2020 Mizzou Soccer Camp Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT REGISTRATION
How do I register for camp?
To secure a spot in camp register online by clicking here!
Online registration locks in your spot instantly upon receipt of payment! Once registered, you receive confirmation instantly via e-mail.
What will hold a spot for my camper?
Camp space is secured by registering online. Campers registering online will receive immediate confirmation of enrollment. Final camp fees are due by a July 1, 2019.
How soon should I register?
As soon as possible, as our camp is very popular and has been known to sell out! Registration will begin in mid-February. Registrations are processed on a first-come, first- serve basis. No phone or mail registrations are taken.
How will I know if the session is closed?
Once a session is sold out, it is not available thru the online registration system.
How soon will I receive confirmation of my registration?
Campers will receive an e-mail confirmation immediately!
Be sure your e-mail address is correct, and enable any spam/junk e-mail blockers to accept e- mails from blitzb@missouri.edu. You will receive confirmation e-mails and statements, as well as any future news or updates regarding camp sessions thru e-mail. If you have any camp related questions, please e-mail Coach Blitz at blitzb@missouri.edu and they will be answered promptly.
ABOUT REFUNDS
What are the refund procedures?
The $250 deposit for all camps is NON-REFUNDABLE.
Cancellations prior to June 30 receive a full refund of the camp fee less the $250 deposit and online processing fee. There are no refunds or credits of any portion of the camp fee after June 30 for reasons other than documented medical conditions. In the event registration must be cancelled due to illness or injury, a full refund (minus the online processing fee) will be made upon receipt of a signed notice from the applicant’s physician within ten days of cancellation. These may be emailed to blitzb@missouri.edu.
There are no refunds for a "no show" or if a camper leaves early due to homesickness.
What should I do if I find out I cannot attend my camp session?
As a courtesy, please notify the camp immediately if you are unable to attend.
How are refunds processed?
Depending on the method of payment, refunds are processed in one of two ways:
- Fees paid by echeck are issued a refund check from The University of Missouri Accounting department. This process can take up to six weeks from the time the refund request is submitted.
- Fees paid by credit card are issued a credit back to the original card used for payment within 2-3 weeks.
CAMP DETAILS
Does my soccer player really need to have competitive experience to attend?
The camp provides a fun, but challenging atmosphere to learn and improve. We highly recommend that every camper coming into the Mizzou Camp has some form of competitive experience (club soccer, high school, etc.) prior to attending, but it is not required. The instruction offered by the camp is NOT learn to play. If you have any questions about whether you believe the program is right for your soccer player, please email or call Bryan Blitz, camp director, at 573-884-7914 or e-mail: blitzb@missouri.edu.
Are all the Mizzou coaches listed really at the camp?
Absolutely! Head coach Bryan Blitz, associate head coaches Don Trentham and Molly Schneider lead each camp session. Coach Schneider, Mizzou goalkeeper coach, will train all goalkeepers each morning. Our coaching staff is very involved in the entire camp.
Who makes up the staff?
Aside from the Mizzou coaching staff, experienced, mature adults complete the coaching staff at camp. These coaches come with high recommendations, and all lead coaches have coached/coach at the collegiate level. We also employ members of The University of Missouri team and post-graduate athletes to work with the campers on a daily basis.
The female counselors live in the dorm with the campers, and provide a first line of defense if they need help of any kind. Male coaching staff will also stay in the dorm during camp, but will be housed in a separate wing.
We also have a dorm mom who stays in the dorm during camp (24 hours) to act as a mom-away-from-home for our campers. It is our goal to provide a safe, fun, and exciting environment where campers can learn and be excited about their sport, while meeting people from all over the United States.
How are campers grouped?
Campers are grouped based on their age at camp. We make changes if warranted based on ability, but we must also maintain manageable groups within the camp. Campers must give their assigned group a try on the first night.
The Camp makes no guarantee that friends/siblings will be in the same group, nor does it take group requests. Campers should be prepared for this if it should happen.
What is the ratio of campers to coaches?
The ratio of campers to coaches is approximately 14:1.
What equipment do campers need to bring?
Campers must bring cleats, shin guards, water bottle, and tennis/indoor shoes for outdoor and indoor training.
What if a camper has a pre-existing injury?
Camp is a physically demanding and campers should be in good physical condition prior to arrival. Please notify Bryan Blitz, camp director, at 573-884-7914 or e-mail: blitzb@missouri.edu prior to check-in if the injury has happened after the medical forms have been submitted. It is very important that we know any and all medical conditions a camper may have, or special situations that parents feel we should know about.
Do you have an Athletics Trainer on staff?
Yes. An experienced athletics trainer is at all sessions. Our trainer also stays in the dorm with the campers throughout the duration of camp.
What about medications?
If your child requires medication, he/she will be responsible for taking it. Our staff is not allowed to dispense or hold onto any medication. We recommend you keep medication in a zip-loc bag with medication name, dosage directions, dosage amounts and times, and parent contact information. Please bring a detailed list of medications including: name of medication, dosage amount, and dosage times to give to your child's counselor and athletics trainer. Counselors and trainers can remind and check to make sure your child remembers. Please fill out the medications section during online registration and update if necessary.
ABOUT THE DORM
Where will campers stay?
Campers will be staying in Bluford Hall.
Information about dorm rooms, bathrooms and common areas in Bluford Hall can be found by accessing this link:
Bluford Hall Information
The address to Bluford Hall is:
502 Kentucky Blvd.
Columbia, MO 65201
Will we need to bring linens and toiletries? Anything else?
Yes. All campers will need bed linens for an extra-long twin bed as well as a pillow. A sleeping bag also works well. You will also need to send toiletries, and two to three towels with your camper. Many campers bring appropriate games, cards, personal music players, snacks, and drinks to make their stay more comfortable. The camp is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Please leave expensive and/or sentimental items at home. Camp is not the place for them.
Anything campers cannot bring?
Televisions, microwaves, laptops, and excessive amounts of cash are not allowed. Contraband items that have no place at camp: matches, lighters, knives, firearms, alcoholic beverages, rope, razor blades, tobacco products, illegal drugs, candles, fireworks, incense, etc. If it requires a second thought or question about whether it belongs at camp or not - it doesn't! Please contact the camp director with any questions on this. It's better to ask, than to be sent home for having something you should not have in the first place! We do not hesitate to contact parents, call local authorities, and send campers home for possession of illegal items.
What about cell phones?
Cell phones are permitted at camp. However, we caution sending them with your camper. If a camper becomes homesick, they can hinder more than help in the camp experience. Many campers will also call home first instead of receiving immediate help from a staff member, which lengthens the response time. Cell phones are ONLY to be used in the camper's room, and are not allowed during activities. Please talk to your child about what she needs & doesn't need to call (or text) you about. If you feel a cell phone may be abused while at camp, please do not send one with your camper.
Will my child be supervised at all times?
YES! Experienced and mature female and male coaches/counselors provide 24-hour supervision for all campers. In addition, residence halls are supervised by University of Missouri personnel. Every camper is assigned to a team overseen by a head coach and assistant coach, and there are also fifteen to twenty staff members living in the dorm.
All doors but the main entrance are locked after 10 p.m. Campers are always supervised at the dorm, walks to/from athletic facilities and in the evenings. Campers are to be in their rooms at 10 p.m., with room checks performed at 10:45 p.m. We take the care and supervision of your child very seriously.
What if I lose my room key during camp?
A lanyard with cardholder will be provided to each camper at registration. There is a $25 fee for a lost key. This can be paid to the Director, or if the camper does not have the money, billed to the parents. If a key is lost, it should be reported right away, as making a new key does take time. There are no refunds for lost keys (even if they are found upon arrival at home - the new one has already been made).
How much spending money should I send with my camper?
Most campers bring between $50-100. All meals are provided, but some campers will order a pizza delivered to the dorm, or buy snacks from the camp store or buy a souvenir from the Mizzou Bookstore. The camp is not responsible for the loss of money, nor do we keep track of the spending habits of campers.
What about roommate requests?
The camp welcomes roommate requests, which can be made during online registration. A camper may request one roommate and both parties need to request each other in order for the request to be honored. Rooming assignments are finalized two weeks prior to the start of camp.
If your camper is attending as an individual we will pair you with a camper who is the same age. Please understand we try to keep our camp floors as closely grouped by age as possible.
What if campers don’t get along as roommates?
Once rooming assignments are made, there is no changing of rooms at any time. Roommates that are having disagreements are encouraged to seek out their coach(es) or the dorm mom before calling home. The staff member will help the campers find a solution to the problem.
What if a camper gets homesick while at camp?
It is completely normal for someone to feel this way especially if it’s their first time away at camp. We have found that the most helpful solution is to STAY BUSY during the down time at the dorm. This situation is where a cell phone is not helpful. Hanging out with friends, participating in voluntary activities, etc. helps. Hanging out in the room and doing nothing only intensifies the homesick feeling. We recommend that campers only call home one to two times during camp, as calling home can also intensify the homesick feeling.
Camp staff can help in this situation, and we encourage the campers, and parents, to make it thru to the end of the camp. It is highly recommended that your child have experience being away from home prior to attending camp. There are no refunds for those campers that leave camp early due to homesickness. Your camper should have some experience being away from home prior to attending camp.
Check-In/Check-Out & Communication During Camp
When do we check-in/out?
Check-in occurs outside of Bluford Hall for resident and commuter campers. Check in occurs from 11:00am-1:00pm on Thursday, July 11 and check-out will be from 11:00am-Noon Sunday, July 14 immediately following championship matches and closing ceremonies (around 11:30 am).
Campers will check out at the front desk of Bluford Hall with the dorm staff. Please arrange to meet your camper in the main lobby, as we do not allow campers to wait at street level for pick-up. There is a $25 charge for lost room keys or meal cards. There are larger charges for any damages done to the room. Campers are supervised until their departure by noon.
How do I get in touch with my camper or a staff member?
A good time to call your camper is between 9:30-10pm. A detailed list of appropriate staff members and their contact information will be emailed prior to the start of camp and will also be provided in hard copy at registration.
Will my child have a telephone or Internet access in their room?
No phone provided in the residence hall and laptops should be left at home.
FOR COMMUTER CAMPERS
When do we check-in/out?
Check-in occurs in the lobby of Bluford Hall for commuter campers for each day. On the last day of camp checkout will be from 11:00am-Noon.
What time do I need to drop my camper off in the morning?
You need to drop your camper off at Bluford Hall prior to the start of the first session. A detailed schedule will be give closer to the start of camp.
When do I get to pick them up?
Daily checkout at Bluford Hall will be at 9pm or 9:30pm depending on the day. A detailed schedule will be give closer to the start of camp.
ABOUT PARENT VISITS
Can parents go up to camp floors, stay in the dorm, or have meals in the cafeteria with their camper?
No. For security reasons, check-in and checkout days are the only days parents are allowed on camp floors. Parents are not allowed to live in the dorm, or take meals with their campers during the week. This is a CAMP. Please allow your child to have a true camp experience by interacting with other campers and experiencing a small degree of independence away from home and Mom and Dad. Part of this is allowing them to be on their own for a short period of time away from their parents, but knowing that help is available if needed.
Can parents watch camp sessions?
Yes. Parents are welcome to observe any of the soccer training sessions or evening full field games. Daily emails and Facebook updates will be sent informing parents the location and times for full field matches.
