Volleyball camps are open to girls entering grades 5-12 in addition to 2016 teams and graduates. The beginner’s camp is open to boys as well. Campers are grouped according to age and skill level.

Peter Green, assistant volleyball coach at Eastern, said last year’s camp was the first for the staff.

“We were happy to exceed our original camper goals in both our Elite and skills camps,” he said. “This year we will be expanding the number of courts we will be using for Elite camp.”

This year, the camp experience will include a Team Competition Camp. The Team Competition Camp was advertised to all of the Illinois’ high school coaches directly, and 15 teams have registered to compete against each other from July 20-21. The other camps were advertised to the community online, in the campus newsletter and with fliers.

“Additionally our camp staff will be offering a Coaches Clinic from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. on June 20 and a recruiting seminar for parents, players and coaches on June 21 at the same time. Booth are free to the public,” Green said.

There are three camps. The Co-ed Beginners Camp teaches basic skills for both younger boys and girls with the hope of inspiring participants to try out for their Middle school teams.

“Our goal is to grow the game of Volleyball,” Green said.

The Advanced Camp teaches more advanced skills and techniques such as Jump serves and defensive movement to campers and is geared toward current volleyball players in higher Middle school grades or high school.

For this year, the Co-ed Beginners and Advanced camps ended June 7.

“Our Beginners and Advanced camp went great! We had incredible athletes attend and a lot of fun working with them,” Green said.

Both the Co-ed Beginners and Advanced Camp are day camps with students returning home at the end of the day. The Elite Camp differs in the fact that sessions are longer, the amount of teaching is increased, and elite campers stay on campus overnight.

The Elite Camp is July 22-24 and costs $275 per person for overnight campers and $225 for commuters. The fee includes lodging, meals, a camp T-shirt, and use of University facilities. For commuters, Breakfast is not included.

The Elite Camp is geared toward athletes from eighth grade to seniors in high school who are currently involved with travel or club volleyball and plan on playing in college. The Elite Camp focuses on all aspects of volleyball including skills techniques, positional training, small group dynamics and team systems.

“Many prospective EIU future panthers attend as an opportunity to see what our staff teaches and hour our communication style is on the court,” Green said.

Last year there was an incredible turnout with very strong competition level for the Elite Camp. The camp staff hopes to continue to give campers a great experience and increase those numbers for this year.

“Something we do for our Elite Camp is showcase the EIU campus as well. One of our activities is to take the campers to the Union and go bowling. That way we are not just in the gym all the time. They receive an overall EIU experience,” Green said.

One of the biggest challenges for the staff is when to hold the camps so that all current and future volleyball athletes interested in attending are able to make it, Green said.

“We know summers are busy times and a lot of camps are going on. Many are at the same time. So our hope is over the next couple of years to find an optimal timeframe and keep it there,” Green said.

Sports camps are open to all students. Information and registration forms are available online. Questions about the camp can be directed toward Peter Green at (217) 581-7758.

Destiny Bell can be reached at 581-2812 or at drtollerud@eiu.edu