Summer sports camps for kids and teens

“During the weeks I was there, a good number of NHL stars just showed up to check things out and have fun. In fact, the NHL guys were having more fun than the kids. The pros were playing pranks on everybody... especially on the camp counsellors. The ice drills were great. I gained some knowledge of the game and acquired some skills, which you can only get from guys who played at the pro level. I'll never forget those weeks I spent up there.” S. Town, camper at Haliburton Hockey Haven, in Haliburton, Ontario.

What are sports camps?

Sports camps provide a fun, physical challenge for children, away from the sedentary temptations of video games, the Internet and television. Many sports camps and programs specialize in sports instruction and training.

Summer & Winter Camps

A week or two at a summer or winter, March, or winter break camp that focuses on a specific sport is also a great way for your son or daughter to develop their skills. In addition to the camps linked to above, there are camps for summer and winter sports focusing on the following activities:

• Adventure camps
• Baseball sports camps
• Cheerleading summer camps
• Cricket camps
• Cycling camps
• Fishing camps
• Frisbee camps
• Gymnastics camps
• Kayaking camps
• Kids' basketball camps
• Kids' sailing camps
• Kids' tennis camps
• Lacrosse kids' camps
• Rock climbing
• Rugby camps
• Skating camps
• Swimming camps
• Taekwondo camps
• Trampoline camps
• Volleyball camps
• Wakeboarding camps
• Water sports camps

Why attend a sports camp?

Sports camps unite families - they tend to be one thing that both parents and kids agree on. As one parent has said, "My son loves the sports programs at camp. He may not realize this but he's also learning to be a part of team, sportsmanship, leadership, and much more than just how to win."

Kids at camp are surprised to be exposed to types of activities they may not know about. "You go mountain biking, frisbee golfing, tubing and a wide variety of things. And then they have skateboarding and BMX biking," said one camper.

Sports camps and programs broaden campers' horizons and facilitate a unique learning environment not easily available elsewhere.

What to look for in a sports camp, program or facility

Different camps offer different philosophies towards sports: do you want to enroll your child in a competitive environment, or are you looking for a less intense focus? Read the camp promotional material closely and speak to the camp's representatives to learn more about the camp’s philosophies and practices.

Consider whether the camp includes the sport(s) you are interested in. Does it focus on many sports and activities or is the goal to develop specialized skills in just one sport? If so, what reputation does it have for improving performance?

Ask about the camps' policies concerning children's safety and security and check to see if the camp belongs to national and provincial associations. Ask about the training of staff and camp counsellors and whether there are medical staff on site in case of an emergency.

Do you want to fully immerse your child in the sport? If so you use our camp search engine