Every summer, thousands of ambitious soccer players attend College ID Camps hoping to improve their game and gain exposure to coaches.

And while those camps can play an important role in the recruiting process, many players and families are beginning to ask a bigger question:

What if summer was about development first?

For players serious about long-term growth, development often matters just as much – if not more – than visibility.

That’s why more families are exploring alternatives like IDA Summer Programs, where the focus extends beyond short-term evaluation and into real player development, international immersion, and personal growth.

Rather than simply attending another showcase event, players at IDA experience what it’s like to train, compete, and live within high-level football environments in destinations like Spain, Brazil, the UK, and Florida.

Because while exposure matters, real opportunities often come from becoming a better player first – and a more complete person as well.

The Difference Between Evaluation and Development

Traditional College ID Camps are primarily built around evaluation.

Players typically attend for a day or weekend, train in front of coaches, compete in showcase-style sessions, and attempt to stand out among large groups of players.

These experiences can certainly help players gain visibility. However, the structure of most ID Camps naturally limits how much actual development can happen in such a short period of time.

Many traditional College ID Camps include:

Large player-to-coach ratios
Limited individual feedback
Short training windows
Minimal long-term mentorship
Recruitment-focused sessions

IDA Summer Programs take a different approach.

Instead of focusing solely on evaluation, the programs are designed to place players inside environments that encourage daily growth, accountability, and improvement.

The goal is not simply to ask:

“Can this player help a team?”

The goal is also to ask:

“How can we help this player improve?”

What Players Experience at IDA Summer Programs

IDA Summer Programs are built around immersion.

Players don’t simply attend a few sessions and return home afterward. They become part of structured football environments where training, competition, recovery, and daily habits all contribute to development.

Depending on the location, players experience different football cultures and styles of play while continuing to develop individually.

Programs include:

Daily professional training sessions
Experienced coaching staff
Competitive match environments
Individual feedback and mentorship
Strength and conditioning support
Recovery and performance education
Residential experiences
International teammates and competition
Exposure to different football philosophies and cultures

Whether in Spain, Brazil, the UK, or Florida, players are challenged to adapt, compete, and grow in environments that push them outside their comfort zones.

That experience alone often becomes one of the most valuable parts of the summer.

Why International Football Experiences Matter

One of the biggest advantages of international soccer programs is the opportunity for players to experience the game through different perspectives.

Every football culture teaches the game differently.

In Spain, players may experience a stronger emphasis on positional play, decision-making, and technical detail.

In Brazil, creativity, improvisation, and rhythm are deeply embedded in the football culture.

In the UK, intensity, tempo, and competitiveness shape the environment.

Even within Florida-based programs, players are often exposed to diverse coaching styles and international competition.

These experiences help players expand their understanding of the game while also developing important life skills.

Players learn how to:

Adapt to unfamiliar environments
Communicate with new teammates
Build independence and maturity
Handle challenges outside their comfort zone
Develop confidence in new situations

The result is not only player development – but personal development as well.

Better Players Create Better Opportunities

One of the biggest misconceptions in youth soccer is that exposure automatically creates opportunities.

In reality, long-term opportunities are usually created by long-term improvement.

The players who continue developing technically, tactically, mentally, and physically are often the ones who place themselves in the strongest positions for future success.

That’s why IDA Summer Programs focus heavily on:

Technical development
Tactical understanding
Speed of play
Decision-making under pressure
Confidence and independence
Professional habits and mentality

Rather than concentrating only on being seen for a few hours, players spend time developing skills and habits that continue benefiting them long after the summer ends.

And naturally, stronger players tend to attract stronger opportunities.

More Than A Summer Soccer Camp

For many players, the most impactful part of the experience goes beyond football itself.

Living and training in new environments teaches players responsibility, discipline, adaptability, and confidence.

It pushes them to grow socially and personally while learning how to navigate different cultures, expectations, and routines.

That combination of football development and personal growth is what makes international summer programs unique.

Players return home with:

Greater confidence
Increased independence
A broader understanding of the game
New friendships and perspectives
Stronger habits and routines
Motivation to continue improving

For many families, it becomes far more than just another summer camp experience.

Is Exposure Still Important?

Absolutely.

Exposure matters, and College ID Camps can still be valuable for players looking to connect with coaches and programs.

But exposure tends to be most effective when paired with real development.

Players who continue improving, adapting, and growing often create stronger recruiting opportunities naturally over time.

That’s why many players now view summer not only as a recruiting opportunity, but also as a chance to invest in their long-term development.

Don’t Just Be Seen This Summer. Be Developed.

The best summer experiences challenge players both on and off the field.

They build stronger athletes, more confident individuals, and more complete footballers.

IDA Summer Programs are designed to provide exactly that through immersive football environments in Spain, Brazil, the UK, and Florida.

Train.
Compete.
Adapt.
Grow.

And experience football beyond the showcase environment.

Play the Summer that Matters: register today!

International Development Academy (IDA) is excited to introduce a new era for IDA UK.

Through a new partnership with AF Global and the University of Hertfordshire, student-athletes now have the opportunity to pursue a UK university degree while training in an elite football performance environment in England.

This new pathway expands IDA UK into a true dual-career program, combining world-class football development with internationally recognised higher education.

Train in England. Earn a Degree. Build Your Future.

The United Kingdom offers one of the most competitive and culturally rich football environments in the world.

Now, through the AF Global Football Programme at the University of Hertfordshire, student-athletes can combine their passion for football with a globally respected academic degree.

Participants will:

• Earn a UK undergraduate or postgraduate degree
• Train 4–5 days per week in a performance football program
• Compete in structured competitions
• Develop within the professional football culture of England
• Gain access to strength & conditioning, analysis, and performance support

Students can choose from a range of programs including:

• BA (Hons) Business Management
• BSc (Hons) Economics and Finance
• BSc (Hons) Analytics and Artificial Intelligence

• BSc (Hons) Sports Business Management
• BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching
• BSc (Hons) Sports Studies
• BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

Applications can be submitted through the University of Hertfordshire international application portal.

Get Ahead. Go Abroad.

The average NCAA Division I men’s soccer player is 20–21 years old, and many have international or European playing experience.

With the IDA UK University pathway, players can begin their journey earlier.

Instead of competing as an 18-year-old freshman in the U.S., student-athletes can:

Then return to the United States at 21 years old with:

This pathway gives players a unique competitive advantage.

Why the UK Pathway is Growing

• International experience
• Professional academy training
• Tactical intelligence developed abroad

The game is global.

Spending three years in the UK allows players to develop:

• Faster decision-making
• Tactical awareness
• Professional discipline
• Independence and resilience

You return not just older — but better prepared for the next level.

Two Pathways at IDA UK

1. University Degree + Football Pathway 

• Undergraduate degrees (3 years)
• Postgraduate degrees
• Performance football training
• European match experience

This is the primary IDA UK offering moving forward.

The program launches for male players in the 2026/27 academic year, with a female program expected to launch in 2027/28.

2. IDA UK Gap Year (Reading Campus)

 

IDA will continue to offer its High-Performance Gap Year program in Reading for players seeking a shorter football-only experience.

• Elite football training
• Competitive matches
• Exposure to U.S. college coaches
• Professional development environments

The Gap Year is ideal for players focused exclusively on football development without an academic program.

A Smarter Pathway for Modern Players

The modern student-athlete needs more than just training.

They need education, experience, and opportunity.

The IDA UK partnership with AF Global and the University of Hertfordshire creates a pathway where players can:

This is football with a future.

Learn More

When Kaden Foreman left Columbus, Ohio, for a gap year at IDA UK in August 2021, he had no idea just how transformative the experience would be. At just 17, he was stepping onto the global stage—far from home, family, and the familiar rhythms of American soccer. But for Kaden, the challenge was exactly what he needed.

Taking the Leap
The COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted traditional recruiting, leaving young players like Kaden at a crossroads. “Being young for my grade, a gap year seemed like the perfect way to develop as a player and make myself more appealing to college coaches,” Kaden recalls. IDA UK offered not just elite training, but an opportunity to grow as a person—living and learning alongside players from across the globe.

Growing Through Challenge
At IDA UK, Kaden faced opponents up to five years older in under-23 league matches, and the intensity of daily training pushed him to new limits. “Playing in high-stakes games at 17 taught me how to handle pressure,” he says. “It prepared me for the physicality and mental demands of college soccer, and gave me confidence going into my first year at Rollins College.”

Memories That Last a Lifetime
Off the field, Kaden’s gap year was equally formative. From late-night study sessions to group excursions with his international teammates, every day offered new lessons. “Moving across the world at 17 taught me to embrace discomfort and thrive in it. I learned adaptability, independence, and how to connect with people from all walks of life,” Kaden reflects. “Those lessons still guide me, on and off the field.”

A College Career Built on Preparation
Kaden’s time at IDA UK directly influenced his recruitment to Rollins College. With guidance from Peter, IDA’s college recruitment lead, Kaden navigated the scholarship process and landed a trial with Rollins. Just 60 minutes of training later, the Tars had made their offer.

Since then, Kaden has become a cornerstone of the Rollins program. As a senior captain and defender, his stats tell part of the story, but his leadership and consistency define him:

• 2022: Started all 19 games, made his NCAA debut on 8/28 against Embry-Riddle, and scored his first career goal at Barry on 10/25.
• 2023: Started every game, one of only three Tars to do so, contributing 3 shots on goal.
• 2024: Continued as a key starter with 15 games played, scoring in the season opener and recording two assists in the SSC Semifinal against Barry.

Through these years, Kaden’s experience at IDA UK has proven invaluable. The high-intensity training, exposure to international competition, and structured lifestyle prepared him to balance academics, athletics, and leadership from day one.

Advice to Future IDA Players
Looking back, Kaden urges young players to take the leap. “Even a short-term experience at IDA UK can change your life. You’ll gain memories, friendships, and skills that last a lifetime, and you’ll be set up to reach your goals on the field if you work hard every single day.”

Looking Ahead
As he prepares for life beyond college, Kaden’s love for soccer remains steadfast. Injuries and academic pursuits may have shifted his path, but his passion for the game—and the global connections he’s built—will continue to shape his life.

Kaden Foreman’s journey is a testament to the life-changing impact of an IDA UK gap year: pushing beyond comfort, embracing challenges, and emerging ready to lead both on and off the pitch.