Youth Sports Teams Opting to Stay in Vacation

 

Traveling youth sports teams are opting to stay in vacation homes rather than hotels for a number of reasons. Youth sports travel tournaments are very popular in the U.S. and team organizers have to face the challenge of where to house a rambunctious bunch of young athletes. Hotels, in a general sense, aren’t as youth-friendly an environment as vacation homes, which are more accommodating and can house many more players than typical hotel rooms. Multiple kids can share sofa sleeper beds, bunk beds, trundle beds, or even inflatable mattresses in multiple bedrooms. 

Another problem faced with hotel stays is vacancies. Hotels and motels need to be booked in advance to get the best rates. Rooms of players are often separated in different areas of a hotel. They offer plenty of pleasant accommodations, but other hotel guests are usually looking for a peaceful environment where they can rest, and not the hustle and bustle that comes with young athletes moving about the building and gathering in large groups at the pool or breakfast buffet. 

Vacation home rental websites are easy to navigate to find a vacation home close to a tournament venue, sometimes just minutes away. Many homes are located near ballparks where players can practice. Other nearby attractions include restaurants and game centers where they can have some fun and unwind before and after tournaments.

Vacation homes located in associations are likely to have recreation accommodations such as a pool, hot tub, gym, tennis courts, and even golf courses. Or, how about a relaxing game of billiards, ping pong, or shuffleboard? BBQ grills are often provided, too, so the whole team can have a fun, budget-friendly outdoor cookout. Eating most meals cooked in a full size kitchen at a vacation home would certainly be healthier, as well as far less expensive than eating out at restaurants. Cookware and all the dishes and necessary utensils are usually provided. 

Most vacation homes have televisions with cable TV, streaming services, Wi-Fi and gaming systems to keep the kids occupied and entertained, especially if it rains. Players can check to see if there are other tournaments in the area they could attend as spectators. 

What about those dirty uniforms? A vacation home with an onsite laundry room is like striking gold. No time is wasted sitting at a boring laundromat watching the washers and dryers spin. Most vacation home rentals also offer cleaning services for a fee, but that doesn’t mean teams should leave a big mess that could result in charges for extra cleaning or damage. 

Youth athletes have opportunities to learn about responsible behavior when they travel and stay at vacation home rentals. Youth sports travel tournaments can improve mental health and mental toughness. The teamwork involved can provide a sense of well-being. Kids learn communication skills and how to cooperate with teammates to get things done and reach goals. Studies have actually shown that athletes involved in team sports tend to have better problem-solving skills, organizational skills, and work ethics.