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
2013 NISOA Referee Training Camp – Click for full size
2014 NISOA Referee Training Camp – Click for full size
2016 National Referee Training Camp – Click for full size
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.
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.
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.
NISOA accepts high school certification to meet one of the requirements to become a member. Please review the membership requirements on the application on forms page.
We updated the Camp FAQ to include all the requirements to attend the Referee Training Camp.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Elizabethtown college
Hackman North Appartments
One Alpha Drive
Elizabethtown, PA 177022
Check in from 10:00-12:30
A good gps address for the Hackman North Apartments on the Elizabethtown College campus is:
568 E Cedar Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Admin, the schedule says we are to check in at Hackman south apts. Are they the same building?
They are adjacent. Here’s a link to the Elizabethtown College campus map.
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