May 18, 2020 update: This year’s pre-tryout camp has been canceled due to restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. Tryouts themselves have been returned to their originally scheduled dates, May 26-28. Please check our Tryouts page for full details.
NASA Tophat hosts an open pre-tryout camp for prospective Junior Academy and Academy players prior to each year’s tryout sessions. Our 2020 camp will run Monday, May 18 through Thursday, May 21. The 2020 pre-tryout camp has been canceled due to restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.
This page has information about the NTH-Tophat North camp (for girls who play out of Metro North Park or United Quest Park). Click here for details about the pre-tryout camps at the other NTH locations.
The camp is open to all age-appropriate girls (birth years between 2009 and 2014), whether they currently play at NASA Tophat, another soccer organization, or are new to soccer. Girls may attend any combination of sessions. Camp sessions are free for current NASA Tophat Junior Academy and Academy players. Cost for other players is $25 per day.
Quick links:
- Weather updates
- Camp purpose
- When and where
- Camp notes (cost, registration, what to wear and what to bring)
- Other links
Purpose:
The camp gives prospective players a chance to meet the Academy coaches and experience an Academy training session in a low-pressure situation prior to formal tryouts. (We do our best to keep our tryouts low-key, but the word tryout itself tends to create pressure.)
The camp also gives current and prospective players the opportunity to get extra touches in a competitive environment to sharpen their skills before tryouts. Girls are grouped by birth year: 2009 girls will work together, 2010 girls will work together, and so forth.
When and where:
Check back late April for camp schedule details.
Camp notes:
Weather updates:
In case of storms or heavy rain, schedules or field assignments could change pending field conditions. For status updates, check the NTH RainedOut web site or field status telephone hot-line: 770-220-4089.
Who may attend?
- The camp is open to all age-appropriate girls (birth years between 2008 and 2013), whether they currently play at NASA Tophat, another soccer organization, or are new to soccer.
Which session(s) to attend:
- Girls may attend any combination of sessions. Girls who normally practice at one park are welcome to attend camp sessions at either park.
Cost:
- Camp sessions are free for current NTH Junior Academy and Academy players. Cost for other players (girls from the NTH recreational program and girls who are new to NASA Tophat) is $25 per day. You’ll make payment via credit card through a secure on-line method when you register.
Registration (opens in May):
- Everyone who plans to attend the pre-tryout camp should register on-line. This includes current NTH Junior Academy and Academy players, players from the NTH recreational program, and players who are new to NASA Tophat.
- New to NASA Tophat? You will need to create an NTH website account in order to register for the camp. Link: https://www.nasatophat.com/Default.aspx?tabid=179484
- Current NTH players (Academy or recreational): You can register on-line using your existing NTH account.
- Once you log in, you should see your daughter’s name. (If not, select Back To My Account, and then select available programs, or logout / login and try again.) Scroll through the list of available programs and look for the 2020 Girls Academy/U-13 Pre-Tryout Camp program. Select the number of sessions your daughter will attend. (For current Junior Academy and Academy players, select the current player option.)
- The next screen will have a medical release. You’ll see a screen about volunteer roles. Enter your preference(s), and then select Continue. You may see a page with fan wear items. Select Continue. You’ll see the registration summary page. Select Continue. You may be prompted about an NTH Capital Campaign donation. This is completely optional and has no effect on the tryout selection process. You’ll come to the Payment Information screen. After you enter payment details, you’ll see a confirmation page, and the system will follow-up with a confirmation e-mail.
What to wear / what to bring:
- Players should wear proper soccer attire, including shin guards. It’s OK to wear club practice shirts, but we discourage current players from wearing their NTH game-day uniforms. Bring a soccer ball (size 3 for Junior Academy; size 4 for U9 or older Academies) and water. If a player has long hair, she should wear a headband or “scrunchy” or something to keep her hair out of her eyes. Please leave jewelry at home.
Bring lots of water!
- It’s likely to be hot! Your daughter should start increasing fluid intake before camp, and drink plenty of water during and after camp. This will allow her body and mind to perform at a higher level for a longer period of time. Link: hydration tips