Fairfield Area Pickleball Summer Camp at Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University, 5151 Park Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06825
CAMP DATES
Session 1: June 30 – July 3, 2025
Directed by Athletics Staff at SHU
AGE GROUP
Camp is open to kids & teens ages 5 to 18 of all ability levels.
CAMP FEES
Half Day: $299 (9am-12pm)
OVERVIEW
Sacred Heart University athletic complex features 3 brand new outdoor pickleball courts as well as 4-6 indoor inside the Bobby Valentine Recreation Center. We’re excited to host this Pickleball Camp at Sacred Heart University. Join us and improve your pickleball 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 matches are designed to help each camper learn, improve, and have fun!
Camp Director
Ashley Lane is the Director for Club Sports and Intramural. Ashley has recently joined the SHU community in the last three years and in that time started coaching women’ s club lacrosse. Ashley has 5 years’ experience in Athletics.
Camp Director
Alex Faccenda is the Associate Director for Club Sports and Intramurals. Alex has been coaching baseball for over 10 years and has spent 7 of those as the head coach for the club baseball team here at SHU. Alex is an avid runner and a pickleball prodigy.
Camp Director
Liz McGreevy is the Director of the Valentine Health & Recreation Center where she oversees the day-to-day operations of the building and all Recreational activities. She provides leadership and guidance to a student team of 25 who help manage the facility and its programs. Liz joined SHU Recreation in 2007 as the first full-time administrator of Intramurals and Fitness and brings more than 25 years of coaching and athletic leadership.
What to Expect
At Pickleball Camp you’ll receive individualized pickleball training through a superior curriculum regardless your age or ability level. We want young pickleball 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 pickleball 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. 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
- Pickleball Camp T-Shirt
- Great sportsmanship & camaraderie
- Meet new friends
- Gain a passion for the NEW “sport of a lifetime” and fastest growing sport in the US!
…and most importantly: HAVE FUN!
PICKLEBALL CAMP CURRICULM
Individual Skill Training
- Hands-on instruction daily on how to improve on all strokes in pickleball
Technical Skills Training
- Dinking – Practice and develop so you can use in matches. Purpose, shifting, strategy and more!
- Volleys – Work on the proper way to hit all types of volleys
- Serving & Returning – 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 & Transitioning from baseline to non-volley line – 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
Campers: Check in at 9:00AM Monday-Thursday. Campers should be picked up at 12PM Monday-Thursday (Bring a snack)
Make sure campers bring all necessary pickleball equipment (pickleball paddle, shoes, etc.), refillable water bottle, sunscreen, and snack.
Tennis Typical Daily Schedule*
9:00AM – Camper Drop-off
9:00AM-9:10AM – Warmup and Dynamic Stretching
9:15AM-10:00AM – Technical Skills Development & Training
10:00AM-10:10AM – Water/Snack Break
10:15AM-11:00AM – Mini Games and Match Play
11:00AM-11:10AM – Water/Snack Break
11:15AM-12:00PM – Mini Games, Technical/Tactical Skills Development & Training
12:00PM – Camper Pickup
*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 the court during training sessions. Please label every article you bring to camp. All personal items are the responsibility of each camper. Pickleball Camps and its camp staff are not responsible for lost, stolen, or forgotten items.
- Health Form
- Pickleball Paddle,
- Pickleball/Tennis Sneakers
- Water Jug/bottle
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Snacks
MORE CAMPS YOU’LL LOVE
CAMP REVIEWS
“We are new to pickleball so we weren’t sure what to expect, but our daughter had a great time! The coaches/staff went above and beyond to ensure everyone had a great experience!” –Maya G.
“There was a variety of drills, games, and scrimmage sessions, which kept camp exciting and challenging for my son. He had a great time, thanks!” –Jackson M.
“I learned so much about technique and strategy. The matchplay sessions were challenging but also lots of fun. The coaches’ pushed all of us to better players than we came in.” –Isabella R.
