An Experience That Exceeded Every Expectation
Our son attended the four-night overnight Playmaker’s Camp at Whittier College. We were impressed by the entire staff—from Coach Clinton to the observing coaches to the support and kitchen staff. Coach Brian did an amazing job motivating him, elevating his game, and serving as a meaningful role model. Everyone we encountered was kind, professional, and inspiring. The classroom sessions were also fantastic. Our son took more than 30 (!) pages of notes and has been referring to them ever since he got home. For a rising 7th grader who could use some help with executive functioning, that alone was worth the price of admission! But what stood out most were the values taught at PGC. At Coach Clinton's suggestion, our son made a point of learning all the kitchen staff’s names. If a kid is sitting alone at lunch, players are encouraged to invite them to their table. They're taught to show empathy to their teammates when they make a mistake, and hype them up when they're doing well. The emphasis on character, leadership, kindness, and accountability was evident in every part of the week. When our son sustained some minor injuries (always a possibility when playing at a high level), the medic, Jocelyn, struck exactly the right tone—she was empathetic and reassuring, but also firm in a way that helped our son calm down, reset, and move forward. I won’t pretend the week wasn’t hard. Our son didn’t get enough sleep, and didn't always make the best nutritional choices, despite PGC’s best efforts. The hours in the gym would be demanding for a college athlete, let alone a middle schooler. In truth, I’m almost glad we didn’t fully appreciate how intense it would be, because I’m not sure we would have encouraged him to go. And that would have been a mistake, because he came away with some of the most valuable lessons he has ever learned. We’re so grateful for the experience PGC gave him. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this was one of the most well-run programs our family has ever participated in. We'd recommend it to anyone.