Junior Camps

Overview

Registration is now open for our 2nd annual Boston Pickle Club Junior Camps for kids entering grades 2-9. 

The camps, offered in both locations, will be led by longtime educator, basketball camp leader and Physical Education teacher Eugene Buczynski. Johan du Randt and Stephen Mitchell along with their professional staff will lead the pickleball instructional programming. Counselors will be added to ensure a healthy camper/staff ratio.  

The goal is to provide our campers a fun, healthy, active and social environment for children to learn the fast growing sport of pickleball. The camps will run for one week and all skill levels are welcome, from beginners to emerging superstars. Programming will run from 9:00AM - 2:00PM and will include:

  • Daily instruction to improve skills 

  • Learning the fundamentals of playing pickleball

  • Games and entertainment of all kinds (ping pong, wiffle ball, kick ball, glow pickleball, pickleball videos)

  • Themed days: “Crazy Sock Day” / “Color War Day” / “wear your favorite Boston sports team”, etc.

  • Game and tournament play

  • Promotion of physical activity 

  • Healthy lunch option 

  • Both facilities are fully air conditioned

  • First aid certified trainer onsite at both locations

For any game and tournament play, the professional staff will emphasize and teach sportsmanship, respect and teamwork. Players of all abilities are welcome and will be provided group and individualized opportunities to learn and develop fundamental skills important to the game, while making friends and having fun.

Program Details

  • Age Groups: Divide participants into appropriate age and skill level groups.

    • Children entering grades 2-9 in Fall 2025

  • Skill Levels: Beginner, intermediate and advanced tracks, ensuring inclusivity for all skill levels.

  • Program Structure:

    • 5 days, 9:00AM - 2:00PM

    • 8 Weeks beginning June 30th

      • 4th of July will be prorated 4 days (Mon-Thurs)

  • Cost:

    • $450/week per camper

    • Minimum one-week commitment 

    • 20% discount for Boston Pickle Club Members

    • Discounts available for multiple weeks/siblings

    • Lunch program is optional for an additional $60 per week

Day-by-Day Curriculum

Day 1: Intro to Pickleball

  • Warm-up Game: Relay races incorporating paddle control (e.g., balance a ball on the paddle while running).

  • Skills Focus:

    • Basic rules and court layout.

    • Grip, stance, and paddle handling.

  • Fun Activity: Paddle limbo (kids hit a ball under a progressively lowered net).

  • Game: Mini-matches with modified rules to ease them into gameplay.

Day 2: Serving & Returning

  • Warm-up Game: Target practice (hit balls into hula hoops placed on the court).

  • Skills Focus:

    • Underhand serve technique.

    • Simple strategies for returning serves.

  • Fun Activity: Serve-and-score contest (kids earn points for hitting specific targets).

  • Game: Modified doubles matches.

Day 3: Dinking & Volleys

  • Warm-up Game: Quick reflex drill (kids stand close to the net and practice quick volleys).

  • Skills Focus:

    • Dinking at the non-volley zone (kitchen).

    • Proper volleying technique.

  • Fun Activity: Kitchen King/Queen (players compete to be the last one standing in a dink rally).

  • Game: Team-based dink rallies.

Day 4: Strategy & Team Play

  • Warm-up Game: Simon Says (pickleball-style commands like "dink," "serve," or "volley").

  • Skills Focus:

    • Court positioning and communication in doubles.

    • Basic strategies (e.g., hitting to open space).

  • Fun Activity: "Coach vs. Campers" match or trick shot contest and pro exhibition

  • Game: Full doubles matches with coaching tips.

Day 5: Tournament Day

  • Warm-up Game: Favorite activities from earlier days.

  • End of week Tournament: Kids will participate in a friendly send off tournament.

    • Use round-robin or knockout format based on group size.

    • Provide fun awards (e.g., “Best Serve,” “Most Improved,” “hustler of the day” or “Team Spirit”).

    • We encourage all parents or guardians to join at 12:00 PM to watch your children show off their newly developed skills and meet the friends they have made.

  • Closing Activity: Camp photo and a group cheer to celebrate their efforts. 

Takeaways

Camp Swag: BPC Summer Camp Tee shirt, awards and certificates.

Skills Recap: Summary of what the kids learned and how to continue playing.