It is the off season for college sports but campuses across the state are busy this summer as schools host a variety of sports camps. That includes Central College where softball coach George Wares will be offering camps the week of July 29th through August third.

Wares says camps are a way to promote a program and a school. “You know it’s beneficial I think from kids that are 5th grade up through seniors. And it’s an obvious benefit in terms of recruiting,” Wares says. He says the camp allows the kids to be with the staff for a couple of days and see what they are like, which he says is an advantage for Central or any other school that holds a camp.

Wares says they will offer a day-camp for kids in fifth through eighth grade and an overnight camp for players who are freshmen through seniors. He says they bring in coaches from other universities and former players and try to help the players connect with schools.

Wares says it can be difficult to find the right time to hold camps especially for kids who play more than one sport. Central’s softball camp is slated to run after the state high school tournament is completed.

“And we know that many of the athletes in the state of Iowa…are in more than one sport. So the timing is good, it’s always tough to find a week that fits in with schedules,” Wares says. He says having the camp after the state tournament makes it easier for athletes to get to their camp.