Future Stars Camps Blog – Sports, Kids, Camp!

Ahhhh – the dog days of summer, those August days when humidity alternates with hints of autumn breezes.  With thoughts looming of “back to school,” even while the kids are still in camp, there’s still plenty of time to dive into the warmth of summer and enjoy the days of sunshine.

Children come with all sorts of mindsets - some kids are happy-go-lucky, others fall in and out of the gamut depending upon the day or event trigger, and we also have the child that is very often really hard on themselves. As a parent, that can be really painful and frustrating to watch. Janis Meredith of JBMThinks.com has a great tip.

At the 2004 Olympic games, the USA basketball "Dream Team" was poised for what most thought would be dominant rise to the gold.  The team's roster included past and present greats.  But that was not enough this team that included LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, and others barely made it to come home with a bronze.

Most athletic teams have fundraisers to offset the sports cost for individual players and families.  Most sporting parents know what this is all about - parents end up paying for whatever the fundraising product/service is, and then the parents go around and harangue family and co-workers to help out their child.  This scenario is a common occurrence as it eliminates the burden of reminding your child over and over again of the deadline and their responsibility.

To be a great team mate, the question that every athlete should ask is not what I want out of the team but how I can best serve the team.  "Dr. Jerry Lynch is the founder of Way of Champions, winner of 34 NCAA titles and one NBA World Championship, and a sport psychologist and consultant. He calls this paradigm-shifting question the most effective question an athlete can ask, and an attitude that every coach must try and instill in his or her team."

The debate over head gear for girl's lacrosse has been going on for a long time.  Recently, 2 companies have started to sell head gear specifically designed for girls that adhere to sports industry standards.  The use is currently optional except in Florida where it will be mandated for 2018.  If your daughter plays lacrosse then you've heard all about some of the pros and cons:

Future Stars (FS) isn’t just a “camp.” Admittedly, it is a camp, but it’s also a potentially life-changing place. This doesn’t mean that attending FS Camps will automatically turn you into a sports star. With attending, comes time, training, and an abundance of passion and dedication. You may ask, however; how can FS Camps change lives? Check out what former camper Ian Reibeisen had to say about his awesome experience and the years he spent at Future Stars Camps.

On July 22, 2017, Kim Clijsters was inducted into the 2017 International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Her journey is unique and includes a break from tennis for motherhood. Kim won 3 of her 4 major titles with her oldest daughter in tow.

If your child plays football, you should be aware of the results of the largest study of brain trauma in football players. Researchers at Boston University examined the brains of 111 deceased NFL players.

Maintaining your inner balance during a sports event can sometimes be taxing. Emotions can get out of hand, especially when it's your child's team.  You certainly want to show your support but you definitely want to keep your responses positive and supportive of the entire team, and of course the sport.  But that doesn't always happen and some parents cross the line.  Janis Meredith shares some tips on how keep yourself above the parental sports fray: