Champaign Area Tennis Summer Camps at The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 57 E Gregory Dr, Champaign, IL 61820
CAMP DATES
Session 1: July 12-15, 2026
*Registration Is Live For 2026
AGE GROUP
adidas Tennis Camp is open to kids & teens ages 5 to 18 of all ability levels.
CAMP FEES
Overnight: $949
Extended Day: $799 (9am-8:30pm)
*Except for the last day
* Team Discounts Available: Click Here For More Info
OVERVIEW
The Outdoor Center Tennis Courts are part of a beautiful athletic complex used for Club Sports, Intramurals, and recreation on the University of Illinois campus. We’re excited to host the adidas Tennis Camps at University of Illinois. Join us and improve your tennis skills this summer!
Camp is open to all ages and ability levels. Each camper will be assessed and grouped with campers of similar age and ability levels. Adjustments to the groups may be made throughout the week to provide campers with opportunities to train with and compete against different players. Drills, games, and scrimmages are designed to help each camper learn, improve, and have fun!
Camp Director
Coach Jéda Howard is the Head Coach for the Beech Grove High School and Middle School tennis teams. Overseeing a program of 40 athletes, Coach Howard maintains a professional and encouraging leadership style focused on high-level competition. Her impact has been evident as she successfully guided four student-athletes to the opening round of the state tournament.
Coach Howard is focused on skill development and refinement as well as tactical awareness to ensure players develop a deep strategic understanding of the game. Coach Howard is dedicated to fostering a positive atmosphere where athletes can empower themselves through the game.
Howard’s expertise is rooted in a lifelong connection to the Beech Grove tennis community. Howard played two years of Varsity tennis at Beech Grove Middle School followed by a four-year Varsity career at Beech Grove High School. A natural leader, Howard was twice elected team captain, a role that helped hone the motivational skills utilized today.
Coach Howard is excited to bring her positivity and passion for player development to the adidas Tennis Camps.
Camp Director
Coach Sammy Maxwell is the Head Boys and Girls Tennis Coach at Danville Community High School. Coach Maxwell leads with a commitment to excellence and athlete development. Under her leadership, both programs have reached new heights, including securing the school’s first-ever Sagamore Athletic Conference title for the girls’ team. Beyond the varsity courts, Coach Maxwell is a pillar of the local tennis community, spearheading youth camps for elementary and middle school students and collaborating with the USTA to bring the “Swing, Hit, Ace” program to the area.
Coach Maxwell’s coaching journey is a testament to growth and dedication. Since stepping into the head coaching mantle for both the boys’ and girls’ teams, Coach Maxwell has fostered a culture of high achievement; athletes consistently earn State Academic Team honors, and the programs boast impressive participation numbers, reflecting the supportive and engaging environment created.
Maxwell’s love for the game was first cultivated at Crawfordsville High School, valuing tennis as a vital way to build community and stay active. While returning to competitive play with a newfound intensity during a coaching career, Maxwell’s skill on the court remains undeniable. A decorated local competitor, Maxwell is a former champion of the Strawberry Festival Tennis Tournament in the women’s division and has spent time refining technique through area clinics and adult tournament play.
Coach Maxwell is excited to bring her energy and love of the game to the adidas Tennis Camps.
What to Expect
At adidas Tennis Camps you’ll receive individualized tennis training through a superior curriculum regardless your age or ability level. We want young tennis players to improve in every aspect of their game; our camps put a focus on individual skill development while incorporating drills and matches to emphasize teamwork & fun!
Features of our tennis staff include: Low camper-to-coach ratios; Groups based off of age & ability level; Fun, energetic, & experienced staff.
Supervision: The staff supervises campers for the entire duration of the camp. For overnight tennis camps, the staff will reside in the dormitories with the campers, providing supervision. Campers are expected to show respect towards other campers and the host facility. Drugs, alcohol and tobacco products are strictly forbidden, and will result in immediate dismissal from camp without refund.
CAMP HIGHLIGHTS & TAKEAWAYS
Each camper will:
- Develop their technical skills & tactical knowledge
- Participate in camp games with a chance to win prizes
- Compete amongst their peers in singles & doubles matches
- Be given the opportunity to work with college &/or high school coaches & college players all week long
- adidas Tennis Camp T-Shirt
- Great sportsmanship & camaraderie
- Exciting evening & off court activities
- Meet new friends
- Gain a passion for “the sport of a lifetime!”
…and most importantly: HAVE FUN!
TENNIS CAMP CURRICULM
Individual Skill Training
- Forehand and backhand – Hands-on instruction daily on how to improve on the two make strokes in tennis
Technical Skills Training
- Lobs and Top Spin – Practice and develop additional strokes you can use in matches
- Drop-Shots – Work on the proper way to hit a drop shot to add to your game!
- Serves – How to serve with confidence as well as work on all types of serves
- Grip – Proper technique to optimize your game
Tactical Skill Training
- Court Movements – Strategies and Practice of where to be on the court and when
- Decision-making skills to solve problems at the correct time
Game-Based Learning
- Rules & Scoring – Instructional Teaching
CHECK IN & CHECK OUT
Overnight Campers: Check in at 12PM-1PM Sunday. Campers should be picked up at 4PM Thursday.
Extended Day Campers: Check in at 12PM-1PM Sunday (9AM every other day). Campers should be picked up at 8:30PM Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and at 4PM Thursday. (Lunch and dinner are included)
Day Campers: Check in at 12PM-1PM Sunday (9AM every other day). Campers should be picked up at 4PM each day. (Lunch is included)
Make sure campers bring all necessary tennis equipment (tennis racket, shoes, etc.), refillable water bottle, and sunscreen.
Tennis Typical Daily Schedule*
7:00am – Wake-up
7:45am – Breakfast
9:00am – Day campers arrive. Stretching and warm-up
9:15am – On-court training
11:15am – Match play
12:00pm – Lunch
1:30pm – Match situation drills
3:00pm – Instruction
4:00pm – Day campers depart
5:30pm – Dinner
6:30pm – Optional match play and/or fun off court evening activity
8:30pm – Extended day campers depart
10:30pm – Lights out
*Schedule may vary location by location and is up to the discretion of the director & staff on site.
What to Bring to Camp
Below is a suggested list of items to bring to camp. We suggest that campers do not bring expensive personal items such as cell phones or laptops. Campers are allowed to bring cell phones to camp to contact their guardians, but they are not allowed on court during training sessions. Please label every article you bring to camp. All personal items are the responsibility of each camper. adidas Tennis Camps and its camp staff are not responsible for lost, stolen, or forgotten items.
- Health Form
- Tennis racquet(s), tennis shoes
- Water jug/bottle
- Athletic Socks
- T-Shirts
- Shorts
- Sunscreen
- Bathing Suit (not all locations have access to a pool)
- Spending Money – we recommend bringing no more than $50
- Hat
- Sweatshirt (overnight)
- Off-Field Clothes (overnight)
- Pajamas (overnight)
- Twin XL Bedding Linens (overnight)
- Blanket/Sleeping Bag (overnight)
- Pillow (overnight)
- Shower Towel (overnight)
- Toiletries (overnight)
- Alarm Clock (overnight)
- Fan (overnight only, depending on location)
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CAMP REVIEWS
“I really enjoyed my time at tennis camp this summer. After attending camp I have a lot more confidence going into high school and playing tennis. The coaches taught me so much and my serve as well as my back hand has improved greatly. I look forward to attending another adidas Tennis Camp next summer!”
–Troy D.
“The coaches did a great job in making sure the kids were having fun throughout the whole day. They did different drills each day and worked on a different stroke every day of camp.”
-Winona W.
“Our daughter’s tennis skills soared at this camp! She loved the competitive games, the supportive atmosphere, and the top-notch coaching. Thank you, adidas Tennis Camps, for an unforgettable experience!”
-Frita E.
