It’s that time of year again. The group chats are buzzing with links to lacrosse retreats in Texas, volleyball intensives in Ohio, and a soccer “boot camp” that for some reason, includes an “optional firewalking ceremony”.
Summer sports camps have long been a rite of passage for youth athletes and their parents. They promise discipline, development, and if the glossy Instagram ads are to be believed, a fast track to scholarships and D1 dreams. But in 2025, some parents are beginning to question whether these weeklong excursions are worth the price tag, the plane ride, or the hype.
“I just got the invoice for my son’s three-day baseball camp,” said a Mother at our local little league picnic. “It was $950. For three days. And he came home with a sunburn and a drawstring bag.”
A Shift in the Summer Sports Economy
Parents like her aren’t alone. According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, the average cost of a youth sports camp has risen by nearly 30% over the last five years, even as household budgets tighten in the face of rising inflation, airfare spikes, and ongoing summer childcare challenges.
And then there’s the matter of access. Many elite camps sell out within hours. Some require costly travel. Others conflict with family vacations, summer school, or the general exhaustion of trying to be in three places at once.
It’s no wonder families are looking for alternatives.
Flexibility Is the New MVP
As the post-pandemic world reshapes how families prioritize time and resources, one major shift is emerging: personalized, tech-enabled training is giving traditional camps a run for their money.
Rather than carving out an entire week, and often a thousand dollars for a single experience, parents are opting for flexible, on-demand coaching models that meet their athletes where they are. Even if it’s literally in their backyard, in the driveway, or in an open high school gym.
“We’ve seen a sharp rise in families choosing custom training solutions over camps,” said Amanda Visek, an associate professor of exercise science at George Washington University. “They’re more cost-effective, more convenient, and often more developmentally sound.”
Unlike the one-size-fits-all nature of large camps, tech-forward training tools now offer athletes the ability to upload film, receive expert analysis, and build long-term coaching relationships without sacrificing travel plans or putting pressure on kids to “perform” in front of strangers.
From Burnout to Balance
Perhaps the biggest shift isn’t logistical. It’s philosophical.
A 2023 study by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play found that youth sports burnout has risen by 19% in the last four years, fueled by over-scheduling, pressure to specialize, and year-round commitments that leave little room for recovery or play.
“Parents are starting to push back,” said Tom Farrey, executive director of Project Play. “They want development without burnout. They want engagement without overexposure.”
That means rethinking the calendar. And in many cases, it means saying no to the shiny summer camp and yes to more intentional, incremental growth throughout the year.
Camps Aren’t Going Anywhere, But Their Role Is Changing
To be clear, summer camps still serve a valuable role. They offer social connection, a change of pace, and the thrill of being part of something big. But increasingly, they are no longer the primary mode of athletic development, especially for serious athletes and committed parents.
“The best development happens over time,” said Visek. “Not in one high-pressure weekend.”
For parents who feel like they’re stuck choosing between an overpriced mega-camp and letting their kid fall behind, the emerging middle path is this: targeted training, trusted coaches, and tools that provide real-time feedback without the travel, the cost, or the chaos.
It may not come with a free water bottle or a bunk-bed bonding moment. But for many families this summer, the payoff is clear: more flexibility, more value, and more meaningful growth.
And maybe a little less firewalking…
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