When you are searching for a summer tennis camp for your child, there are many factors to consider. Even at the best camps with the most up-to-date methods and facilities, the child's overall experience - and thus their love of the game - can suffer if the coaches don't have the right kind of experience and attitude about working with kids. The right counselor knows that with kids, fun comes first, and if they aren't enjoying themselves, they will quickly lose interest in improving their tennis game. Here are a few ways a summer sports camp counselor can make the experience a great one.

1. Having experience with kids. The counselors at any camp worth your serious consideration should ideally have a few years of experience working with children. Perhaps more than that, they should have a love of teaching as well. Depending on the age group you are talking about, it is very important that the coaches be engaging and patient. The stereotype of the grizzled old summer sports camp veteran barking out orders may appeal to the traditionalists out there, but a more fun environment will do much more for your child's continued love of tennis.

2. Being certified. Though getting certified by the official associations such as USTPA and the USPTR does not automatically make one a great teacher, you should consider it a good sign that a potential instructor has taken the time and effort to obtain these types of certifications.

3. Having playing skill. Even if a potential coach has a great grasp of the fundamentals of tennis and years of experience teaching and working with kids, they are unlikely to earn the respect of campers if they aren't pretty impressive players themselves. It is probably reasonable to expect your coach to have played competitively at a college or similar level at some point in their life. Having a player and coach that they can look up to will enhance your child's experience greatly.

4. Using kid-friendly methods. Starting with the basic tennis skills such as keeping your eye on the ball and moving your feet, a good instructor can build confidence, ability and teamwork. In the best camps, children are grouped according to skill level - lessening the chance of your child becoming discouraged or bored. As they progress in skill, they will very likely have to be re-grouped, as progression rarely happens at the same pace for all children. And above all, a quality instructor always stresses fair play and good sportsmanship.

Combining all of these skills and qualifications may seem like a tall order, but there are many great tennis instructors out there - and the rewards are worth the search.