Going to summer camp can be one of the best things for a High School volleyball player to improve to that next level. A player in the forum writes, "My daughter immediately started playing with a self confidence that she had never had prior to the camp. She went to the camp the summer before 8th grade. She immediately started to power serve and record aces with regularity. She was no longer intimidated by opponents kill attempts and would go after digs that other girls would watch hit the floor."

Yet, so many players find all the excuses in the world on why not to go. You as the coach have to eliminate those excuses and provide easy solutions and get all of your players to summer camp.

1. PEER PRESSURE:When kids do anything it is often a "bandwagon" situation; if a few girls will go, more will go. There are two big priorities to consider though:
   1. Talk up the camp to make it popular among the team! However, often the single thing that prevents them from going: MONEY!
   2. Find a qualified person who can run a camp at your school cheaply! There are people who direct camps for as little as $10/kid/4-hour day. So a 5-day, 4-hour a day camp will cost a kid only $50! It's a great deal! Remember, it is your responsibility to stop anyone from coming to your school and lining their pockets with the money of poor kids.

2. ELLIMINATE THE MONEY EXCUSE: If you want to (or have to) go away, fundraise so that even the poorest kid can attend. These fundraisers ARE NOT to be for the team, but INDIVIDUAL fundraisers. Cynthia can make $100, Jody $50, Samantha $180, and Jenny $0. They can participate in the car washes, candy sales, donut sales, road cleanups, leaf rakings, etc. as much as they desire. I tell my kids, "MONEY will not determine whether you go to camp, so don't tell me that later. If you can't go to camp, then it's because you have a conflict or you just don't want to go."

3. OFFSEASON INCENTIVES: After it's all over, my kids earn awards for the outstanding work during the off-season. We give "Gym Princess" awards, "Gym Queen" awards, etc.