If you are looking to sign up for your first pickleball camp or pickleball clinic, you may have a lot of questions. You should go into any camp knowing what to expect. Before you sign up, here are some things you should ask.
Who are the instructors?
Just like any class you may take, having the same goals as your teacher can make or break your learning experience. You may like the playing style of a pro pickleball player putting on a clinic, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that player will actually be there. Many pros put their names on camps but then hire coaches to do the actual teaching.
Once you find out who will be teaching your camp, you can begin to research them, watch any videos they have online, and see if their coaching style matches your learning style.
How many people will be attending?
Taking a clinic with two people is an entirely different experience than taking a clinic with 20 people — it all depends on your preference.
If you are someone who needs more personalized attention, then you may not benefit much by taking a clinic with 20 people. But if you prefer less-personalized attention and more group activity, then a larger class may be best for you.
Either way, it’s good to know in advance how many people will also be attending.
What is the skill level?
While you can gain a good amount of knowledge from any clinic, you will get the most of attending a clinic designed specifically for your skill level.
Look for clinics that are within 0.5 of your skill level (for example: if you are a 3.5, look for a 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0 clinic). This will help you work on the skills you specifically need to work on to improve, and you should come away with drills tailored to you and new friends who are in the same place as you.
Learn your pickleball rating here.
What will I learn?
If you are looking to learn someone specific from your pickleball camp, you should ask what they will be teaching.
Many camps will spend a small amount of time working on a lot of different skills, which can help you no matter what part of your journey you are on. If a clinic is teaching only a specific skill (for example: serving, drop shots, offense, etc.) then they should be clear about this in advance.
What should I bring?
Most clinics will ask that you bring the same things, including:
- The pickleball paddle you most regularly play with.
- Water.
You should also ask if you should be bringing anything else, including your own pickleball balls, more than one paddle, indoor and outdoor clothing, a pen and paper, or anything else you haven’t thought about.
You should also ask if there are any apps you should be downloading on your phone before you attend, like DUPR, CourtReserve, or PlayMore.
Attending your first pickleball camp
Attending a pickleball clinic can be incredibly beneficial for your pickleball journey. You can learn new skills, gain a new perspective on how to play, and meet new people. But you do want to go into it with the right expectations, and these questions will help you know what to expect.
Do not be afraid to reach out to the organization running the clinics, they will usually be very open to answering any and all questions, both before or after you sign up.