Do You Really Need to Attend Expensive Showcase Camps? A Parent’s Guide to Smarter Recruiting

Showcase camps are everywhere. They promise exposure to top college coaches and more recruiting opportunities. But do you really need them for your student-athlete, or are they just another costly pitfall?

Understand the Purpose:
Showcases can be helpful for getting seen by college coaches, especially if your athlete is already on a coach’s radar. They also give experience against strong competition. However, not all showcases are created equal, and some focus more on marketing than meaningful connections.

When to Attend:

• Go if a college coach personally invites your athlete.

• Choose showcases attended by schools your athlete is interested in.

• Prioritize camps hosted by specific colleges rather than third-party events.

When to Skip:

• Skip generic camps with no direct link to your target schools.

• Avoid events where your athlete will get limited playtime or exposure.

• Make sure you have done the prep work like emails, highlight videos, and building a target list before attending.

Smart Alternatives:

• Focus on regional tournaments, school-specific prospect days, or targeted showcases where coaches from your list will be present.

• Invest time in direct communication and maintaining strong online profiles.

Bottom Line:
You do not need to attend every expensive showcase. A targeted recruiting strategy will save money and increase your chances of being noticed. Let Recruited to Play help you identify which events are worth your investment.