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Post by actualparent on Jun 25, 2015 15:00:51 GMT -5
One of the GA Southern coaches invited my son (16 y.o.) to the GA Southern elite camp at the GA Southern campus at the end of July. Anyone's kid have experience going to that?
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Post by actualparent on Jun 26, 2015 22:55:55 GMT -5
Hey folks - my son and I are completely new to this. Just asking if it is a good camp. There are so many that are offered...is it significant that my son got invited or is that just better marketing?
We haven't gone through this process before, so I'm just looking for feedback. Posting this on the stupid forum is a net-Zero, so I really am asking for your help.
So far I hoped one person would say "yea, I heard about it, etc.".
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Post by silverback on Jun 27, 2015 9:02:10 GMT -5
Is your son planning/hoping to play soccer in college? If so, and at this age (or even before), I would recommend a different approach and start thinking about how this ties into his college soccer plans. If GA Southern would be on his list of potential colleges to play, I would absolutely consider sending your son to this camp. Although these camps are money makers for the college coaches, they also give the coaches an opportunity to evaluate your son in more depth. Since the coach ask your son to attend, he must think he has potential and again, it is a great way for your son to get in front of these coaches. But before you get too excited, the coaches do market these ID camps as they are money makers for them.
Now for the bigger discussion with your son (or daughter for that matter) and assuming he/she does want to play in college. I would recommend sitting down and discussing with your son want he wants out of college in terms of education, soccer, and social. As one head coach told me, you can only focus on 2 out of the 3. Assuming soccer is in the top 2, both of you need to put together a list of colleges that meet your requirements and I would recommend going to a few of these ID camps. I would also recommend contacting the coaches ahead of time, let them know of your son's interest, and start building relationships immediately. I would not wait until the first day to show up as lots of good players attend these camps in hopes to attend these colleges to play soccer and are already building relationships with these coaches. For example, I read of one kid who went to the same college ID camp for years because he really (really) wanted to go to this school and he ended up getting some money to attend.
At the end of the day, all these college ID camps will provide good training, good environment, and your son will have fun, but again, if you pick wisely, it could hopefully end up saving you money in the long run ;-)
My 2 cents and Good luck.
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Post by actualparent on Jun 27, 2015 11:22:57 GMT -5
Thanks. I figured it was intended to make money, but the coaches did seem pretty focused on checking out the boys at the elite camp in Atlanta earlier in June. About 50 boys showed, some very good.
Some of my nephews and nieces have gone through GA Southern, and it worked for them. The coach did ask about grades, etc., and my son's are very good, so that might help.
On the one hand, I'm completely living vicariously through my son. Isn't that what kids are for? On the other, any way to defray some component of upcoming college costs is good with me, so if the boy wants to play after high-school/club and is good enough, that would be a good combination.
The main goal is launching him in life with a good education and no debt.
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