Sports camps vs. just playing in the yard?

Jan 6·1 min read

Does anyone else feel like organized sports camps are getting ridiculous? The $400-600 "elite" youth soccer camp happened and my kid learned the same stuff he learns at regular practice but now I'm $500 poorer.

I've started just setting up cones in the yard and we mess around with drills ourselves. Kid seems just as happy and it costs literally nothing except my time. Am I being cheap or is this reasonable?

6 comments483 views

Comments(6)

NNate H.RegularJan 8

Depends on the kid honestly. My oldest actually thrives in the structured environment and made friends he still talks to. My middle kid could care less and just wants to kick a ball around. Don't think there's one right answer here.

KKevinNew DadJan 9

The backyard play is way underrated. My kids are on a competitive team and it's great, but honestly some of the best memories are just playing HORSE or hitting baseballs in the yard with no pressure. Skip the elite camps.

PPabloNew DadJan 8

What age group are you looking at? That might matter. High school level camps seem more reasonable than the middle school 'elite' programs.

JJason T.New DadJan 9

400-600 for a CAMP? That's insane. Even the decent ones around us are hitting 300 now. I keep telling my wife that's beer money we should be drinking instead.

RRyanRegularJan 9

Yeah the marketing on these is wild. Somehow every kid's camp now has to be 'elite' or 'advanced.' It's just kickball in a field, man.

DDan M.RegularJan 9

We've done both and honestly the yard play won out. You save money and your kid actually wants to hang out with you instead of begging for the camp.