Our Summer 2023 overnight youth sports camp was one for the books! We had our biggest camper turnout yet, welcomed exciting featured professional players as our headlining athletes in action-packed sessions at three unbeatable locations, and saw hundreds of new friends made…now to address the question on everyone’s mind, how could 2024 get any better?
Well, as we double the sessions, we have already doubled the participation of the record-setting 2023 summer! We have launched additional sports tracks to welcome a diverse set of youth athletes and even upped our safety, staff training, health, & wellness procedures by partnering with the Alliance for Camp Health and participating in the ACA Accreditation process. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg because, well… we are overachievers. Let’s dive into a recap of 2023 and what foundation that gives us in the Summer of 2024.
Specialized Lacrosse Training
Youth, Middle School, & High School athletes all choose Signature for their off-season summer camp sports training. Why? Well, in 2023 we welcomed over 25 Resident Coaches who come from collegiate and club lacrosse playing experience – who came ready to pour into our campers on the field. Not only did our Signature Coaches coach, but they also jumped into the drills, demonstrated, and actively critiqued each athlete to fix fundamentals, push the comfort zone, and teach new lacrosse concepts that elevated each camper’s creativity on the field.
Our Resident Coaches are supported by our Headliners: Professional Athletes who campers watch on ESPN and who come to camp ready to inspire. We love our pros for not only their competency in the sport but the way they interact with the campers. The Pros took the time to sit with campers at lunch and ask them about their lacrosse clubs, their high school season, and what’s going on in their lives.
A few of our favorite sessions were Andrew Kew’s behind-the-back demonstration- he demonstrated not only how to do a BTB but when; what angle you’re looking to create, how to use deception in your game, and of course, we had to end on a BTB accuracy competition.
We also loved Emily Hawryshuck’s Draw Demos. Emily demonstrated multiple concepts and took the time to work with girls on some draw techniques that many coaches don’t even know (like the lefty pull draw technique). We were so excited to hear that some of our campers tried that out back at their home field in their fall seasons.
Sports Camp Off-Field Adventures!
Last year we added our New York sports camp location to the roster. And boy, did this location fit right into the Signature experience! From check-in, we heard our parents gasp as they turned the corner of the dorm rooms and saw Keuka Lake right THERE. Such a beautiful lake and campus- it takes your breath away! Our campers got the most out of lake time- swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, or even playing yard games by the lake in between field sessions.
This year (due to popular demand), we added a second session to our NY youth sports camp location and extended each session by an extra day (so now we are at 5 days/ 4 nights per session). We’ve also added a Field Hockey track! We are also excited to have that additional day to explore more of the Finger Lakes region with a Camp Excursion to Watkins Glen State Park (home of 19 waterfalls and gorges).
Classic Summer Camp Games
It wouldn’t be a youth sports camp without Camp Games. We continue to lean into our staples: Signature Shark Tank and, of course, camp-wide kickball! These games wouldn’t be the thrill they are without the COMMITMENT of our Resident Coaches. Sometimes we wonder if the Coaches are more competitive than our campers…
Signature Shark Tank pulls together our teams (campers are split into teams by dorm, which campers are on throughout all of camp for various competitions), and then teams brainstorm and present their sports invention. Judges give points based on the creativity of the invention, the presentation, and feasibility… and can’t forget the bonus points for cheering on the other teams (yes, campers take those cheering points pretty far). Last year’s winner at TWO locations happened to be the “Robo Ref” – safe to say the next generation is looking for AI to take care of reffing games (and we agree!).
Camp-wide kickball is always the perfect bookend to a great day of camp! Kickball is one of those timeless games that every athlete can pick up and be ultra-competitive in. So yes, it does get pretty intense. Did we mention that all of our competitions and camp games have prizes on the line?
We Keep Our Campers Well Fed!
While each meal at camp is delicious (how couldn’t they be? There are endless options at each College Cafe). Our favorite camp meal memory of 2023 has to be our outside BBQs. There’s something about BBQ, yard games, and our campers having the opportunity to eat outside and hang out with their new friends, like a backyard picnic. Our BBQs are the epitome of camp life, and so many core memories are born out of this time with your new camp friends and coaches.
And, of course, each BBQ ends with s’mores. Whether you’re on the beach enjoying s’mores at our Florida Camp or on the lake enjoying s’mores at our New York camp, the taste of burnt marshmallows just hits differently after a long day of on-field sessions and endless activities.
End-of-Camp Session Tournaments
Well, now, with a camp experience so jam-packed and wholesome, how do we end with a bang? Our end-of-camp tournaments, of course. All week our Coaches keep an eye out for the campers who are coachable, focused, and give 100% on the field for the “Coaches Draft” that happens on the last night while the campers are asleep. Each Coach makes their custom team, combining all genders, skill levels, and ages for our small-sided tournament. These small-sided games are fast, competitive, and loads of fun. Of course, our coaches hop right in and actually compete with our campers!!
Each team gets 3 pool games and then we move right into bracket play. And because we know you’re thinking it, of course this tournament is on Tourney Machine so our players can follow along with their team standings. Last year, we had absolute nail-biters, with our Tennessee tournament going into a double OT! Ultimately, Coach Vanessa’s team took the championship for the second year in a row!
Let’s Make Summer 2024 More Epic Than Ever Before
As we enter the 2024 youth sports camp season, we are planning for a huge summer ahead. In addition to doubling our sessions, adding additional sports tracks, and seeing growth already, we hesitate to brag that we have even more fun up our sleeve…
In 2024, we are introducing “Premium Add-ons” to our already robust camp schedule! This includes Game Trucks for a more structured nightly free-time experience, small group training with our pros, personal check in’s for Mom & Dad at home from our Camp Coaches and Nurses, the opportunity to get a nightly slice of pizza before bed, and SO MUCH MORE!
Secure Your Spot Now!
Make sure you secure your spot – we are rapidly filling up our sessions, and waitlists will soon start! Our overnight youth sports camp sessions are offered in Florida, Tennessee, & New York, serving Lacrosse, Field Hockey, & Soccer athletes from ages 8-17. Register today, and we’ll see you on the field in just a few weeks!
