Your Call
Here's what others have had to say about Swarthmore Tennis Camp (closed).
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""—M.S., Adv., July 2009
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"My thoughts on the camp: Strengths - friendly staff, competent teachers, 4:1 ratio of staff to students, segregated with players of similar ability, fun and challenging drills, strategy and matchplay, private lessons, food was good.
Weaknesses - Price is too high, one teaching pro and rest of staff were college tennis players (though they were very good players), between drills it seemed like the coaches assumed it was the campers responsibility to pickup balls (for the high price you're paying, I think there should be a better process), no swimming pool as promised in brochure, lunch break seemed a little long at 2 hrs with too much waiting around.
Overall, I would give the camp a satisfactory rating and would consider attending again. If you're attending to see the tennis director, Jeremy Loomis, don't hold your breath because he was not there nor did he bother to stop by. I didn't stay on campus, but heard mixed reviews from the other campers about the accomodations (some good, one complaint about the TV situation)."—F.E., Int., June 2009
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"If you look forward to hitting thousands of balls a day with a friendly, laid-back set of coaches on a college campus, this is it. The staff at Swarthmore Tennis Camp was very helpful and friendly while their tennis was serious and yet lots of fun."—I.C., Int., April 2009
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"We attended this camp in late July for the first time. I learned so much in a short time. The instruction is low key, friendly and with a high degree of expertise and experience. In several days, I raised the level of my skill in a few key areas and that has made a great difference for me as a player. I can't wait to go back!"—P.M., Int., November 2008
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"Excellent director and staff; great instructions; beautiful campus setting. I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in immersing himself/herself in tennis for the duration. There are no planned activities, but there are excellent restaurants in the vicinity."—K.H., Adv. Int., July 2008
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"Don't come here if you are thinking you are going to have a value-added camp experience. This is purely a residential camp. Don't waste your time or your money staying over night. The housing is a 12-story off-campus residential apartment building housing mostly seniors. You may not see any of the other campers, and definitely not the staff, after dinner.
The food in the cafeteria is limited and average. There are no activities planned in the evening, so pretty much from 4 p.m. on there is absolutely nothing planned for the campers.
We who came to camp have all been disappointed. Instruction was lifeless and dull. We were not given a schedule of the week, but we found out that is because nothing else was planned besides morning and afternoon court play. If you are looking for a camp experience where you will mix with others, have fun diversions planned, and gatherings with staff after dinner, this is not the place to go."—M.N., Beg., July 2008
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"This was my first experience at a sports camp -- imagine that at age 50! I was probably the least advanced at the camp, but I never felt singled out. The counselors were very supportive and knowledgeable. They laughed easily too which was a big advantage for me since I managed to do some pretty unintentially stupid things!
Food in the cafeteria was varied and good. The condo I stayed in was clean and comfortable -- nice to have airconditioning too! Swarthmore's campus was just lovely with old stone buildings and beautiful trees."—D.O., Low Int., July 2008
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"We have done this camp for several years and continue to send our son back because of the excellent instruction he has received with very good international instructors. Highly recomend."—I.P., Adv. Int., April 2008
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"I attended the Swathmore Tennis Camp 7/5/08 to 7/8/08 during the Advanced Player Sessions. This is more stroke/strategy enhancement rather than stroke mechanics. This was my first camp experience and I was going on the recommendation of some teammates.
Overall I was extremely pleased with the camp. The facilities are well kept and the Swathmore College campus is beautiful-although I did get a bit lost trying to find the registration.
The top strengths of the camp are the personnel and the scheduling. I arrived for my session on a Thursday afternoon then did morning and afternoon sessions for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Having the half-day on Thursday to meet everyone and get comfortable set an easygoing, no-pressure table.
The instructors were friendly and there was (intentional or not) a lot of visual learning, which is something I prefer. They would always answer and encourage questions but it let people learn on their own terms.
I also had 2 half-hour private lessons: one with the camp director and one with an instructor. One was videotaped. Those sessions were wholly our decision regarding content.
The cost was reasonable but there is not a ton of on campus housing. The office contacts are accommodating and efficient. This is not a glamour camp with luxury amenities but a really welcoming place to focus on your game.
The only disappointment was that I personally was grouped with the men’s courts all weekend, of which I concede they have little control. They grouped courts by playing level, which was fine, but I would have hoped to compete against a stronger women’s field."—R.W., Int., April 2008
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"I went with my partner and we had a great time at this camp. The staff was very helpful at showing us how to play doubles with my strategy, especially when we had the opportunity to play w/ the pros. One night after a bar-b-q, we watched tennis on tv and that was very enlightening, but fun at the same time!"—C.A., Int., April 2008
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"It's great for solo players or you and your doubles partner. Friendly, accessible and knowledgeable staff. Varied drills and activities. Definitely worth the money"—M.S., Int., April 2008
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"Good tips from friendly and dedicated pros- includes private lessons. Very beautiful campus. Full package include college cafeteria meals, so no gourmet food - but great, fun, tennis.
I last played there in 2007 & have returned for over 6 years - will do so again this year"—J.Z., Int., April 2008
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Swarthmore Tennis Camp (closed)
Swarthmore Tennis Camp (closed)
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
The camps that have been run for the last 28 years on this Pennsylvania campus will not be back for the summer of 2010. There is a new camp, the Loomis Racquet Academy, at this location though it offers only limited adult weekends.