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15 best pickleball camps in the US

picture of Brandon Mackie
Brandon Mackie

Updated on: Apr 15, 2024

Four pickleball players tap their paddles together after enjoying a game

If you're looking to improve your pickleball game in a fun setting with input from top-level pros, I'd recommend trying pickleball camps. These are designed to immerse you in the game for a couple of days, turbo-charging your pickleball skills.

Pickleball camps can be a significant investment, though—especially with travel costs. To help you pick the right one for your game, I've researched the top camps and scored them by levels offered, coach-to-play ratio, overall value, and more. Read on for my list of the best pickleball camps in the US.

Best pickleball camps at a glance

Best overall

The LevelUp Pickleball logo

1. LevelUp Pickleball Camps

LevelUp hosts well over 200 pickleball camps across the US each year, with a full team of pros to boost your skills, regardless of your level.
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Best for beginners

The US Sports Camps and Nike logo

2. Nike Pickleball Camps

Nike Pickleball Camps are my favorite pick for beginners because they offer extra attention from coaches with a low camper-to-coach ratio.

Best intermediate

The Better Pickleball logo

3. Better Pickleball

Better Pickleball Camps use their unique "three pillars of pickleball" training system to help you progress your pickleball skills to the next step.

Best value

The Mark Price Pickleball logo

4. Mark Price Pickleball Camps

Mark Price's camps combine high-quality coaching from pros with a fun, social atmosphere—all for a really good price of around $300.

Best experience

The PPA Tour Pickleball Camps logo

5. PPA Pickleball Camps

Combine a PPA Tour tournament with two days of pickleball instruction to up your game and get inspired by the pros.

Best for advanced

The Tyson McGuffin Signature PB Camps logo

6. Tyson McGuffin Signature PB Camps

Tyson and his head coach Tyler McKenzie offer elite-level coaching that will help you to step up your game to the highest levels.

The best pickleball camps in 2024

Let's take a look at my top pickleball camps, and why I think they'll be great for your game.

Best overall

1. LevelUp Pickleball Camps

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A highly-rated pickleball camp with the most locations and levels offered

Book if:

  • You want to find a camp close to you:

    with sites in 35 states, you're likely to find a camp in your area.

  • You want to study your skills on the screen and see how you've improved:

    LevelUp makes pre-camp and post-camp video reviews for you to watch yourself back at home.

  • You want to practice your skills in a social setting:

    LevelUp benefits from their group format, while maintaining an 8:1 student-to-pro ratio.

Pass if:

  • You're on a tight budget:

    the Mark Price camp on my list offers the best value for money.

  • You're looking for a more personalized, advanced experience:

    check out the Tyson McGuffin camp instead.

LevelUp Pickleball

LevelUp Pickleball

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Levels Offered

Beginner (2.0-2.9), intermediate (3.0-4.0), & advanced (3.6-4.5)

National Or Local

National

Camps Per Year

Over 200

Number Of States Covered

35

Average Pricing

$645 per 2 day camp

Average Duration

12 hours over 2 days

If you're looking for my favorite ever pickleball camp, this is it. LevelUp is one of the leading pickleball camp providers in the US, covering an impressive 35 states.
They've got a large team of pros, with multiple camps running every weekend throughout the year. If you've never tried a camp before, LevelUp is my top pick to get started.
Camp overview
Groups at LevelUp camps have a ratio of 8 to 1, meaning one 5.0 or higher player for every eight students.
Whichever group you choose (beginner/intermediate/advanced), your coach will focus on the most important skills, shots, and strategies for that level.

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They'll build drills and games for you to target any weak areas. They use a 4-step process to identify, demonstrate, teach, and then practice each skill.
All drills are cooperative, which means you don't have to worry about being in the lower end of an intermediate group, for example.
I really like how they take a video of your pickleball form before and after the camp. This way, you can see your improvements and continue working on them once you get home. This will really help you get the most out of your camp experience.
Locations
LevelUp offers the largest coverage of any camps on my list, with locations in 35 states.
Pricing
A two-day camp will cost you $645. This includes six hours per day of instruction with a one-hour lunch break.
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My verdict
LevelUp Camps are a highly professional operation with a tried and tested 4-step training process. They offer year-round camps all over the US, with excellent coaches and affordable prices.

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LevelUp Pickleball logo
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Best for beginners

2. Nike Pickleball Camps

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Beginners get special attention with a low camper-to-coach ratio

Book if:

  • You're rated 3.5 or under:

    almost every camp from Nike Sport Camps has an option for beginners.

  • You want to improve your game in a relaxed atmosphere:

    these camps are known for being a lot of fun.

  • You want plenty of attention from your coach:

    these camps boast a low camper-to-coach ratio.

Pass if:

  • You're an advanced player looking to fine-tune your game:

    you'll prefer a LevelUp advanced camp or the Tyson Mcguffin offering on this list.

  • You don't want to spend over $500:

    check out the Mark Price camps on this list, which go for around $315.

Levels Offered

Beginner (2.0-2.9), intermediate (3.0-4.0), advanced (3.6-4.5)

National Or Local

National

Number Of States Covered

19

Average Pricing

$525 for a 2-3 day camp

Average Duration

15 hours over 3 days

If you're a beginner, you'll get a lot out of these camps as they have the lowest camper-to-coach ratio of any I know (4:1). This means you get more attention as you learn the sport.
Expect a fun couple of days of instruction where you'll get lots of practice while having a lot of laughs. There's even usually a beer and wine mixer after your Friday evening session.
Camp overview
Nike camps are held in collaboration with court facilities all over the US. They offer intensive instruction, drills, and match play from some of America's best coaches in a relaxed, personal setting. For any beginners, this will help boost your confidence because the pressure is off.
On arrival to the camp, you're evaluated by the coach to assess areas of your game that need improvement. Over the weekend, you'll then work on your skills and techniques with the pros, paying particular attention to those areas.
Locations
Nike camps are being held in various locations across 19 states in 2024. They collaborate with the Picklr group who have over 80 locations.
They also collaborate with the restaurant chain Chicken N Pickle, holding three-day camps across Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. Think fried chicken, cold beer, and tons of pickleball. I've personally visited the Arizona location and trust me—you'll never find anything quite like it.
Pricing
Prices vary depending on the location, but they usually work out between $500 and $600 per camp.
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My verdict
Nike camps are an awesome way to learn new skills and strategies, and then practice them on the courts—especially if you're a beginner. They offer a 4:1 camper-to-coach ratio (the best I've seen yet), which means you get extra attention during the camp. Add in the social mixers, and these camps are as fun as they are instructive.

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Best for intermediates

3. Better Pickleball

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Two-day immersive camps that offer a holistic approach to improving your game

Book if:

  • You're an intermediate level player:

    these camps are a great way for intermediates to progress to the next level of their game.

  • You like a scientific approach to improving your performance:

    these camps are carefully designed by pickleball experts.

  • You want to attend a women's only camp:

    some of their camps are female-only events, hosted by CJ Johnson.

Pass if:

  • You're a beginner:

    the organizers recommend that you have at least six months of pickleball experience.

  • You're an advanced player:

    if you're a 4.5 or higher player, consider the Tyson McGuffin camps on my list instead.

Levels Offered

2.5 to 4.5

National Or Local

National

Camps Per Year

5

Number Of States Covered

5

Average Pricing

$799

Average Duration

12 hours over 2 days

Better Pickleball camps are my top pick for intermediates because they have a training system to improve all aspects of your game, including mechanics, strategy, and athleticism. This holistic approach helps you achieve your best on-court performance.
CJ Johnson and Tony Roig are the masterminds behind these camps, as well as the head coaches. They've designed an impressively effective system that unlocks your potential by addressing each element of your game.
Camp overview
These camps are aimed specifically at players with ratings from 2.5-4.5, and players who have been playing for at least 6 months. They also offer women's only camps, hosted by CJ Johnson.
Their student-to-coach ratio is around 8:1, which gives you plenty of personal attention as an intermediate. This includes five hours on the court each day and one hour in the classroom.
In class, they'll teach you about the "three pillars of pickleball" which organizes your pickleball training into mechanical, strategic, and athletic pillars. This holistic approach works so well for intermediates because it helps you find the faults in your game.
Locations
In 2024, Better Pickleball will host camps in Sacramento, New York, Nevada, Chicago, and Florida. While they cover fewer locations than LevelUp and Nike Sports Camps, they do offer a more thorough learning experience.
Pricing
At $799 for a two-day course, these camps are premium-priced, though lunch is included each day from a local restaurant.
With the price, you get access to Better Pickleball's "three pillars of pickleball" training system, which covers more of your game than the curriculum at LevelUp or Nike Sports Camps.
These events also come with an unconditional money-back guarantee. So, if you feel you haven't gotten your money's worth, they'll give you a full refund.
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My verdict
If you want a camp that goes beyond the basics, Better Pickleball provides a program to improve all aspects of your game, including mechanics, strategy, and athleticism. Their coaches are some of the best around. While they don't offer camps in as many states as LevelUp or Nike Sports, they give you a more intimate experience as an advancing intermediate.

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Best value

4. Mark Price Pickleball Camps

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You won't find a better price for three days of hands-on coaching

Book if:

  • You want a pro-level camp on a budget:

    at $315 for eight hours of coaching, these camps are the most affordable of any on my list.

  • You live in Georgia or Florida:

    these camps are limited to these two states, as well as some camps in Europe.

Pass if:

  • You're a total beginner:

    these are aimed more at players 3.0 or up, so new players should try the Nike Sports camps instead.

  • You don't live in the southeast US:

    these camps are geographically limited, so check out LevelUp for more options.

Levels Offered

Low intermediate (3.0-3.5), high intermediates (3.5 and up)

National Or Local

Local, in Georgia and sometimes Florida

Camps Per Year

Around 10

Number Of States Covered

2

Average Pricing

$315

Average Duration

8 hours over 3 days

If you're looking for the best value camps, you won't find a better price on a three-day hands-on camp than Mark Price.
The only caveat is you either have to live or be up to travel to southeast US (Georgia and Florida currently). Alternatively, you can make a vacation out of it and attend one of his camps in Europe.
Mark Price is a British pro-level pickleball player with 25 years of sports coaching experience. If you attend one of his camps, he'll analyze your game to help you to correct mistakes, learn new strategies and techniques, and select the best shots.
Camp overview
Since Mark Price himself hosts every camp, they are limited to smaller groups of 24 players in each skill level (high and low intermediates). There's a 1:8 coach-to-player ratio.
The first day consists of a meet and greet with rotational games. This gives Mark and his coaches a chance to learn about you and your individual needs. Then there's a day of nailing the fundamentals, followed by a day of learning to play more aggressively.
You'll also be given a round-up of coaching notes at the end to take away and put into practice in your own time.
Locations
Mark Price's camps are held in various locations around the state of Georgia, as well as occasional dates in Florida. He also holds international camps, with one in Dusseldorf, Germany and another in the UK this year.
Pricing
At $315 for three days of coaching with Mark and his team, this really is a bargain.
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My verdict
If you're looking for high-quality coaching for a budget price in Georgia or Florida, this is my top recommendation for you. As all camps are taught by Mark Price himself, you're guaranteed to get a pro-level, consistent experience that makes this camp even more of a deal.

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Best experience

5. PPA Pickleball Camps

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Get coaching from actual PPA Tour pros

Book if:

  • You want coaching from touring pros:

    these camps are led by top PPA players.

  • You want to watch the pros in action:

    these camps are held prior to PPA events.

  • You want a combo deal that won't break the bank:

    these camps work out pretty budget-friendly, since they include tickets to the day's events too.

Pass if:

  • You're a high-level player looking to concentrate on your advanced game:

    you'll get more out of the Tyson McGuffin camps on this list.

  • You're an advancing intermediate:

    you'll prefer Better Pickleball's program, which covers more aspects of your game.

Levels Offered

2.5/3.0 and 3.5/4.0

National Or Local

National, at each PPA event

Camps Per Year

25

Number Of States Covered

14-15

Average Pricing

$370 including one day of courtside action, or $599 with a weeklong courtside ticket

Average Duration

6 hours over 2 days

If getting coached by PPA Tour pros excites you, I think you'll get a lot out of this camp. At each PPA tournament, there's an opportunity to get in six hours of training with some of the pros who are playing that day. You'll also get tickets to the event to watch the pros and get inspired.
Camp overview
Two camps are held simultaneously prior to each PPA tournament. Each day, there are three hours of coaching, working on all the fundamental shots and techniques. They'll then move onto pickleball strategies and tips to improve your game.
You'll also get to demo paddles from top manufacturers to help you choose the right paddle for you. Plus, your coaching fee includes either a one-day ticket or a full week pass to the tournament.
Locations
PPA tournaments are held all over the country. Check the PPA tournament schedule for the next event in your area.
Pricing
$370 gets you six hours of coaching over two days, and this includes a courtside ticket for one day of the event. $599 upgrades that ticket to a week-long pass to the whole event.
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My verdict
PPA tournament events are always a fun day out. These camps are an awesome way to increase your skills while watching some of the best pickleball games in the country. If you want hands-on coaching from touring pros, this is a great one to consider.

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Best for advanced

6. Tyson McGuffin Signature PB Camps

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Exclusive classes from one of the biggest names in pickleball

Book if:

  • You're an advanced player looking to fine-tune your game:

    these intensive camps are tailored to experienced players.

  • You want face-to-face time with world-class instructors:

    instructors Tyson and Kyle are known for being relatable and dedicated to their camper's success.

Pass if:

  • You're on a budget:

    training with the pros comes at a premium.

  • You're a beginner or intermediate player:

    newer players will prefer the Nike camp above.

Levels Offered

3.0 and up

National Or Local

National

Camps Per Year

7-10

Number Of States Covered

5-6

Average Pricing

$649 for two day, $375 for 1 day

Average Duration

2 day and 1 day options available; 6 hours each day.

If you're an advanced or rising intermediate player looking to improve your game, this is my recommendation to you—a camp from former world #1 Tyson McGuffin.
These are hosted by Tyson McGuffin himself, along with his head coach Tyler McKenzie. They offer high-level training programs that cover advanced strategies and go far beyond the basics.
Camp overview
With six hours of instruction each day, these camps are intensive and designed to help you push your limits and fine-tune your skills. Day one focuses on building your soft game, while day two works on building your weapons, like drives, volleys and serves.
They offer an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio, though Tyson himself only hosts certain camps. However, Kyle McKenzie is a world-class coach, so you'll be in good hands either way.
Locations
These camps are held in Georgia, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Pricing
At $649 for 12 hours of coaching over two days, this is the most expensive option on my list. Tyson himself hosts a couple of these camps each year, which cost $849 for two days or $475 for one day of coaching.
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My verdict
Made for serious intermediates and advanced players, these camps offer elite-level coaching at a premium price. If you're looking to go up a level, getting top strategies from former world #1 Tyson McGuffin will help you achieve that goal.

Today’s best deal

Other pickleball camps I recommend

With so many great pickleball camps and clinics available, it wasn't easy to narrow down my list to just six. So, I've included a few more great camps that I don't want you to miss out on.

7. Rise Pickleball Camps

Suitable for: intermediates

Rise Pickleball Camps are run by pro pickleball player and ex-director of LevelUp camps, Rob Davidson.

These camps are designed to help players with a rating of 3.0-3.5 to up their game. They focus on strategies and mechanics that reduce unforced errors and increase your consistency on the courts.

These are three-day events with 12 hours of personal, on-court coaching and cost $595. There's an 8:1 student-to-instructor ratio, with groups limited to 16 students.

8. Engage Pickleball Camps

Suitable for: advancing beginners, intermediate, advanced

Engage Pickleball is the largest provider of camps in the world, so I couldn't leave them off my list. They offer a huge variety of camps for players of all levels all over the US, as well as in Canada, Europe, and Asia.

They typically charge $625-$650 for a three-day camp with 18 hours of instruction from pro teachers. That price also comes with a free Engage Trident paddle. The camps are hosted at some of the most modern facilities in the US and focus mainly on pickleball strategy.

9. USTA Pickleball Camps

Suitable for: intermediates

The US Tennis Association (USTA) offers three-day adult pickleball camps at their national campus in Orlando, FL. These feature 12 hours of direction for intermediate players from their expert coaching team.

These camps focus on three key areas: controlling the non-volley zone, moving in and through the transition area, and starting your play off right.

The price is $625 for the three days, with an extra optional session of open play to get to know your fellow campers on day one. Lunch is included on two of the three days.

10. World Team Pickleball Camps

Suitable for: beginners, intermediates, advanced

World Team Pickleball is run by five-time US Open Champion Laura Fenton Kovanda. These are small group, personalized camps that cover the full range of skills and strategies needed to excel at pickleball—no matter your rating.

Various formats of camp are available, but a three-day camp with eight hours of instruction will cost a very reasonable $295. All skill levels are welcome, and there's an 8:1 student-to-instructor ratio.

11. Simone Jardim Pickleball Camps

Suitable for: beginners, intermediate, advanced

Simone Jardim and her pro team offer camps in various locations across the US. They offer 12 hours of court time, with an 8:1 student-to-instructor ratio for all skill levels. All campers get a free JOOLA paddle, bag, and baseball hat.

Simone is the only pro open player to date to have won gold in singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles in all three majors (Nationals, US Open, and Tournament of Champions). Before discovering pickleball, she was the head coach of the Michigan State's women's tennis team.

12. Pickleball Trips

Suitable for: beginners, intermediate, advanced

Pickleball Trips offers unique travel experiences that combine pickleball with cultural expeditions across the globe, from Guam to Japan, Thailand to Belize, and more. If you want to combine your camp experience with a bucket-list vacation, this is a great one to check out.

As part of their yearly schedule, their IPTPA-certified instructor Scott Moore offers pickleball camps. These consist of intensive, semi-private training sessions for 5-6 hours per day, studying ten key principles of the game.

13. SunCoast Pickleball Camps

Suitable for: beginners, intermediate, advanced

If you like all-inclusive trips, SunCoast is worth checking out. This was the very first organization to offer pickleball camps in the US, back in 2016. Based in Montreat, NC, they hold around 5 camps per year, with up to 64 campers attending each event.

These are all-inclusive social events, with food, lodgings, and entertainment included in the price.

Camps last a whole week (Monday-Friday), with focused training sessions throughout as well as pro exhibitions, tournaments, and plenty of fun social events. An all-inclusive couples ticket for the whole event costs $2,718.

14. Nike Junior Pickleball Camps

Suitable for: kids

Looking for a camp for your kids? Nike Junior Pickleball Camps are the kids version of my "best for beginners" pick above.

These camps are aimed at children under 12, and are held throughout the summer in California and Massachusetts. They're on for four days (Monday-Thursday) and cost $300 per player.

There's a 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio. On arrival, campers are assessed and grouped according to age, ability, and experience. Your kids are sure to have a blast and up their game at the same time.

15. Templeton Tennis Ranch

Suitable for: kids

If you live in or travel to California, consider the Templeton Tennis Ranch—a huge, state-of-the-art court complex and recreation club in San Luis Obispo County, CA. They offer an extensive line-up of spring and summer pickleball camps aimed at kids aged 7-12.

The camps run for three days (9 am to 1 pm) with 9 hours of pickleball instruction from certified pros. The kids can also play ping-pong, bocce, and various other games in the beautiful five-acre grounds of the club.

Camps cost $200 per person, with member and sibling discounts available.

How pickleball camps work

Let's now talk about how pickleball camps actually work, and what you can expect.

Firstly, what about the timeframe? Pickleball camps offer a range of schedules—everything from one-day sessions to week-long experiences. Lunch is often included between morning and afternoon training sessions.

When the camps are multi-day events, accommodation is sometimes provided for an extra cost. If not, hotels in the area are usually available to campers. Some pickleball camps even offer all-inclusive deals.

Players stand around a pickleball court at a pickleball camp
Photo by Stephen Rahn on Flickr, marked as Public Domain (CC0 1.0)

Days are usually divided into two sessions with a break in the middle for lunch. The idea is to give you a fully immersive experience where you can learn a lot in a short amount of time, whether it's the basics of pickleball or more advanced pickleball strategies.

Generally, there are professional coaches available throughout your time at the camp and maybe even a pickleball celebrity. The pros also give specialized hours of instruction focusing on various aspects of your pickleball game.

Pickleball camps and clinics are designed to help you improve your skills and leave you with plenty of takeaways to practice when you get home. You should choose a camp that will benefit you the most, so you'll first need to decide what you want from the experience.

How to choose the best pickleball camp for you

To pick the best pickleball camp for your needs, keep in mind the following criteria.

Your expectations and physical fitness

Are you looking to have fun with other pickleheads in a friendly resort with poolside drinks in the afternoon? Alternatively, do you want an intensive day or weekend course where you can focus purely on upping certain skills?

These are the first questions that determine what type of pickleball camp is right for you.

Training schedule and instructors

Another important criteria to keep in mind is how much actual pickleball instruction you will receive. Are there one-to-one sessions? How many instructors are there per group? Will you actually get time with the pros?

Camp curriculum

Remember to check out the camp curriculum beforehand. Are they focusing on areas of your game that need improvement? There's no point going on a dinking crash course if that's already your strongest area.

Fine print

Finally, look at the technical parts, like the camp dates, their cancellation policy, and whether the camp is USA Pickleball-approved.

A group of adults learning how to play pickleball

Why does choosing the right camp level matter?

To get the most from your experience, it's crucial to find a camp or clinic that matches your skill level and physical ability. There's no point in aiming high by attending a pickleball camp for intermediate players if you're a complete beginner. It's just a waste of money.

Be honest with yourself about your pickleball skill level and sign up for a camp accordingly. Many camps specify the skill level range that they accept, which makes it much easier to choose.

Your pickleball experience will be much more fun when you play and train with players who have a similar skill level to your own.

Pickleball camps vs pickleball clinics

I've used the terms "camp" and "clinic" interchangeably, and many training providers do the same. A pickleball clinic is usually more like a training session with a pro, where the focus is on specific aspects of the game. You might have a clinic specifically for serving or dinking.

Pickleball camps are generally longer, sometimes multi-day events where a wider range of skills are addressed. However, as I've said, the terms "pickleball clinic" and "pickleball camp" can be used interchangeably.

Check out my virtual pickleball clinic for beginners

Bottom line

That's my rundown of the best pickleball camps in 2024. Camps and clinics are an awesome way to improve your game, expand your pickleball network, and learn tips and tricks to avoid strain and injury over time.

Whether it's an intensive one-day camp in a local pickleball center or a week-long pickleball vacation, I really can't recommend camp experiences enough.

From simple pickleball tips to deep technical knowledge of the game, these experiences help you to play better pickleball and get more from the game we all love. After that, you can take your skills to a pickleball court near you and see how you fare against local opponents.

Have you attended a camp or clinic that you'd like to share with your fellow pickleheads? Reach out to us on our socials—we'd love to hear from you.

Recent updates

April 2024

I've done a major revamp of this list. Many of the camps are the same, so I mainly focused on adding more information to help you choose which camp is right for you.

FAQs

About the author
Brandon Mackie
Brandon is an avid writer and co-founder of Pickleheads™. Once a competitive tennis player, Brandon can now be found these days honing his dinks on pickleball courts near Phoenix, Arizona.
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