As a parent, you suddenly get a leaflet or email about a 'swimming camp'. The coach mentions it, a friend is going, and your child comes home asking: 'Can I go too?' Before you say yes or no: what exactly is a swimming camp? And is it worthwhile for your child?
What is a swimming camp — a simple definition
A swimming camp is a multi-day period (usually 5 to 10 days) in which a group of swimmers stays together at a location with good swimming facilities and is trained intensively by a dedicated coaching team. There are three varieties:
- Grassroots swimming camp — aimed at children who have just earned their swimming certificates or are just starting at a swimming club. Lots of fun, little pressure.
- Competitive swimming camp (training camp) — for swimmers who race for a club. Intensive sessions in a 50m pool, focused technical development.
- Elite-sport camp — for sub-elite and elite swimmers. Focused on periodisation towards important competitions.
ZwemExpert mainly runs the last two — for competitive swimmers who train regularly and want to make serious progress. Do you do diving? That is a separate sport with its own camp programme — see our diving article.
What do they do there all day?
At a competitive swimming camp, a typical day looks roughly like this:
- Two sessions in the pool (morning + afternoon), each 1.5-2 hours
- One dryland session — strength exercises, mobility, core
- Sometimes a theory or video analysis session
- Three meals + 1-2 snacks, all at fixed times
- One rest day in the week — often an outing or free time
So it's not 'swimming all day' — recovery and eating are just as important as training.
Is it right for your child?
Yes, if:
- Your child trains at least 3-4 times a week at a club
- They race and want to improve
- They are emotionally ready to be away from home for a week (possible from ~10 years old, usually from 12)
- Their club coach supports it
No, or not yet, if:
- Your child doesn't race yet and just wants a fun sports camp — then choose a grassroots camp, not a training camp
- They have just recovered from an injury or overtraining
- Their own coach isn't keen on it
What does a swimming camp deliver?
- Technical gains — more one-on-one coach attention in a week than they normally get in six months
- A mental step — seeing what they can do when all the conditions are right
- Motivation — almost every swimmer comes back with more appetite for the rest of the season
- Social connection — friendships with other ambitious swimmers, often lasting for years
The speed gains themselves usually show up 6-10 weeks later, in competitions after the camp — not during it.
What does it cost and is it worth it?
A competitive swimming camp abroad costs €1,800-€2,500 in 2026, all-inclusive. Our tip: see it as an investment in a specific period (for example the May half-term as a stepping stone to the summer national championships) and not as an annual holiday outing.
What's the next step?
Still in doubt? Try our free 3-day Parent Challenge or go straight to the camp overview.