Tennis Day Camp Checklist for Tennis Coaches
Day tennis camps or clinics can be very profitable for tennis coaches and clubs. The key is being able to create a loyal list of participants that attend more than one day or more than one camp. You will often find these players coming back each year to be a part of your tennis camps. This is the best scenario for a camp director as there is little advertising or promoting required.
The key is providing an "experience" that leaves the camper with a great feeling that makes them wanting to return to future camps. It only takes one bad experience to lose a camper!
The first morning of the camp is the most important. The second most important is the last day as it often determines the final experience for the camper. They either leave happy or they leave disappointed.
You will need to have a plan of action for the first morning when the kids arrive. They will be escorted by their parents who will stay around a while and watch to see how you conduct and carry out your camp. Be enthusiastic, try to have fun drills where the kids can relax and have fun, reduce the intimidation factor by grouping kids together of the same ability and age.
Being organized with a plan of action is the key. This is where your list comes into play.
Your Day Camp Checklist:
- Extra rackets for those players who do not own rackets
- Tennis balls
- Tennis baskets
- Appropriate number of tennis courts
- Appropriate number of tennis coaches (coach/player ratio)
- Prizes
- T-shirts
- Food - water
- Sun cream
- Cones/targets
- Speed gun
- Sporting equipment for cross-training (soccer balls, frisbees etc.)
- Clipboard, paper and pens
- Back-up plans for wet weather
- Stop watch
- Skipping / Jump ropes
- Fitness ladder
- Camera
- Video camera
- Whistle
- Water coolers and ice
- First Aid kit
Administrative:
- All contact details of campers
- Emergency plan
- Staff member to take payments
- Staff member to take phone calls
- Cash on hand
- Medical forms / consent forms signed by parent
- Pre-camp meeting with coaches to discuss format / daily schedule
- Daily lesson plans
- Rest - shaded area with seats for players during breaks
- All kids must have parent present prior to leaving your club (check-out list)
- Notify members of camp dates to avoid double bookings
- Promotional brochures
- Sign-up forms
- Hierarchy of staff - coaches
David Horne