About the Soccer Program
The Academy provides consistent and individualized instruction, focusing on training the whole player. Athletes are grouped by age and skill level into training groups of 25 – 30 girls. The most important aspect of soccer training is what the girls do when they’re not training. During those times, girls relax, try new things, and build their confidence off the field. The relaxed learning and added confidence make it far easier for athletes to take risks on the field, and their improvement generally exceeds all expectations.
Soccer Program
Team Play
Athletes also focus on game-specific training and competitive play. We schedule a fun and exciting evening tournament and offer multiple scrimmaging opportunities. l. Field sizes are age-appropriate, so younger players play small-sided games while older athletes sometimes play 9 v 9 or 11 v 11 on regulation fields.
Mental Skills Training
Beyond technical and tactical development, athletes engage in daily mental skills training—both on and off the field. Mental skills topics are incorporated into training sessions and included in post-training debrief discussions.
The Academy’s Mental Skill curriculum is focused around these six topics:
- Consistency
- Confidence
- Coping
- Culture
- Connection
- Communication
Goalkeeper Track
The Goalkeeper Track is offered to both new and experienced goalkeepers. Goalkeepers step away from their training group for at least one daily, 45-minute keeper-specific training session. During these sessions, goalkeepers work with our dedicated keeper staff on techniques like positioning, catching, diving and distribution. Goalkeepers train as field players during all other soccer sessions. To train as a goalkeeper at the Academy this summer, indicate “Goalkeeping Track” on your Camper Application.
Visiting Pros
We invite current and former US Women’s National Team members to the Academy to coach and inspire. Visiting Pros are aspirational role models for our athletes.
Visiting Pros, who typically spend one day at the Academy, actively coach on the field, host a Q&A session, sign autographs, and take photos.
In 2025, a Visiting Pro will be present for one day during Session 2 (July 19- 24). Visiting Pros are announced as soon as they are confirmed, usually in late Spring.
Private Training
We offer 1-hour Private Training sessions, for an additional fee of $150 per session. All Private Trainings are led by a Head Coach and take place in the morning before breakfast so as not to conflict with regularly scheduled soccer and elective sessions. Athletes, with input from their parents, can specify their training topics. Enrolled campers may add a Private Training Session when they register. Space is limited, and sessions are often full by mid-April.
Athlete Experience
The athlete experience is a combination of world-class soccer training, a nurturing environment, camp fun and many new friendships.
Athlete Experience
Daily Schedule
While every day is unique and full of surprises, the days do follow a common structure. Girls participate in 2 soccer training periods, 2 elective periods, and 1 evening activity. We bring variety to each session with special programming that includes surprise events and guest appearances.
Camper Cabins
The camper cabin (together with the soccer fields) is a focal point of the Berky experience. At least 2 counselors oversee 8-12 girls in each cabin. Generally, one cabin counselor is an Assistant Soccer Coach, and the other is an Elective Staff member. Cabins have private bathrooms, with showers, sinks, and toilets. All cabins are air-conditioned, with windows and individual storage areas.
Cabin Counselors
Athletes form close bonds with both their cabin mates and their cabin counselors. Cabin counselors, all at least 18 years old, provide ongoing supervision, promote friendships, attend to campers’ needs, and encourage positive group interaction and cohesion. Cabin counselors are hired and trained to be positive mentors and role models.
Many girls do experience homesickness. Some overcome these feelings on their own and settle in with relative ease. Others seek guidance from a Cabin Counselor or Residential Life Leader. No matter what, you can be confident that our staff is trained to support your daughter and show her the way to a successful camp experience. To learn more about overcoming homesickness, read our Away From Home Guide.
Inclement Weather
We constantly monitor the weather and adjust the schedule accordingly.
Soccer sessions and most other activities carry on outside in light rain. On rainy days, athletes move to an indoor training schedule and athletes participate in rainy-day electives. In the event of steady, heavy rain or lightning, we will travel 30 minutes to our sister camp in Otis, Massachusetts to train in a Covered Turf Field.
In the event of severe heat, we alter the schedule as appropriate. We move training sessions to early morning and evening and add an extra waterfront session. All camper cabins are air-conditioned, and our dining hall is cooled by high-capacity fans.
Laundry
We provide free, laundry service for campers enrolled for two weeks or more. We also launder items if required for health reasons. To learn more about the items that we will wash and to review a packing list, please consult our Athlete Handbook.
Elective Program & Special Events
Berky Girls balance the intensity of soccer training with the enjoyment and opportunity of optional elective activities, evening programs and special events.
During elective periods, girls explore, spend time with friends, and most importantly, relax and have FUN! We offer 6 – 8 electives during each athlete’s two daily elective periods. Our elective sign-up and scheduling system ensures that most athletes can participate in their first-choice elective.
Electives
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Crafts offers different projects each day and during each session. Sample projects include friendship bracelets, tile-art, tie-dye and dream catchers.
Waterfront
SWIMMING – FUNYAKS – STAND UP PADDLEBOARD
The lakefront is a safe and fun place for our campers to cool off and relax. Swimming is offered at every elective period, weather permitting. The Waterfront Director works closely with the lifeguards and instructors to ensure a safe and fun lake experience.
Fitness & Wellness
YOGA – SOCCER – PICKLE BALL – FUN ZONE
Our 4 Pickleball courts offer a great break from the soccer fields. Can’t get enough soccer? Join the soccer elective and work on your juggling and footwork or play a game of Soccer Tennis. This could be the summer you master “The Rainbow” or “Around the World“! For others, playing games on the basketball, spike ball, carpet ball, and Gaga is the way to go. The yoga elective helps athletes improve their flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination.
Outdoor Adventure
Archery – Fire Building
Campers can try archery. They can also build a campfire and roast marshmallows.
Special Events & Evening Activities
To shake up the daily schedule, we incorporate evening Special Events throughout each session. One is the Cabin Cup, where cabins compete against each other to secure the coveted Cabin Cup. The competition might be an “Aqua Olympics” or “Real Life Angry Birds.” The campfires that open and close every session are among the most popular evening events. And the weekly, all-camp Soccer Tournament is always a highlight.
