Swimming camps are the perfect solution for parents who are looking to provide a fun, safe and educational summer environment for their kids. Not only will your youngsters improve their swimming skills, but they’ll also make new friends, develop confidence and have a blast doing it.
With so many options, it can be tough to determine the best swimming camp for kids in the United States. However, to make things easier, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of the 11 top swimming camps, taking into consideration factors such as safety, experienced instructors, age-appropriate activities and fun.
Cal Swim Camp (California)
Cal Swim Camp at UC Berkeley is a stroke technique camp for competitive swimmers aged nine to 17. It offers two intensive training sessions, and provides opportunities to learn from Olympic athletes, NCAA All-Americans and the Cal coaching staff. The camp covers all four strokes, as well as starts and turns, and will include video analysis of top swimmers from around the world.
Pros
- Opportunity to learn from top athletes and coaches
- Intensive training focused on improving technique in all four strokes
- Exposure to what it’s like to compete at a Division One school
Cons
- Limited capacity and prices may increase as the camp approaches maximum occupancy
- Not suitable for beginner swimmers
- Video review of camper performance isn’t provided (due to time constraints)
Editorial review
The Cal Swim Camp is a highly regarded summer program for competitive swimmers who already know how to swim. Participants can expect to focus on technique, work for all four strokes and receive video analyses of top swimmers. The camp is taught by Olympians and NCAA All-Americans and also covers starts, turns and academics at Division One schools. It’s limited in size to ensure individual attention, and participants must provide their own transportation to and from the program.
Longhorns Swim Camp (Texas)
The Longhorns Swim Camp is a 44-year-old summer camp that provides elite-level swim instruction led by Texas head coaches Eddie Reese and Carol Capitani. The camp takes place at the world-renowned Jamail Texas Swimming Center on the University of Texas at Austin campus. It offers intensive long-course training, thorough stroke instruction and analysis, swim-specific dry land and strength training, and more.
Pros
- Intensive long-course training and analysis
- Swim-specific dry land and strength training
- Guest coaches and speakers
Cons
- Not designed for learning to swim
- A $175 non-refundable deposit per session is required
Editorial review
Attending Longhorns Swim Camp is a fantastic opportunity for swimmers (aged eight to 18) of any ability level to receive elite-level instruction and have a fun summer camp experience. With guest coaches and speakers, intensive long-course training, and thorough stroke instruction and analysis, this camp is a top swimming camp for kids who are serious about the sport.
Neal Studd Swim Camp (Florida)
The Neal Studd Swim Camp at Florida State University is an intensive swim camp for kids aged seven to 18 that focuses on improving overall technique. The camp covers all aspects of swimming, including general fitness, stroke technique, starts, turns, nutrition and mental training. It’s limited to 100 campers per session at the beautiful Florida campus with an outdoor pool and its own lake and beach.
Pros
- Philosophy of positive reinforcement, proper stroke technique and challenging training
- One conditioning and one stroke/technique session during each daily workout
- Classroom sessions on a range of topics, like staying motivated, nutrition, mental training and technique
Cons
- Limited to 100 campers per session
- Video analysis and additional instruction are paid options
Editorial review
With Coach Studd, campers can expect a positive, challenging training environment with a focus on proper stroke technique and mental preparation. The beautiful campus, the outdoor pool, the lake and various evening activities all lead to an enjoyable and well-rounded summer experience for campers. Nonetheless, some people may find the coach-swimmer ratios at the camp to be higher than desirable, and the video analysis and additional instruction options may present too much of an added cost.
Nike Peak Performance Summer Swim Camp (New York)
The Nike Peak Performance Swim Camp is a three-day swimming camp for kids offered during the Memorial Day weekend. The camp offers two levels of specialized training for competitive swimmers aged eight to 18 who can perform multiple lengths of all four strokes and the official starts and turns. The camp focuses on racing techniques and includes simulations to sharpen the swimmers’ mental edge, technical stroke refinement, drills to quicken starts and turns, and head-to-head racing.
Pros
- Focuses on racing techniques and mental toughness
- Offers technical stroke refinement, along with power, flexibility and skill drills
- Includes head-to-head racing
Cons
- Not designed for beginner swimmers
- Limited to a specific age group and skill level
Editorial review
Enrolling in the Nike Peak Performance Swim Camp is a great opportunity for competitive swimmers to improve their racing skills. The camp’s focus on mental toughness and technical refinement, along with its head-to-head racing, can help swimmers excel in competition. The low swimmer-to-coach ratio and experienced coaches make this camp an excellent choice for those who are looking to improve their performance. However, it’s important to note that the camp isn’t designed for beginner swimmers and is limited to a specific age group and skill level.
Penn State Competitive Swim Camp (Pennsylvania)
The Penn State Competitive Swim Camp is designed for swimmers who are entering grades 4 to 12 and recent high school graduates who aren’t enrolled in college. This camp is structured around teaching skill acquisition and the development of all four competitive strokes, with daily water sessions led by world-class staff. The facilities at Penn State are some of the finest in the nation, and include a heated Olympic-size outdoor pool, an Endless Pools Elite system and three indoor pools.
Pros
- Designed for swimmers with a year of competitive swimming experience
- Each camper will receive individualized attention from excellent coaches and counselors and will have access to an online DropBox to help them analyze all four strokes
- Facilities at Penn State are top-notch
Cons
- The camp isn’t a “learn-to-swim” camp, so those without a year of competitive swimming experience may not benefit as much
- The fees can be relatively high, especially for those opting for the resident option
Editorial review
With a focus on skill acquisition and the development of all four competitive strokes, the Penn State Competitive Swim Camp students will receive individualized attention from excellent coaches and counselors and have access to state-of-the-art facilities. It must be noted, though, that the camp’s not a “learn-to-swim” program and may not be the best option for those without a year of competitive swimming experience.
Nike Swim Camp at Southern Illinois University (Illinois)
The Nike Swim Camp at Southern Illinois University offers a summer camp experience for competitive swimmers who want to improve their stroke technique. This experience includes technical instruction, access to excellent facilities, healthy dining options and fun-filled evening activities. The camp is open to all entrants (competitive experience is recommended) with the ability to swim at least 50 meters in all four competitive strokes.
Pros
- Elite-level stroke technique instruction
- Small group and individual stroke analysis/instruction
- Fun evening social activities
Cons
- Camp is open only to competitive swimmers with experience in all four strokes
- High demand for spots, so early registration is recommended
Editorial review
Considering this camp’s elite-level instruction, its low camper-to-staff ratio and its analysis of individuals and small groups, campers will consistently receive personalized attention and support to help them swim their best.. The beautiful Southern Illinois location and fun evening social activities will only add to a positive summer camp experience, and enthusiasts can opt to add an Extra Night Starts & Turns Clinic to the standard program.
SPIRE Swim Camps (Ohio)
The SPIRE Swim Camp is a cutting-edge environment that’s been designed to offer competitive advantages to swimmers. The camp focuses on the technical aspects of racing and developing the four competitive strokes, along with starts, turns, transitions and finishes. SPIRE Performance Training, with its focus on developing core strength, power and flexibility, is also included in the camp. The camp is suitable for swimmers between the ages of 10 and 18, as well as recent high school graduates who aren’t currently enrolled in college but have a past or current membership on a swim team.
Pros
- Focuses on technical aspects of racing
- Designed to develop the four competitive strokes, plus starts, turns, transitions and finishes
- Mental Skills for Swimming Camp will help improve concentration, anxiety management, self-talk, goal setting, motivation, relaxation and visualization
Cons
- Limited to swimmers between the ages of 10 and 18
- Past or current membership on a swim team is required
Editorial review
The SPIRE Swim Camp offers a comprehensive and intensive training program run by professional trainers who teach the latest training methods. The inclusion of both technical training in the pool and performance training outside the pool sets this camp apart from others. Its focus on mental skills development is another unique aspect that can be invaluable in helping swimmers reach their potential.
Gold Medal Swim Camp (Georgia)
The Gold Medal Swim Camp at the Georgia Institute of Technology is a competitive swim camp designed for swimmers aged eight to 18. The camp is hosted at the McAuley Aquatic Center, home of the Yellow Jackets men’s and women’s swimming and diving team, and provides campers with the opportunity to train and refine their stroke technique.
Pros
- Focus on stroke technique refinement
- Fun evening social activities
- Each camper will be videotaped in all four strokes
Cons
- Only open to competitive swimmers who can swim 50 meters in all four competitive strokes
- Commuter campers don’t receive overnight accommodations
Editorial review
Georgia’s Gold Medal Swim Camp has a low camper-to-staff ratio, so campers will receive personalized attention from the best coaches in the region and improve their skills through video analysis. The fun evening social activities and overnight accommodations for overnight campers make this camp an enjoyable and well-rounded experience for attendees. Keep in mind, however, that the camp’s only open to competitive swimmers who can swim 50 meters in all four strokes.
Duke Swim Camp (North Carolina)
Duke Swim Camp is located on the beautiful campus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. It’s open to kids aged nine and up who are proficient in all four strokes, and is designed for swimmers who want to learn elite-level techniques and training skills. Its staff conducts two daily sessions that include a workout and technical drill work on all four competitive strokes, along with starts, turns and video feedback.
Pros
- Opportunity to learn elite-level techniques and training skills
- Video feedback provided
- Family discounts available
Cons
- Age limit of nine years old and up
- Must be up-to-date with current CDC guidelines to participate in overnight camps
Editorial review
Duke Swim Camp is open to boys and girls who are proficient in all four strokes and would like to learn elite-level skills and techniques. The camp staff is dedicated to providing the best experience possible, so it’s limited the number of campers to ensure the most effective staff-to-camper ratio. With video feedback and family discounts available, Duke Swim Camp is a great option for anyone who’s looking to improve their skills.
Michigan Swimming Camps (Michigan)
The Michigan Swim Camp is a competitive swimming camp for kids that provides swimmers with an opportunity to improve their performance and skills in and out of the water. The camp is open to participants of all ages, but is limited to a specified number of campers who are proficient in the four competitive strokes. It offers two tracks for campers to choose from during online registration: The Technique Track and the Intensive Training Track.
Pros
- Provides opportunities for swimmers to improve their skills and performance in and out of the water
- Offers two tracks to cater to different skill levels and needs
- Includes daily instructional/practice sessions, video feedback and written stroke critiques
Cons
- Limited to a specified number of campers
- The Intensive Training Track requires a high level of physical preparation
- Not suitable for beginners
Editorial review
The Michigan Swim Camp offers two different tracks for competitive swimmers, the Technique Track and the Intensive Training Track. The Technique Track offers individual and group instruction on fundamental and advanced stroke skills, as well as starts and turns, and includes daily video feedback and written critiques. It’s suitable for younger swimmers, relatively new swimmers, high school swimmers who don’t train year-round, and skilled swimmers in need of fine-tuning. Alternatively, the Intensive Training Track is designed for experienced swimmers with high aspirations. Daily, it includes two in-water training workouts, one dry land workout and a video review session. This track requires a high level of skill in all four strokes and full-capacity training before arrival.
Nike Swim Camp (New Jersey)
Former head swim coach Brian Bishop designed the Nike Swim Camp at The College of New Jersey to provide competitive swimmers with an opportunity to improve their stroke technique through mental, technical and physical training. This swimming camp for kids is open to entrants who have competitive experience and can swim at least 50 meters in all four competitive strokes.
Pros
- Designed by experienced swim coach
- Small group and individual stroke analysis/instruction
- Fun evening social activities
Cons
- Must have competitive swimming experience
Editorial review
The Nike Swim Camp at The College of New Jersey is a highly focused training camp (with a low camper-to-staff ratio) for competitive swimmers who are looking to receive individualized instruction from experienced coaches. The overnight option at this swimming camp for kids includes all meals and recreational activities.
The top 3 things to consider when choosing a camp
Program Curriculum
Look for a camp with a well-rounded program that focuses on both technical skills and physical training. Make sure the camp provides stroke analysis and refinement, individual instruction and mental training to enhance a swimmer’s development.
Safety and Expertise
Safety should always be a top priority, so the camp must have experienced, qualified staff who can provide proper supervision and instruction. Always check out the credentials of each camp’s coaching staff and consider their experience with competitive swimming.
Location and Amenities
Consider the accessibility of the camp and the housing and food options that are available. Air-conditioned dorm rooms with private bathrooms and all-inclusive meal plans can add to the comfort of your child’s stay.
image 1: Şinasi Müldür (Cropped from original); image 2: Kindel Media; image 3: Kindel Media