NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY – Evanston, IL
5 Stars – Based on 8 User Reviews
Day Camp with Half Day option
Northwestern University harbors one of the midwest’s fastest-growing tennis camps. Located just north of Chicago in the beautiful town of Evanston, our camp provides a fun and competitive environment for all. Under the direction of Northwestern University Men’s Tennis Coaches Arvid Swan and Chris Klingemann, players of all skill levels can get a leg up on their competition this summer!
In 2023 the Northwestern Tennis Camp will offer 4 weeks of camp for boys and girls ages 6-18. The camp is designed so that each camper receives personal attention, advanced teaching techniques, intensive drill work, and game/match play daily. Campers are broken into small instructional groups with those of similar age., ability and experience so each child is working in a group that is commensurate with their experience level.
We tailor each program to the level of the players allowing for maximum learning in a level designed to challenge and reward.
CAMP DETAILS
CAMP DATES:
- Session I: July 10-14, 2023
- Session II: July 17-21, 2023
- Session III: July 24-28, 2023
- Session IV: July 31-August 4, 2023
FEES:
- Full day: $565 per week
- Half Day: $385 per week
TIMES:
Full Day Option:
- Mon – Fri: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Half Day AM Option:
- Mon – Fri: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Half Day PM Option:
- Mon – Fri: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
AGES:
- Boys and Girls ages 5-18 of all skill levels. Camp is open to any and all.
MORE INFORMATION
Camp Types: Traditional Camps
Our traditional tennis camps are designed to focus on the fundamentals and swing techniques of modern tennis strokes. We tailor the instruction to the skill level and experience of each level of player. Some of the areas of focus for each level include:
- Beginners: The beginning-level player will be introduced to the basics of the game. Emphasis will be placed on stroke production and the technical aspects of the swing to teach these young players sound fundamentals from the ground up.
- Intermediate: Intermediate-level players will also focus on stroke production (to ensure proper technique) and be introduced to gameplay situations to introduce these players to the competitive side of the game.
- High School / Tournament: High school (both varsity and JV) and tournament players will focus on the strategic and competitive aspects of the game. Although swing fundamentals are featured, emphasis will also feature point building, court positioning, patterns of play, and live ball drill work.
Note: A skills evaluation is done on the first day of camp, and we will assign students to small instructional groups with kids of similar age, ability, and experience levels. Players will continue to be evaluated throughout the week, and coaches will move kids into situations to push them and help ensure they are in a comfortable learning environment.
Meals
No meals provided. Full day campers should bring a packed lunch daily.
Inclement Weather
In the case of inclement weather, Northwestern has 6 indoor courts that we will have full access to. As the camp runs better outdoors, we will shift our daily schedule in anticipation of rain to ensure we maximize our court time outdoors. Camp will proceed rain or shine each day.
FAQ's
Q: Are there Skill Requirements for this camp?
Per NCAA rules, our sports camps are open to all entrants. Enrollment is limited only by age, grade level, gender, and capacity restrictions as specified by each camp.
Q: What type of campers attend this camp?
Our camps are open to all levels of tennis players. We have players from absolute beginner to high school / Tournament level.
We design our camps to teach the technical basics and love of the game to the beginning player, to introduce strategical decision making, and more advanced technique to the intermediate player, while building on their current stroke production, and to put the advanced players into pressured, strategical and competitive situations.
Q. What is the ratio of campers to staff?
Groups will be divided into small instructional groups of approximately 5-6: 1 camper to coach. Some camps/sessions offer higher or lower ratios based on the curriculum.
Q. If the camp is full, do you have a waiting list?
To be added to the waitlist, please register here (there is no fee to join the waitlist).
Q. Should I purchase camp/cancellation insurance?
We recommend all families purchase camp/cancellation insurance if they are concerned about the investment they are making in the camp. Kids do get injured, sick and family plans change from the time of registration leading up to the camp. Camp insurance allows peace of mind and has many benefits in any of these events. Please review our policies page for more information about camp/cancellation insurance. Click Here
Airport Transportation
Airport transportation may be available upon request for those flying into camp.
PERTINENT INFORMATION
Check-In
- Full Day campers: Check-in is Monday (Tuesday Session I) at 8:30am; Tuesday – Friday at 9:00am
- Half Day AM campers: Check-in is Monday(Tuesday Session I) at 8:30am; Tuesday – Friday at 9:00am
- Half Day PM campers: Check-in is Monday (Tuesday Session I) at 12:45pm; Tuesday – Friday at 1:00 pm
Check-Out
- Full Day campers: Check-out is at 4:00pm daily.
- Half Day AM campers: Check-out is at 12:00pm daily.
- Half Day PM campers: Check-out is at 4:00pm daily.
Camp Forms
All our camp forms, including the required liability form and medical form can be found HERE
Packing List
Day Campers:
- Tennis Racket
- Tennis Shoes
- Sun Screen
- Hat / Visor
- Water bottle
- Snack (if desired)
MEET YOUR COACHES
Camp Director:
ARVID SWAN
HEAD MEN’S TENNIS COACH
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Arvid Swan, twice named Regional Coach of the Year, has taken the Northwestern University men’s tennis program to new heights since he took over as head coach in 2008.
In his second season, Swan guided a team that finished the 2008 season unranked and last in the Big Ten to a 2009 year-end ranking of No. 46 in the nation and a tie for fourth in the Big Ten regular season standings with a 6-4 league mark. The team improved from 7-17 to 18-9 in just one year and enjoyed the highest jump in the national rankings over a one-year period (as high as No. 42) of any team in Division I, the second time in Swan’s career that his team has earned that distinction.
Swan followed this turnaround In 2009-10 by leading Northwestern achieve its highest ranking in five seasons when the Wildcats upset then-No. 18 Alabama, 4-3, on Jan. 22.
Swan guided Northwestern to six consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 2012 to 2017. The team has advanced in the NCAA tournament in 5 of the last 6 appearances in the tournament.
In 2012, Northwestern won 14 dual matches during the regular season and another in the Big Ten tournament against Penn State. The ‘Cats collected seven wins in conference play during the regular season, their highest output since the 2001 campaign, and traveled to Durham, N.C., for the NCAA tournament.
In 2013, the Wildcats enjoyed one of the most prolific seasons in school history posting 22 dual match victories, the second most in school history and one off of the school record. At the NCAA tournament, the Cats defeated #19 Wake Forest. Individually, Raleigh Smith won the singles title at the Big Ten Indoor Championships and teamed with Sidarth Balaji to claim the doubles crown.
The 2014 season saw the Wildcats post their second-consecutive 20-win season as they notched a 21-11 record in dual match play. For his efforts, Swan was recognized as the ITA Midwest Region Coach of the Year. Raleigh Smith earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for the second straight season while Sam Shropshire also earned first-team All-Big Ten distinction. Additionally, Shropshire was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the ITA Midwest Region Rookie Player of the Year. Smith was selected to participate in the NCAA Singles Championship. Northwestern posted a 7-4 mark in conference play and notched 10 of its overall victories over ranked opponents, advancing to the semifinal round of the Big Ten tournament and traveling to South Bend, Ind., to compete in the NCAA tournament.
Chicago’s Big Ten Team posted its third straight 20-win season in 2015, going 21-10 in dual match play. The Wildcats posted their then-best conference mark under Swan with an 8-3 record in Big Ten play. NU reached as high as 14th in the ITA national poll. Sam Shropshire and Strong Kirchheimer received Big Ten accolades in their sophomore seasons. Shropshire was a First Team All-Big Ten selection after a 23-13 season a 9-1 mark in the conference. Kirchheimer led the team in wins with 25 and was Second Team All-Big Ten.
Northwestern had its best season in program history to date in 2016, winning a school record 26 matches and hosting the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament as the No. 14 overall seed. The Wildcats reached as high as No. 7 in the national rankings during the regular season. The team finished second in the Big Ten with a 10-1 mark and won 13 times over top-50 national opponents. Swan was named the ITA Midwest Region Coach of the Year for his efforts. He earned his 150th career win in the second round of the Big Ten tournament against Purdue. Konrad Zieba, Sam Shropshire and Strong Kirchheimer all earned First Team All-Big Ten honors. Kirchheimer posted the 15th 30-win season in program history.
The Wildcats continued their winning ways in 2017, winning their first nine matches en route to a No. 7 national ranking. Northwestern won 22 matches on the year, including five wins over top-50 opponents. The ‘Cats went into the NCAA tournament ranked 21st in the nation and advanced in the tournament. Sam Shropshire wrapped up his remarkable career by earning the Midwest Region’s Arthur Ashe, Jr. Award, presented yearly to a junior or senior who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship, leadership and character, along with humanitarian accomplishments, scholastic achievements and athletic accomplishments. Shropshire also earned All-Big Ten honors for the fourth time. Strong Kircheimer concluded an outstanding career of his own with a 28-12 record, bringing his career singles wins total to 107, tied for second in program history in singles wins. He also ended his career ranked second in winning percentage (.748, 107-36). He is the all-time winningest doubles player in school history with 72 wins. Kirchheimer, Zieba and Shropshire were all named All Big Ten.
In 2020, the Wildcats finished in the top 30 in the ITA rankings and were trending toward a top 20 finish beating a top 10 team just prior to the season ending due to COVID.
In 2021, the Wildcats again made the semi-finals of the Big Ten tournament and advanced at the NCAA tournament with a 4-1 win against UCLA.
Swan came to Northwestern after one year as the head men’s tennis coach at DePaul University. While at DePaul, Swan improved the team immensely. On the heels of an 8-14 season, Swan’s Blue Demons finished the 2006-07 season with an 18-7 record and reached a ranking as high as No. 58 in the nation.
Prior to taking the position as head coach at DePaul, Swan served as associate head coach at NU from 2003-06. While at NU, Swan helped take the program consistently improve as the Wildcats jumped from sixth in the Big Ten to back-to-back fourth-place conference finishes. He also helped lead the team to a top-40 national ranking twice. In 2004 and 2005, the ‘Cats reached the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. They also made an appearance in the 2006 NCAA Tournament.
In his playing days, Swan was world-ranked professionally in singles and doubles before moving into the coaching ranks. While at Michigan, Swan was the recipient of the Scholar-Athlete award in 1995 and earned his way onto three Academic All-Big teams from 1996-98. In 1996, Swan was elected to the All-Big Ten team as the Wolverines went on to win the Big Ten championship. Swan captained the squad until his graduation in 1998.
Camp Director:
CHRIS KLINGEMANN
ASSOCIATE HEAD MEN’S TENNIS COACH
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Chris Klingemann is in his seventh season on the Northwestern coaching staff and his fourth as associate head coach, a role he assumed in August 2014.
Klingemann’s time in Evanston has coincided with the resurgence of the program. The Wildcats have made the NCAA tournament in all six of his seasons on staff and have posted a 117-58 overall record.d athletic accomplishments.
Klingemann was named the ITA Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year
Prior to joining the collegiate coaching ranks Klingemann starred for four years at Ohio State and played for over two years on the ATP Tour upon graduation.
Klingemann, a native of Winnetka, Ill., spent two-and-a-half years playing on the ATP circuit where he ranked amongst the top-six ATP professionals in Canada and amongst the top 520 players in the world. Playing doubles, Klingemann won two Futures Tournament titles and advanced to the finals of a Challenger Tournament. He has a career high doubles ranking of No. 480. Klingemann was also a singles finalist in one Futures Tournament and posted wins over four players who were each ranked in the top-200.
Prior to joining the professional tour, Klingemann spent four successful years playing at Ohio State University. There, he helped lead the Buckeyes to three straight Big Ten regular season championships from 2005-07 and a pair of Big Ten tournament crowns in 2006 and 2007. Ohio State reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament three straight times (2005-07) during Klingemann’s tenure in Columbus, Ohio.
Klingemann was an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2005 and on the court he earned All-Big Ten accolades in 2006 and 2007. As a senior in 2007, Klingemann was a team captain and voted the squad’s most valuable player.
Since leaving the ATP tour in 2010, Klingemann has worked at the College Park Athletic Club in Deerfield, Ill. as a high level junior pro. He graduated from OSU in December 2007 with a degree in communication.
CAMP REVIEWS
FACILITY
VANDY CHRISTIE TENNIS CENTER
2310 Sheridan Rd.
Evanston, IL 60208
The Vandy Christie Tennis Center was dedicated on October 29, 1994 to honor an outstanding alumnus and special representative of Northwestern University. Christie’s Northwestern career began as a varsity tennis player in 1955. He returned as the men’s head coach from 1976-83 and then became the director of athletic development.
The Center boasts 15 courts, a pro shop and permanent seating for approximately 400 spectators. The courts have been home to Wildcat tennis since 1941, and have been the site of four NCAA Championships and 23 Big Ten Championships.
In 2013, the facility was upgraded thanks to a generous donation from Chris and Courtney Combe. The donation from the Combe family includes a main scoreboard, six individual scoreboards (one for each court), and six 27-foot long bleachers that are three rows deep with chairbacks.
The Christie Tennis Center is located on Sheridan Road.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Coming Soon