Camp FAQ

If you’re interested or have been accepted to the NISOA Referee Training Camp in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, here are answers to frequently asked questions about the camp.

What are the requirements to apply and attend the Camp?

Open to both NISOA members and those who seek to join NISOA.  New candidates for membership should meet the NISOA requirements for membership which can be found here. New candidates for membership must be sponsored by a local NISOA chapter.  It is not mandatory that campers be members of NISOA prior to  attending camp.  The camp will help prepare them to officiate college games.

Class size is limited to 50 participants. Three (3) years of referee experience is recommended but not mandatory.

If I am traveling by air or train where should I schedule arrival?

Fly to Harrisburg International Airport.   Please let Don Brown know of your arrival time and flight number.   There will be an NISOA van picking up all those arriving by air.   If you are arriving by train, you can make your reservation to Elizabethtown, PA.   Again let Don Brown know of your arrival times for pick up purposes.   NOTE:  If the van is not there when you arrive, please wait until it does arrive.

What types of rooms are being made available?

Rooms are dorm style suites with 4 to a suite.   Bathroom and kitchen are part of the room.   There is a refrigerator in every suite.

Do I have to bring linens?

Linens are provided.  You may want to bring a large towel for showers since the provided ones are rather small.

What about meals?

3 meals a day are provided in the campus cafeteria.   There are local stores near -by to purchase snacks and various drinks.

What uniforms should I bring?

Bring multiple colors with short sleeve shirts.   If you are a member of NISOA, bring your official NISOA uniforms.  If not a member, bring what you own.

What types of games are played that I will officiate?

Age groups will vary.  There is a soccer player camp being held at the same time which the NISOA supports with officials.   Every participant will officiate as a referee and multiple times as an Assistant Referee.   Observations will be conducted and immediate feedback will be provided.  All games will be played under NCAA rules.

What is the dress code for the camp?

Dress is casual  (shorts, slacks, T-shirts, golf shirts).  Please be sensitive to others with regard to slogans, etc. on clothing.

What about hydration , injury or illness?

A water bottle will be provided to all participants.  Sufficient fluids should be taken to prevent illness.  An EMT will be available to deal with any injuries or illness.

2011 Referee Training Camp – Click for full size

 

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2013 NISOA Referee Training Camp – Click for full size

 

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2014 NISOA Referee Training Camp – Click for full size

 

2016 National Referee Training Camp

2016 National Referee Training Camp – Click for full size

78 Responses to “Camp FAQ”

  1. Does the camp qualify you to be an NCAA referee and you have a chance to pass the NISOA entrance exam upon
    completion of the camp?

    Does the camp put you in touch with local assigners/boards that assign NCAA games?

    What are the usual dates of the camp?

    • After successfully completing the camp, you must still apply to a local chapter to become a NISOA member. Contact a local chapter to find out about additional administrative requirements.

      Your local chapter will be able to put you in touch with local assignors.

      The camp is usually in the middle of July.

  2. Would a 17 year old referee with a September birthday be allowed to attend the NISOA camp in the July before his 18th birthday? Would this just be subject to a case-by-case ruling?

    • An individual must be 18 prior to the camp date. This is for insurance purposes and contract with the College.
      Thank you for the question.

  3. Do you need to be USSF certified to attend the NISOA camp with expectations of becoming NISOA certified which would allow me to officiate NCAA games after passing all requirements? I am certified for HS soccer in CT.

  4. I am already a NISOA official and want to attend this camp. Will I need to take the NISOA entrance exam again and will the fitness test count towards my yearly test or do i still have to take the fitness test with my local chapter?

    • You do not have to retake the examination. It is offered for those interested in joining NISOA. You will receive a written copy of your physical performance test results to take to your chapter. This should satisfy your reequirements.

  5. I read that you need to be a USSF Grade 7 or a High School Level II referee before you can apply. Is this true? Or can a USSF Grade 8 + High School referee apply too?

    Is there an age limit?

    Upon completion of the summer camp, will an individual have everything ready to join a local chapter and begin refereeing in the fall? Are there additional tests that will be needed?

    Thank you in advance for your reply.
    Sincerely;
    Grant Miller

    • You must be at least 18 years of age to apply. The local chapter in your area would be the best to review your qualifications. Upon completion of the camp you will have completed the entrance examination and the physical fitness test. These are two key components of being qualified. You will then have to satisfy any local requirements.

  6. Is there a camp that I can take like this one.I was 16 in July have my grade 8 and I want to be a pro.Thank you Jordan Rohr

    • Thank you for your interest in the NISOA National Training Camp. You must be at least 18 to attend.
      Please think about the camp in the future.

  7. I am planning to bring the usual equipment with me (whistle, yellow/red cards, coins), should we bring assistant referee flags? Will we be able to wash our clothes? Is there coin operated laundry available? ac or fans available in the rooms?

    • Yes – Please bring your flags to camp. There is a coin-operated washer and dryer in your dorm and the dorms is fully air-conditioned. We usually put 4 in a dorm suite (2 rooms) and there is a full kitchen anmd bathroom with shower in each suite They are quite comfortable.

  8. The only trains that will arrive before the 1:15 meeting on july 8th are trains that arrive one day early at the following times on july 7th:

    july 7th 4:11pm or
    july 7th 6:21pm or
    july 7th 8:23pm or
    july 7th 11:11pm

    Is it possible for me to arrive a day early?

    • You can arrive on Saturday evening if necessary. There is a nominal fee to cover the cost of the room, dinner and breakfast. Please let the camp administrator know your plans so he can reserve your room.

  9. I am arriving by myself, but I need setup my gps with the current address. Also it would be great to know the time and point where the group will meet prior to the meeting in order to do the accomodation. In resume address, time and place for accomodations. Thanks.

  10. Do you have the set dates for July 2013? I didn’t see it on the Calendar but I have a bit of a crisis – I am planning to get married at that time – and would like to be able to organize between the two as I do not want to pass up a once a year thing. I appreciate any information you can give me AND if there are any alternatives to that four day training in PA. Thank you!

    • subject to the availability of the campus dates are July 7, 2013 Sunday through July 11 Thursday

  11. Can you tell me if we’ll recieve any NISOA ref uniforms during the training program or if we must purchase those ourselves either during or after the camp?

    • Part of joining NISOA is a requirement that you purchase your uniforms at that time. There are a few different options for purpose. Go to the forms page on this site and you can see what you may order as part of the membership process. Looking forward to seeing you at camp.

    • Mick- You will be provided with a black NISOA T-shirt only. Official Sports will be at camp and you can buy whatever you need from them. When you join NISOA, the initial fee includes a basic uniform that will be sent to you.

  12. Dear Mr. Van De Vaarst,

    I applied to the 2013 NISOA Referee Training Camp on the first day the application was opened, January 26th. I received a reply saying my application had been received and I would hear back about my status within 21 days. I am very interested in attending and think I am an excellent candidate. Could you provide me with an update about when I may hear back?

    Thanks very much. Kind regards,

    Mike Armstrong

    • The Director of the Camp will be reviewing all applicants in the near futureand will be sending out updates on who is accepted and what are the next steps. I look forward to seeing you at camp.

  13. I wanted to apply for the camp but I read all the slots are filled. What happens if a slot becomes available?

    Thank You

    • Keep checking the camp application page. If the waiting list reopens, we may announce it on our Twitter account @nisoadotcom.

  14. Submitted an application in late January and have not yet received a response. When will I receive word?

    Regards,

    Ross McKernan
    FAI,USSF,CASA

  15. I am unable to make it to the VA NISOA camp and didn’t realize until now that I could apply to a different camp. I know applications were due June 1, however I was wondering if there was any way I could still put in an application? I would appreciate it if someone could email me back, I had a few questions regardless. Thank you so much!

    -Katherine Mitchell
    [email protected]

    • Your request was sent to the National Referee Program Administer for a response

  16. Please add me to the waiting list for the class. I have coached HS varsity girls soccer x 15 years as well as traveling U-19 soccer the last few years. My soccer career goes back to HS & college. I am very interested in this course, thank you. Mike Flynn 551-580-5671

  18. I am flying in and finding that airfare is much cheaper arriving in Harrisburg on Saturday as opposed to Sunday. If I fly in on Saturday am I able to stay in a dorm room or would I need to book a hotel room? Thanks

  19. I have forwarded your request to the Camp Director, Joe Miller. I am sure that it can be arranged

  20. Hi I’m not sure if after taking this camp I will be able to have games in New York City, where I currently live. Please let me know.

    If yes, I would like to take the camp. From what date I will be able to send an application?

    Thanks in advance!

    Niurka!

    • Camp was just held. You can contact the local chapter for information on membership, also on web site, and work with them on membership.

    • Niurka. E-Town camp for this year concluded this week, Applications for next years camp will not be open until early in 2015. If you monitor the NISOA website you will see when an application can be submitted. Assignment of any games would require that you become member of a local NISOA chapter and attendance at camp will fulfill some, but not all of the requirements for membership. Each chapter may have additional requirements for membership.

  21. I am going to do my absolute best to get registered for this camp. I am 25 and a 14 year veteran of officiating with 6 years high school varsity experience. The downside is there is not a NISOA chapter located with about 200 miles of where I live. Would your team be willing to help me join a chapter?

    Thanks
    Matt Jackman

    • NISOA is always trying to recruit new officials. The leadership team will work with you to become a member. Best of luck in your officiating career.

    • Matt- Applications for next year’s camp will open about Jan. 1, 2015, so keep checking the NISOA website for further information. I am sure that we can put you in contact with the NISOA chapter nearest to your home at the appropriate time.

  23. I am having issues filling out the application. Whenever I try and click the box it says I need to fill out the required information, and beneath the field where I type in Why I want to attend the camp? It says please fill out this field. I already have 600+ words. Is there a word count limit? Or just a software glitch?

    Thanks
    Matt

    • Thanks for the report. Made a small change to the software which should help. Post back if you have a problem. While it may not be your case, we do not recommend using a mobile phone browser to fill out the application.

  24. Hello, when will the application be available for the 2016 camp? Also, what are the dates of the camp and application requirements?

  25. Hello, I just sent an Application to the July 10,2016 Camp. I noticed that refrence is made to Air and Train transportation. Will I be allowed to park on the campus if I drive my car?

  26. You can certainly come by car. There is a large parking lot adjacent to camp housing. You will be issued a parking permit the first day of camp

  27. I applied for the Elizabethtown camp the very first day the application page opened this year. I have not received any sort of response saying I have or have not been accepted. How am I notified?

  28. Hello when will the application be available for camp? Also, what are the dates of the camp and application requirements? I’m very interested and I want to challenge myself refereeing college games!!!!

    • Camp applications are normally opened in February of each year. Next year’s dates are July 9-13, 2017.
      Basic requirements are 3 years officiating experience. Details on requirements can be found on nisoa.com link for training camp.

      • Hi im interested becoming NISOA MEMBER but can you join if you have referee 3 years youth or adult but not a high school varsit games? I did alot of high school AR or Jv games

        • 3 years experience is a requirement. You should check with your local chapter to determine if the level of games meets the requirements. Best of luck

  29. Hi! I was accepted into the 2017 NISOA training camp and mailed my payment to Don Brown at the address listed in the email. I haven’t seen it clear my bank yet and wanted to make sure it was received. I emailed the address which notified us of our acceptance and got an error message (tried to email again later, but got the same error message.)

    Just wanted to make sure everything was received in case I needed to resend.

    Thanks!

    • Your payment has been received and processed. You should receive an email with confirmation. If not, please contact me directly.

  30. Hi! I was accepted into the 2017 NISOA training camp and mailed my payment to Don Brown at the address listed in the email. I haven’t seen it clear my bank yet and wanted to make sure it was received. I emailed the address which notified us of our acceptance and got an error message (tried to email again later, but got the same error message.)
    Just wanted to make sure everything was received in case I needed to resend.
    Thanks!

    ERICK FAJARDO

    • Erick – Your payment has been received. There was a glitch that prevented me form processing it but that is now corrected. You should have also received an email from the system.

  31. Hello – I have a similar situation to the above question left by Erick. I have been accepted to the 2017 camp and rec’d an automated generated email that said my check has been delivered and to show up at Etown facility when camp starts. However, the money was not debited from my account. When can I expect the check to be processed?

    Thank you,
    Brandon Miniscalco

    • Your check has been received but will not be cashed until closer to the date of the camp. There will be further communications on camp logistics. Some minor details are still being worked out.

  33. I missed the deadline for the 2017 training camp. When will the application process start for 2018?

    Thank you!

    Greg

    • Hi BB,

      Let me know if you are coming to camp. You will have a detailed agenda once you arrive.

  35. Hi, I see that the application process will start in early March, but have the dates of the 2018 Camp been set? I have members in my area who are interested but need to know the dates so they can plan for this event. Thanks!

    • Camp is scheduled for July 8 to 12 at Elizabethtown. The application process should be available in March.

      • Hi Don, i have been checking the application since March 1st but its not online yet. Its almost the middle of March but still no application forms. Its there a reason why the application process has delayed?

        • Hi Herbert,

          An announcement will be made when enrollment opens for the camp. The goal is to have it open no later than AGM weekend (April 14). Stay Tuned

  36. Jack Schiavone from the Rockland/Westchester NY Chapter
    Our chapter has 6 candidates for the NISOA camp for this July 2018, when wii
    enrollment begin

    • Hi Jack,
      The goal is to begin enrollment no later than AGM weekend (April 14). An announcement will be made when it opens up.