RDS FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the Residential Development School Training week:

Q. What are the directions to the campus?

Lake Forest Academy
1500 West Kennedy Road, Lake Forest, IL, 60045
Tel: 847-234-3210

From O'Hare
Route 190 East to Route 294 North, exit at Town Line Road (Route 60). Travel east about 3/4 mile; the campus entrance is on the left; the third stop light on just before the railroad trestle.

From Midway
Route 55 West to Route 294 North, exit at Town Line Road (Route 60). Travel East about 3/4 mile; the campus entrance is on the left; the third stop light just before the railroad trestle

Q. What time do players check in?

  • Players should check in by 2 p.m. on Monday, August 10th.
  • Please do not arrive prior to 1:30 p.m. as staff will be making final preparations.
  • All campers should eat lunch prior to arriving to the college. The first meal will be at approximately 6pm on Monday.
  • The first session will begin at approximately 3pm on the Monday after opening/welcoming speech.

Q. What is the late arrival policy?

  • If you are unable to check in by 2 p.m. due to other commitments, please contact the RDS staff on 708-496-6773
  • We will be able to advise you depending upon your arrival time or day and will be able to pass that information on to the camp coordinator.

Q. How does my son/daughter choose their roommates?

  • Please write the name of the player your son/daughter would like to room with during the week of camp on the application form.
  • Every reasonable attempt will be made to ensure players from teams will be housed next door, across the hallway, or on the same floor of the same dorm.
  • We understand the importance of getting the rooming allocation right and we appreciate your patience and co-operation on the opening day while we do our best to re-arrange facilities to try to accommodate everyone's needs. We guarantee that by the end of the day we will have every camper situated to everyone's satisfaction.

Q. What should my son/daughter bring to camp?

  • Toiletries and towel(s)
  • Soccer equipment: cleats, sneakers, shin-guards, plenty of t-shirts & shorts
  • Goalkeepers should bring gloves and goalkeeper shirts
  • You may also wish to bring a fan
  • Bathing suit

Q. What are the supervision arrangements in the dorms?

  • RDS coaches have rooms housed on every floor of every dorm. Their rooms will have signs on them, so that if any player should need them, at any time, then they know where to find them.
  • Boys and girls are in separate dorms and it will be male coaches on the boys floor and female coaches on the girls.
  • In addition to our staff, certain schools also have their own security on campus, 24 hrs/day

Q. How can my child contact me during the week?

  • Those which don't have phones typically have them in the common areas.
  • We suggest giving your child a calling card to alleviate the problems of finding change. If any child has any problems with using these cards, they can ask any of our staff to help them.
  • Some of the older campers may want to bring their cell phones to use at designated times in their dorms.
  • Our camp coordinator for the week will give you a contact number where they can be reached throughout that week, if you have any problems/concerns etc.

Q. Are there any medical facilities on site?

  • All of our staff have a working knowledge of first aid and how to treat basic sporting injuries.
  • In addition we will have a qualified Athletic Trainer present on site for the week.

Q. Do the dorms have air conditioning?

  • Yes but we welcome the players to bring an additional fan if they require.

Q. Does the facility have a swimming pool?

  • Yes and we will have access to the swimming pool at designated times during the week.
  • There are fully qualified lifeguards at all pools and our staff (many of whom have similar qualifications) will take advantage of the pool time, which also adds to the supervision.

Q. What if my child has special dietary requirements?

  • LFA offers a buffet, 3 times per day.
  • There are vegetarian options on offer at all meals.
  • While at Camp, the kitchen staff/cooks are used to dealing with school groups, so if your child has any questions, then they should simply ask. If they are particularly shy about approaching the kitchen staff they should ask our staff who will have no problem doing so for them.
  • Our staff are seated with the campers for all meals so that they can monitor the players eating habits/intake.
  • Iced water will be available at the fields for all sessions.
  • We also urge you not to leave them with lots of candy and soda for their rooms, between or after meals!

Q. What do I do with my child's medications?

  • All medical information, including medications to be taken at camp should be given when you fill out the application form.
  • Administration of all medication must be supervised and should be left with the coordinator at check in.

Q. Are the parents allowed to come and watch during the week?

  • Absolutely! We love to have parents come and see first hand the tremendous learning environment we provide for our players.
  • We welcome you to come at any time, although we recommend that the best time to attend is between 6-8 p.m. during the evening game play.
  • In addition, if all parents come at this time it can generate a great atmosphere on a beautiful summers evening and it eliminates anyone getting teased for their parents coming to check up on them!

Q. How much money should my child bring for the week?

  • Very little money should be needed. Approximately $25 should be plenty, in small bills please!
  • There are vending machines on the campus for the players to purchase items such as candy/soda.

Q. What time do I collect my child on Thursday, July 3rd?

  • The presentation/closing ceremony will be held at 6pm so we would encourage you to be there for the game play prior to this.
  • You will then take your child after the ceremony

Q. Who do I contact for further information?

  • RDS staff- 708-496-6773

Please click here for the Lake Forest Academy website.