Summer Camps

How to Choose the Right Summer Soccer Camp for Your Child

Summer soccer camps can be a great way for kids to stay active, sharpen skills, and fall even more in love with the game—but not every camp is right for every player or family budget. The key is understanding your goals, the main types of camps, and how those choices match your child’s age, temperament, and current level.

Main types of summer soccer camps

Most options fall into a few broad categories, and many camps blend elements from more than one.

Recreational day camps: Typically half- or full-day, with a mix of games, basic skills, and plenty of water breaks and social time; ideal for newer or younger players.
Club‑run training camps: Hosted by local clubs, these often mirror regular team training with extra touches on the ball and small‑sided games, and may serve as informal tryouts for higher‑level teams.
Branded pro‑club or “academy” camps: MLS or European‑branded camps emphasize a particular playing style and a higher-intensity environment, sometimes with a “professional” feel that can excite older, motivated players.
Residential/overnight camps: Multi‑day boarding camps provide total immersion with multiple training blocks, classroom or video sessions, and structured downtime.
College ID or showcase camps: Aimed at high school players interested in college soccer, these focus less on fun and more on being evaluated, understanding the college environment, and being seen by coaches.
European Camps: There are many opportunities in Europe such as Futedu (Valencia) and Madrid Euro Soccer Academy in Spain. These can be great exposure to European culture and soccer culture, and if you are considering a European full season/”gap year”, a way to “kick the tires” on the experience of training abroad.

Length, schedule, and “training vs fun”

Most summer soccer camps run 3–5 days, with many offering either half‑day (typically 3 hours) or full‑day (5–7 hours including lunch and breaks). Overnight camps usually run 3–6 nights and build in a rhythm of morning technical work, afternoon training or games, and evening activities or meetings.

Within that structure, camps vary a lot on the “training‑versus‑fun” spectrum. Technique‑heavy camps emphasize drills, repetition, and small‑group coaching with clear progression over the week. Fun‑first camps mix lighter technical work with more scrimmages, contests, and non-soccer games to keep kids engaged and moving. Immersion residential camps can deliver faster technical gains because players live the sport all day, but they can also be mentally draining for some kids.

When evaluating a camp, ask to see a sample daily schedule: you want a healthy balance of ball work, small‑sided games, rest, and age‑appropriate free play, not six straight hours of lines and lectures.

Matching camp choice to age and level

Age and current level should heavily shape your expectations.

Ages 6–9, newer players: Look for local or rec‑oriented day camps, shorter days, and coaches who emphasize basic skills, simple tactics (spacing, passing, 1v1s), and lots of positive feedback. An overnight camp at this age is usually only a fit for very independent kids.
Ages 9–12, growing players: A more focused training camp can work well, especially if your player is already on a travel or competitive team. The best programs blend ball‑mastery work with small‑sided games and still protect a strong element of fun and social connection.
Ages 13–15, serious players: This is the sweet spot for considering higher‑intensity club, pro‑branded, or residential camps, particularly if your child is motivated and wants a challenge. Here it is important to ask about grouping by age and ability so your player isn’t stuck in a group that’s far above or below their level.
Ages 15–18, college‑minded players: College ID or advanced residential camps can provide exposure and a realistic taste of higher‑level expectations. For these, your player should arrive fit and ready to compete; the main goal is to be evaluated, not just to have a laid‑back week.

For any age, personality matters: some kids thrive in competitive, high‑structure environments, while others need a lighter, relationship‑driven setting to stay confident and engaged.

What summer soccer camps typically cost

Costs vary widely by location, brand, and format, but there are some useful ballparks for planning. Local day camps: Many community or club‑run camps range from around 150–350 dollars per week for full‑day programs, with half‑day options often at the lower end. Branded or pro‑club day camps: Full‑day camps tied to pro clubs or national brands commonly run in the 300–700 dollar per week range depending on market and included hours. Residential/overnight soccer camps: Fees of 1,000–1,500 dollars for a 4–5 day residential week are common, especially when housing, meals, and evening activities are included. General summer‑camp context: Across the U.S., typical day camps (all types) run roughly 50–500 dollars per week, while sleepaway camps often fall in the 1,000–2,000 dollars per week range.

Families should also ask about extras: early‑bird discounts, sibling discounts, team discounts, payment plans, and whether uniforms, meals, or transportation are included.

How to choose the right camp for your player

A simple framework can help parents make a confident decision.

Clarify your primary goal.
- Decide whether this summer is mostly about fun and fitness, accelerated skill growth, social confidence, or college‑track exposure; your answer will narrow the field quickly.
Filter by age, level, and format.
- Rule out camps that don’t clearly state which ages and levels they serve, and decide whether a day or residential format realistically fits your child’s maturity and your family’s comfort.
Check coaching and safety.
- Look for coach licensing or equivalent experience, sensible coach‑to‑player ratios, and written policies on supervision, heat, injuries, and emergencies.

Read reviews and talk to other parents.
- Online reviews and word‑of‑mouth can reveal whether the camp delivers on its promises and how kids feel about the experience once the week is over.

If you keep your child’s personality, current stage, and long‑term relationship with the game at the center of the decision, a summer soccer camp can be more than just childcare or training hours—it can be a positive memory of just a fun summer activity, or one that nudges them one step further along their own unique soccer pathway.