By Lindsay Penticuff
Summer is a great time for tennis players of all ages to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful warm weather while also refining tennis skills, meeting new teammates and basking in camp fun.
Players with a love for tennis are sure to enjoy the numerous camp options offered throughout the country, including many that are located in metro Altanta or just a short drive away. Whether you’re 5 or 55, there’s a camp to fit your idea of summer tennis fun.
GEORGIA
ACE Tennis Academy camps
ACE Tennis Academy is located at the Fields Club in Peachtree Corners. Jeff Weaver and his staff have been developing top-ranked juniors since 1994. ACE players have won more than 35 national titles, including 12 Gold Balls (national championships). For the summer, ACE offers half-day and full-day training for players of all levels. Camps begin the last week of May and continue through mid-August.
• Ages 6 and older, co-ed
• May-August
• Daily pricing: morning camp, $45/day; Point-Play $35/day; full day, $80/day
• Weekly pricing: ACE “Kids” Academy Camps: $180/week, $45/day; ACE Camps (pre-competitive players), ACE Advanced Camps (competitive players) and ACE Elite Camps (tournament players): all day, $300/week; mornings, $180/week or $45/day
For more information, visit acetennisacademy.net or email kathy@acetennisacademy.net
Bulldog Tennis Camps
Bulldog Tennis Camp is held at the University of Georgia’s Dan Magill Tennis Complex, the same facilities that will again serve as the host site of the 2017 NCAA Tennis Championships. Campers will stay in one of UGA’s air-conditioned dorms and will be provided healthy, well-balanced meals. Coach Manuel Diaz and his staff provide campers with the same championship instruction he utilized to lead the Bulldogs to the 1999, 2001, 2007 and 2008 national championships. For beginners, fundamentals and stroke production will be emphasized. For intermediate players, refinement of the fundamentals will be stressed. Advanced players will be trained at the same intensity level with similar drills as used with Bulldog college players. Along with match play and conditioning, emphasis is on challenging the campers, regardless of their level of play.
• Ages 9-17, boys only
• June 4-8, June 11-15, July 16-20
• Residents (age 10 by Sept. 1), $775; Extended Day Campers, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m., $650; Day Campers, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., $575; ask about discounts for siblings and attending multi-sessions
For more information, visit bulldogtenniscamp.com or call 706.542.9348
Laurel Park Tennis Dynamics Summer Camps
Tennis Dynamics is hosting tennis summer camps at Laurel Park in Marietta for junior and adult tennis players throughout the summer. Day and night camps are available, and a 5 percent discount will be given to individuals who submit their application before April 25 and accompanied with a payment.
• Ages 7 and older, co-ed
• Junior and Adult Tennis Camps: May 29-July 28, with the exception of July 3-7
• Junior Tennis Camps, ages 7-17, $180 per week; Junior Evening Tennis Camps, $80 per week or $25 per day; Adult Evening Tennis Camps, $120 per session, (Session I: May 23, May 30, June 6; Session II: July 11, July 18 and July 25)
For more information, visit tennisdynamics.net or call 770.919.8602
Hightower Tennis Academy Camps
The Hightower Tennis Academy camps are held at beautiful Berry College in Rome, with 10 tennis courts located a very short walk from the dorms. Campers will have access to an indoor swimming pool and Hightower’s experienced staffers, who enjoy teaching young players. Because the camper-to-coach ratio is kept at 5:1 or better, the staff really learns what the players need to improve their tennis. An integral part of the program is teaching the basics of hard work and good sportsmanship. Tennis instruction focuses on proper grips, footwork, positioning, stroke production, shot selection and strategy. Each camper has the opportunity to hit hundreds of balls during basket drills, live ball drills and match play situations.
• Ages 10-17, co-ed
• June 4-8, June 11-15
• $600/session; discounts are offered for multiple campers
For more information, email Clay Hightower at chightower@berry.edu or call 706.346.9153
Peter Howell Tennis Camps
Peter Howell, hall-of-fame tennis coach at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, is the director of this excellent junior tennis camp for the 14th year. Howell brings 40-plus years of tennis teaching and coaching experience, having worked with several collegiate All-Americans during his career. His 2016 men’s team won the SAA Conference, and camp counselor C.J. Antonio made All-American. The mission of the camp is to teach the younger kids to actually play tennis versus just hitting balls. Coaches will work hard to raise the level of play of the older and more advanced players. Each camper is placed in a group appropriate to his or her skill level, including beginner, intermediate and advanced. Howell’s team stresses solid fundamental groundstrokes, volleys and serves and, especially, playing the game. Match play, drills and fitness are coordinated in each daily plan done in a fun environment. The goal is to teach the strategy of the game, as well as the fundamental strokes, and the staff tailors instruction to each camper’s abilities with low student/teacher ratio. Campers get at least 30 hours of tennis instruction per session plus off-court cross training activities.
• Ages 7-17, co-ed
• June 5-June 30, July 10-21
• $345/week (lunch included), 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; early drop off and late pickup can be arranged for small fee
For more information, email phowell@oglethorpe.edu or call 678.644.9263
Universal Tennis Academy Camps
Universal Tennis Academy in Atlanta is excited to offer summer tennis camps throughout Atlanta. UTA has trained all levels of players, from ALTA champions and NCAA champions to touring professionals in a fun, exciting and educational environment. Tennis camps are offered at Bitsy Grant Tennis Center, Blackburn Tennis Center, Chastain Park, DeKalb Tennis Center, Piedmont Park and James Creek Tennis Center. UTA holds summer camp every week of the summer, starting the week of Memorial Day. Both half-day and full-day tennis camps are offered, including a tennis/golf camp at Bitsy Grant; a tennis/swim camp at Chastain Park and Piedmont Park; and a tennis/history camp at DeKalb Tennis Center.
• Ages 4-16, co-ed
• May 30-June 2, June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26-30, July 5-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-Aug 4, Aug. 7-11
For more information, visit utatennis.com or call 404.497.0680
Yellow Jacket Tennis Camps
Georgia Tech’s 2016 Yellow Jacket Tennis Camps aim to enhance each camper’s skills through morning instruction and afternoon match play. The camp in Atlanta will stress the importance of sound fundamentals and strategy and includes tennis conditioning. Campers will be split into groups based on age and ability. The camps will be held at the new, state-of-the-art Ken Byers Tennis Complex located on the Georgia Tech campus, which includes 10 outdoor courts and six indoor courts. An 8-and-under camp is also offered for ages 5-8. Directions and parking info will be provided prior to camp.
• Ages 5-18, co-ed
• June 5-8, June 12-15, June 19-22, June 26-29, July 10-13, July 17-20
• Day camp, $330/session; overnight camp, $580; 8 and under camp, $150
For more information, visit yellowjackettenniscamp.com, email contactus@yellowjackettenniscamp.com or call 404.840.3451
NEW HAMPSHIRE/VERMONT
New England Tennis Holidays Camps
Gearing up for its 30th season of award-winning adult tennis camps in the scenic mountains of New England, camps open up Memorial Day weekend and run through Columbus Day in October in Sugarbush, Vermont. Select weekends are also available in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, and the North Conway, New Hampshire, location is home to programs for groups and teams wanting to create their own customized camp experience. The five-hour camp includes “stroke of the day,” drills, videotaping, strategy and round-robin games. The professional staff offers campers a wealth of experience and knowledge on court and often join the group for dinner and social activities at night. Packages include fine lodging and dining, with choices of resort hotel rooms, suites or condominiums. At the end of the day, off-court activities include hiking, biking, canoeing, zip-line, yoga and fitness classes, swimming, antiquing and sightseeing.
• Age 8 and older, co-ed
• Memorial Day-Columbus Day
• Tennis only: Sugarbush, $175-$775; Waterville Valley, $365-$495; North Conway, call for prices
For more information, email contact@netennisholidays.com, visit netennisholidays.com or call 800.869.0949
SOUTH CAROLINA
Palmetto Dunes Tennis Camps
During the Palmetto Dunes Junior Tennis Camps on Hilton Head Island, coaching sessions emphasize stroke production, with a focus on technique, footwork and strategy. Customizable family packages, including accommodations, court time, lessons and clinics, are available. The tennis center has 26 clay tennis courts, five of which are junior/POP tennis specific, and eight pickleball courts. It is ranked the No. 1 tennis resort in the Carolinas. Palmetto Dunes is also among the Top 10 best tennis resorts worldwide and has ranked No. 4 in the world for junior programs.
• Ages 11-17, co-ed
• March-Labor Day
• $40/day or $36/day for five or more sessions
For more information, visit palmettodunes.com/nn or call 843.785.1152
Smith Stearns Tennis Academy Camps
Led by Stan Smith, former No. 1 player in the world; Billy Stearns, one of the world’s top coaches and former USTA director of coaching; and B.J. Stearns, former top nationally and internationally ranked player and academy director, the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy is uniquely designed for individual junior player development. The academy is within one of the top-rated resorts in the country, The Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, and continues to offer an excellent summer program giving students an opportunity to train with the best world-class coaches and other students who have similar goals. Whether it is training to play the summer nationals or wanting to improve a spot on your high school team, you will leave the academy knowing you received the right training and instruction to achieve your goals. Smith Stearns offers a complete summer camp experience, including world-class tennis training, a full on- and off-court fitness program, yoga sessions and full housing for students who need boarding, which includes housing, transportation, food and laundry assistance. Fun summer activities are also planned on nights and weekends.
• Ages 8-19, co-ed
• May 29-Aug. 31
• Weekly camp: $995 for day students; $1,595 for housing students
For more information, visit smithstearns.com and register by calling 843.363.4789 or emailing info@smithstearns.com
Van Der Meer Tennis Center Camps
The prestigious Van Der Meer Tennis Center on Hilton Head Island has been the developing ground for many ATP and WTA players. Under the direction of Pat Van der Meer and world-class pros, these camps foster a competitive, fun and family-oriented environment to maximize the talents of the juniors who come through the program. The summer tennis academy is also offered for adults, where the expert staff will lift your game with tactics, strategy, mental toughness and fitness, as well as provide a thorough look at your current stroke arsenal to help you reach your highest potential.
• Junior clinics, ages 12-18, co-ed; summer day camp, ages 4-12, co-ed
• Five-day junior clinics, March 13-April 21; summer junior clinics, June 5-Aug. 26
• Five-day junior clinics, $495-$545; summer junior clinics, $715 clinic only, with boarding $1,070
For more information, visit vandermeertennis.com or call 800.845.6138
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Nike Tennis Camps
Nike Tennis Camps provide players the opportunity to improve their tennis game, work hard, make new friends and have a lot of fun. Camps are directed by America’s most respected college coaches and tennis pros who have a passion for teaching and a gift for helping you take your game to the next level. Some camps also offer high school and tournament training programs. Players can look forward to personalized on-court instruction, programs for every skill level and improving their game in fantastic tennis venues and overnight accommodations.
• Ages 6-18, co-ed
• June-August
• $300-$995
For more information, visit ussportscamps.com or call 800.645.3226
Academia Sánchez-Casal Tennis Camps
Academia Sánchez-Casal is an internationally known high-performance training center thanks to a unique training system that combines tennis and education. The world-renowned coaches teach and guide each player every step of the way. Founded in 1998, and today as one of the most prestigious tennis centers, each year students come from all over the world, including players from the ATP/WTA professional circuit. The program includes high-performance training; a language program for Spanish, English and French; leisure activities for participants; and weekly tournaments.
• Ages 8-25, co-ed, May 29-Sept. 2; Kids Camp, ages 3-9, co-ed, June 13-Aug. 12
• Costs vary based on the program, age and tennis level
For more information, email admissions.fl@sanchez-casal.com or call 239.263.1818
