New England Tennis Holidays returns to N. Conway, this time for selected 2-day or 3-day weekends on the two red-clay courts at the Eastern Slope Inn Resort. Though the attendance will necessarily be limited by the number of courts to 8 people (12 if booked by a group), 
the sessions remain at five hours a day. The morning sessions typically focus on the major strokes and singles and doubles strategy, while the afternoons comprise videotaping and a series of "Stroke Stations," during which you head for the court that is working on the stroke you want more help with. The days conclude with a round robin or some version of competition. "People want to play," notes the camp's longtime director Kurt Grabher. When the group program ends, campers are typically tired but not exhausted—and a few, in fact, hang around the courts to play a bit more.
It helps, of course, that the camp takes place in northern New Hampshire, where a demanding program takes far less toll than it does in south Florida. And the staff encourages camaraderie by arranging group dinners at a different local restaurant each night, which helps makes this a comfortable option for people who come alone.
And ... If shopping is recreation, then North Conway with its scores of factory outlets and no-tax policy qualifies as a major diversion.
The camp takes place at the Eastern Slope Inn Resort, which has 150 rooms, suites, and townhouses, the last ideal for groups. It has a fitness center, children's playground, and free WiFi throughout.
The package includes breakfast and lunch daily at Peaches, a North Conway landmark run by Kurt Grabher's sister Carol Stapinski, and group dinners at different restaurants in town.
If you're looking for an all-day tennis camp with lots of social atmosphere, also check out any of the following:
New England Tennis Holidays uses the Eastern Slope Inn, which has 150 rooms, suites, and townhouses. Rates quoted below are per person/double occupancy in the main inn or suite and include five hours a day of tennis, lodging, breakfast, lunch, and dinner (no dinner the first night), taxes and gratuities. Single occupancy rates also available as are tennis-only rates and rates for longer sessions.
May 25-28 & June 7-10, 2012
2-days: $499-$579/person. 3 days: $739-$859/person.
June 17-24, July 5-8, Aug. 19-26 & Sept. 6-9
2-days: $549-$629/person. 3 days: $799-$939/person.
Seasons. The programs at North Conway run on selected weekends from May to mid September.
Travel Instructions. The nearest airport is Portland, Maine, an hour and 15 minutes' drive to the south. NETH can arrange for a shuttle to pick you up and make sure you have a ride back and forth from your lodging to dinner, but in truth you'll probably be happier with the freedom that comes with having your own transportation.
General Tourist Information. Visit the Mount Washington Valley chamber of Commerce website or the New Hampshire Office of Travel & Tourism website.