4 Things to Look For When Selecting a Youth Sports Camp
Attending a youth sports camp is a great way for young athletes to sharpen their skills outside of their school or travel team. The best camps offer invaluable instruction from accomplished athletes and coaches that you won’t find anywhere else. However, not all of the camps out there are worth your money. To help you select the right camp for your child, be sure to look for these four things as you do your research:
1. Knowledgeable and Dedicated Instructors
A youth sports camp is only as good as its instructors. When you read up on a camp you are considering for your kid, be sure to find out what the staff’s credentials are. What previous coaching or playing experience do the instructors have? What teams have they worked with in the past?
Here at Rocky Top Sports World, we host camps run by some of the most talented instructors around. Many of our camps feature instructors who have coached or played at the collegiate and professional level. For instance, former University of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer leads a special Hall of Fame Football Camp at Rocky Top Sports World that is immensely popular.
Of course, you don’t need to be a celebrity to run a wonderful sports camp. Some of our most successful camps are led by working coaches and athletes who have years of experience. For example, the Smoky Mountain Soccer Academy is run by Zach Schrandt, Head Coach of the Gatlinburg-Pittman High School soccer team, and features instruction from Joshua Scott, the Associate Head Coach of the Tusculum College soccer team.
2. Quality Facilities
Another thing to consider when choosing a youth sports camp is the facilities where your kids will be playing. Are the fields and courts well maintained? Are there professional quality amenities or will the camp be taking place at a high school or middle school?
When you sign your kids up for a camp at Rocky Top Sports World, they will enjoy state-of-the-art facilities. Our 80 acre sports campus includes six synthetic turf fields, one grass field, six basketball courts,12 volleyball courts, three team rooms, bleacher seating, and an onsite grill. In addition to all of these features, athletes at Rocky Top will also have the chance to admire breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains right from our fields. To learn more about everything we have to offer, check out our Facilities page.
3. Convenient Location
The location of a youth sports camp is another important thing to keep in mind. Is the camp easy to get to, or is it located in a remote area?
Rocky Top Sports World is conveniently located 10 minutes away from downtown Gatlinburg, TN, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Southeast. The city of Gatlinburg is easily accessible via Interstate Highway 40 and just a day’s drive from 60% of the nation’s population. If you’re from out of town, you can schedule your child’s youth sports camp during your family vacation, so everyone can enjoy some fun in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains.
4. Nutritious Meal Plans 
One more thing to consider when selecting a youth sports camp is what sort of food is offered to the campers. Will there be nutritious options that provide plenty of energy for young athletes, or will there just be junk food and empty calories?
Many of the camps at Rocky Top Sports World allow athletes to take advantage of our Healthy Choice Meal Plans. Our kitchen offers a number of tasty lunches that you can pre-order for your child. Options include a Crispy BBQ Chicken Wrap, Turkey and Cheese Hoagie, Grilled Ranch Chicken Wrap, and a Pasta Power Salad.
To see all of the upcoming youth sports camps at Rocky Top Sports World, check out our Smoky Mountain Sports Camps Calendar.
