Clinics?

[Archie Lib]

Originally Posted by Rich1

Since you are close to Texas look at the Great Southwest Officials camp in the Duncanville or College Station. Both are really good camps and much better than most others in the area.

Rich, thanks for that info. Several vets in my group know these camps when I mentioned them, and endorse them. Apps open for the College Station camp later this month. It's in early June so that will work. Only a 10 hour drive for me.

Rich

[johnny d]

Originally Posted by Archie Lib

Rich, thanks for that info. Several vets in my group know these camps when I mentioned them, and endorse them. Apps open for the College Station camp later this month. It's in early June so that will work. Only a 10 hour drive for me.

Rich

You will have worked 20 lower level games and you are going to drive 10 hours one way to go to a camp, is there really nothing closer, much closer that might work? Are you sure the camp you are going to drive 10 hours to is a teaching camp and not a tryout camp? If it is the latter, you are most likely wasting your time until you get some more experience.

[crosscountry55]

Originally Posted by johnny d

You will have worked 20 lower level games and you are going to drive 10 hours one way to go to a camp, is there really nothing closer, much closer that might work? Are you sure the camp you are going to drive 10 hours to is a teaching camp and not a tryout camp? If it is the latter, you are most likely wasting your time until you get some more experience.

He lives in rural southeastern New Mexico. 10 hours might be one of the closer camps!

That said, your point is fair. Probably best to avoid a camp if it markets itself strictly as a "tryout camp." Short of that, it's probably ok. Even camps that market themselves as "teaching camps" have an element of tryout built in, whether it be the organizers who happen to be DIII or JUCO assignors, or the clinicians they bring in who happen to be on their staff and also assign high school conferences.

There are plenty of observers at teaching camps who are looking for young, new officials to coach and develop.

[Archie Lib]

Gents, nothing I saw in the advertisements for past camps mentioned tryouts. That would not be the route I would take at this point. This is the closest quality/reputable camp to me I've found yet. I'm about 7 hours from Phoenix, 10 from Denver and 12 from Dallas, so long trips go with the territory.

The info I've heard is that they are always evaluating officials at these particular camps for assignors, but - exactly like crosscountry mentioned - if they sense some capability or promise they make an effort at development/mentoring. Right now that is exactly what I am looking for. Improvement and development with some quality instruction that I can bring back next season.

Rich

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by johnny d

You will have worked 20 lower level games and you are going to drive 10 hours one way to go to a camp, is there really nothing closer, much closer that might work? Are you sure the camp you are going to drive 10 hours....

You've obviously never been to New Mexico or West Texas.

[johnny d]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

You've obviously never been to New Mexico or West Texas.

I guess I am spoiled being where I am at. There were and still are many quality camps all spring, summer, and fall within a very short distance.