Camp FAQs

A lot of questions come up when deciding on attending a softball camp. Here we have addressed the most common questions we have recieved and answered them as well as possible.

Of course if you have any additional questions, feel free to e-mail or call us!

Q. Do I come with my family, or can I attend by myself?

At most of our week-long camps it usually turns out that half of the campers come without their families and half come with their families. We are a very family oriented company as we encourage family to attend anytime free of charge.

Depending on which location you attend, family participation varies.

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Q. What about supervision?

Depends on the location and affiliate, most overnight campers are supervised. Many week-long camps have activities from 8am to 10pm, and participants usually have about 1 to 2 hours of free time daily. Talk to your director once you sign up about the options for your weeklong camp.

Individual participants have us or affiliates as their family away from home - responsible supervision is a top priority for all camps.

Our staff stays at the hotels with participants, and at some locations, staff members are in the rooms with campers.

Q. What should USFC participants bring?

Depending on what camp you sign up with, once you've signed up for camp you will receive an Welcome Packet or letter. This is typically emailed to you promptly. It lists items to bring, instructions and directions for that particular camp.

We also include a Health Form that will need to be completed and brought with you.

Q. Is there a place to do laundry at week-long camps?

Yes, most of the camps have laundry facilities available. Once you sign up, contact your camp director to confirm or check out in the welcome information if a location is available.

Q. Will the players have a way to call home?

Yes, we always provide a way for campers to phone home. We would recommend they bring a cell phone or calling card to be able to keep good contact with home.

Q. What is a week-long camp like?

Depends on the USFC or affiliate camp you attend, but a typical week-long camp consists of about 4 to 6 hours of softball daily. Many have night activities and other softball items. All really depends on the location. Each camp location has more specifically what the price includes. Any questions, once you sign up please feel free to contact your camp director.

We work intensely on the five areas of softball fundamentals, including; hitting for average and power, speed, arm strength and fielding. Our goal is that all of the players are able to improve themselves by the end of the camp. We work hard to help each participant make adjustments for improvement in his or her game.

For some weeklong locations, not all, night activities are provided. The night activities consist of going to local attractions, listening to guest speakers, and attending softball seminars. We call it a full week of eating, living and breathing softball. Most of our campers find that our week-long camps are the softball experience of a lifetime and tell us they'll never forget it!

Q. Refund Insurance? What is that?

We offer basic Refund Insurance to allow participants some peace of mind in case plans change. This allows us to keep our prices low and provide the best service possible.

Due at the time of registration, Refund Insurance entitles you to a full refund of camp fees should you cancel your camp registration more than 14 days prior to a week-long camp, and 7 days prior to the start of an overnight camp.

If you cancel within 14 or 7 days of the start of your session, we will give you a camp credit for all money paid. The credit is valid for three years from camp date at any of our national locations. Credit with insurance is transferable to family member or friend, and good toward all U.S. Fastpitch Camps.

Q. What discounts do you offer, if any?

We offer a variety of different pricing plans. Please check the specific camp registration to see which ones are available for that particular event.

We sometimes have early bird specials, group rates, promotion letters or emails. Depending on location or affiliate location.

Q. What happens if I have to cancel and I do not take the camp refund insurance?

The camper will have a one year credit from camp date, We're sorry, but since each camp we offer has limited availability, we cannot provide cash refunds without refund insurance. Campers can transfer their credit toward a friend or family member.

Q. What do the campers do at night?

Depending on the location or affiliate company, most week-long camps, we have activities for campers. Going to local attractions, listening to guest speakers, attending seminars, etc. During a typical week-long camp we have 5 scheduled nights and 1 or 2 free nights because with most camps the kids get pretty tired!

Q. What do they do during the day?

Depends on what camp and what affiliate but most Week-long camps, as well as Day Camps, train in all areas of the game. We focus on specific positions as well as team drills.

At most USFC camps, during our week-long camps the pitchers and catchers are separated from the group in the morning to work on their drills, then rejoin them later. We then typically go into defensive/offensive training, followed by lunch. This varies from what camp you are with or what affiliate you signed up for. For most locations, in the afternoon we finish our stations and go into batting practice, infield/outfield, games and then teach conditioning. This is the same routine conducted by all the pro teams during Spring Training.

Most Day Camps are operated in a similar fashion - depending on camp type and duration.

Q. What are the facilities like?

Most of our camps are held in world-class facilities. We carefully select our softball complexes so that we can offer our players some of the best facilities in the country. We hold camps at college facilities and large complexes.

All of our camp locations have different attractions in the surrounding areas so that there are other activities available to participants.

Q. Do you have references that we can contact?

We'll gladly provide you with as many references as you'd like for any and all of our locations. We are very proud of our high return rate of campers and you are welcome to speak to the many that have agreed to act as our informal spokespeople. Contact us and we'll provide you a list of names and phone numbers for any particular camp.

Q. Who are your instructors?

Depending on the location or affiliate location, we hand-pick college players, pro players, Olympians, and college coaches from the many resumes we receive everyday from around the country.

We have a close group of about 10 staff and coaches that will be helping us get off the ground and we are very excited about our experienced instructors!

For a complete listing and short bio of each USFC instructor, coach, and speaker - check out the instructor page on this website.

Q. How long have you guys been doing this?

USFC is just getting off the ground, so during the summer of 2004, our affiliate camps will begin. We are looking forward to some original USFC camps during the fall and winter of 2004. Check our camp calendar for more information.

Q. When is the full balance due for camp?

For all our week-long camps a deposit can be paid to hold your spot, and the remaining balance for your camp is due six weeks prior to the start date of each camp. This amount will be automatically charged to your account unless you pay via check before or have made previous arrangements with a USFC representative.

Q. When is the latest I can register for a particular camp?

All camps are open for registration until full. Most locations do sell out quickly so we recommend that you at least get a deposit placed to hold your spot.

If you are a bit unsure of your plans that far in advance, we recommend Refund Insurance.

Q. Can parents watch during the week?

Depends on the location and affiliate, but for the most part yes, the parents can come to any and all instruction days. Come watch and enjoy!

Q. Can parents attend the night activities or local attractions with the players?

Depends on the camp or affiliate camp, but for most locations sure. You can even attend our local attractions and activities thought some locations may cost a bit extra.

Q. Do you have a local hospital by in case of injury?

We always hold camps in close proximity to medical facilities just in case. Our camp advisors maintain emergency contacts and are aware of the closest hospitals and medical facilities. In some locations we have full-time EMTs on-site or trainers on site. Depending on camp location or affiliate camp location.

Q. How do you make up the teams at the camp?

Our first selection for teams is generally by age group since that is the only reference we have to start with. From that point, we will move participants around to get a better skills match. This way each participant gets the most out of team play.

Q. What is your instruction philosophy?

We try to provide very elite instruction. We try to provide top instruction to where you are personally with your skills. We try to help each player to the next level.

Q. At a Day Camp, what should we typically bring?

Plan as though you are heading to a game during the season. Bring your hat, glove, bat, baseball pants, water, sometimes a snack or lunch, cleats.

Q. How many players come to your camps?

It really depends on the location and the facility for that camp. Most locations range from 50 to 150 players. *If you are concerned about numbers, please contact the camp director prior to camp to discuss.

Q. Will I be on your mailing list for next season?

Yes, past participants are automatically notified of next year's camps. We have many returning players each year.

Q. What if I sign up and then one of my friends wants to go?

No problem. Simply let us know and we'll take care of the arrangements. You can provide roommate requests at any time and we will do our best to accommodate.

Q. What happens if I attend camp and have to leave or get kicked out for breaking a rule?

USFC or our affiliate camps have the right to discontinue a players participation at anytime for violations of its rules and regulations for that camp. This includes, without limitation, the right to send a child or camper home at his own expense, in which event there shall be no refund from any unused portion of the trip

Q. What happens if I attend an affiliate camp and am unhappy with its service?

If you are attending an affiliate camp and have spent anytime in the camp, then you would have to deal directly with that camp for any issues you may have. We act as a agent and once you attend camp, USFC has really nothing to do with the way affiliates conduct a camp. USFC is not liable for camp decisions, rules, actions or instructor issues, etc. of any other camp company besides U.S. Fastpitch Camps. Once you attend camp, USFC pays the affiliate and any payment issues, refunds, credits or discputes has to be done directly through the affiliate. USFC would have nothing to do with the camp once you attend an affiliate.

Q. What is the difference between a affiliate camp and a USFC camp?

A USFC camp is owned and operated by U.S. Fastpitch Camps. An affiliate camp is owned and operated by an affiliate camp. We work with close to 65 different companies to provide you the best possible locations for you. Usually you can tell what camp you will be attending or looking at once you read through the camp specifics of the individual locations.