Does my swimmer really need to have competitive experience to attend Camp FLA?
We highly recommend that every camper coming into Camp FLA has some form of competitive experience prior to attending. Campers will get the most from the camp if they have knowledge of the 4 competitive strokes and have been involved in a competitive swimming program of some kind - summer league, high school, YMCA, USA swimming, etc. Young novice level swimmers are encouraged to participate in the Summer Fun Swim Camp program instead. If you have any questions about whether you believe the program is right for your swimmer, please call Luis Galvan, camp director, at (954) 468-5590 or e-mail:info@flacamps.com

What camp would be the best for my child?
Elite Camp is the most advanced competitive program offered at Camp FLA. Designed for Advanced Competitive Swimmers who have achieved at least 4 Summer Sectional qualifying standards. Resident and Day Camp are for the beginning to advanced camper who is already a competitive swimmer who would be placed in the White group to the National Development group.  This camper wants to have fun, get better and be the best that they can be in an educated environment.  A two-week minimum stay is suggested in order to experience the full camp program. For campers who wish to extend their original camp stay, the Directors will fill requests on a space available basis.

Who makes up the staff?
The core of the staff is the year round FLA coaches.  In addition 12-15 experienced, mature adults compose the counseling/coaching staff at camp. These coaches come with high recommendations, and are either coaching at the high school, club or collegiate level, or currently competing as a collegiate swimmer and are looking to get into coaching as a profession, our staff members are USA based and from many countries across the world. Our Camp staff live in the hotel with the campers, and provides a first line of defense if they need help of any kind. All staff members are at least 19 years old. It is our goal to provide a safe, fun, and exciting environment where campers can get excited about our sport, while meeting people from all over the United States and all over the world.

Will my camper be supervised all the time?
Campers are supervised 24/7.  They are never allowed to go off on their own.  Counselors and Coaches are in contact with the campers every hour of every day they are at camp. We take the care and supervision of your child very seriously.

What is the ratio of campers to coaches?
Afternoon sessions are a little higher — between 12:1 to 15:1 due to it primarily being a training session. Morning sessions find the ratio dropping to between 8:1 to 11:1 for more individual feedback and attention.

How are swimmers put into groups at camp?
Swimmers are typically grouped by age and ability.  Upon receipt of your registration and completion of the athlete bio, we decide which group would best suit your son or daughter.  If upon arrival at camp your son/daughter should be in another group we are open to moving them into the group that best fits their needs. We also keep their age-group in mind, to make sure they will enjoy the group they are placed in.  Please view Camp Training Groups to see where your son/daughter would be best placed.

Do you offer Private Coaching
One on one private coaching, with an assigned coach or counselor. All four strokes, including starts and turns will be evaluated and worked on during the sessions. We place a large emphasis on specific drills that are geared toward improving the camper’s technique and stroke efficiency during the course of the lessons.

Do you off DVD Analysis?
Complete underwater and over water video analysis of the swimmer using the DartSwim Elite Video Software. Get just your best or all four strokes analyzed. Get your starts and turn, too! video for a complete digital analysis. You will receive a DVD that contains all of your video analysis, with audio commentary and video mapping by our Coaching staff. The swimmer will depart camp with their complete DVD in hand.

Will my camper train long course?
Yes.  The Senior and National Development groups train long course in the morning and short course in the afternoon.  Advanced Age Group, White and Blue train short course in the morning and long course in the afternoon.  The pool layout does change when we approach swim meets, during those times both pools are set to long course.

What equipment do campers need to bring?
All that is required are suits, towels, WATER BOTTLE, and goggles for water sessions – you can bring your personal equipment bags. For dryland and weight room sessions, shorts, t-shirt, and sturdy athletic shoes are required. A backpack works well for bringing things to and from the pool.  Whatever you don’t have or bring is available for sale in the camp store….and a great attitude and ready to have some fun in the sun!

What campers should not bring?
Expensive electronic equipment, jewelry and excessive money should be left at home.  FLA Camps are not responsible for any items that are lost or stolen during the camper’s time at camp.  Note: Alcoholic beverages, drugs, firearms, knives and fireworks are prohibited at FLA Camps. Any items found not to be in compliance with FLA Camps policy will be confiscated and the appropriate law enforcement action will be taken. Parents will be notified immediately.

What is the difference between Elite Camp, Resident Camp and Day Camp?
Elite Camp is geared towards advanced swimmers with at least 4 Summer Sectional Qualifying Standards. Elite Camp is available in two four week sessions each offered at a special discounted price. Resident Camp is available for competitive swimmers of all levels. Resident Campers may attend from 1-8 weeks arriving on Sunday and departing on Saturday. Day Camp gives campers the opportunity to take advantage of all swim practices and day activities, but evening activities are reserved only for Resident Campers. Day Camp is available from Monday through Friday only.

Can parents watch camp sessions?
Yes. Parents are welcome to observe any pool session from the spectator seating at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex.  Parents are not allowed on pool deck to watch practice.

What if a camper has a pre-existing injury?
Please notify the Camp Director prior to check-in if the injury has happened after the medical forms have been submitted. It is very important that we know any and all medical conditions a camper may have, or special situations that parents feel we should know about. We can substitute exercises or training sets to fit the situation as long as we are informed in advance. These are handled on a case by case basis.

What about medications?
Medications may be given to the camp staff at check-in with written directions, dosage amounts and times. This will be given to one of their group counselors, who will arrange times to help administer to the camper. If a camper is age appropriate, and responsible enough to self-administer, they may keep it in their room (depending on type of medication – check with the Director). Inhalers should be brought out on deck during all training sessions.

What are the Day Camp procedures?
All day campers should be dropped off at the pool for the start time of their camp each day.  Day campers should be collected from the pool deck by signing the check out sheet that one of our counselors will have.  All Day Campers should be checked out by their parent or a legal guardian at the end of each camp day.

Can Day Campers take part in the evening activities?
No, evening activities are for the Resident program only. 

Will my child have the same roommate at camp the entire time?
We cannot promise that your child will have the same roommates for their entire camp stay. Individual camper’s lengths of stay vary. Rooms are "reassigned" on Sundays. We make every effort to keep rooms the same, although new roommates might come in and out with the start of each session.

What about roommate requests?
The camp welcomes roommate requests. All requests must match on the application form, and roommates must be of similar age and same sex. Rooming assignments are done one week prior to the start of a session. It is recommended that roommates send in their applications at the same time. Don’t wait too long though, as your session may close. Siblings that are more than two years apart and wish to room together are encouraged to try rooming apart as this is part of the camp experience.

What are the rooms like at the hotel?
The rooms are all remodeled.  Each room contains 2 double beds with the space to place a full single rollaway bed, which comes with a standard mattress that has the same comfort as the hotel beds.  The rooms also come with a fridge, microwave and have free WiFi access.  Please view the camp hotel Best Western Oceanside for photos and more information (please enter, Fort Lauderdale in the City section and scroll down to the Best Western Oceanside).  Camp FLA resides on the 3rd floor of the hotel only, with girls on one side and the boys on the other.

What if campers don’t get along as roommates?
Once rooming assignments are made, there is no changing of rooms at any time. Roommates that are having disagreements are encouraged to seek out their counselor before calling home. The counselor will help the campers find a solution to the problem.

What if a camper gets homesick while at camp?
Please understand that it is completely normal for someone to feel this way especially if it’s their first time away at camp.  Staying busy, hanging out with friends etc. helps, but hanging out in the room and doing nothing only intensifies the homesick feeling. We recommend that campers only call home one to two times during the week, as calling home can also intensify the homesick feeling. Counselors can help in this situation, and we encourage the campers, and parents, to make it thru to the end of the week.
There are no refunds for those campers that leave camp early due to homesickness.

If my child comes to multiple weeks of camp, will the training just be repetitive or will it be different?
No, the training will not completely repeat. Our lectures will be different, and our training sessions will be different too. Our evening activities, however, may be similar from week to week.

Do you have many International Campers?
Yes, we have campers from all over the world.  In fact in 2009 we had campers from over 16 countries.

How do I get in touch with my camper?
You can call the swim office at 954 468-5590 or you can call the Camp Hotel front desk at 954-525-8115. The front desk staff will connect you to the camper’s room.  If you call the swim office the message will be given to the camper when they return to the pool for workout. In emergencies, the staff will have a cell phone number to call Luis Galvan, the Camp Director, immediately. 

Will my child have a telephone in their room?
Yes. Telephones in the room will only be able to receive incoming calls; no calls can be made from the phones in the room. Telephones are available in the main lobby of the Hotel for calling home with a prepaid phone card or cash.

Are there washers and dryers at the hotel?
Coin operated washers and dryers are available for use in the hotel

How much spending money should I send with my camper?
$30 to $50 per week should be plenty.  All items that we have for sale in our camp store will be charged to your account. 

Can I send my child packages and mail?
Yes, you can.  Please send any packages and mail to the swim office at FLA Camp 501 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316.  Please don’t send over sized items.

How do I register for swim camp?
Soon you may register for camp by completing our secure online form. Meanwhile, you can download our PDF application form and either mail or fax (954) 468-5595 it to our Camp FLA office.

How much money do I need to pay upon completion of my registration form?
When you complete your registration form you must pay your camp registration of $100 for all camps.  This fee is non refundable.  If you are not a USA registered member you will also have to pay this fee.  All camp dues are required to be paid in full prior to the camper’s arrival.

Do I need a USA Swimming Registration number to attend camp?
Yes, a registration number is required to attend our camp.  If you are already a member of a USA swim team, please provide a copy of your card with the completion of the medical and travel forms.  Those of you who are not USA swimming registered will be registered through FLA Camps.  The membership is $60 this fee will be added to your camp invoice and charged to your credit card.

What are your refunds and cancellation Policy?
A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at registratio. The remaining balance must be paid prior to your arrival at camp or your child could be dropped from camp. Canceling prior to May 1st you will receive a refund of any monies paid except the $100.

What method of payment should I use?
We accept the following methods of payment: Cash, Check, Visa, Master Card, AMEX, Money Orders and Bank Transfers.

Do I need an escrow account?
You will not be required to place money on hold for this account.  All evening activity fees will be charged once a week to your credit card on file.  Weekly evening activity fees range from $120-$240 depending on the number of resident campers in camp that week and if we have a trip to Orlando.  Please complete the method of payment form with a valid credit card number.  We use your credit card to charge all activity fees incurred during the campers time at camp. 

Day Campers will only have the Wednesday day trip and any store purchases charged to the credit card number held on file.

Do I have to come for two weeks of camp?
No, we recommend that you come for at least two weeks to gain the full experience of camp.  We do accept that some people can only make one week.  Many campers choose to stay the whole summer with us.

When should Resident Campers arrive at camp?
Campers should arrive on a Sunday between 12-6PM by air if possible.  Campers arriving by car should arrive between 3-6PM at the hotel then register where they will be greeted by a counselor who check the camper in will show them their room.  Campers arriving by air will be greeted at the airport by one of our counselors wearing a RED FLA Camp staff shirt.  They will then be driven back to the hotel in one of our camp vans for check in.

Does it cost me any extra to have my camper collected from the airport?
From Fort Lauderdale International Airport it is FREE!  From Miami International Airport there is a $100 roundtrip fee.

When should Resident Campers leave camp?
Campers should leave on a Saturday by 12 noon if going by air.  Campers leaving via car should be collected from the hotel between 9:00am and noon.

Do you offer transportation for Day Campers?
All campers who are enrolled in either the Day or Extended camp should be dropped off and collected each day by their parent or guardian.  Camp FLA is not responsible for providing day campers with transportation.  The only times Day Campers are transported are after the morning session to the hotel for lunch and the rest period.  The only other time that a Day Camper will be transported is during the Wednesday activity.