Kids Summer Tennis Camps and Classes

Ok, for the parents who, like me, are still trying to finalize which camps to send the kids to for the summer, I did a little research on tennis camps in the Austin area. There are lots of options, most of the country clubs have summer camps, some are open to non-members. The public tennis facilities in town all have some type of summer classes or camps for kids also. Here is ATB's list of best bets, which is by no means an exclusive list. If you know of a good camp, leave me a comment or send an email. -AT

Austin Tennis Academy. Camps at ATA range from Quick Start Camps for beginners from 8:00am-9:30am, to a Morning Camp from 8:00am-11:30am, the Afternoon Tournament Tough Camp from Noon-3:30pm, to the Full Day Camp for serious players from 8:00am-3:30pm. ATA has a state of the art facility in the Spanish Oaks area. Sessions start June 2, camps are M-F, from $150 to $500. www.austintennisacademy.com/summercamp

Caswell Tennis Camps. Located at Austin’s most popular public courts, there are two summer camps being offered at Caswell. The morning camp runs from 9-11:30am, M-TH, for ages 8-16, from beginners and up. Cost is $140 pers session. The afternoon academy camp runs from 12:30-4pm, M-TH, for ages 11-17, ZAT to SuperChamp levels. Cost is $130 per session. Starting on June 2. For more: http://www.lovetennis4caswell.com/

Great Hills Tennis Camps. Chris Anderson is running a number of different tennis camps, from 1 ½ hour "Learn to Love Tennis" camps for beginners to half day camps for experienced players. Sports camps with golf and swimming also available. Sessions start June 2 and run M-F. Cost for Non-members ranges from $110 per week to $199. My son did this camp last year and learned a lot, Chris Anderson does a nice job with the kids. For more details or to download a brochure, check the website http://www.ckanderson.com/

Longhorn Tennis Camp. Now in it’s 23rd year, the Longhorn Tennis Camp is one of the biggest and best known tennis camps in Austin. For juniors ages 9-18, directed by UT Men’s and Women’s coaches Michael Center and Patty Fendick-McCain. Sessions start on June 8th. Cost ranges from $495 per week for day campers to $665 for residential campers, discounts available for second family members. There is also an Adults weekend camp on June 21 and 22nd. Five to seven hours of instruction daily. http://www.longhorntenniscamp.com/

Pharr Tennis Center Summer Camps. The Pharr summer camps are run in three week sessions starting on June 9. Camps run from 9am-12pm, M-TH. Cost is $125 per three week session or $50 for a one week session, a good low priced alternative in a safe and pleasant atmosphere. The Head Pro is Concordia University tennis coach Ricky Steinberg. Get more information and download an application at http://www.pharrtc.com/

Rippner Tennis Camps at South Austin Tennis Center. A variety of different camps are offered: "Little Tennis" runs from 8:30-9:15, "Junior Development ", from 9:30am-11:00am, and "Future Champ Tennis" from 11am-1:00pm. Camps run M-TH, Cost varies from $55 per week to $115 per week. http://rippnertennis.com/

Saint Stephens Tennis Camps. Located on the beautiful campus of Saint Stephens Episcopal School, camps run M-TH, from 9am-4pm. Directed by Meredith Geiger-Walton, first session starts on June 2 and is for tournament players, subsequent sessions are open to all levels. For Grades 3-12, cost is $360 per week. http://www.sstxcamps.org/

Westover Hills Club Camps and Classes. If you’re looking for something with more than just tennis, check out the camps and classes at Westover Hills, which combine tennis with a variety of sports and swimming from week to week. Club Manager/Director of Tennis Brendan Sheehan stresses sportsmanship and sound fundamentals in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. My kids did the Spring Beak camp and loved it. Classes start in June and run two, three or five days per week from 8:30am-9:30 for beginners or 9:30am-11:00am for advanced players, in July and August camps run from 9am-12:30pm. Non-Member costs range from $105 to $270. http://www.westoverclub.com/