Camp or no Camp

[rainmaker]

Not go to camp? It's the opposite here, the old guys look down on folks who don't go! In fact, if you never go to camp here, you'll never do a varsity game. Well, almost.

Camps are definitely worth the time and money. Find one that's aimed at teaching, that's local, that has clinicians and evaluators that you'll also run into during the season. Get tapes!! Tapes are the best learning tool there is, and tapes from camps are mega-learning in a box. And don't argue. Even if the eval is dead wrong, just nod and say mm-hm. Then remember to double check the rule book when you get back to your bag. Keep asking questions, watch others' games, and then ask some more questions.

Camp, camp, camp!!

[zebraman]

In our area, camps are very much encouraged. In fact, you cannot work a state tournament in Washington State unless you have attended a 3-person camp in the past 3 years.

I have a good friend who has officiated for almost 30 years. When he first started, there were no officials camps. Then there was one ref camp that started in California that a few people from up this way attended. Then the camps gradually made their way up here. He said that the officiating has evolved and improved immensely since the camps came into existence.

I have seen officials who have been stagnant for years, suddenly "break through" after going to a camp and working on their game in a single off-season. I cannot think of a single official rated in the top 20 of our association that has not been to several camps.

[brianp134]

Many of those old guys who are looking down on you for going to camp, are the same ones who are jealous of you for wanting to get better. They are probably the same old vets who are probably who are unfamiliar with new rules & mechanics...IMO if you want to get better, you gotta go to camp.

[Snake~eyes]

Camps are great - why wouldn't you want to get extra training on to become an even better official?

[Raymond]

Around here some of the older established ref's frown on younger (in experience) officials who attend out-of-town camps. We can't even get most of the veteran officials to attend the free local HS camps. Older officials here only lose their "schedules" via retirement or injury.