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One of the hardest things to navigate as a parent during the college recruitment process is the concept of the ID camp.
On one hand, an ID camp can be an incredibly valuable opportunity. On the other, it can be a frustrating waste of time and money. Having now experienced this process firsthand with my daughter and spoken with dozens of other families, I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned.
It’s important to view an ID camp from two perspectives:
1. The Program’s Perspective
Many college soccer programs, especially those outside the high-revenue sports like football and basketball, rely on ID camps as a revenue source. A one-day camp with 30 to 40 players paying $200 to $300 each can quickly add up to much needed revenue for a program.
2. The Marketing Perspective
Some schools invite dozens or even hundreds of players to their ID camps, including many who they know likely won’t be a good fit. Just like anyone can sign up for an MIT campus tour, programs rarely tell athletes they shouldn’t attend. Every attendee is part of a numbers game, and every registration helps the bottom line.
So when you receive an invite to an ID camp, it may feel like a sign of interest. But sometimes, it’s just smart marketing.
Here are a few ways to evaluate whether an ID camp is worth the trip:
• Does the invite feel personalized?
If it looks like a mass email—“Hi [First Name], we’d love to see you at our camp”—then it likely is one.
• Ask for a call.
Request a brief phone call with the coach or assistant. If they agree, it shows a deeper level of interest. If they don’t respond or deflect, they’re probably not prioritizing you in their recruitment.
• Be realistic about fit.
If you’re a bench player in a top league with no accolades, a UNC ID camp might not be the best use of your time. Focus on schools where your profile, academically and athletically, aligns with the program.
• Time your attendance.
Attending a camp early in your high school career (freshman or sophomore year) can be a great way to get comfortable with the format. As you get closer to crunch time, prioritize camps where the school is already showing interest.
My daughter once received a last-minute personal email from a head coach at an Ivy League school, encouraging her to attend an upcoming camp. It sounded promising. We double-checked that they were recruiting her position and booked a flight on short notice.
The camp cost us time, money, and energy. Within 24 hours of attending, we received feedback that she was not in their recruiting window.
Looking back, we probably should have requested a phone call first. Instead, we got caught in the “what if” moment. These things happen. You want to believe the best, especially when you care deeply about your kid’s dreams.
• Local, multi-school ID camps
These are great for exposure early in the process, especially when you’re still figuring out where you fit.
• Targeted camps at schools where there’s mutual interest
If a school has been in regular contact, has watched your film, and you’re excited about their program, showing up in person is a powerful signal of interest.
• D3 schools and realistic options
Some of the best follow-up we’ve received has come from early ID camp attendance at smaller programs. Coaches remember that you came, they evaluate you more closely, and often they stay in touch long after.
There’s no single right answer when it comes to ID camps. Every family, every player, and every program is different. But remember this:
And finally, trust your gut. You’ll save yourself a lot of time, money, and stress.
– Ben
Co-founder, Sendcoach
Sendcoach is the college marketing platform that empowers student-athletes and their families to take control of the recruiting process together.
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