General vs. Specialty Camp: Making the Right Choice for Your Child
Over the past ten years, I’ve spoken to hundreds—maybe even thousands—of parents about summer camp decisions. Most often, I speak with moms, who are either the driving force behind sending their children to camp or the ones carrying out the decision made with their partner.
A typical conversation goes something like this:
"My son, the oldest of three, is nine years old, and he’s an amazing… (fill in the blank). Let’s use tennis as an example, since I’m a tennis player and it’s a familiar topic for many families."
"I really want him to focus on his tennis. He’s showing tremendous talent, and I don’t want him to lose his skills over the summer doing arts and crafts or wasting time on other sports. If we wait any longer for him to specialize, he’ll be left behind. What do you think?"
My Perspective: A Parent’s and Player’s Experience
Now that my own children are in their 20s, I was once that parent, wondering what to do with my “talented” kids. But I was also that child, raised by parents who carefully planned our summers—balancing general camps and specialty camps.
Our Story: The Tennis Journey
In 1995, my two boys (pictured on the left) were die-hard tennis players. For career day, Shane dressed up as Agassi, and Adam went as Sampras. Tennis ran in the family—their uncle played professionally, and I was a competitive player myself. To them, “going for it” in the tennis world wasn’t just a dream—it felt like a real possibility.
They attended specialty camps for a week at a time, played after school several days a week, and Adam was even invited to train in an intense USTA youth development program. At just nine years old, Adam fully believed he could be the next Pete Sampras.
And yet… when it came time for sleepaway camp, I chose a general camp—one with strong tennis instruction but also a variety of other sports and activities.
At camp, they played plenty of tennis, but they also:
✔ Played flag football
✔ Went on long-distance mountain biking trips
✔ Learned to water ski
✔ Kissed a few girls (let’s be real!)
✔ Even shot a rifle (I know that’s not for everyone)
Years later, all three of my boys played high school tennis. Tennis remains a part of their lives whenever they choose to pick it up again. But more importantly, they have incredible memories of their camp days and lifelong friendships—something that would not have happened had they only trained on the court.
My Own Experience: A Different Path
When my brother and I were kids, we started at general camp from ages 9 to 12. But at 12 and 13, we shifted to specialty camp, spending six intense weeks playing tennis. We both competed in tournaments.
At 16, my interests expanded beyond tennis, while my brother became even more focused. He went on to travel the world playing professional tennis in the 1980s, while I continued playing competitively as a lifelong passion. My goal? To still be playing in my 80s.
The Big Question: When (and If) to Specialize?
There is no single “right” answer. Every child is different, and there is no perfect age to start specializing. But here’s what I’ve learned:
🔹 Nine years old is still very young. The talent a child shows at that age doesn’t always translate into long-term dedication.
🔹 Single-minded focus is difficult, lonely, and not for everyone. Only a select few can handle it.
🔹 Giving your child a variety of experiences can be just as valuable as specialization. Exposure to different activities fosters resilience, social skills, and personal growth.
For the very few who do fully commit, we may see them competing at the Sony Open one day. But for the rest? A well-rounded summer experience can still be incredibly rewarding.
Let’s Talk: Finding the Best Camp for Your Child
If you’re still searching for a summer camp or debating between general vs. specialty camps, now is the perfect time to start the conversation. Let’s discuss your child’s unique needs and find the best fit—together.
Let me know your thoughts!