Important Tips for Your Youth Sports Camp or Clinic

Operating a youth sports camp or clinic can be rewarding as you watch participants have fun and grow as athletes in the sport of their choice. Running a camp or clinic for youths isn’t always easy, though, and there are several factors you should take into consideration when starting a camp or clinic. 

Identify Your Purpose 

Each clinic or camp can have different main purposes aside from having fun. Decide whether your camp or clinic will focus on fundamentals, improving teamwork or something else. Having a determined goal can help you outline your planned activities and draw like-minded people to come work for you. 

Find Assistance 

No one person can run an entire clinic or camp. Make sure you have others running the ship for you so that you don’t have to spread yourself thin by running in circles trying to handle every asset. Previous or current coaches are great resources when it comes to finding people to help you. Also look into hiring volunteers such as athletes and coaches to help run the actual camp activities. 

Create a Defined Budget 

Not all budgets are created equal. It is crucial to craft a budget that is expressly detailed with each of your expenses and possible income. You can often find income for your youth sports camp or clinic through donations, fundraising and sponsors. Finding a sponsor that is a well known name such as an athlete or brand can help spread the word about your clinic, as well. 

Make sure there is wiggle room in your budget to account for unexpected expenses, such as if equipment gets damaged or if you have to switch locations for one reason or another. 

Identify the Risks 

Every sport has its different range and variety of risks. Some of the common risks both you, your clinic and your participants may face include: 

• Injuries (from minor to severe or even deadly) 
• Liability (lawsuits filed against you or your camp/clinic) 
• Equipment or property damage 

• Theft 

Sometimes, not all of these dangers can be prevented. However, identifying these dangers can help you plan in case accidents do happen. One important thing to consider is purchasing sports insurance. Sports insurance is crucial for protecting everyone involved in your camp or clinic. Sports insurance should include: 

• General Liability: General liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage that may occur on the property of your clinic. 
• Accident Insurance: Accident insurance can cover injuries that participants may suffer. 
• Directors and Officers Insurance: Directors and officers insurance covers key employees of your clinic, such as those helping you run the clinic. 

• Equipment Insurance: Equipment insurance covers sports equipment in case it is damaged or destroyed due to fire, wind, hail, lightning, theft, vandalism and more. This can include soccer nets, baseball bats, gloves and more. 
• Crime Insurance: Crime insurance covers theft committed by a volunteer or other person involved in running the clinic or camp. 

No camp should go without sports insurance, so speak with an insurance agent during your planning progress to learn more about the type of insurance you may need and how to account for it in your budget. 

Schedule Camp Activities 

Scheduling camp activities is one of the most fun parts of running a camp or clinic. When and where are you going to have each activity? How long will they last and who will be running them? Keep in mind your participants when thinking up activities. These activities should be designed to fit the age and interests of your youth participants. 

Find the Best Location 

The location of your camp or clinic should be convenient for the individuals you hope to invite. The size will also determine how many participants you can have in your camp. Be sure to choose the best location that is conveniently located and large enough to fit everyone. 

Get All of Your Physical Property in Order 

Camps and clinics need a lot of physical property from the rental property itself to equipment, uniforms and trophies. Make sure to order all of this once everything else is organized, such as your budget. Some participants may be tempted to bring their own equipment, but many won’t have their own. Make sure to get high quality equipment and find trophies that suit any challenges or competitions in your camp.