Diving & Swimming Camps

Diving and swimming camps are available in abundance. Choosing the right one for your child or teen requires understanding the goals of the camp as well as the age requirements. In addition, the environment of the camp can have significant impact on whether the camp enhances the sport for your child or teen.

Basics

Diving and swimming camps are available nationwide. They are typically associated with a university and use university facilities, though some are privately run. Most are available in the summer, though a few are either year-round or offered at other times of the year, such as spring or winter break. A few camps are girls-only or boys-only camps. Camp structure varies, as well. Some camps are day camps; others offer overnight accommodation. Typically, overnight camps include other activities, such as horseback riding or other traditional camp activities.

Focus

Some camps focus on divers or swimmers that compete and want to improve beyond the basics. However, other camps provide introductory diving or swimming technique training as well as advanced technique.

Equipment

A good diving camp includes trampoline work as well as a variety of springboard types -- 1 m, 3 m and platform -- as well as videotaping equipment to improve technique. Swimming camps typically need only a pool, though some pools are equipped with video technology to help swimmers improve technical skills. While skill is important, for both swim and dive camps, look for a camp that intermingles technique training with conditioning and stretching routines as well as fun.

Environment

Universities may offer camps that mimic athletic scholar environments to give high school athletes a chance to see what college might be like -- including waking for an early morning workout, taking a class, participating in conditioning training, eating in residence food halls and staying in a dormitory environment with other team members.

Age Ranges

Most resident camps require a swimmer or diver to be at least 6 years old. Camps that focus on a variety of activities and are more similar to classic summer camps have a wider age range, taking campers as young as 4 and as old as 14. More advanced camps may have older age requirements, such as 10 or 12, and may take campers as old as 18.