Jata Soccer Camp Review

The Details

Jata Soccer Camp took place August 6–9, 2018 in Beulaville, North Carolina. Campers ages 5–10 trained from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, while players ages 11–17 attended sessions from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Coach Richard Jata organized and led the camp. If you’d like to learn more about his background and coaching philosophy, be sure to visit his website here.

The Routine

Each morning began with a camp greeting from Coach Jata. First, he asked the campers if they were having fun and learning something new. Then, he led a prayer for a safe and successful day before training began.

Next, the players worked on footwork skills, including TAPS, turns, and tricks for the older age groups. In addition, each session focused on a specific skill. One day emphasized passing and receiving, while another focused on shooting and finishing. Throughout the week, campers completed a variety of drills designed to reinforce those skills.

Later in the morning, the campers often played a game called Fireball. Unsurprisingly, it quickly became a favorite. During the game, coaches gently kicked soccer balls at players as they sprinted between two points on the field. Once a player was hit, they joined the coaches and helped eliminate the remaining campers. The game continued until only one player remained.

Finally, the campers spent the last 30 minutes of each session scrimmaging. This gave them an opportunity to apply the skills they had practiced earlier in the day.

Challenges

On the final day, campers participated in a variety of skills challenges, including passing and shooting competitions. Naturally, everyone hoped to take home one of the prizes.

More importantly, the challenges rewarded the hard work the players had put in throughout the week. At the same time, they taught an important lesson: not everyone can win every competition.

What impressed me most was the sportsmanship displayed by the campers. Although some players left with prizes and others did not, everyone handled the results with maturity and respect. There was no drama—just kids supporting one another.

Closing Ceremony

After the challenges concluded, it was time for awards, thank-yous, and goodbyes.

As a soccer parent, camp week can be surprisingly exhausting—even when you’re mostly sitting on the sidelines watching your child do all the work! Still, I always feel a little sad when camp comes to an end. After spending several days following the same routine, it becomes part of your daily life. Then suddenly it’s over, and something feels missing.

Fortunately, there’s always another soccer adventure just around the corner.

The Review

To help parents evaluate whether a camp is a good fit, I reviewed Jata Soccer Camp in several key areas:

• Safety
• Value
• Location
• Organization
• Communication
• Training
• Fun

These categories represent the factors I consider most important when choosing a youth soccer camp.

Safety

Safety should always be a top priority at any youth sports camp. Before participating, every parent or guardian completed a waiver for their child.

Because the camp took place during the summer, the coaches paid close attention to hydration and heat management. Water coolers were available throughout the day, and campers received frequent water breaks. In addition, a canopy tent provided shade during breaks.

Another detail that stood out was the presence of a readily available first-aid kit. Surprisingly, this was the first camp where I noticed one being clearly accessible. Thankfully, no one needed it.

Furthermore, Coach Jata secured an indoor backup location in case of severe weather. Having a contingency plan for lightning or other dangerous conditions demonstrated excellent preparation.

When I asked Ava if she felt safe at camp, she replied:

“Yes, because I was with my friends.”

Value

At $85 per child, Jata Soccer Camp delivered exceptional value.

Not only did campers receive quality instruction, but they also enjoyed daily popsicles, a soft camp t-shirt, water-balloon activities, and plenty of individual attention from the coaching staff.

In addition, organizers provided water stations with cups, maintained excellent supervision, and kept activities running smoothly throughout the week.

Several campers also earned prizes during the final-day challenges, including t-shirts, soccer balls, and sports bags.

Overall, it would be difficult to find a camp that offers more for the price.

Location

Jata Soccer Camp was held at 108 E Park Drive in Beulaville, North Carolina. The field was well groomed and there was ample space for all of the activities. The only thing anyone could really complain about was the fire ants. This was addressed on the first day and was quickly taken care of as best as could be done. No major incidents occurred as a result. My personal issue with the location was that it was a 35 minute drive. Of course this is my own issue and is nothing against the camp 😋. PS: It was totally worth the drive!

Organization

Wow! This camp actually has a schedule. That’s right, a daily schedule! I’ve been to many soccer camps with Ava over the last 3-4 years and we have never received a daily schedule. I think this is super awesome and it demonstrates the level of organization that went into making Jata Soccer Camp a success.

The schedule blocked out time for a coaches meetings every morning. Upon our arrival, the fields would already laid out and set up for the activities with cones and goals etc. Because of this, no time was spent setting up while leaving the kids unoccupied and unattended.

As previously mentioned, Coach Jata also secured a back up location: a school gym, should there be inclement weather. This is very rare, in my experience. Many camps will try to find ways to make up time, but unfortunately it hardly ever works out.

Communication

Coach Jata sent out a reminder email about two weeks before the camp start date and again, one week before. This email provided camp information from drop off time to what campers should bring. During the camp, he didn’t hesitate to reach out and see how we were enjoying the experience:

Coach Jata wrote, “Did Ava enjoy herself today? I want to make sure you girls have the best experience possible. Please let me know and I will work to make the adjustments.”

You can just tell that this is someone who cares about what they are doing, who they are influencing and effecting.💜

Training

The coaches provided unique, quality training to these youth players. We hadn’t seen a lot of the footwork skills (TAPS, turns, tricks) that were taught, in any other coaching. I think everyone was challenged, every day. I am so thankful that there was at least a half hour of scrimmaging each day, because that experience is invaluable. The video below shows Ava practicing some of those skills. Some she knew, others like the circles and squares, she did not.

“Ava, what was your favorite skill that you learned at camp?” She replied, “The Push, pull move.”

Fun

From popsicle parties to water balloon fights, Coach Jata and his crew made sure that everyone had the opportunity to have fun. Even as a parent, I had so much fun watching all the activities and the “special events.” The coaches were very positive and encouraging and they created an outstanding, fun learning environment.

I asked Ava, “What was your favorite thing(s) about Jata Soccer Camp?” She answered, “The water balloon fight and the challenges.”

Final Thoughts

Jata Soccer Camp gets a 10/10 rating from Ava and I. I have taken the time to really think about the whole experience and there’s just nothing negative to say about it. I can’t even think of something I would change, other than the location being closer to us 😛.

“Ava, what did you learn at camp this week?” She said, “Sometimes it’s fun, but sometimes it’s not cause you have to work hard so you can score goals. Also, teamwork – you have to work together.”

In closing, I have to say a heart-felt thank you to Coach Jata, his wife and his assistant coaches. Thank you to all the parents/guardians for bringing your wonderful kids to share in the Jata Soccer Camp experience (and to challenge my daughter). Lastly, thank you to the all the kids who worked so hard, played so hard and got along so well. Thank you!

I asked Ava, “If Coach Jata was here right now, what would you say to him?” Ava said, “Nice job Coach Jata, nice job!”

Ava’s final thoughts: “I liked everything, nothing was wrong. I like playing soccer. Just put that on there okay?” 

Thanks for reading all the way to the end 🤗!

If you live in the area, I am telling you – don’t miss out on the next Jata Soccer Camp. Just don’t!

Website: https://www.jatasoccer.com/
Facebook: Jata Soccer
Email: Jata11@yahoo.