Local sports camps are a growing trend throughout the country. Not long ago, one could find occasional camps offered in local communities for major sports like baseball or basketball. Typically, though, young players would have to travel to a major city or university to participate in a camp. Now, coaches and organizations are providing local sports camps in most communities, not only in large cities, but in small towns and rural areas, as well. Coaches are discovering that they receive much higher participation if they bring the local sports camps to town, rather than expecting players to travel to them. Putting on local sports camps has become big business, fueled by the desire of young athletes to increase their grasp of their chosen sport, and to maximize their skills. It is also common for entire teams to attend together, so that they can learn as a unit, and have the opportunity to immediately practice what they are being taught. The coaches of the teams are also attending local sports camps to pick up knowledge of the game from camp instructors, and to work directly with their teams on implementing new offensive or defensive strategies. These are great bonding times for teams. Local sports camps are common now for baseball, basketball, soccer, football, volleyball, and hockey. Athletes who participate in individual sports are also attending local sports camps. Camps are being held for tennis players, golfers, gymnasts, swimmers, divers, and ice skaters.
