College camps

Is it better to go to a individual college camp like Texas Tech or A&M or DBU or go to the exact camp where there are lots of coaches I keep getting invitations for the exact camp but I also get them for my older dd who hasnt played in 2 years so is it just a money thing or is it worth it

To be clear, all camps are being held as a secondary source of income for the coaches.

If you're talking about elementary and middle school kids it should be seen like any other summer camp. A fun place away from home that allows them to meet new people and learn new things. My DD has attended both TTU and A&M on multiple camps. She loved every trip.

For high schoolers, it would be more cost effective to attend a couple of schools you're interested in and see what feedback you receive there. If that feedback doesn't appear very positive then an ID/Exact camp makes sense. The ID/Exact camps will include mostly D2 and D3 coaches from smaller programs that pool their resources to host a camp.

While the UCO coach did extend my DD an offer after a tournament, Coach Mike does extend offers at the their camp to juniors/seniors. In addition to watching her play at the tournament, the UCO coach talked extensively with her club coach during this tournament. Your DD should be contacting coaches from any school she's interested in to come watch her play at tournaments. Lots of contacts with coaches and video is important. Also, post your video to U-tube. My DD did get a D1 offer from a coach at an Exact Camp but the school was not a good fit.

She is a freshman is it too soon to go

Things have changed so much in just a few years.  Before my DD was hurt, she was going to some big school camps with some serious looks.  As a freshman, one coach in particular said I like you and lets see where you are junior year.   Also, several college players told her not to make an early commitment because the school you think you like as a freshman is not likely to be the school you will like as a senior.  While that was truly accurate advise, the large programs now are extending verbals to freshman and sophomore studs.   (I know, I know, not supposed to but it is happening.) If your DD is playing at the stud level, I would go to the Big A&M -type camps, make the contacts and get her video out.  Make sure that coach knows her name.  Freshman year is not too early now for big quality programs.  For keepers, your video needs to show play time as well as training sessions.  But, please don't overlook quality D2 and D3 programs. My DD was at first hung up on D1 and dismissed a few early D2/D3 offers without even thinking about them. Go with the school first and soccer second.  There are many quality D2/D3 programs out there and many second tier D1 programs that aren't so hot.

My daughter is an 8th grader and we went out to a college ID camp for OU. The coaches spoke to me and one other parent, they were only interested in maybe 2-3 players at that camp. He invited my DD to come out to OU and tour the campus and meet their current squad. They said to keep tabs with him and pretty much sold her on their school. :-) You are never too young! She actually scored on a junior keeper and played the majority of the scrimmage against juniors and seniors that day. Again, she is in 8th grade.

SWGSB 52 wrote:
For high schoolers, it would be more cost effective to attend a couple of schools you're interested in and see what feedback you receive there. If that feedback doesn't appear very positive then an ID/Exact camp makes sense. The ID/Exact camps will include mostly D2 and D3 coaches from smaller programs that pool their resources to host a camp.

Yea exactly. If the dream schools don't give you feedback, you should look into smaller schools that will idea fit for your child.

GGoat wrote:She is a freshman is it too soon to go

yes

ONLYASOCCERDAD wrote:

GGoat wrote:She is a freshman is it too soon to go

yes

I would have said the same thing a few years ago. However, after having several college coaches come out to our games and contacting me I would say freshman year is a must. Our girls are in 8th grade and things definitely move a lot quicker then I expected.

jm23jm wrote:

ONLYASOCCERDAD wrote:

GGoat wrote:She is a freshman is it too soon to go

yes

I would have said the same thing a few years ago.  However, after  having several college coaches come out to our games and contacting me I would say freshman year is a must.  Our girls are in 8th grade and things definitely move a lot quicker then I expected.  

What level are the college coaches that come out to see your daughters play?

Our game on Sunday I saw the SMU, Texas A&M, Missouri, and TCU head coaches at the game. Looking out across the practice field tonight Texas A&M coach doing the training camp. Made a call to the coach this weekend and asked if he would reach out to the Notre Dame coach. I will keep you posted.

Uriel12 wrote:

jm23jm wrote:

ONLYASOCCERDAD wrote:

GGoat wrote:She is a freshman is it too soon to go

yes

I would have said the same thing a few years ago.  However, after  having several college coaches come out to our games and contacting me I would say freshman year is a must.  Our girls are in 8th grade and things definitely move a lot quicker then I expected.  

What level are the college coaches that come out to see your daughters play?

We've had the following attend a game, practice or have reached out to me.


University of Texas
TCU
Baylor
OU
Texas Tech
UTEP
University of Kentucky
UNT
SMU
TCU
Southern Miss