Every year, thousands of high school athletes attend college camps hoping to get recruited. They show up, compete hard, and leave thinking they made an impression. But there’s one major mistake many families don’t realize until it’s too late… there’s a big difference between attending a camp as a prospect versus just a camper.
What’s the Difference Between a Prospect and a Camper?
A Camper
- Pays for the camp
- Participates in drills and competitions
- Hopes to be noticed
- Is one of hundreds, often unknown to the coaching staff
- Leaves with no guarantee of follow-up
A Prospect
- Is already on the coach’s recruiting list before the camp starts
- Gets watched closely during drills and games
- Often has prior contact with the staff
- May be pulled aside for a conversation or evaluated in depth
- Leaves with real momentum or even a next step in the process
NSR Scout, Rachel Brown, talks about her time working camps as a former division 1 athlete. “Before a camp we would be pulled into the team room. Our coach would tell us that we would have 75 campers coming and 2 of them they are actively recruiting. Our job was to make those two recruits feel special.”
Bottom line: Campers attend in hopes of being seen. Prospects are already being watched.
Final Thoughts: Be a Prospect, Not Just a Camper
College camps can be powerful recruiting tools if you’re doing them right. But attending without a plan, a connection, or representation leaves too much to chance.
At NSR, we make sure every camp you attend is a true opportunity, not just a workout.
Want to show up as a prospect at your next camp? Start with a free evaluation and connect with a local scout today.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.