WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY – Kalamazoo, MI
4.5 Stars – Based on 6 User Reviews
Full Day Camp with Half Day option
Wilson Collegiate Tennis Camps in the Zoo! Returning in 2024 after a successful first summer last year, Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI, will be offering two weeks of camps this summer. Directed by WMU Asst. Head Coach Stephen Payne, this year’s camp will be hosted at the impressive Sorensen Courts on campus.
Each camper receives personal attention, advanced teaching techniques, intensive drill work, and game/match play, all in a fun and competitive environment. We break the campers into small instructional groups of similar ages and abilities so each child works in a group commensurate with their experience level. We tailor each program to the level of the players. Beginners get a heavy dose of swing technique and fundamentals, while more advanced players focus on strategy, point building, percentage tennis, etc. The Wilson Collegiate Tennis Camps are the premier camps for young players who strive to learn the game, improve their skills, and participate in middle school, high school, USTA team tennis, or tournaments.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CAMP INCLUDE:
- Comprehensive instructional program with daily teaching progressions
- Small instructional groups to ensure individual attention
- Safety prioritized on and off court
- Camp T-Shirt and prizes for all campers
- Camp demo program with all the latest Wilson rackets
CAMP DETAILS
CAMP DATES:
- Session I: June 10-14, 2024
- Session II: June 17-21, 2024 – SOLD OUT
CAMP FEES:
- Full Day – $565 per week
- Half Day – $335 per week
TIMES:
Full Day Option:
- 9am – 4:00pm daily
Half Day Option:
- 9am – Noon daily
AGES:
- Boys and Girls ages 7-18 of all skill levels.
- Camps open to any and all restricted only by age.
Camp Program:
- Our tennis camps are designed to focus on the fundamentals and swing techniques of modern tennis strokes. We tailor the instruction to the skill level and experience of each level of player. Some of the areas of focus for each level include:
- Beginners:Â The beginning-level player will be introduced to the basics of the game. Emphasis will be placed on stroke production and the technical aspects of the swing to teach these young players sound fundamentals from the ground up.
- Intermediate:Â Intermediate-
level players will also focus on stroke production (to ensure proper technique) and be introduced to game play situations to introduce these players to the competitive side of the game. - High School / Tournament: Â High school (both varsity and JV) and tournament players will focus on the strategic and competitive aspects of the game. Although swing fundamentals are featured, emphasis will also feature point building, court positioning, patterns of play, and live ball drill work.
Note: A skills evaluation is done on the first day of camp, and we will assign students to small instructional groups with kids of similar age, ability, and experience levels. Players will continue to be evaluated throughout the week, and coaches will move kids into situations to push them and help ensure they are in a comfortable learning environment.
MORE INFORMATION
Inclement Weather:
- Unfortunately, we do not have indoor courts on campus, and in inclement weather, we must adjust the schedule accordingly.. Please be assured we will do everything to ensure maximum outdoor tennis throughout the week and make every effort to communicate with the families on those days of poor weather.
Ratio:
- 5:1
Grouping:
- Kids are grouped by skill, age and experience. Often these groups change throught the course of the camp.
FAQ's
Q: Are there Skill Requirements for this camp?
Per NCAA rules, our sports camps are open to all entrants. Enrollment is limited only by age, grade level, gender, and capacity restrictions as specified by each camp.
Q: What type of campers attend this camp?
Our camps are open to all levels of tennis players. We have players from absolute beginner to high school / Tournament level.
We design our camps to teach the technical basics and love of the game to the beginning player, to introduce strategical decision making, and more advanced technique to the intermediate player, while building on their current stroke production, and to put the advanced players into pressured, strategical and competitive situations.
Q. What is the ratio of campers to staff?
Groups will be divided into small instructional groups of approximately 5-6: 1 camper to coach. Some camps/sessions offer higher or lower ratios based on the curriculum.
Q. If the camp is full, do you have a waiting list?
To be added to the waitlist, please register here (there is no fee to join the waitlist).
Q. Should I purchase camp/cancellation insurance?
We recommend all families purchase camp/cancellation insurance if they are concerned about the investment they are making in the camp. Kids do get injured, sick and family plans change from the time of registration leading up to the camp. Camp insurance allows peace of mind and has many benefits in any of these events. Please review our policies page for more information about camp/cancellation insurance. Click Here
Swimming:
- This camp does not offer swimming as an option.
Safety:
- Camp safety is our number one priority. All efforts are made to ensure that the kids are safe throughout the camp. Safety will be prioritized over tennis and activities when necessary. The camp, Wilson Sporting Goods, Premier Sports camps and its coaches and universities are not responsible for personal items brought to camp.
Camp Notes:
- None at this time
Pertinent Camp Information for Check-in
Times:
- Saturday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Camp Check-In:
- Check-in / Drop off Time: 8:45-9:15am on the first day of camp and 9:00am the rest of the week.
- Check-in / Drop off Location: Lower Sorensen Tennis Courts
- Check-in / Drop off Address: North Dormitory Road, Kalamazoo MI 49006
Camp Check-Out:
- Check-out / Pick up Time: 4:00pm Monday – Thursday, 12:00pm Friday for Full Day Campers / 12:00pm daily for half day campers
- Check-out / Pick up Location: Lower Sorensen Tennis Courts
- Check-out / Pick up Address : North Dormitory Road, Kalamazoo MI 49006
Meals:
- Full day Campers should pack their lunch daily. There will option to buy lunch from Cafeteria (Valley Dinning Center- $10.50 per meal : subject to price change)
Packing List:
Day Campers:
- Tennis Racket
- Tennis Shoes
- Sun Screen
- Hat / Visor
- Water bottle
- Signed Medical Form (dowload here – https://www.wilsontenniscamps.com/camp-forms/)
- Signed Liabililty Form if you did not complete online during registraion (dowload here –https://www.wilsontenniscamps.com/camp-forms/)
FORMS & ACCOUNTS
Liability Forms:
- Your Liability Waiver was signed during the registration process and is complete as long as you registered online. If you did not sign up with an account online – this form can be downloaded at https://www.wilsontenniscamps.com/camp-forms/
Medical Forms:
- Each camper must have a completed and signed medical form brought to check-in on the first day of camp. – Download Form here
A physical exam is not required for campers. If the camper needs medical or disability accommodations, including significant food allergies that require special meals, please email the office. This form can be downloaded at https://www.wilsontenniscamps.com/camp-forms/
MEET YOUR COACHES
Camp Director:
Stephen Payne
ASSISTANT MEN’S TENNIS COACH
Western Michigan University
Stephen Payne enters his third season as an Assistant Coach with the Broncos in 2022-23 after a highly decorated playing career at WMU. The 2021-22 year was a good one for the Broncos as they posted a 15-9 record and capturing the MAC conference title with a 4-2 win over the University of Toledo. In addition, the team won the conference regular season championship and qualified for the NCAA Championships for the 15th time in school history.
He graduated in 2016 from Western Michigan with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management. Played 4 seasons for WMU from 2012-2016 winning 2 Conference Championships. Achieved Career High ITA Doubles ranking of #37 in January 2016. 2-time Hap Sorensen Coaches’ Award Winner. 2014-2015 WMU Doubles team of the year with Matt Hamilton. 2014-15 Team Captain.
CAMP REVIEWS
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Coming Soon