How to Choose the Right Tennis Camp

Longevity The best indicator of a camp's overall quality is its track record. The longer it's been around the better. That isn't to say that a two- or three-year-old camp can't be good, but it won't yet have a proven history and its staff may not have much experience with all the various problems that can arise, ranging from homesickness to rebellion.

Staff Credentials The typical summer camp will experience some staff changeover year to year, so ask how long have the director and senior staff been there and what percentage of the instructors come back year to year.

Student : Staff Ratios The crucial issue is the student-to-pro ratio, because that determines how much attention kids get on court. Optimally, that should be 4:1 or better, though in practice some successful junior camps do have higher ratios. However, the total amount of staff—tennis and otherwise—is also important because that affects how well kids are supervised, so don't be shy about asking specific questions like, "Does someone on staff know where each kid is at all times?"

Intensity Philosophies differ, with some camps focusing almost exclusively on tennis for four to six hours a day and others offering a more balanced approach that could, for example, consist of half a day of tennis and options of other pursuits. Decide which is best based on what your child wants to get out of camp.

Level of Play Beginners and intermediates need to focus on fundamentals, whereas more advanced or tournament players benefit from exposure to match play, coaching and the strategic aspects of the game. If your son or daughter fall into that latter category, you may want to look into special programs designed specifically for their level of play.

Facilities Most of these programs take place on college or private school campuses where kids stay in dorms—which are generally no better than they ever were—and eat cafeteria food, which has improved only to the extent of including salad bars and pastas. You may not want to stay there, but for kids it's an adventure.