Questions and Answers for Commuter Camp
Q. What types of players attend this camp?
A. Players of all abilities (beginners, intermediates, and experts) that are eager to learn more about the game of soccer from a good coaching staff attend this camp. The maximum enrollment for the camp is 150 players. Players are divided up by grade and care is taken to ensure that each team has as many average as good players.
Q. Will my son be able to move onto a more competitive team if he isn't being challenged?
A. Yes, our goal is to make sure that each player is challenged to improve. We will initially divide teams up by grade at the start of camp. Once we divide up the teams on the first day, we will allow the players to move to a different team if they were not initially assigned with the group that they wanted to be with or if they want to "play up" with their older brothers, teammates, etc. Be sure to note on your registration form if you want your son assigned with specific teammates.
Q. Will I receive confirmation once my camp registration being received?
A. Yes, you will receive an email with an attached pdf file. The attached pdf file will be a confirmation letter with all the specifics of the camp. You should bring this letter with you to camp check-in.
Q. Is there any kind of a background check that is done on the camp staff coaches before they are hired?
A. Yes. U-M Risk Management requires that all camp staff employees complete a background check each year. The background check will examine 1) Michigan criminal history, 2) Michigan sex offenders, and 3) National sex offenders. Any check that reveals a positive and the staff member will not be hired to work the camp.
Q. What if I lose my confirmation letter?
A. You can print off a "blank" confirmation letter by clicking on this link. However, you should send an email to burnss@umich.edu to determine how much you owe so that you get through the check-in process as smoothly as possible.
Q. Do I need to be present at the camp check-in on Monday?
A. As long as your son has filled out all the requisite forms and paid his balance, you do not have to be present at check-in. At check-in your son will receive his t-shirt and the camp staff will collect any unpaid balance and/or any outstanding registration forms.
Q. Does Coach Burns actually participate at the camp or is he just a figurehead?
A. Yes, Coach Burns is very active on a daily basis at the camp. Typically he will conduct the warm-ups and the demonstrations in the morning. In the afternoon, he will be on the fields for the large-sided games. In addition to supervising his staff, Coach Burns truly enjoys being on the fields helping the campers develop their games. Lastly, Coach Burns (and his players that work the camps) understands and values that the campers and their families are the fans that come to support the soccer team during the fall season.
Q. What do the campers do in the event of a thunderstorm?
A. If a storm rolls in during the morning or afternoon, the campers are loaded onto waiting school buses and moved up to Bursley Hall (1931 Duffield St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109). At Bursley Hall, the campers will watch videos until it is safe to resume outside activity. If you are unsure of the campers location during a storm you can call either (734) 615-4546 or (734) 320-5536 for an automated update.
Q. What is a typical ratio of campers to coaches?
A. Last year's camper to coach ratio was 9 to 1. This is a very low ratio that facilitates a good learning environment for the camper. Coach Burns overstaffs this camp with his current U-M soccer players.
Q. How should I inform the staff if my son has some sort of medical condition?
A. There will be an athletic trainer on staff at all times. Upon check-in during the first day of camp, you should inform the trainer and your son's coach about his condition, i.e. medicine dosage, allergies, etc. The trainer will also have a copy of the medical information you provided for camp registration with him/her at all times.
Q. Are there any hidden costs within this camp?
A. This website do a good job explaining the costs. Your registration fee includes all lunches at Bursley Hall, all admissions into Fuller Pool, and a t-shirt. The only thing it doesn't cover is a soccer ball. This is something you must bring on your own.
Q. Will there be soccer balls for sale at this camp?
A. Yes, custom Michigan soccer balls can be purchased every day for $25/ball. Additionally, on Friday a camp store will be set up selling all types of Michigan soccer merchandise.
Q. Parking in the Mitchell Field lot around 4 p.m. is always difficult. What should I do if I can't find a parking space?
A. Your son will be released at 4 p.m. every day. Stay near your car until you see your son walking towards the parking lot. U-M Parking Enforcement may give you a parking ticket if you are not with your car. Your son will be released from the same field at the end of every day.
Q. What if I need to pick-up my son prior to the end of the day?
A. Talk to your son's coach on the day that you need to pick him up and inform him of your plan. His coach will need to confirm time and location with you.
Q. Where will my son be at the end of the day for pick-up?
A. You will pick your son up at the end of the day on the field where he will be playing his large-sided game. We will have staff that will direct you to your son's location. The youngest players will play on the east fields (upper), while the oldest players will play on the west fields (lower).
Q. If we are carpooling with friends, will other people be allowed to pick-up our son at the end of the day?
A. Yes. Before you drop your son off in the morning, be sure he knows who will be picking him up at the end of each day.
Q. What do I do if my son has food allergies?
A. Be sure to note his allergies on the registration form as our trainers will have this information with them at lunch. Also, make sure you talk to our trainers at the start of the camp to make them aware of your son and his specific allergy, and how to handle an episode.
Q. What is your refund policy?
A. If a camper withdraws from one week prior to the start of the camp, all funds paid to date will be returned minus a $75 administrative fee. No refunds will be returned for any reason once a camp begins.
Q. What types of players attend this camp?
A. Players of all abilities (beginners, intermediates, and experts) that are eager to learn more about the game of soccer from a good coaching staff attend this camp. The maximum enrollment for the camp is 150 players. Players are divided up by grade and care is taken to ensure that each team has as many average as good players.
Q. Will my son be able to move onto a more competitive team if he isn't being challenged?
A. Yes, our goal is to make sure that each player is challenged to improve. We will initially divide teams up by grade at the start of camp. Once we divide up the teams on the first day, we will allow the players to move to a different team if they were not initially assigned with the group that they wanted to be with or if they want to "play up" with their older brothers, teammates, etc. Be sure to note on your registration form if you want your son assigned with specific teammates.
Q. Will I receive confirmation once my camp registration being received?
A. Yes, you will receive an email with an attached pdf file. The attached pdf file will be a confirmation letter with all the specifics of the camp. You should bring this letter with you to camp check-in.
Q. Is there any kind of a background check that is done on the camp staff coaches before they are hired?
A. Yes. U-M Risk Management requires that all camp staff employees complete a background check each year. The background check will examine 1) Michigan criminal history, 2) Michigan sex offenders, and 3) National sex offenders. Any check that reveals a positive and the staff member will not be hired to work the camp.
Q. What if I lose my confirmation letter?
A. You can print off a "blank" confirmation letter by clicking on this link. However, you should send an email to burnss@umich.edu to determine how much you owe so that you get through the check-in process as smoothly as possible.
Q. Do I need to be present at the camp check-in on Monday?
A. As long as your son has filled out all the requisite forms and paid his balance, you do not have to be present at check-in. At check-in your son will receive his t-shirt and the camp staff will collect any unpaid balance and/or any outstanding registration forms.
Q. Does Coach Burns actually participate at the camp or is he just a figurehead?
A. Yes, Coach Burns is very active on a daily basis at the camp. Typically he will conduct the warm-ups and the demonstrations in the morning. In the afternoon, he will be on the fields for the large-sided games. In addition to supervising his staff, Coach Burns truly enjoys being on the fields helping the campers develop their games. Lastly, Coach Burns (and his players that work the camps) understands and values that the campers and their families are the fans that come to support the soccer team during the fall season.
Q. What do the campers do in the event of a thunderstorm?
A. If a storm rolls in during the morning or afternoon, the campers are loaded onto waiting school buses and moved up to Bursley Hall (1931 Duffield St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109). At Bursley Hall, the campers will watch videos until it is safe to resume outside activity. If you are unsure of the campers location during a storm you can call either (734) 615-4546 or (734) 320-5536 for an automated update.
Q. What is a typical ratio of campers to coaches?
A. Last year's camper to coach ratio was 9 to 1. This is a very low ratio that facilitates a good learning environment for the camper. Coach Burns overstaffs this camp with his current U-M soccer players.
Q. How should I inform the staff if my son has some sort of medical condition?
A. There will be an athletic trainer on staff at all times. Upon check-in during the first day of camp, you should inform the trainer and your son's coach about his condition, i.e. medicine dosage, allergies, etc. The trainer will also have a copy of the medical information you provided for camp registration with him/her at all times.
Q. Are there any hidden costs within this camp?
A. This website do a good job explaining the costs. Your registration fee includes all lunches at Bursley Hall, all admissions into Fuller Pool, and a t-shirt. The only thing it doesn't cover is a soccer ball. This is something you must bring on your own.
Q. Will there be soccer balls for sale at this camp?
A. Yes, custom Michigan soccer balls can be purchased every day for $25/ball. Additionally, on Friday a camp store will be set up selling all types of Michigan soccer merchandise.
Q. Parking in the Mitchell Field lot around 4 p.m. is always difficult. What should I do if I can't find a parking space?
A. Your son will be released at 4 p.m. every day. Stay near your car until you see your son walking towards the parking lot. U-M Parking Enforcement may give you a parking ticket if you are not with your car. Your son will be released from the same field at the end of every day.
Q. What if I need to pick-up my son prior to the end of the day?
A. Talk to your son's coach on the day that you need to pick him up and inform him of your plan. His coach will need to confirm time and location with you.
Q. Where will my son be at the end of the day for pick-up?
A. You will pick your son up at the end of the day on the field where he will be playing his large-sided game. We will have staff that will direct you to your son's location. The youngest players will play on the east fields (upper), while the oldest players will play on the west fields (lower).
Q. If we are carpooling with friends, will other people be allowed to pick-up our son at the end of the day?
A. Yes. Before you drop your son off in the morning, be sure he knows who will be picking him up at the end of each day.
Q. What do I do if my son has food allergies?
A. Be sure to note his allergies on the registration form as our trainers will have this information with them at lunch. Also, make sure you talk to our trainers at the start of the camp to make them aware of your son and his specific allergy, and how to handle an episode.
Q. What is your refund policy?
A. If a camper withdraws from one week prior to the start of the camp, all funds paid to date will be returned minus a $75 administrative fee. No refunds will be returned for any reason once a camp begins.