Are College Recruiting Camps Worth It?

Camps aren't all the same

Every college camp says "get noticed." Some mean it. Others are open-enrollment events that raise money for the program and fill a gym with hundreds of athletes, and the staff may never learn who you are.

It probably feels like you have to say yes to every invite, or you'll miss your chance. You don't. Picking a few of the right camps beats going to many of the wrong ones.

The ones worth it

• A coach invited you personally. Your name, a line about you, not a mass email.
• You're already talking to that staff. The camp is where they finally see you up close.
• The school is a real fit. Level, academics, distance. A camp at a school you'd never attend is a weekend, not a step.
• The group is small enough to be seen. Ask how many campers and how many coaches.

The ones to skip

• A mass "elite camp" email that never mentions you.
• Camps far above your level, chosen for the name.
• Back-to-back camps you can't afford, chasing exposure without a plan.

A camp invite isn't an offer. It's a chance to give a coach a reason to keep watching.

Before you register, ask

A short, polite email works: "I'm interested in your camp. Will your staff be evaluating my position, and is there anything you'd want to see from me there?" A coach who's interested will answer. That answer tells you a lot.

Make the weekend count

Email the coach before you go so they know you're coming. Introduce yourself in person. Follow up within a few days with a thank-you and one thing you learned. Without the follow-up, most of the value is lost.