The Georgia Tech Tennis Camp is “a step up from other tennis camps,” according to Bert Bras. And he should know. Bras’ 14-year-old son, Jackson, has participated in the camp for three years.       

“Jackson tried the Emory camp twice but prefers Tech’s camp,” said Bras, a professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering. “The coaching is at a higher level. He learns stuff at the Tech camp versus just hitting a ball on a court.”

For example, one year, the camp staff filmed Jackson and then discussed his strengths and weaknesses while they watched the footage.

“The unique part about our camp is that our coaches direct it,” said Georgia Tech Tennis Coach Kenny Thorne, who has helped run the camp for 14 years. “We also have many of our team members working as staff. So it’s a great opportunity to get the highest level of coaching.”

The camp runs Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. for three to four weeks in June and is open to boys and girls ages 9 to 18. This year, due to construction on the Tech tennis facility, the camp was held at Piedmont Park. As a result, only two weeks of camp were offered.

In groups of six, campers do various tennis drills during the morning hours; they play matches half the time and go to the pool the other half during the afternoon. When the camp is held on campus, it can usually accept up to 100 children and teens per week. Many of the attendees enjoy the camp so much, they sign up for multiple weeks, added Ethan Shapiro, director of team operations for Tech softball, swimming, tennis and volleyball.   

“It doesn’t matter whether you actually play in high school or college — the important thing is learning the correct technique and developing a love for the game,” Thorne said.

Registration for the 2013 camp opens in January at www.yellowjackettenniscamp.com. The cost for each week is $325, and there is a $25 discount for return campers or groups of four or more.

For more information, contact Shapiro.