Guide to the Best Soccer Summer Camps for Kids

As a child and young adult I attended multiple soccer camps each summer. Then when I became too old to attend soccer camps, I joined the camps as an instructor. The following recommendations come from my personal experience both working and attending soccer camps over the years.

1) Ziemer Brothers Soccer Camp

Website: http://www.ziemer.com/contact.htm

Phone: 707.585.7800

Ziemer Brothers runs a premier soccer summer camp located in Santa Rosa, California. Ziemer Brothers runs both day and overnight soccer camps. I always attended the overnight soccer camps-they were my favorite. The overnight soccer camp is very intense so should not be used for experimentation. As with most overnight soccer-only camps, I recommend this soccer camp only for kids that already love soccer.

During the overnight camp, kids stay in cabin tents with 4-6 others. The facilities are good but more along the line of camp grounds rather than hotels. Campers are served all meals in the cafeteria. The food is not memorable to me-which probably means it wasn't terrible or great.

The staff are generally young, fun, easy-going and impressive soccer players! Soccer lessons range from beginning to advanced, and the instructors are always varying the games so kids don't get bored.

2) Jack Hyde Soccer Summer Camp

Website: http://www.jackhydesoccercamp.com

Phone: 510.531.2230

Jack Hyde has been running soccer summer camps for 31 years and I must have attended or instructed during 10 of those years! Jack Hyde soccer camp is located on Caldecott Field in Oakland, California. He offers part day or full day soccer summer camps which cost $120 or $240 respectively.

Jack Hyde always employs young and energetic instructors who both love soccer and love kids. He separates the campers into sections by age so that each child gets age-specific instruction.

While the camp is very fun, summers in Oakland can get hot so all campers should always bring tons of water and sunscreen. Campers do not need to be at particular level of experience but Jack Hyde welcomes all levels.

3) St. Mary's College Soccer Summer Camp

Website: https://admin.xosn.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=106008&SPID=13097&DB_OEM_ID=21400&ATCLID=1483311

Phone: 925.631.4FUN

St. Mary's soccer camp is located at St. Mary's college in Moraga, California. While the college offers many different sports camps, soccer is the one that I attended in my youth.

Families have the choice of various soccer summer camps for their children, ranging from day camps to overnight (residential) camps, ages 5-18. St. Mary's also is offering an innovative soccer camp called "Mother-Daughter Camp", wherein both mother and daughter attend the day camp together.

4) Squaw Valley Summer Soccer Camp

Website: http://www.800procamp.com/soccer.html

Phone: 1.800.PROCAMP

Squaw Valley Soccer Summer Camp is located in Tahoe, California. Families can choose between "Extreme Camp" or "Soccer Camp" (or a combination of the two). The Extreme camp offers adventurous activities such as bungie jumping, paint ball, and mountain biking. The soccer camp is rather intense but campers will really improve their soccer skills.

When I attended this camp, I chose a combination of soccer and extreme camp. This overnight camp was very exciting and the soccer instructors are very experienced, professional, and fun. I highly recommend this camp for older children who want to have a great summer camp experience.

5) Santa Clara Soccer Camp

Website: http://www.scusoccercamps.com/site3.aspx

Phone: 408.554.4003

Santa Clara Soccer Camp is located at the University in Santa Clara, California. While other camps on my best list are suited for beginners and non-competitive soccer players, Santa Clara offers a camp that is very intense. This soccer camp was designed for players who take soccer very seriously and want to play competitively in high school and/or college.

Summer campers will stay in the dormitories at Santa Clara University and eat in the cafeteria. Campers train around 4 hours a day. The camp is intense yet very fun, especially for those kids that really love and want to improve their s