WESTERN RESERVE ACADEMY – Hudson, OH


4.9 Stars – Based on 15 User Reviews

Unlike many of the other youth soccer camps throughout Ohio, the Elite 11 soccer camps are designed for individual skill development. Whether you are a beginner or varsity level high school player, our summer soccer camps will provide you with position-specific enhancement as well as individual emphasis that will allow for maximum learning during the week.

TOP INSTRUCTION

Our soccer camp is a 5 day /4-night summer camp, one of the longest youth camps in Ohio. We feel it is important to have 5 days to ensure the proper amount of repetitions in our drills and strategy sessions. Each day will feature 5.5/6 hours on the field.

FUN EMPHASIZED

The key to a great youth soccer camp and a productive learning environment is making sure the experience is fun. Using a wide variety of drills, games, and competition on the fields is supplemented with daily off-field social and recreational activities.

SAFETY PRIORITIZED

Safety is our top priority both on and off the fields. The youth campers are monitored around the clock by the camp staff, the college security staff, and our camp directors. Activities are always performed in a group setting to ensure camper safety.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CAMP INCLUDE

Western Reserve Academy

115 College St, Hudson, OH 44236

Location Notes

  • No notes available.

CAMP DETAILS

CAMP DATES:

  • Soccer I: July 7-11, 2024

CAMP Fees:

  • Overnight – $675 per week
  • Commuter – $575 per week

Times:

  • Overnight Option:
    • – Sunday 1pm – Thursday 4pm

    Commuter Option:

    • – Sunday 1pm – 10pm
    • – Mon-Wed 9am – 10pm
    • – Thursday 9am – 4pm

Ages:

  • Boys ages 8-18 of all skill levels and positions.

MORE INFORMATION

Camp Types

The key component of the Elite 11 Soccer camps is our heavy emphasis on instruction and personal skill development. Where many camps are focused on scrimmaging, gameplay or recruiting, we work with young players to improve their skills. Players are broken up into small instructional groups based on position, skill, age, and experience. The more experienced players will focus on advanced concepts while players new to the sport will have emphasis placed on the fundamentals.

Meals
  • – Overnight: All meals provided Sunday Dinner through Thursday Lunch.
  • – Commuter: Dinner is provided on Sunday. Lunches and Dinners are provided Monday-Wednesday, and Lunch is provided on Thursday. (No breakfasts included)
FAQ's
Q: Are there Skill Requirements for this camp?

Per NCAA rules, our sports camps are open to all entrants. Enrollment is limited only by age, grade level, gender, and capacity restrictions as specified by each camp.

Q: How are the Campers Divided?

Campers range in age from 8-18 years old. Campers are divided by age, experience and ability level throughout the camp week. We make sure each camper is challenged yet comfortable in their surroundings, enabling skill level improvement.

We design our camps to teach the technical basics and love of the game to the beginning player, to introduce strategical decision making, and more advanced technique to the intermediate player, while building on their current stroke production, and to put the advanced players into pressured, strategical and competitive situations.

Q: What is the ratio of campers to staff?

Groups will be divided into small groups of approximately 9 campers to one coach. Primarily the ratio of camper to staff is 9:1, however, in many instructional situations the ratio is smaller and our boys camp offers 1 on 1 private lessons. We do offer specialized goalie instruction and will have a dedicate coach for the goalkeepers. Typically the goalkeeper ratio is much lower (approx. 4:1)

Q: If the camp is the full, do you have a waiting list?

We do have a waiting list for our camp weeks that sell out. In is not unusual for us to add campers from the waiting list due to late cancellations. To be added to the wait list, please email the office.

Q: Should I purchase camp/cancellation insurance?

We recommend all families purchase camp / cancellation insurance if they are concerned about the investment they are making in the camp. Kids do get injured, sick and family plans change from the time of registration leading up to the camp. Camp insurance allows peace of mind and has many benefits in any of these events. Please review our policies page for more information about camp/cancellation insurance. Click Here

Airport Transportation

Airport transportation is available upon request for those flying into camp. The closest airport(s) are the Akron Canton (CAK) Airport (28 miles from campus) and Cleveland Hopkins Airport (48 miles from campus). To arrange for a pickup, please email prior to making flight arrangements. The best times for arrival are Sundays before 10:00am and departures Thursday after 6:00 pm.

PERTINENT INFORMATION

Check-In
  • – Check in for all campers is on Sunday between 12:00-1:00pm at the camp dorm.
  • – Check in for commuters Monday – Thursday will be on the field at 8:45am.
Check-Out
  • – Check out on Thursday is between 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
  • – Commuters will depart each evening at 8:15 pm if they do not wish to participate in evening social activities or 10:15pm if they would like to participate in the social activities.
Camp Dorm
  • TBA
Roommate Request

If you are attending the camp as an overnight camper, you can request a roommate at the time of enrollment. Should you need to change this request, please email the office at Here. We can usually meet your request of 1 roommate, however, please keep in mind that many parents have conflicting requests. (Player A request Player B and Player B request Player C). We will do our very best to sort out these issues ahead of camp, however, if there is a mistake or change that needs to be made at camp check-in, please let us know and we will do everything in our power to make that change.

Each dorm has a different setup. Some are doubles, triples, quads and suites. If you would like to have players in rooms next to each other, we again, will do our best to accommodate. Please please email the office at Here for such requests.

Should you wish to room with more than just 1 person, we will do everything in our power to arrange for this, if the room level (double, triple etc?) allows.

Camp Forms

All our camp forms, including the required liability form and medical form can be found HERE

Packing List
  • Soccer Ball
  • Soccer Shoes
  • Water Bottle
  • Athletic Clothes
  • Casual Clothes
  • Bath Towel
  • Shower Towel
  • Sun Screen
  • Bedding for Twin sized bed
  • Toiletries
  • Fan(s)
  • Pillows
  • Snack Food
  • Spending Money (no $ is needed, but sometimes kids like to order pizza, t-shirts, vending etc.)

MEET YOUR COACHES

Camp Director:

Graham Ford

Graham Ford is no stranger to the College of Wooster soccer program. He served as the men’s head soccer coach for over 20 years and guided the Fighting Scots to a winning record of 153-137-34 (.525)

Highlighting his tenure at Wooster, where he also served as an assistant coach for four years before taking over in 1995, the Scots went unbeaten during the regular season in 2002 (15-0-3) and were ranked as high as No. 2 in NCAA Div. III, followed by back-to-back North Coast Athletic Conference co-championships (2003, 2004). That three-year run saw Wooster produce a 40-7-6 record (.811), with Ford collecting NCAC Coach-of-the-Year honors in 2003.

Active in the youth soccer community, Ford formerly was co-director of Pennine United, based out of Hudson, Ohio, and he also has worked with the Cleveland United and Ohio Premier clubs. Additionally, he is an Olympic Development State Team coach for Ohio North, an NSCAA advanced licensed coach, a USSF staff clinician, and the director of a one-week summer camp on campus.

A native of Manchester, England, and 1989 graduate of the University of Staffordshire, Ford earned a degree in sports management and exercise physiology. He was a player and a coach for six years in England’s top semi-professional league and the director of the F.A. Coaching Center in Manchester from 1986-89.

STAFF:

The coaching staff at the camps is one of the strongest and most well respected in the country. Consisting of top collegiate coaches and players, the staff is handpicked for their ability to teach and relate to young players in a friendly, thorough and responsible manner.

CAMP REVIEWS

Great coaching fantastic atmosphere.

Parent of Preston F.

My son loves this camp. This was his 3rd year attending and he has nothing but good things to say about it. Looking forward to next year!

Parent of Zack B

My son had an great time. The camp was well organized with a positive.

Parent of Owen Y.

Dorm were way to hot.

Parent of Seth W.

Casey has an amazing time at camp and has been raving about every single aspect of his week. He can?t wait to go back next year!

Parent of Casey M.

My son had a great time! He loved his experience, thought his coach was great, and learned skills that he will continue to work on and use.The first thing he said when I picked him up is he wants to return next year.

Parent of Morgan H.

This is my son first year. He love it and wants to go back next year. He said he learned alot.

Parent of Jordan S.

This camp is the most bang for your buck. It?s the longest camp offered with the most soccer played each day. My son learned some new things and worked to improve things he already knew. All while making a lot of new friends. He already said he wants to go back next year.

Parent of Grant B.

My two sons attended the camp this year. They really enjoyed the instruction and both came home with a couple new techniques. This was the 2nd year for my older son and we encourage other players from his club team to attend. We will try to get more boys from Dublin to the camp next year. Graham runs a great program and puts together a good staff.

Parent of George S.

This is our son’s third year doing this camp and he enjoys very much. Great positive environment , staff and coach Graham are amazing.

Parent of Sean M.

Coach Ford is great and provides a wonderful experience!

Parent of Carter B.

Dorm rooms were way too hot.

Parent of Connor S.

My son, Drew, had a lot of fun at the soccer camp. He wants to tell his friends about it. He hopes they might want to go next year. The coaches taught him many new skills and he can’t wait to try them out when soccer training begins in August.

Parent of Drew D.

Fantastic instructors. Great information for improving one?s game. Graham is a solid, skillful teacher who conveys needed corrections clearly. Looking at returning next year.

Parent of Surfel S.

My son was extremely happy with the camp. He learned many new skills.

Parent of Merrit D.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

Sunday

12:00pm – 1:00pm

Camp Check-In

1:00pm – 1:30pm

Staff Introduction & Camp Orientation

1:45pm – 2:30pm

Player Evaluations

2:30pm – 4:00pm

Quick Possession Drills & Instruction

4:00pm – 5:00pm

Free Time / Continued Orientation

5:00pm – 6:00pm

Dinner

6:30pm – 8:15pm

Drill Work & Scrimmaging

8:30pm – 10:15pm

Evening Social Activities

10:45 p.m

Lights Out!

MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY:

7:30am

Wake up

8:00pm – 8:30pm

Breakfast

9:00am – 11:30am

Morning Skill Development

11:30am – 12:30pm

Lunch

12:30pm – 1:30pm

Free Time / Recreational Activities

1:45pm

Camp Meeting

2:00pm – 4:00pm

Afternoon Team Work Sessions

4:00pm – 5:00pm

Free Time / Continued Orientation

5:00pm – 6:00pm

Dinner

6:30pm – 8:15pm

Drill Work & Scrimmaging

8:30pm – 10:15pm

Evening Social Activities

10:45pm

Lights Out

Thursday

7:30am

Wake up

8:00am – 8:30am

Breakfast

9:00am – 11:30am

Morning Skill Development

11:30am – 12:30pm

Lunch

12:30pm – 1:30pm

Raffle, College Soccer Seminar & Evaluations

1:45pm

Camp Meeting

2:00pm – 4:00pm

Afternoon Scrimmaging / Final Review

GALLERY