Sports Sampling Camp 2025
Join us this summer for a free, action-packed week of sports, fun, and discovery at the Rainier Beach Playfield & Community Center! From July 21–25, 2025, kids ages 7–13 will get the chance to try basketball, soccer, football, rugby, ultimate frisbee, tennis, rowing, and more—guided by local pro teams like the Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders, Storm, Kraken as well as Coalition members such as First Tee, Upower, and Seattle Tennis & Education Foundation.
This camp celebrates play, teamwork, and well-rounded development while pushing back against the pressure to specialize too soon. Explore new sports, make friends, and just have fun—all for free!
Let’s level the field, one game at a time.
Ages: 7-13
Time: 9am-3pm
Date: July 21-25
Location: Rainier Beach Community Center & Playfield
Address: 4707 S Cloverdale St, Seattle, WA 98118
Presented by the Seattle Pro Sports Teams, King County Play Equity Coalition, and the Seattle Sports Sports Commission!
Get the chance to try all 12 of the following sports and activities!
and more…
UPOWER Providing Field Games
First Tee Providing Golf
Seattle Tennis & Education Foundation Providing Tennis
George Pocock Rowing Foundation Providing Dryland Rowing
Bridges United Foundation Providing Soccer
FAQs
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A lot of kids are encouraged to focus on one sport from a very young age, this is often called “over-specialization”. Research shows that this leads to mental, and physical health consequences. Sports sampling, or trying a lot of different sports, helps kids’ brain development, athletic skills, and mental health. Read more about the risks of over-specialization below.
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Anyone ages 7-13 is welcome, registration is first come first serve so register soon!
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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Item description
Downsides of early specialization
Increased risk of overuse injuries:
The developing bodies of young athletes need well-rounded training and proper rest and recovery time.
Sports specialization puts excess strain on certain parts of the body, making specialized athletes 2x more likely to experience Injuries than their peers (AOSSM).
Quick Burnout
Athletes that specialize too early are more likely to experience Intense burnout as a response to chronic stress.
This can be due to emotional exhaustion, lack of quality sleep, and poor social relationships (NIH).
“I think people specialize at an early age and I’m personally not a big fan of that. I have preached to my children that I think you need to play different sports because it develops your brain.”
Lack of full development:
When young athletes are pushed to specialize In hopes of future elite status, they miss out on other areas of development, which has negative long-term Impacts.
They may end up lacking social-emotional, cognitive, and certain physical skills.
Greater stress levels:
The long hours dedicated to sport specialization can present unique stressors, Including social isolation and pressure to be perfect.
These factors affect athletes’ mental health, making them more prone to disorders like anxiety and depression (NIH).