Athletes who take their training seriously know that summer isn’t the season for slacking. Instead, it’s the perfect time to improve performance, sharpen skills, and stay on the radar of college recruiters. One of the best ways to accomplish all three is by attending a summer sports camp, where athletes can train with college coaches, compete against top talent, and gain valuable exposure.
Across the West Coast, elite camps give high school athletes the opportunity to elevate their game while preparing for the upcoming season and the next level of competition.
The Best West Coast Summer Sports Camps
NIKE Sports Camps
Nike is helping athletes fine-tune their skills and grow in their sport of choice through its summer camps. Nike Sports Camps take place throughout California, including the Nike Volleyball Camp at Sierra Canyon School, which offers full-day clinics for female players ages 10-18. There are four sessions of the camp throughout the summer.
The Santa Barbara Nike Boys Lacrosse Camp is an overnight sleepaway camp in Carpinteria, California, for players ages 8-18. There is also an extended-day option for those who are not looking for an overnight experience. This camp takes place July 26-29.
See the full list of Nike Sports Camps here.
Stanford University Sports Camps
Stanford University offers a wide variety of summer camp opportunities for young athletes across numerous sports. Athletes must be at least 7 years old to participate and have the opportunity to train in one of the nation’s premier collegiate athletic environments, where NCAA champions compete.
Camp offerings include volleyball, golf, softball, swimming, track and field, cross country, water polo, and more. For example, Stanford’s girls volleyball camps run throughout July and feature three-day sessions.
Some summer sports camps may already be full, so check the complete schedule here.
Youth Runner Camp
With both high school and middle school camp options, Youth Runner Camp provides a week of learning and training for athletes looking to improve their skills while connecting with others who share their passion for running. Campers are led by top-tier coaches, including the late Steve Prefontaine’s friend, Coach Bob Williams, and learn race strategies, training techniques, and more while preparing for the fall cross country season.
The Fort Casey Running Camp is scheduled for July 27-31 in Coupeville, Washington, for high school runners ages 13-18. Led by Gonzaga University’s Coach Pat Tyson, Jackson High School Coach Eric Hruschka, and the rest of the Youth Runner Camp staff, campers run scenic courses while enjoying activities such as a day trip to Port Townsend for a sandcastle competition.
The Elite Middle School Camp takes place August 3-7 at Mt. Hood, Oregon. Designed for athletes ages 11-14, the camp teaches pacing strategies, race mentality, and advanced workouts.
Learn more about the camps here.
UCLA Summer Sports Camps
UCLA Athletics hosts camps across multiple sports designed to help athletes develop their skills while becoming stronger teammates. Programs include a three-day water polo camp in August, running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for athletes ages 10-19.
Other camps include boys basketball beginning July 6, swimming starting July 13, baseball, soccer, volleyball, and athletic performance training.
See the full list of UCLA Sports Camps here.
IMG Academy West Coast Baseball Camp
Located in Malibu, California, IMG Academy brings its nationally recognized baseball training program to Pepperdine University, where high school athletes receive position-specific instruction along with hitting and pitching training. Players also work on defensive skills, speed and agility, and game situations.
The camp is open to players ages 10-18, with multiple session dates and camp length options available throughout the summer.