Frequently Asked Questions.    
     
What do campers need to bring?   How qualified are the US Sports staff?

All campers are required to arrive in sports appropriate clothing and footwear, sun protection ie. cap and sunscreen, lunch, snacks and plenty of water/fluids to last the day.  The site Coordinator should be made aware of any physical limitations.  Sports equipment is provided on all camps with the exception of the Tennis clinic, where children are required to provide their own racket. Children attending the Field Hockey clinic should wear shin guards.

  All camp staff have a minimum of 3 years experience in sports education or teaching.  Our coaches are not only selected for their sports education qualifications, but also for their ability to inspire, motivate and encourage campers. They go through an extensive application process, which includes a police background check.  All staff have basic first training and a cell phone is always present at camp in case of emergency.  All staff are committed to building confidence and excellence into the lives of your kids.
Click here for more information on the USSI Staff
     
What will my child learn during  the week?   Does my child need experience to attend?

Regardless if you are attending a multi sport camp or sport specific camp, your child will learn the fundamental skills in all sports played throughout the week. Aside from the actual technical sports instruction each camper will experience an atmosphere that promotes positive values, good sportsmanship and teamwork.

 

No.  Our camps are open to children of all sporting backgrounds and campers will be placed into age and ability appropriate groups.  The curricula for all programs is designed to suit all participation levels to ensure that children from beginner to experienced have the opportunity to play sports in a positive, developmental and fun learning environment.

     
Who will my children be playing with?   What do you do in cases of rain & bad weather?

Campers will be divided into age appropriate groups, typically 10 campers per group, with one coach being responsible for each group. Groups will be co-ed. Any camper  who shows to be outstanding sports person will be given the option to move to a group which will challenge them sufficiently throughout the week. If participants wish to be grouped with a friend it can be arranged provided participants are of similar ages.

 

Camp will continue in light rain or showers.  In the event of thunder and lightning storms, camp will be suspended until the storm passes.  If camp is cancelled for the day then USSI will make up any lost time by adding additional hours onto remaining camp days. At locations where there is no shelter or shade, USSI will try and provide canopies for cover.  Please refer to the registration page for USSI refund policy in the event of bad inclement weather.

     
What is the World Cup?   What happens if I want to cancel my registration?

This is a fun based competition which takes place for the end session of each day. Campers are broken down into World Cup teams in which they will do Sporting challenges and play games over a number of sports against other World Cup Teams. There will be teamwork games, questions and other challenges which players can complete to win points for their team. The World Cup competition is designed to allow all players to contribute through out the week.

 

USSI do not give refunds for non attendance of camp programs. If time lost in the event of bad weather is greater than 1 day, USSI will issue a Credit Voucher for the time lost. If you wish to cancel your registration before the program starts, participants can receive a full refund in the form of a Credit Voucher or a cash refund minus a $50 administration fee.

     
What steps do USSI take to ensure child safety?   How can I find the location of my camp program?

Campers will be signed in and out of camp every day by the camp coordinator. Please be aware that camp coordinators must be aware of who is collecting the child at the end of the day. Children will be supervised at all times throughout the day.
See below for detailed camp safety information.

 

Directions will be posted on our website USsportsInstitute.com at least one month prior to the beginning of your camp program. Just click on the Camp Directions link and follow the easy steps which will give you directions right from your front door.
Click here for our camp and program directions

     
This is my second time on camp. Will my child learn anything new?   What about the heat?

Our curriculum is designed to adapt  each individual age group allowing children to experience different skills which enable them to progress and become more accomplished at each sport throughout the years in which they participate on the program.

 

We take all precautions to protect your child from the sun. Children are advised to bring hats and sunscreen which your group coach will ensure is applied frequently throughout the day. Water breaks are essential and will be taken every 10-15 minutes on very hot days to avoid dehydration and heat stroke. Also there will be shade provided to allow children to sit under and cool off.

     
Is lunch provided?   What happens if I cant attend camp for a full week?

No.  Please provide your child with a bag lunch, snacks and plenty of fluid to keep them going throughout the day.

 

USSI can pro rate camp prices if your child cannot attend the whole week. This service is only available for initial registration. Contact USSI for further details.

     

USSI Camp & Program Safety

Safety has always been our number one priority for all US Sports Institute, Inc  programs. Our extensive training program, encourages our staff to bring out the best in the children they coach, enabling them to have the maximum amount of fun in the safest possible environment we can create. We will NOT compromise child safety on a USSI camp.

US Sports Institute Camps =

Safety on Camp:

USSI has systems in place to ensure the safety of children on our programs.  Upon arrival ALL campers are signed in using the program registration list from our database. Any registrants on the day will be added to the list with emergency contact details. Once players have been checked in they are placed into their correct groups. The program coordinator addresses the camp as a whole to talk through ALL safety issues. Every Institute coach is responsible for their own group. The coordinator is responsible for all groups and will ensure that safety is not compromised.  Each coach will keep a group attendance form, with a list of the children in his/her group. This form is used to sign in and out children for the rest of the week.  The camp coordinator will monitor the overall sign in/out procedure.  Children will always be supervised when taking water / bathroom breaks.  Under no circumstances will a child be allowed to leave camp unattended.

Staff

All staff employed by USSI undergo a thorough criminal background check.  Staff employed from overseas (UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) all hold valid visas to work in the United States. US Sports Institute has a thorough interview process to ensure that all coaches are suitable to work with all levels of children.  All staff have basic level first aid training. 

Equipment

All equipment used on camp is checked daily by the camp coordinator to ensure it is safe to use. USSI only uses sports safe equipment on all of it’s programs.  If any sports require additional safety measures (shin guards, mouth guards, helmets, gloves), USSI staff will ensure that all children are wearing the appropriate item.

Camp Ratios

USSI camp ratios are typically 10:1 or 12:1 dependant on age.  For our younger participants (Sport Squirts) group ratios are typically 8:1.  All USSI camps have a coordinator who monitors the dynamics and safe running of the program.

Camp Arrival and Check-out

All campers are signed in when they arrive to camp – children should always be escorted by  a parent or guardian to their coach.  Children will only be signed out of camp when their parent/guardian comes to collect them; again, for safety reasons, we request that parents come to the coaches to collect their children as we will not release children to leave unattended and make their own way to parents cars in parking lots.  Our staff will stay with any child not collected promptly from camp. No child will be allowed to go home with anyone other than the parent/guardian who drops them off (walk with friend, make their own way home) unless the camp coordinator receives a written note from the parent/guardian prior to the start of camp.