June 6, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.

Did summer sneak up on you a bit?

There’s still time to help ensure an active, fun and valuable summer experience for your kids – starting with considering a variety of sports camps and clinics offered by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.

“Participation in sports is an essential part of a child’s physical and mental development,” PLAY Everything coordinator Tristen Jackson said. “Along with regular practice and training, attending sports camps and clinics can offer numerous benefits for children.”

Here are five reasons why sending your child to a sports camp or clinic can be beneficial:

Skill development

Sports camps and clinics are designed to provide a concentrated and focused environment for skill development.

“Children can learn new techniques and hone their existing skills through intensive training sessions,” Jackson said. “With expert coaches and access to high-quality facilities, children can gain a deeper understanding of the sport and build confidence in their abilities.”

Teamwork and social skills

Participating in a sports camp or clinic provides children with an opportunity to interact with other children who share the same interests.

“They can form new friendships and develop teamwork skills as they work together to achieve common goals,” Jackson said. “This experience helps them develop social skills such as communication, leadership and cooperation.”

Physical fitness

Sports camps and clinics offer a high level of physical activity that can help children maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“Regular exercise and physical activity are essential for maintaining physical health and well-being, reducing the risk of obesity and promoting good mental health,” Jackson said. “Children can also learn about nutrition and healthy habits that can be applied to their daily lives.”

Time management

Attending a sports camp or clinic requires a certain level of commitment and dedication from the child.

“They need to balance their training with their other commitments, such as schoolwork and family responsibilities,” Jackson said. “Even during the summer months, this experience helps children develop time-management skills, which can be valuable in all areas of their lives.”

Goal-setting and achievement

Setting and achieving goals is an important life skill that can be developed through participation in sports camps and clinics.

“Children can set realistic goals for themselves, such as improving their performance or learning a new technique,” Jackson said. “They can then work toward these goals, which helps them develop a sense of accomplishment and boosts their self-confidence.”

GreatLIFE offers a wide range of camps and clinics for kids of many interests and abilities.

Not sure where to start? Jackson recommends the upcoming PLAY All Summer camps. The first session starts this week, and the second starts July 10, but you can sign up anytime and receive a prorated rate.

“This is a great introduction not just to sports but to the values that make a great teammate,” Jackson said.

The hourlong camp is held at 9:30 a.m. Monday and Wednesday at Woodlake Athletic Club and features different sports throughout the weeks, including football, basketball and soccer.

It’s geared to kids age 8 through 12 and includes a book authored by Jackson called “The Gameplan,” which covers concepts such as respect, leadership and commitment.

“There’s space for reflection, and the whole point is geared toward the values you need to be successful on a team,” Jackson said.

“My hope is that this camp leads to community-building and allows kids to make friends. It’s truly about more than sports.”

Is your child already gravitating toward a certain sport, or two or three? You might want to consider more sport-specific camps and clinics.

GreatLIFE will hold two sessions this year of its popular camp with the Sioux Falls Canaries. The first is June 15. The day includes a baseball/softball camp, Q&A and autograph session with Canaries players and a ticket to the Canaries game.

GreatLIFE also offers sport-specific camps in basketball and football.

For information and to register for any camp, click here, email [email protected], or check the GreatLIFE app.

 Get golfing

And, if your child prefers summer on the golf course, the GreatLIFE Junior Tour is in full swing.

“For kids who want to get in a little competitive golf over the summer, this is a great option,” vice president of golf Jason Sudenga said.

Click here to learn more. 

There also are limited spots still available for Junior Golf Camp at Central Valley Golf Course.

Camps include:

• 14 hours of instruction.
• Safety and etiquette quiz.
• Fundamentals of the golf swing.
• Chipping, pitching and putting.
• Fun games and contests.
• Camp Championship on the last day.

Click here for information and to sign up.