Interesting post. My son's club coach has told him to stay away from the prospect camps as they are make or break situations.
Let's dispense with the obvious bias arguments. Club coaches have a vested interest in having themselves act as the key negotiation point with college coaches. Allowing prospect camps into the discussion disintermediates the role of both the club and club coach, thereby eroding the stranglehold maintained on the process.
Now, that this has been stated, BOTC will move onto one reason why the advice is correct.
The best way to use a prospect camp is to have actually been seen by the college coach previously and then using the camp to lock down a secure roster spot or establish a continuing relationship. Attending the prospect camps cold can result in your family handing over a check without getting the value-for-money that you are seeking. Attending a prospect camp after an initial coach's viewing and an expression of interest from both sides will be the best way to go.
