Penn State’s Expensive Camp Leaves Wrestling Community Divided Over Its Worth: “Depends on What You’re Saying”

Pennsylvania local community says there weren’t many close camp options, so when the chance to go to a Penn State camp presented itself, it almost seemed too wonderful to be true. Even with Penn State’s respectable reputation, there remained a persistent doubt. Was it truly worthwhile? Players and their family members often argue over the expense of top athletic camps. The hefty costs associated with Penn State’s wrestling camp have drawn notice recently.

Reddit users have been active in this subject, sharing their thoughts and experiences regarding the worth of the camp. Curiosity and hope drove one local to seek out answers from the community. Patient-Battle8729, a user on r/wrestling, questioned whether Penn State’s camps were worth the money. “Are Penn State camps worth it? Any experiences?” The user inquired in an attempt to get truthful input adding, “I just want to make sure this camp is legit,” acknowledging the esteemed reputation of the university since it’s in Pennsylvania. Parental replies and other users’ responses from these camps rapidly followed this post. There is a rift in the wrestling world as seen by the vast differences in viewpoints.

The Penn State camp’s exorbitant cost in comparison to other camps is one of the main points brought up in the Reddit discussion. The Penn State Wrestling Team Camp, for example, costs $400 for day campers and $490 for resident campers. It is intended for students in grades 7 through 12. This covers teaching, a place to stay, and a camp shirt. In contrast, a Technique Camp at John Smith’s Wrestling Camps costs $425 for campers who live on-site and $300 for those who commute. Similar amenities are included in these rates, thus the price difference is apparent.

Are pennstate camps worth it?Any experiences?
byu/Patient-Battle8729 inwrestling

The difficulties in juggling perceived value and cost in young sports are brought to light by the Reddit conversations. John Smith’s Wrestling Camps provide a more skill-focused, less expensive experience. Families that desire intensive training without the increased cost will find this appealing. The camp offers an obvious route for skill advancement with its structured, technique-focused sessions and final event.

Penn State’s camp, however, provides a more comprehensive experience. It mixes social events with top-notch training to create a supportive environment and enthusiasm for the sport. For teenage wrestlers who feed on motivation and the opportunity to interact with elite talent, this can be quite beneficial. Some consider the extra expense to be an investment in a more fulfilling journey. However, fans have stirring answers about the cost.

Wrestling spectators debate on training camps

Parents and spectators have differing views on the topic of wrestling camps and the value they provide. “This may be an unpopular opinion, but most, if not all, summer camps are not worth the money,” said one parent, expressing a fairly common perspective. Such kind of money might be used to buy an athletic subscription for the whole summer. Now, considering this the parent further added,  “You could easily spend that money on a club for the entire summer. Spending a whole off-season with state champs is worth a whole lot more than a weekend with national champions.”

Regarding the true value of Penn State camps, another parent from Pennsylvania commented, saying, “It depends on what you’re saying is ‘worth it.'” Their son attends a nearby Division I college for training, where he receives substantial skill improvement that the parent believes is more beneficial for his overall athletic growth. But every year, their son also goes to the Penn State camp. “The Penn State camp is a super fun few days away on his own with friends and the chance to interact with some of the best talent in the country for what I consider an awesome value,” the parent stated. The camp balances the intensity of his daily training by rekindling his passion for the sport and highlighting its enjoyable aspects.

There is disagreement among the wrestling community on what is “worth it” in these camps, as evidenced by the Reddit conversation. While some wrestlers and parents place a high value on intense skill development, others enjoy the whole experience which includes social interactions and exposure to elite talent.

However, the Penn State camp offers fun and companionship in addition to talent development, making both experiences valuable. The local training concentrates on skill growth. Numerous users emphasized that club wrestling is a more economical option and that it works well. “Spend the money on a good club,” one said simply. While another concurred, noting that group wrestling could deliver enough for the comparable price. The user noted,  “Agree that club wrestling would do more for the same money. But it was a great experience for my guys when I took them a few years back. A lot of fun.”

One admirer related a personal story, saying,  “I used to go to the 1-month intensive camp at Oklahoma State. And honestly, it was worth it for me. But I also don’t think it was $530 for 4 days either.” The fan liked the overall experience but was not happy with the cost. However, the fan also provided an alternative saying, “A great camp to go to instead is Rob Waller’s All-American Wrestling Camps.” These differing viewpoints emphasize how crucial it is to weigh the experiential and financial benefits of wrestling camps during the summer. Many of them contend that while camps can have special advantages, long-term club training may have bigger growth benefits.