I searched this forum and only found old news. Does anyone have any recent experience with these events? I have to choose one and the dates overlap.
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My son did the Stanford Camp last year and it was quite good. Not real up on the UNLV camp. I would say it depends most on academics and the colleges you are interested in.
If your son is below about a 3.5 GPA and 1200/1600 on the SAT, then he won't get as much from the Stanford Camp. I assume that you are already accepted to the Stanford Camp as they have already chosen the campers, and all others are on a waiting list.
When we look at camps, we compare the list of colleges in attendance as one of the most important factors. Choose the camp where the most colleges of interest are attending.
If your son is below about a 3.5 GPA and 1200/1600 on the SAT, then he won't get as much from the Stanford Camp. I assume that you are already accepted to the Stanford Camp as they have already chosen the campers, and all others are on a waiting list.
When we look at camps, we compare the list of colleges in attendance as one of the most important factors. Choose the camp where the most colleges of interest are attending.
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I would agree. Comparing apples and oranges. No real comparison.
Apples....Stanford...Stanford camp is special and unique in many ways...one of the biggest being a place for high academic kids to be seen by a number of schools. IMO, You have to remember that the Stanford Camp is primarily run by Stanford for the purpose of getting the best and brightest recruits directly into their radar on their field. As Stanford controls the invitations, and their academic requirements are nearly off the charts...well you see where I am going. If you are a Stud with high academics you are invited and attend. Consquently, the other schools who recruit this specialized clientel understand this and are there as well.
I would not characterize it as exclusively that way, and there any many studs who might not have the academics to do Stanford, but our high academic fit there, and the stories you hear and the other people you talk to (many HSBBW'ers Krak? Rob Kremer? who got great leads there) make it clear that many high academic kids found the Stanford Camp to be a perfect option for them.
Another Stanford factor is that it has a great rep and draws lots and lots of schools (DI, DII, DII), many high academics, both in the coaching department and many in the stands. They are clearly aware of the talent level that the camp draws. This creates a real opportunity to combine a camp AND a showcase, and better yet a high academic audience. A feeding Frenzy?
As a result The demand for Stanford is such that getting in can be a real coup in and of itself. If you get an invitation it would be hard to turn down.
Oranges....Top Guns...AT UNLV (not a UNLV program as far as I know)....has an interesting reputation...do a search on the HSBBW...
Stanford would be REALLY hard to turn down if I fit the Stanford Profile and were invited.
44
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I would agree. Comparing apples and oranges. No real comparison.
Apples....Stanford...Stanford camp is special and unique in many ways...one of the biggest being a place for high academic kids to be seen by a number of schools. IMO, You have to remember that the Stanford Camp is primarily run by Stanford for the purpose of getting the best and brightest recruits directly into their radar on their field. As Stanford controls the invitations, and their academic requirements are nearly off the charts...well you see where I am going. If you are a Stud with high academics you are invited and attend. Consquently, the other schools who recruit this specialized clientel understand this and are there as well.
I would not characterize it as exclusively that way, and there any many studs who might not have the academics to do Stanford, but our high academic fit there, and the stories you hear and the other people you talk to (many HSBBW'ers Krak? Rob Kremer? who got great leads there) make it clear that many high academic kids found the Stanford Camp to be a perfect option for them.
Another Stanford factor is that it has a great rep and draws lots and lots of schools (DI, DII, DII), many high academics, both in the coaching department and many in the stands. They are clearly aware of the talent level that the camp draws. This creates a real opportunity to combine a camp AND a showcase, and better yet a high academic audience. A feeding Frenzy?
As a result The demand for Stanford is such that getting in can be a real coup in and of itself. If you get an invitation it would be hard to turn down.
Oranges....Top Guns...AT UNLV (not a UNLV program as far as I know)....has an interesting reputation...do a search on the HSBBW...
Stanford would be REALLY hard to turn down if I fit the Stanford Profile and were invited.
44.
My $.02, Stanford Camp is a great place to go and be seen by many, many colleges from all over the country - at all of the different levels, as O44 says. Many of those colleges have high academic requirements, some not quite so high, but nevertheless great schools at all levels from across the country. So, you should probably look at a past listing of colleges there (has anyone ever posted that - I think you might find it if you search), and then look at their academics and see if you are a fit for any of those schools, or if you think any of them would be interested in you.
While we have no personal experience with the UNLV camp, we do have friends that have gone. I have heard it is well run, but I don't believe that there are nearly as many schools there - but then again, it only takes one....
I see you are in NV, travel and hotel cost (for parents) may also be a factor for you (in these economic times, that is a factor for us all).
While we have no personal experience with the UNLV camp, we do have friends that have gone. I have heard it is well run, but I don't believe that there are nearly as many schools there - but then again, it only takes one....
I see you are in NV, travel and hotel cost (for parents) may also be a factor for you (in these economic times, that is a factor for us all).
Here is a different prospective.
When you attend these events it should be first for the opportunity to compete, have fun, get better and have a great experience. There is NO ASSURANCE that your kido will get recruited per se.
My son thought that his experience at Stanford; the Stanford jersey, playing at Sunken Diamond and playing with great kids from across the country was one of the best baseball experience during his HS years. This was a must experience without the prospect of getting recruited.
When you attend these events it should be first for the opportunity to compete, have fun, get better and have a great experience. There is NO ASSURANCE that your kido will get recruited per se.
My son thought that his experience at Stanford; the Stanford jersey, playing at Sunken Diamond and playing with great kids from across the country was one of the best baseball experience during his HS years. This was a must experience without the prospect of getting recruited.
With TOP GUNS, there is NO ASSURANCE that there will be a camp. They cancelled their Orlando camp last Thanksgiving, about a week before the camp, "because the economy was bad". Their economy made a dramatic jump, because they refused to give refunds. And they must be busy, because they won't return calls, either. Go Stanford.
2010 son attended Top Guns last year and is set to attend Stanford's camp this year (accepted - YEA!!).
Overall, IMO, the experience at Top Guns was good. Great information from the staff and also felt that not only did the kids have a great experience, they also provided a excellent information to the parents who attended. Such as: 1) Recruiting info, expectations of recruits and what actually happens when a kid gets to the next level; 2) The importance of academics in high school and that a kid must first and foremost be a good student, then an athlete; 3) Discussed recruiting and recruiting violations, NCAA rules and guidelines, violations and how they can occur; 4) Also had a strength coach there talking about what college expectations are and the types of workouts a recruit would be engaging in at the next level; 5) Hitting was also a major topic of discussion. Again, parents were always included and seen an an integral part of the experience at Top Guns. As for the games and competition, we felt there were kids there with great skills and overall was a good experience.
All that being said, if your son has both the academic and baseball skills to attend the Stanford Camp, I would choose Stanford. Based on the numbers of college and pro scouts that will be on hand, whether as part of the camp or an unannounced "spectator." I am certainly no expert but do believe in the information provided by a number of HSBBWebber's who have posted info over the years about the outstanding opportunity that the Stanford camp provides. I too have spent a lot of time and energy finding information out about the Stanford camp and I am hopeful and confident that their educated assessment of the Stanford opportunity is the best available.
Good luck in your decision making process, its not easy, especially with the current economy being what it is.
J23
Overall, IMO, the experience at Top Guns was good. Great information from the staff and also felt that not only did the kids have a great experience, they also provided a excellent information to the parents who attended. Such as: 1) Recruiting info, expectations of recruits and what actually happens when a kid gets to the next level; 2) The importance of academics in high school and that a kid must first and foremost be a good student, then an athlete; 3) Discussed recruiting and recruiting violations, NCAA rules and guidelines, violations and how they can occur; 4) Also had a strength coach there talking about what college expectations are and the types of workouts a recruit would be engaging in at the next level; 5) Hitting was also a major topic of discussion. Again, parents were always included and seen an an integral part of the experience at Top Guns. As for the games and competition, we felt there were kids there with great skills and overall was a good experience.
All that being said, if your son has both the academic and baseball skills to attend the Stanford Camp, I would choose Stanford. Based on the numbers of college and pro scouts that will be on hand, whether as part of the camp or an unannounced "spectator." I am certainly no expert but do believe in the information provided by a number of HSBBWebber's who have posted info over the years about the outstanding opportunity that the Stanford camp provides. I too have spent a lot of time and energy finding information out about the Stanford camp and I am hopeful and confident that their educated assessment of the Stanford opportunity is the best available.
Good luck in your decision making process, its not easy, especially with the current economy being what it is.
J23
Thanks 323.
Was this run more like a camp of a showcase?
Were the schools listed in attendance?
Was this run more like a camp of a showcase?
Were the schools listed in attendance?
It was run more like a camp. Did not get the "showcase" feel while we were there. 2010 son was just coming off a knee sprain so his scores were just okay but I felt like the feedback was on target. Really appreciated the time the staff took to make the parents feel like they belonged there. They also encouraged the boys to show their appreciation for their parents contributions and support. Seemed as if the schools listed were mostly in attendance. Game-time was not much on educating the boys as it was showcase time. Good luck in your decision
