What are the age groups and the ability levels of the players?
The camps are open to male and female campers aged 8-18 of all ability levels. We attract players that cover the full spectrum of age and ability levels. We see relatively inexperienced players and advanced Club level players.
Where do the campers stay?
All of the campers stay in one of the dorms on the campus of NAU. The girls and the boys are completely separated.
Which dorms will the players stay in?
We will post all of these details closer to the start of camp
Interactive campus map (building # 62): http://www4.nau.edu/portal/NAUMap/interactive.htm
Is there security?
All of the coaches and the counselors stay in the dorms with the campers so there is supervision 24/7. The individual dorms have front desk staff that are on call 24 hours. NAU also has its own campus police force that is available at all times.
Who are the coaches?
The coaches are a mix of English and US based coaches. The coaches are handpicked by Mark Lowe the owner of the camp. All of the coaches are ex or current players, qualified coaches and have considerable experience working with young players.
Do you have female counselors?
Yes we do. The female counselors are typically ex campers who are very familiar with the soccer camp and how it is run. They are available at all times to attend to the needs of all the female campers.
What time is check in?
Check-in time is between 3 and 4:00 on the Sunday camp starts for residential campers only. The check-in will be at the dorm where the campers will be staying.
When is pick-up?
All Select campers will be picked up on Friday at 4pm after the afternoon session at the dorm. Pro campers, Pro Shooters, GKs will be picked up after the morning session on Sat at the dorm between 11 and noon.
What about day campers?
Pro Day campers will meet at the South Field at 8:30am each day. The Select Day campers will meet at 9:30 on the south field each day. Each day camper will stay for lunch with all of the other campers. When the afternoon session finishes at 4pm day campers are picked up. ALL day campers are invited back at 6:30 for the evening scrimmages which finish at 8pm. If you would like them to stay for dinner at the University, you can pay cash and we will supervise them along with the other campers.
Can parents visit during camp?
Parents are allowed to watch any of the field sessions. Please introduce yourself to the coach and let them know you are one of the parents. If you have to visit your son/daughter in the dorms, please let Andy Ward know prior to doing so. Under no circumstances are any fathers or male relatives allowed on the girls’ floor without staff being present.
What is the daily schedule?
07:15 AM: Wake up and breakfast.
08:30 AM: GKs, Pro Shooting players to the field.
09:30 AM: Rest of residential campers and day campers to the field for morning session.
11:00 AM: Morning session ends. All players to lunch then dorms.
02:00 PM: Afternoon session starts.
04:00 PM: Afternoon session ends. Day campers picked up, all other campers to dinner then dorms.
06:30 PM: Evening scrimmages for all players.
08:00 PM: Day campers picked up. All other campers to the dorm.
09:00 PM: Evening activities at the dorm.
09:50 PM: All campers to their own rooms.
10:00 PM: Lights out.
All field sessions are on South Field (Pine Knoll Drive) across from the Southwest Forest Science Complex.
What should we bring to camp?
• Enough soccer equipment and clothing to last 5 or 6 days including a ball. Shinguards are mandatory and correct soccer footwear for outside fields is necessary. The fields are artificial turf fields so cleats or flats are appropriate. TRY NOT TO BRING NEW SHOES.
• A water cooler to take to the fields.
• During the afternoon session it often rains and sometimes gets a little chilly so pack a rain top or sweats. The temps drop during the evening session also.
• Sunscreen, chapstick – the sun is extremely strong at altitude.
• Even though there is very little down time after the sessions, it is advised that all participants bring some casual wear that they can change in to after the day’s soccer activities are complete.
• Bed linen, blankets/sleeping bags, pillow, towels, and toiletries. A fan is strongly recommended as the dorms do get hot even though the temps outside are cool.
• Game boys, video games, small TVs. There are refrigerators in the rooms.
• Candy, snacks and soda are allowed. They can also be purchased on campus. Water and sports drinks are allowed.
• Cell phones are allowed under the following conditions:
1) Emergencies
2) For players to make an evening phone call to parents. Phones are not allowed to be turned on throughout the day. The constant use of cell phones and texting has become a real issue at camp over the years and a major distraction. There is a pay phone in the lobby of the dorm that requires a calling card. The camp staff do carry cell phones and if players need to contact parents they can do so during the periods of downtime. If parents need to communicate info to players during camp please call Andy – 480.310.3554.
Andy Ward’s cell at camp: 480 310 3554
How do I register?
When registration is open you can enroll in 2 ways. Either print off a registration form from this website and mail it in or register online.
What happens after I register?
If you register online you will receive an automatic email confirming your registration. If you register by mail you will receive a confirmation email from one of the camp directors.
Can I pay a deposit?
Yes you can both online and by mail.
What happens to the balance?
The balance must be paid at least 30 days prior to the start of the camp. If you registered online your card will be charged automatically 30 days before the start of camp. If you registered by mail, it is your responsibility to pay the balance on time.
Can I make payments?
Yes you can! We have a very flexible payment plan – you tell us the amounts you can pay and the dates you will pay and we will approve it!
Which of your programs is the best?
We are trying to accommodate the needs of all players. We have day camps, half week camps and full week camps. No particular program is better than the other they are just slightly different. All of the players on camp practice on the same fields, stay in the same dorm and eat in the same cafeteria.
If we sign up with someone will they room together?
We strongly recommend that you sign up with a roommate particularly if this is your first time at camp. On the registration form please fill out the roommate request part so we know who to pair you up with. This is particularly important if you are part of a big group. Players will be placed 2 to a room as per University and local fire department rules.
What if we do not sign up with a friend?
If you are registering as a single we will do our best to pair up all players with a roommate of a similar age.
How do you select the training groups?
The groups are put together dependent upon age and gender. If you sign up as a group, that group will stay together throughout the week, assuming the group is of a similar age.
What about meals?
The residential campers all eat 3 meals per day at the same times in the same cafeteria. The meals are buffet-style and prepared by the University. There is always a choice of different foods at all meals. We will talk to the campers about making good food choices throughout the week.
Should the campers be fit before they arrive?
We recommend that all of the players do some training in advance of the camps. The soccer camps are physically demanding and all players participate in at least 3 sessions per day.
What about injuries on camp?
When a player gets hurt on camp we will call the parents if we believe medical treatment is required. Depending on the severity of the injury we will either take the player to emergency or the local urgent care. NAU does require a medical release form filled out if we use the on-campus medical facility.
Medical Insurance Form
Please print out this insurance form and bring it with you or send it with your child:
http://home.nau.edu/images/userimages/mrt/11209/Medical%20Release%20Form.pdf
