KAT BLANCO
PPR Certified Coach
GBP day campS
University Tennis Center at UMW
Kat Blanco
Head Coach and Co-founder (GBP)
​
Kat is a PPR-certified pickleball coach, tournament player, and co-founder of Get Better Pickleball (GBP). With a strong background in both tennis and badminton, she brings a sharp eye for technique, strategic court sense, and a deep passion for helping women players grow their skills. Kat is known for her clear, encouraging coaching style and her ability to break down fundamentals in a way that’s both fun and easy to apply. Whether she’s leading drills, guiding strategy, or celebrating progress, Kat’s goal is to help you feel more confident, capable, and competitive every time you step on the court.
​​
Join us for a dynamic, hands-on day of pickleball designed exclusively for women who want to elevate their game in a fun, encouraging, and empowering environment. This GBP Day Camp is all about building confidence through fundamentals, movement, and smart strategies - surrounded by supportive women who love the game as much as you do.
​
Through playful yet purposeful drills and personalized coaching, you'll refine your technique, boost your on-court awareness, and gain tools you can take straight into your next match.
This camp is geared toward intermediate players and is limited to just 8 campers to ensure plenty of individual attention, personalized feedback, and high-quality reps.
​
Your day will also include a midday Lunch & Learn session, where we will be talking about some keys to Mental Fitness along with a Q&A Session.
Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills or challenge yourself in new ways, this camp is your chance to grow, connect, and have a blast on the court!
​​
CAMP DETAILS
​
2025 CAMP DATES
To ensure every camper gets the most out of their experience, we’re offering two separate day camps tailored by skill level. This creates a fun, relaxed, and supportive environment where players can learn, grow, and compete among peers of similar ability.
July 11, 2025 - Intermediate Camp (FULL)
Recommended DUPR 2.2-2.7
​
​July 16, 2025 - Intermediate Camp (FULL)
Recommended DUPR 2.2-2.7
​
July 18, 2025 - Intermediate Camp (Posting SOON!)
Recommended DUPR 2.2-2.7
​
July 23, 2025 - Intermediate Camp (Posting SOON!)
Recommended DUPR 2.2-2.7
​​​
July 25, 2025 - Intermediate Camp (FULL)
Recommended DUPR 2.2-2.7
​
**Refer to the Skill Level page or contact Coach Kat if you are unsure if this camp is right for your skillset. We know DUPR is an objective rating scale, and we do not use that solely...but we strongly encourage players to obtain a DUPR by participating in a DUPR event like a DUPR round robin or sanctioned tournament***
​
​CAMP CHECK-IN/OUT
-
Check-in: Between 8:45am and 9:00am at the front desk
-
Check-out: 3:00pm on the pickleball courts
​
CAMP SCHEDULE
9:00am – 9:30am
-
Check-in, warm-up and match play for evaluation.
9:30am – 9:45am
-
Introductions of players and coaches along with review of the plan for the day.
9:45am – 11:30am
-
"Openers" and the 3rd Shot - Develop your serve and return strategies and work on high efficiency shot selections including 3rd shot drops and drives. Learn how to put it into play in live game situations.
11:30am – 12:00pm
-
Live match play with feedback from coaches throughout points on topics covered in the camp session.​​​
12:00pm – 1:00pm (LUNCH and LEARN)
-
Pack a lunch to re-fuel during the Lunch and Learn. ​
1:00pm – 1:45pm
-
Learn how to move through the Transition Zone with the right game strategy and with a focus on partner communication. Learn how to put it in to play in live game situations.
1:45pm – 2:30pm
-
Focus on strategy, shot selections and techniques at the Non-Volley Zone including how to attack, defend and reset in a variety of situations. Learn how to put it in to play in live game situations.
2:30pm – 3:00pm
-
Live match play with feedback from coaches throughout points on topics covered in the camp session.
​
MEALS
-
Meals are NOT included in the camp tuition. Participants should pack a lunch for the Lunch and Learn Session. We will have lunch upstairs in the observation area.
​​
EQUIPMENT, FACILITY & MORE
-
Equipment Needed: All campers must bring a pickleball paddle, athletic shoes, a water bottle and lunch.
-
Facility: University Tennis Center at UMW
​
CANCELLATION POLICY
-
Cancellations made at least 7 days before the camp start date will result in a GBP voucher for the full amount of tuition paid, valid through the following calendar year.
-
Cancellations made within 7 days of the camp start date will will forfeit the full tuition payment.
-
No-shows (individuals who do not attend their registered session) will forfeit the full tuition payment.
​
​​Coaches
​​
Juli Schafer
Mental Fitness Coach and Co-founder (GBP)
Co-Founder, MsMedalChasers.com
​
Juli is a seasoned tournament player, Kat’s doubles partner and
co-founder of Get Better Pickleball (GBP) and MsMedalChasers.
Juli is pursuing her Pickleball coaching certification in June and is currently studying another true passion-Mental Fitness. Juli has dedicated many hours learning how mindset, confidence, and focus directly impact performance and she is passionate about helping women tap into that inner strength. Juli is excited to share practical tools and mindset strategies that empower players to stay composed and resilient on the court.
On the Women's Day Camp - As a former college athlete and coach, I appreciated this camp so much. This is the perfect camp to build a strong foundation of skills for pickleball. Kat and Juli were encouraging throughout. And to add to your strong foundation of skills, Juli shared insight into how to build a strong mental game as well. I can't recommend this enough to all pickleball players to become better players. - Kim G.