What We Learned from Our First Summer as Kuyper Sports

A year ago, when we decided to step into what was once Tom Kuyper Basketball Camps, we honestly didn’t know exactly what to expect. There was excitement, nerves, and big dreams all mixed together.

As summer approached and we prepared to open the doors to Kuyper Sports, we knew one thing for sure: we wanted to build on my dad’s legacy of great camps and grow it into something bigger—an experience that doesn’t just teach kids skills, but shapes who they’re becoming. An experience that keeps bravery, kindness, and resilience at the heart of every game.

Because the truth is, youth sports often get this wrong. Winning becomes everything. Losing feels like failure. Kids are burnt out before they graduate. And the joy of the game gets lost somewhere between the pressure and the scoreboards.

If you’ve ever watched your child walk off the field with tears in their eyes, or worried about how the competitive world might shape their confidence, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why we’re here. We believe there’s a better way—and Kuyper Sports is our attempt to build it.

We started with summer camps because they’re the perfect testing ground: a safe, fun, in-person experience where kids can practice what we talk about—trying new things, bouncing back from tough moments, and learning how to win and lose well.

And now, as we wrap up our very first summer, here are some of our biggest takeaways—and why they matter for you as a parent too.

Kids Rise When They Feel Safe to Try

One of my favorite things this summer? Watching the kid who sat out on day one—arms crossed, shaking their head at every invitation—end the week running into games with a grin on their face.

We had campers who had never played sports before. Some didn’t know the rules of baseball, others had never picked up a pickleball paddle. But with encouragement from coaches and cheers from teammates, they gave it a shot. And then something amazing happened: they realized how fun it was to try. They weren’t afraid anymore. They felt safe. They belonged.

Why this matters for you:
At home, kids need the same safe space to try—and fail—without fear of judgment. You can help by praising effort over outcome:

• “I’m proud of how you kept trying.”
• “It looked like you worked hard out there."
  

When kids know effort is valued more than perfection, they build confidence to step into new challenges–not just in sports, but in life.

Kindness Changes Everything (and Belonging Seals the Deal)

I’ll never forget this moment: One of the older girls noticed a younger camper sitting out, clearly feeling out of place. Without being asked (or needing to be the one to win the game they were playing), she walked over, got down on her level, and said, “Come on—I’ll show you how to play.”

She didn’t just tell her—she showed her.  And that little girl’s whole posture changed. Her face lit up and she joined the game.

That’s what belonging does. It changes everything. That little act changed the whole moment for the younger camper. She decided to join in—and from then on, she was part of the team. And it’s what we want every kid to feel when they walk into Kuyper Sports Camp.

When kids feel like they belong, everything changes for them. They take more risks. They grow in confidence. They feel safe to be themselves.

Why this matters for you:
At home, help your child practice inclusion by asking reflection questions after games:

• “Who do you think felt left out today?
• "How could you include them next time?”
  

Small conversations like this shape big character traits—like empathy and leadership. And sports gives kids the unique opportunity to learn skills that can be carried on far beyond the field or court.

Resilience Grows in the Hard Stuff (For Kids and for Us)

Sports teach resilience. So does running a sports camp.

For our campers, resilience looked like coming back after losing, trying again after missing a shot, or managing big emotions when things didn’t go their way. We gave kids tools to cool down, regulate, and get back in the game—because resilience isn’t built in the highlight reel, it’s built in the mess.

And for me and Coley? Resilience looked like handling tech headaches, navigating conflicts, stocking enough snacks for camp, and trying to make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone. It wasn’t always pretty, but those challenges made Kuyper Sports stronger and will continue to as we keep learning, building, and moving forward.

Why this matters for you:
When your child faces disappointment—at camp, in sports, or in life—try this:

• Validate: “That was hard. I get why you feel upset.”
• Encourage: “You were brave to keep going when you felt like giving up. That’s how we grow.”

This helps kids see failure as feedback, not a dead end. And gives them an opportunity to name how they felt instead of taking the setback on like an identity.

Parents Are Cheering This On (Louder Than We Imagined)

We had no idea what to expect stepping into this summer—but your response blew us away. We saw so many new faces and many returning campers this year. The encouragement, the referrals, the way you showed up for your kids, and even the helpful feedback—it reminded us why this matters.

To every parent who signed their child up, shared a post, or told a friend, “You have to check out Kuyper Sports,”—thank you. You’re helping create a community where kids thrive on more than just wins.

Why this matters for you:
Your influence is powerful. When you model healthy competition and speak positively about the experience, your kids notice. The way you talk about effort, kindness, others, and teamwork at home shapes how they show up on the field or court.

Running Camp Feels a Lot Like Parenting (With More Dodgeballs)

Managing 50+ kids at camp? Honestly, not all that different from life at home with our 7 kids. We broke up arguments, taught kindness on repeat, gave space for big feelings, and listened to 400 different opinions.

But one of the best parts? Watching our own kids grow alongside campers—Seeing them make new friends, play hard, and seeing bravery in real time has been one of the biggest highlights of our summer.

Why this matters for you:
Sports isn’t just about the game—it’s about shaping kids into people of character. Whether they become a starter or sit on the bench, the habits they build now—kindness, resilience, humility—last a lifetime.

You’re doing more than raising an athlete. You’re raising a healthy competitor.

What This All Means (and Why We’re Just Getting Started)

Kuyper Sports is about more than a summer camp full of playing games. It’s about creating a culture that teaches kids to be brave enough to try, kind enough to lift others up, and resilient enough to keep going when it’s hard.

Yes, our summer camps are the starting line—but our dream is so much bigger. We want Kuyper Sports to become a year-round resource for parents like you who care about raising healthy competitors—kids who love the game without losing their character.

That’s why we’re working on creating content and tools that you can use long after camp is over. Things like how to help your child handle big emotions during sports, ways to build resilience when they want to quit, and practical ideas for navigating competition without the pressure that takes the joy out of it. These are the conversations we’re passionate about, and we can’t wait to share more with you.

If that sounds like something you want in your parenting toolbox, make sure to join our email list and follow along on Instagram so you don’t miss what’s coming next.

And if you’ve been thinking about joining us in person—there are just TWO WEEKS of camp left, and spots are still open. Give your child the chance to experience everything we’ve talked about here: bravery, kindness, resilience, and a whole lot of fun.

Sign up for the final weeks of camp here.

Thanks for being a part of the way we're changing sports culture for our kids. We can't wait to see what's ahead as we grow and learn together.