SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY (SMU) – Dallas, TX
5 Stars – Based on 14 User Reviews
Overnight and Day Camp Options
Enjoy an incredible week of tennis this summer at the Wilson Collegiate Tennis Camps at SMU in the heart of Dallas.  What has quickly become one of the largest and most popular tennis camps in the US, the SMU camp hosts more than 400 kids a summer.  Young players get a chance to train at one of the premier tennis facilities in the world under the direction of SMU coaches Grant Chen (Head Men’s Coach) and Jeff Nevolo (Head Women’s Coach).
The SMU camp is the perfect preparation for young players looking to get more involved with playing tennis. Each camper receives personal attention, advanced teaching techniques, intensive drill work, and game/match play, all in a fun and competitive environment. Campers are broken up into small instructional groups with a tailored program for the needs of each level of player.
HIGH SCHOOL CAMPS: 214 High School Camps
Experience a collegiate-style training camp explicitly designed for high school-aged players. Exposure to on-court training, tennis specific fitness exercises with SMU coaching staff while watching tournament semifinals and finals.Â
Boys Camp: July 12-14, 2024 (Resident Camp Only)
Girls Camp:Â July 24-26, 2024 (Resident Camp Only)
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CAMP INCLUDE:
- Small instructional groups to ensure individual attention
- Comprehensive instructional program with daily teaching progressions
- Camp T-Shirt and prizes for all campers
- Camp demo program that includes all the latest Wilson rackets
- Safety prioritized on and off court
CAMP DETAILS
CAMP DATES:
- Three-Day Camp: May 29-31, 2024 – SOLD OUT
- Session I: June 3-7, 2024 – SOLD OUT
- Session II: June 10-14, 2024
- Session III: June 17-21, 2024
- Session IV: June 24-28, 2024 – SOLD OUT
- Session V: July 15-19, 2024 – SOLD OUT
High School Camps:Â
- 214 High School Camp: Boys – July 12-14, 2024
- 214 High School Camp: Girls – July 24-26, 2024 – SOLD OUT
** For sold out sessions, please email the office HERE to be added to the waitlist.
FEES:
- Three-Day Camp:
Full Day: $465 per week
Half Day: $340 per week
- Session I-V:
Full-Day Option – $775 per week
Half-Day Option – $565 per week
- 214 High School Camps:
Boys Week: $875 per week
Girls Week: $875 per week
TIMES:
- Full-Day Option: 9 am – 4 pm daily
- Half-Day Option: 9 am – Noon daily
High School Camp:
- Boys Week: Overnight Camp
- Girls Week: Overnight Camp
AGES:
- Boys and Girls ages 7-18 of all skill levels. Â Camps are open to any and all.
- HS Camps are for 8th grade and above
Camp Discounts
Discounts are available for the following:Â
Faculty / Staff Discount (must email office from smu.edu email address)
- $50 off all camp options (Overnight, Full, or Half Day). Please email the office from smu.edu email address to receive the coupon code.
- * No Discounts available for High School Boys or Girls weeks of camp
NOTES:Â Â
*Campers that use the code and are not eligible will be responsible for the full amount.Â
* Limit 1 coupon per camper week.
MORE INFORMATION
Inclement Weather:
- In the case of inclement weather, SMU has 6 indoor courts and we will have full use to these courts. As the camp runs better outdoors, we will shift our daily schedule in anticipation of rain to ensure we maximize our court time outdoors. Camp will proceed rain or shine each day.
Ratio:
- This camp features a 5:1 ratio
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:
- Â 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:
- Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Camp Check-In:
- Check-in / Drop off Time: 8:45-9am daily
- Check-in / Drop off Location: Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex
- Check-in / Drop off Address: 5669 N Central Expressway Dallas Texas 75205
Camp Check-Out:
- Check-out / Pick up Time: 4:00pm daily for Full Day Campers / 12:00pm daily for half day campers
- Check-out / Pick up Location: Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex
- Check-out / Pick up Address : 5669 N Central Expressway Dallas Texas 75205
Meals:
- Full-Day Campers: Please pack a lunch each day. Snacks will be provided daily
- Half-Day Campers: No meals provided. Snacks will be provided daily.
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:
Grant Chen
Head Men’s Tennis Coach
SMU
Grant Chen has been SMU’s Head Men’s Tennis Coach since 2018, and added the designation of Assistant A.D./Coach Representative in January 2023. Chen is recognized as one of the nations top camp directors with over 20 years of tennis camp experience, having directed Bassett/Martin Tennis Camp in Big Bear, California, as well as UCLA Summer and Holiday Tennis Camps before starting his highly successful camp at SMU. He also heads the SMU Tennis After School Junior Program.
In 2022-23, Chen led the Mustangs win their second straight AAC championship, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Chen was named the AAC Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. The season included the AAC Player of the Year and three AAC All-Conference Selections as well as a NCAA selection to the Individual Championship, the first time since 2006. Chen remained heavily involved in the planning and production of the ATP’s Dallas Open.
Prior to coming to SMU, Chen was at UCLA where he served Bruin Head Coach Billy Martin for over 15 years in a multitude of roles, ranging from team manager to associate head coach. For the final three seasons at UCLA, Chen has served as Associate Head Coach, and, prior to that, he served as Assistant Coach for three years. During Chen’s six seasons on Martin’s coaching staff, the Bruins registered a 149-28 record (.842) and reached the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Championships five times. The Bruins also collected four Pac-12 regular-season titles and three tournament trophies during Chen’s time on staff.
Chen got his start with the Bruins as a student manager in 2001, as he played a pivotal role in the organization and growth of Martin’s annual on-campus summer camp while fulfilling necessary off-court duties. The Bruins captured the NCAA title in 2005, Chen’s penultimate year in the role. Chen’s jack-of-all-trades skillset resulted in his hiring as Director of Operations upon his graduation from UCLA in 2006. He handled logistics, travel, equipment and management of all home events, including ITA Kick-Off Weekend, NCAA Regionals and the Southern California Intercollegiate Championships.
Camp Manager:
Ben Johnson
SMU
Johnson is entering his second season (2018-19) as the assistant coach of the SMU men’s tennis team after spending seven years as the head coach of the Richmond men’s tennis team.
In his first year on the Hilltop, Johnson helped develop a group of seven newcomers under legendary head coach Carl Neufeld.
Johnson has extensive experience working with junior players from his time at Birmingham’s Elite Tennis Academy (2008, 2009, 2010). In addition, he founded Revolution Tennis Academy in Summer 2007, coached and has developed over 20 juniors awarded division 1 scholarships
Jeff Nevolo
Head Women’s Coach
SMU
Jeff Nevolo was named Head Coach of the SMU Women’s Tennis team on July 3, 2019.
Nevolo comes to SMU from South Carolina, where he was the Associate Head Coach for the women’s tennis program since 2014, and the 2018 ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year. In his five seasons at USC, the Gamecocks reached at least the NCAA Second Round each season. The 2019 team won the program’s first SEC Tournament title and reached the NCAA Quarterfinals.
CAMP REVIEWS
DAILY SCHEDULE
The following schedules are sample schedules of our camps. These are provided to give a rough idea of how each camp is programmed throughout the day.
| TRADITIONAL WEEKS – DAILY SCHEDULE: | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 am | Registration, Check In, Opening Remarks |
| 9:15 a.m | Warm Up & Dynamic |
| 9:30am | Practice & Drill Session |
| 10:45 am | Snack Break |
| 11:00 am | Patterns, Match Strategy & Point Construction |
| 11:30 am | On Court Fitness Session (Tennis shoes fine) |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm | Team Huddle |
| 1:30 pm | Doubles Match Play |
| 2:15 pm | Singles Match Play |
| 3:45 pm | Cool Down & Closing Remarks |
| 4:00 pm | Departure |
The following schedules are sample schedules of our camps. These are provided to give a rough idea of how each camp is programmed throughout the day.
FACILITY
SMU TENNIS COMPLEX
To ensure the future success of SMU’s historic tennis program, a new SMU Tennis Complex, Turpin Stadium & Brookshire Family Pavilion opened in 2015. The new complex is a preeminent, top-tier facility located prominently on the south side of Mockingbird Lane at the corner of North Central Expressway, formerly the site of Mrs. Baird’s Bakery.
The new complex provides both indoor and outdoor courts as well as a training center for student athletes and coaches, ensuring that Mustang players can train year-round on campus. In addition, patron accommodations optimize comfort and viewing and include special guest amenities and a club area, providing an enhanced spectator experience.
Match-day parking for the SMU Tennis Complex is available on campus in the Binkley and Moody Parking Centers. We ask that visitors not park in the residential areas surrounding the facility or in Park Cities Plaza.
- Brookshire Family Pavilion including the six Ruth & Ken Altshuler indoor courts
- Turpin Stadium with six outdoor courts
- Permanent spectator seating that can be expanded to accommodate conference, national and professional tournaments
- The Styslinger Family Grand Viewing Terrace with VIP seating overlooking the outdoor courts
- Edwin L. Cox Club Suite with viewing access to the outdoor and indoor courts
- Training facility that includes team locker rooms, training and fitness rooms, meeting rooms and offices for coaches and staff
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