Building DREAMS: Our Camp Values In Action
When parents consider the benefits of sport on their children, physical fitness and competitive success are often the first things that comes to mind. However, the positive impacts of sport go far beyond achievements on the field.
Research from Sport England has shown that children who are physically active report higher levels of happiness, confidence and mental wellbeing than those who are inactive. On camp, we use sport as a vehicle to inspire self-belief, resilience, independence and social connections – building essential life skills for the future.
As well as the coaching itself, our camps are built around our DREAMS curriculum - a framework designed to help young people develop positive values and behaviours through sport and shared experiences. Each letter of DREAMS represents one of our values: Drive, Resilience, Empower, Adapt, Mentor and Success.
Players on our Total Sport programmes take part in daily workshops focused on this framework, giving them the tools and confidence to embody these values while on camp and beyond.
This is how we turn DREAMS into reality:
Drive: Give your best effort in everything you do
Sport teaches young people the value of commitment, discipline, and striving towards goals. During training, players will often step outside of their comfort zone in order to learn new skills and push through challenging moments.
In afternoon workshops, they’ll build on this progress through structured discussions and activities. Examples include:
Discussing with peers what “Drive” means to them. Creating a mind map with personal comments and actions associated with being driven.
Goal setting session: learning how to set SMART goals and writing down two goals to achieve by the end of the week.
Creating a personal Drive Plan, with techniques for overcoming challenging situations and positive affirmations to boost confidence.
These sessions help players recognise that improvement comes from consistency, effort, and a willingness to challenge themselves.
Resilience: Be brave enough to step outside your comfort zone
One of sport’s greatest lessons is learning how to respond effectively to setbacks. Not every match is won, not every skill is mastered immediately, and progress rarely happens overnight. Players will naturally develop resilience while on camp – overcoming challenges in training, settling into an unfamiliar environment, and interacting with new people.
Classroom-based activities can help players consolidate their work in training. Example workshops to develop resilience include:
Identifying factors that are inside their sphere of control (thoughts, behaviour, words, attitude), and outside that sphere (weather conditions, referee decisions, the behaviour of others etc.), and learning to focus on what they can control.
Discussing potential changes that can occur in sport and how to respond to them. From small changes like changes of position, to moderate changes like a change in coach, and big, disruptive changes like long term injuries or missing out on a spot on a squad.
Listing personal strengths, then identifying strengths in their peers.
Escape room task, working together to overcome a common challenge.
From these workshops, players gain actionable techniques to help them stay calm under pressure and respond to setbacks.
Empower: Support each other and share positive energy
For many young people, sport can be a powerful confidence-building tool. Being part of a supportive team environment helps young people find their voice, communicate with others, and develop leadership skills.
On camp, players are encouraged to support one another, celebrate progress, and contribute to a positive environment. Workshops are designed to give players examples of positive encouragement and get them working as a team. Examples include:
Identifying what positive encouragement looks like and highlighting the impact on performance and motivation.
Group discussion on empowerment – reflecting on a time someone empowered you.
Team-building activities.
Players leave these sessions with a better understanding of the value of encouragement and how to contribute towards a positive environment for everyone.
Adapt: Be open to change in order to grow
Modern-day sport constantly requires players to think on their feet and adapt their approach to remain ahead of the curve.
An international camp environment helps players develop adaptability by introducing them to people from different backgrounds and experiences. Coaches support this process by encouraging players to be open-minded, try new things, and develop new skills. Workshop topics include:
Effective reflection – how to reflect on your performances and identify what went well and areas to develop.
Basics of nutrition, hydration and building healthy habits outside of training.
Focusing on adaptability helps players develop a growth mindset: remaining open to new perspectives and positive behaviours to improve their performance and wellbeing.
Mentor: Be a positive role model by showing respect and kindness
Sport offers children the opportunity to learn not only from their coaches, but also from the teammates and role models around them. On camp, we encourage players to lead by example through kindness, respect, encouragement, and inclusivity.
Being a positive role model can have a lasting impact on others. Players can apply this on camp by supporting a teammate after a difficult session, welcoming new players into the group, or demonstrating good sportsmanship during competition.
In the classroom, players will focus on topics like:
Exploring what makes a good role model.
Discussing who their personal role models are and why.
Understanding the impact words and actions can have on teammates.
These sessions help players recognise that respecting and inspiring others is the key to being a great leader.
Success: Celebrate each other’s successes and everyone becomes stronger
Success looks different for everyone. While sporting achievement is important, success can also mean trying something new, making new friends, gaining confidence, or developing greater independence.
At Nike Sports Camps, players focus on succeeding as a team. Workshops help them understand what a successful team looks like and how they can best support each other to do great work.
Group discussion about what makes certain teams successful and why
Create the perfect team in their chosen sport.
List out the essential values of a successful team.
This helps players to develop a healthy and balanced understanding of success that extends beyond their own achievements.
Developing well-rounded athletes
The benefits of sport on the physical and mental well-being of young people are well-documented, and creating positive sporting experiences for young people has never been more important. Through expert coaching, a supportive environment, and our DREAMS curriculum, Nike Sports Camps aim to help teenagers develop the skills and confidence to thrive.
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