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US Sports Camps Review: Our Experience at the UC Santa Cruz Residential Soccer Camp

We partnered with US Sports Camps this summer, and they provided Piper and Anmarie with complimentary tuition to attend a five-day residential soccer camp at UC Santa Cruz. They experienced dorm life, trained with experienced coaches, made new friends, and played soccer from morning until night. This was my daughter, Piper’s, very first sleepaway camp, and today I’m sharing our honest US Sports Camps review and everything you can expect if you’re considering an overnight soccer camp for your child.

Be sure to read to the end because I have a discount code you can use on US Sports Camps this summer. They offer sports camps in dozens of sports across the country.

As a mom, I was definitely nervous about sending my daughter to her first overnight camp. Before making our decision, I spent time researching US Sports Camps and found so many positive reviews from other parents. Reading about their experiences gave me the confidence to book the camp.

Once the decision was made, Piper packed her bags, and we headed to the UC Santa Cruz residential soccer camp. If you know Piper, you know soccer is her entire world. She couldn’t wait to get checked in and start training.

As soon as we arrived on campus, we were blown away by how beautiful UC Santa Cruz is. Imagine spending your days playing the sport you love while overlooking the California coastline and watching gorgeous sunsets over the ocean. It really is an incredible setting for a soccer camp.

Leaving her was the hardest part for me, but it also reminded me how independent and confident she’s becoming. Watching your kids grow up is bittersweet. I was so proud of her for embracing this new adventure with excitement and confidence.

Every night she was away, I looked forward to Piper’s nightly phone calls. Before heading to bed, she’d fill me in on everything – from soccer drills and scrimmages to what she ate, what dorm life was like, and the new friends she’d made that day. She shared every detail of her experience so I could pass it along to you.

Check-In at the UC Santa Cruz Soccer Camp

The check-in process was simple, organized, and stress-free. We waited in line for under 10 minutes, checked in with the staff, and received a lanyard with Piper’s dorm assignment, room number, room key, and meal card.

Next, campers picked up a journal to use throughout the week before heading to their dorm rooms to unpack. We were able to help her get settled in her dorm room.

The dorms had charming European-style architecture with spiral staircases and beautiful balconies overlooking the campus. The views alone made the experience feel special.

Saying Goodbye

This was definitely the hardest part—for Piper’s younger sister and me, anyway. Piper was more than ready for us to leave so she could start playing soccer.

After saying goodbye, the campers attended a brief orientation where coaches reviewed the schedule, camp expectations, and safety guidelines. Then they went right to their first soccer training session.

That evening included dinner in the dining hall and another training session as the sun set.

Daily Schedule

The schedule kept campers active all day with very little downtime. Each morning started with breakfast before heading out for soccer training. After lunch, they returned for more drills and skill development before dinner and another evening session. Soccer from sunup to sundown, a soccer kid’s dream come true.

Piper especially loved the morning and afternoon training sessions. The coaches focused on footwork, technical drills, shooting, and game situations. Campers were divided by gender, age, and skill level, which created a fun, competitive environment while making sure everyone received instruction appropriate for their experience.

The evening sessions looked a little different from the morning and afternoon trainings. Instead of focusing on drills and technical skills, campers played small-sided scrimmages to put what they had learned into game situations. During these co-ed sessions, the boys and girls were grouped by age rather than skill level, allowing everyone to compete against a variety of players.

The Coaches

The coaches came from Brazil, Scotland, and the United States, bringing a unique blend of international playing styles, coaching philosophies, and soccer traditions. Every coach was positive, encouraging, even entertaining, and invested in helping each player improve while keeping training fun and engaging.

Is US Sports Camps Worth It?

Yes! Piper had an amazing experience. She said the six hours of training each day only felt like an hour. It went by too fast. She would love to go back! If she could change anything, it would be a more comfortable bunk bed, but that’s probably our fault; we could have brought more bedding from home. Maybe I’ll do a What to pack for Soccer Camp blog post next. They snuck in time to watch a couple of World Cup games in the theater, made friends, got to experience dorm life, and played hours of soccer every day.