Elite/Junior Residential Camp

Mercer University's Elite/Junior Residential Camp is a four-day overnight ID camp for boys grades 5–12 and college transfers, held July 8–11, 2026, in Macon, Georgia. The camp costs $365–$465 and runs on the Mercer campus with instruction from the Division I coaching staff. It is designed for players exploring college soccer pathways and seeking visibility with college coaches.

This camp caters to a broad age range, from elementary-school players through current college transfers. The wide spread (grades 5–12) means families should expect a mixed-skill environment rather than a cohort of same-age peers competing at similar levels. Because the head coach's attendance is not confirmed and the camp accepts such young participants, this is better suited to players in early exploration phases—particularly middle schoolers and freshmen testing the college recruiting landscape—rather than upperclassmen with urgent D1 targets. High school juniors and seniors with serious D1 ambitions will likely benefit more from selective, position-specific camps at higher-tier programs or camps where the head coach is actively evaluating.

The overnight residential format does offer more informal coach contact and campus immersion than a typical day camp, which can be valuable for younger players getting a feel for college training. However, because the head coach's attendance is not listed, there is no guarantee that the head coach will be doing active evaluation; assistant staff will lead most instruction. The camp spans four days, giving participants meaningful practice time and film work. The $365–$465 cost is moderate for a residential camp, though families should confirm exactly what is included (meals, housing, training sessions) before committing. No reviews are currently available, so families will be among the first to test this offering.

This camp works best for parents and players in middle school through early high school who want a low-pressure introduction to college soccer and residential camp experience. Families of Class of 2025 or 2024 recruits with firm D1 targets should prioritize camps where the head coach actively participates in evaluation. No registration deadline has been published, so check the Mercer website directly if you are interested.