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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]When I was growing up in the 90s, kids around me did an instrument plus orchestra or band, maybe math or other tutoring, and sports. But these were rec sports. If you were particularly athletic, you'd maybe do two sports per season. Even for middle and high school, I don't remember kids really going off for travel teams. When did travel sports really take off?

I have an elementary schooler now and am really surprised at the number of kids on travel teams. Are these kids just leaning hard into that one sport? They haven't hit puberty yet. What if things don't work out... do they just go back to rec for that sport? And how do they balance that with other commitments? Even with kids who aren't particularly athletic, 7-8 year olds are signing up for basketball drill classes for 2 or 3 seasons, doing travel soccer, travel hockey, in the school's music program... Are these kids still able to do it all? How? Are they skipping some of their commitments?

How is high school different in terms of activities? Are seniors in high school applying for college as the 2 sport superstar who also learned 2 languages and plays in the regional youth orchestra, while maintaining an above 4 point GPA and setting up their own charity? And then getting rejected from all the Ivys? I'm getting sort of depressed about all the early pressure around me, and college apps are still a decade away!  [/quote]

I have had 3 kids play travel and rec.  I’ve coached and organized rec leagues.  My 2 cents:

Rec is good for

1. Introduction to a sport 
2. Light physical fitness 
3. Making/spending time with friends.

Travel is good for (at a good program)

1. Moderate to heavy Physical conditioning. 
2. Making your highschool team*
3. College recruiting **

* whether this is necessary to play in highschool depends on your school and your sport.  Some schools have cuts for freshman volleyball  other schools are literally begging kids to join the lacrosse team (I have personally seen both) if your kid wants to play soccer, baseball or basketball usually some travel is a must (obviously swimming and hockey are their own thing).   PROTIP - even if your kid plays a different sport in highschool than the one he played for travel the physical conditioning and training will help him or her.  I’ve seen travel soccer players switch to lacrosse and track and do very well.

** You are INSANE if you make college recruiting a major focus before your child’s sophomore year.  You just don’t know what his interests are going to be, how puberty will impact his development (many great youth athletes fizzle out because puberty comes late)  and his size.  If college athletics is a priority then travel is a must.

PROTIP 2 parents of young kids need to keep up with athletics at thier children’s expected highschool.  Some programs and schools are more competitive than others.  
[/quote]

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