Parents at College Camps

At the college camps that my 2018 attended, I sat in the stands, I wondered around, I came, I left, I came back.  At every camp that we attended, there was actually a group discussion with the coaches about what they are looking for, how their program operates and even a Q&A with the boys and parents. I found it really cool to watch my boy interact with the coaches and other players and see the reactions of the coaches watching him.

Of course, I wouldn't sit on the backstop and yell at the kids, but that goes without saying... I think!

We went to a couple out of state camps on various campuses (flight involved).  I would drop him off, go get some food, walk the campus, go back to camp, watch for a while and then come and go a few more times.  In my experience I saw some parents who appeared to be there all day and others who came and went.  I dont think there is a right or wrong per say.  For me it was just a long day if I had planned on sitting there all day.

My son did half a dozen, or so - all a distance away - and I probably stayed the whole time for maybe two, and they were early in his process. Others I would either drop him off (in one case since it was a three day stay-in-the-dorms kind of deal), or sort of come and go through the day. Most of these occurred before we were "fishing in the right pond," and before I found this site, but I wouldn't trade any of those trips for anything. He did a couple out on the west coast, where I grew up and my folks still live, so that provided an excuse to go even if the schools weren't realistic for his future. Money grab or not, I consider those times worth every penny just for him to see how programs differ and hang out with some big time coaches and players.

I saw parents who stayed and who dropped off.  I did both depending if I had errands to run.  For me it got a little boring.  On 2 occasions asst. coach had a brief Q/A session with parents, thus it makes me think there are always parents who attend.  One actually took me aside and tried to get a feel as to which schools we were looking at, chance he might attend there, his grades, etc.  If you do go I would recommend just being a "quiet" spectator unless they approach you first with questions.

We did both, and there were plenty of others that do the same.  I don't think it is a problem to go watch, learn, listen, etc.  

Agree with others. Not an issue at all to sit in stands and watch but gets old fast. Check out the campus, go for a walk, grab some food, and the watch in between your activities.

Its worth sticking around enough to get a feel for things.  At the camp of a school that had reached out several times it was obvious that the coaches knew who my son was and were keeping a close eye on him.  At another the staff had supposedly told his travel coach that my son was an "exciting prospect", but they completely ignored him.  Its easier for the parent to pick these things up in the stands than it is for the kids while they are playing.

I usually stayed in the stands and watched but certainly didn't have to.  I just love to watch anything baseball related so I'd be watching all the kids, doing my own mental evaluations and relaxing.  One thing that has been mentioned briefly but can't be mentioned enough...watch without cheering.  Nothing worse than hearing a mom going crazy cheering in the stands when little Timmy hits a bleeder up the middle.

Check the camp schedule up front to determine which parts may be more relevant to a parent than others.  Usually, those Q&A sessions are at a pre-set time. 

Have a feel for your son's preference.  He may want you there more or less... but if he doesn't want you there at all, remind him who's paying .  The way this works is... he won't want you there until you missed a big hit, great play or a clean pen.  Then you are a jerk for not being there.

Thanks to all for the great feedback!

I sat through three hours of sixty times, fielding and hitting once before my son did a showcase or camp to learn. By the time my kid was doing them I asked approximately what time the scrimmage starts and returned then.

Only went to 3 camps (Thank God) but if you're the parent of a PO, put off some phone calls and reading because it can be a lonnnnngg day. Left at 5am for Area Code for an 8am start. Pitcher's didn't throw until 3. Obviously no complaints because there's no cost and the exposure, but that was a long wait for 10 pitches. 

Showed up at 7:15 for check in for a P5 camp. Pitchers threw bullpens at 1, but underneath the stadium in the cages out of sight. Scrimmage at 5pm. 8 pitches and done. Did a lot of walking around campus that day. 

Find out the schedule from one of the players working the camp and see when he'll be on the field. Catchers are usually the busiest, but a lot of nothing for them as well unless you like watching them catch bullpens. 

Francis7 posted:

Your kid is going to a college camp, out of state.  It's somewhere between 4 and 6 hours a day, at the camp, for a couple of days.  It's at a nice school with a good facility.

Say you had to travel far to get there.  Maybe like a 5+ hour drive or a flight of some sort.  You're staying over the night before and the nights in between.

Do parents actually sit in the stands and watch the camp while it's going on?  Or, is that not allowed?  If it's allowed, is it a major faux pas to do it?  Should the parent(s) just drop the kid off and then go find something to do rather than stick around and watch?

Not judging anyone.  Just  curious on what people usually do in this situation.  Assume the kid is HS age.

[Not asking is college camps are worth it or a money grab.  That's been well discussed already.]

Just don't roll up in your 'radio-flyer' and you'll be fine 

In the middle of camps with my 2020, a few out of state. He's a PO, so some are pitcher/catcher camps. Last week it was in a cramped gym. Most parents were in the gym.

Have a camp this weekend out of state. Planning on hitting the local breweries to pick up some beers to bring back...

I always went to my sons camps, a lot of parents do, but usually I was flying solo and left the wife behind. I think she may have attended two of the closer ones and took him herself to a couple I could not attend.

I have found that my son enjoys talking about the camps or games after the day is over. At PENN State: “Dad, did you see that huge lefty knocking the ball into the right field bleachers! Holy crap he’s a beast!” Or “Dad, did you see that sweet play I made in the game?” My son has been playing for himself for years, but he also enjoys sharing his experiences after the day is over with us.

They were long, especially as a dad of a PO.  Son would sit the bench for a few hours until the scrimmage started, then sit for the remaining 10-13 innings they lasted...Ugh

Sometimes I would take off before the scrimmage, sometime I hung around.  But, I love baseball, so didn't mind watching.  I'll miss them, especially the hours spent in the car with my son.  Good dad/son time, even though he's on the quiet side.  Now that he drives and has a car, sadly that's a thing of the past.

I watched some from a distance, walked the campus, had breakfast, watched from the outfield or under a tree, took a nap....I was typically around enough to be spoken with if needed but not close enough for anyone who didn't know to realize I was there.

Camps are boring but have a place. Every school that was really interested in my son at some point wanted to talk to me. I always stayed far enough away that they had to come find me or son would request me via text and come closer.

I interacted differently as has been said according to where.  We went to a P5 that invited him specifically and I checked him in because I had not paid online.  They acted like they didn't know who he was and treated him that way all day I found out.  The assistant coach that invited him was not there and I was not happy to say the least.  I watched a few minutes, ate breakfast, came back and watched, took a nap, and then watched him pitch. 

Another D1 that had was going to make an offer invited him and I went and all the coaches came into the stands to sit down and talk to me individually.  They showed a lot of interest, but I will say it felt weird because they did not do it to anyone else.  They treated him like a king and pretty much shut everything down so all the coaches could be in the bullpen when he threw and he hit last.  It was two complete situations.  I sat there all afternoon that day because they kept coming by talking to me and I would have felt weird leaving. 

I think as has been said, get a feel for the day and ask your son.  Mine always wanted me there to check in for sure in case as he says "They ask something stupid that I wouldn't know."  But enjoy the time with your son most of all.

nycdad posted:

In the middle of camps with my 2020, a few out of state. He's a PO, so some are pitcher/catcher camps. Last week it was in a cramped gym. Most parents were in the gym.

Have a camp this weekend out of state. Planning on hitting the local breweries to pick up some beers to bring back...

Now thats a good use of time!

By the time my son started attending camps he had played enough baseball around the state that when he went to a camp there were usually at least 4 or 5 other kids there that he had played with or against at some point.  Normally a couple dads to....so usually just stuck around and talked baseball with them.  Obviously would watch when son hit or threw...and maybe when the other guys we knew were up, but normally just hung out because in most cases there wasn't much else to do.  If it was nice out, I'd go check out the baseball field or football field...just to get outside.  As others have said, it depended on the situation....if it was a one day event, I'd say most of the parents stayed...and just did what I did...found a way to waste 8 hours.

Like everyone else said, it depends. My kid only did two. He went to a local one-day D1 camp and just did it by himself; I was at work. He went to a two-day one out of state and I traveled with him; I went and watched the scrimmages on day 2, but otherwise didn't hang around the field to watch. 

Staying and watching was allowed and in fact encouraged at each one of the camps that my son attended.  Each included a speech by the coaches to the parents about recruiting, the school, the program, etc. 

I'd watch if you want to and wouldn't if you don't want to.

I stayed. Brought a book or two and it was wonderful "me" time. I'd read in the mornings and then watch when my 2018 pitched during afternoon scrimmages. In a few cases we met other parents, which was fun. And at his last camp, he pitched, coaches pulled him off the field and made him an offer, then came looking for us to discuss. Really glad we had stuck around!

I enjoyed watching the camps. Especially early on in the recruiting process it was fun to see where my son stacked up among the other campers at the different schools.

Francis: I went and stayed for the college camps. Very few were local so I was the taxi. These were schools that son was seriously considering so that my extra set of eyes helped observe things such as coaching style, son's performance etc.  As others have indicated, the camps sometimes had a session with coaches and parents (though that was more common with showcases with multiple colleges/coaches in attendance). I think son liked having me around, even though he often didn't see me as I kept my distance so as not to be "that dad." It was nice being outdoors in the summer as well. I could see how he stacked up against the others especially watching all the campers run the 60.  I also liked to overhear some of the "dad stories" like how many are committed to a school so far, what year a player is or how fast so and so throws.  Finally there were often "debriefings for the players" at the end of the camp that I would often strain to hear. It helped when I heard things that son should have heard, such as "what comes next."

I went to all of them...stayed quiet and observant.  You can learn a lot from other parents, as well as learn about the coaches: demeanor.  Once you get a feel for the schedule you can jump in and out for a Craft Beer … amazing the diff micro brewery's in the diff city's.  

I'd echo what Ripken says above as well.

Enjoy the time with your son...we had a lot of great dinners together.

I don’t get the infatuation with craft beer. Most of it taste like crap to me, give me an old fashioned Budweiser any time.

Agree with much that has been said.  

Though you said the money grab issue has been beaten to death,  I can't help but throw in 2 cents on that angel.   Camps are a  VERY mixed bag. And if we had it to do over again,  we would be much more selective about which camps we would bother with.  

Some of the camps we attended were very "slickly"  run and organized.   Some of them arranged campus tours and discussions with various folks to keep the parents kind of busy for a period,  while the players worked out with the coaches.   One had an admissions officer come and talk about getting into the school, for example.   

One of them put on a very interesting "day in the life" program for both players and parents to demonstrate what a day in the life of a baseball player at that school was like.  That particular program  seemed bent on putting on a show designed to "sell" both players and parents on their  approach not just to baseball but to developing the player as a student and as  person.   (Of course, that sort of disguised the fact that it was really the players that were in "selling mode"  and from the schools point of view the  camp was really just a money making cattle call and that the school was likely to have little genuine interest in most of the players who showed up. )

Though some camps made a show of being more than mere money-making cattle calls,  others did very little to disguise their true natures.  (the money-grab thing, I mean)   Once I sort of wised up to that fact,   I would hang around for awhile and then go do something and then come back to watch my guy compete.   The level of competition was often very  high, despite the nature of the beast.   And some of the dads, I actually got to know pretty well because we were on the same "circuit" as it were. 

 I should say that a couple of camps did lead to extended flirtations and follow up conversations with the relevant school.   So they are not a COMPLETE waste of time.  

For example, the school with the "day in the life program"  actually scouted my son three different times and wrote to him a fair amount, but in the end didn't make him any kind of offer.

 At still  another school the coach called many months after they first saw him to invite him to another camp -- after they lost an outfielder that they thought they had.  The coach said they were interested in taking another look  to see how he had developed since they last had a look at him.  Unfortunately, he had just recently taken a 90 mph fastball on the wrist and was suffering from a deep bone bruise at the time.  So they moved on to somebody else.

Point is that camps can lead to things, but it's the rare one that does.  

When we went to Duke's camp last year I went to the field and watched the drills and the games, but at that point that was my first camp as well (Stanford was local enough we went to watch him pitch but didn't go see the drills or games in which he was not pitching) and I wanted to see what it was all about. I brought my Kindle and passed the time reading and talking to the other parents that were there.  There were a good amount of parents in the stands with me.

Go watch and have fun!

At the last minute my husband couldn't go to one of two college camps my 2020 went to last summer. I was not exactly thrilled about taking time off work mid-week and driving (6 hours one way!) for the 2-day camp. It turned out to be some awesome mom-son time, and I'm so glad I took him.

On your question, about 80-plus kids attended, and I think most parents sat in the stands and watched the games, read, worked, talked, etc. My husband kept trying to call me to ask what was going on, and I felt like I was talking on the phone in church. It was pretty quiet.  I don't recall any clapping   

We usually watch games, but don't stay all day every day.  We had a lot of fun checking out local towns, seeing sites, shopping or checking out local restaurants/pubs.  

I watched in the stands for every camp my son's attended.  Other than watching them and being a baseball geek to begin with, I liked to watch the coaches interact with the players.  It was often very informative.