the campers quickly at camp. The camp directors and staff coaches will use the Camper Profile Form as an aid in placing the camper in the right group and in maximizing their camp experience. Please bring the Camper Profile Form along with your Medical Form to camp. For all camper forms, go to our website at www.no1soccercamps.com, click on FYI, Players, then click on Prepare For Camp or simply click the links above.

Roommate Requests

All roommate requests will be honored to the best of our ability. Be sure to list your roommate choice during the registration process. If for whatever reason the roommate dynamics are not working out between campers, it is important that campers let our staff know. If a camper is uncomfortable telling someone, then they should have their parents call. Things are sometimes simple to fix.

Packing List:

• Soccer Ball
• Soccer Socks
• T-Shirts (NO tank tops)
• Soccer Shoes – it is NOT a good idea to bring new shoes to camp.
• Indoor Training Shoes (Sneakers)
• Shin Guards
• Warm Up
• Bathing Suit
• Equipment Bag
• Water Bottle
• Sun Screen and Bug Spray
• Note Book and Pen
* Personal Items
• Sandals/Flip Flops
• Towels
• Pillow and Bed Sheets – for twin size bed – residents only
• Blanket/Sleeping Bag – residents only
• Toiletries
• Goalkeeping gear including gloves

Commuters – First Day of Camp

Campers who are not staying overnight should arrive at the assigned time provided to them by the Regional Director. Dinner will be the first meal. The regional director will provide you with the time and location that your commuter should be dropped off and then picked up at the conclusion of the day. Lunch and dinner will be provided daily. We will have a location in the dorm where our commuters can relax between sessions and store their belongings.

Residents – First Day of Camp

Registration is generally between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm on opening day at a specified location. Your Regional Director will send you exact times and locations. Once on campus, signs will direct you to the exact location for registration. The first field session is scheduled for early afternoon. Dinner is the first meal of the day, followed by a second field session. The evening lecture concludes the day’s events followed by lights out.

Room Key Deposits

Most residential campers are required to submit a key deposit at the time of check-in. Deposits can be made in the form of cash or checks and will be returned to campers on the last day of camp at check out when the room keys are returned to us. Please make checks payable to No. 1 Soccer Camps. It will save you time during check-in if you have a check ready.

Creating Groups

Campers will be initially placed into groups based on the program that they have enrolled during registration. During the sessions on the first day, campers will evaluated on their ability, throughout the week there will be continued evaluation as the program progresses.

Please know that the staff is very aware that friends come together and want to stay together in the same group. Groups and teams that signed up together will work together. As other groups are established, the staff may not know exactly which campers are friends and want to train together.

Campers will be asked several times – “Is there anyone who has been separated from their friends – does anyone want to move for any reason?” This is an important question, and we take it seriously. Groups can be adjusted – friends can and should play together – this is part of the whole camp experience. If a camper does not feel right in his group for whatever reason, please let us know. PLEASE tell your camper to speak up – we want to hear what they have to say. Sometimes they need to call home and have their parents contact us for them…that’s okay too.

Last Day of Camp

Camp will conclude after the morning field session on the last date of camp. Specific times will be provided by your regional director. At that time, campers will receive their personal detailed evaluation forms from our coaches. Lunch will not be served. Campers can be met on the field or at their dormitory. There is no formal closing meeting with parents. Parents wishing to do so may meet with the Directors, Staff Coaches, and Trainers on the field at the end of the last session. All campers must be promptly picked up at the conclusion of camp. We will have them as ready as possible for you. Due to our national sites, many of our staff are moving onto another site and will also need to depart camp promptly.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact your Regional Director directly. We look forward to seeing you in a few weeks!

No registered yet? Register Today!

No. 1 Soccer Camps was founded by Dr. Joseph Machnik in 1977. Since then, over 100,000 soccer players and coaches have attended No. 1 Soccer Camps and countless alumni have gone on to playing and coaching careers throughout the national and international soccer ranks. No. 1 Soccer Camps currently offers programs for every level of field players and goalkeepers with residential and day camps at twenty-five locations across the country.

Tag: Youth Academy

Youth Academy Meets Distinct Needs of Younger Players

You Asked, We Answered: No. 1 Soccer Camps Youth Academy

12 Questions To Ask A Potential Soccer Camp

Get Packing: Preparing For No. 1 Soccer Camps

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