Why Program Type Matters
All Programs share core lifecycle behavior (start date, end date, visibility rules). Program Type determines structural behavior such as:
Which system features are available
How players move through registration
Whether teams are required
How scheduling works
How reporting behaves
Choosing the correct Program Type at setup prevents structural issues later, because Program Type typically cannot be changed once the Program is created.
How to Choose a Program Type
Start by asking:
Is this a seasonal team-based offering?
Is this a short-term camp or clinic?
Are players trying out before being placed?
Is this a league format with standings?
Is this a recurring or subscription-based offering?
Your answers guide you to the correct Program Type.
Overview of Program Types
Below is a high-level summary of the available Program Types. Detailed behavior for each type is covered in the linked articles.
Core Program
Used for primary seasonal team-based offerings.
Typically includes:
Structured teams
Full season scheduling
Stable rosters
Camps & Clinics
Used for short-term, session-based, and flexible offerings such as:
Summer camps
Clinics or skills sessions
Holiday or break programs
Open gyms
Weekly trainings
Camps & Clinics introduces a structured hierarchy — Program → Group → Registration → Event Dates — that reduces manual duplication and enables flexible registration and pricing behavior.
Typical characteristics include:
Group-level eligibility, preconditions, forms, and email settings that flow to child registrations
Multiple registration types, including:
Session Only (full session pricing)
Session + Drop-Ins (full session or individual dates)
Drop-In Only (individual dates only)
Auto-generated drop-in registrations based on scheduled events
Per-event date capacity enforcement
Calendar event creation from schedule setup
Enhanced shopping experience with filters and clear session/drop-in display
Maintained compatibility with legacy program structure (existing programs continue functioning)
The Camps & Clinics structure is ideal for flexible offerings where families may purchase whole sessions, individual dates, or both, and where scheduling and capacity vary by date.
Supplemental Program
Used for additional offerings outside of the primary season structure.
Often includes:
Optional participation
Add-on training or development opportunities
Flexible configuration
Tryout Program
Used when players must register to try out before being placed on teams.
Typically includes:
Tryout registration
Evaluation workflow
Team placement after assessment
League Program
Used for league-based competition structures.
Typically includes:
League schedules
Standings
League-specific functionality
Subscription Program
Used for recurring or ongoing participation.
Typically includes:
Recurring billing behavior
Extended participation windows
Continuous enrollment models
Training Sessions or Other Program Types
Used for specific training formats or specialized offerings that unlock unique system behavior.
Important Considerations
Before creating a Program:
Confirm the offering structure
Confirm whether teams are required
Confirm whether invitations are needed
Confirm whether the offering is seasonal, short-term, league-based, or recurring
Changing Program Type later is usually not possible without creating a new Program.
How do I know which Program Type to choose?
Start with the structure of your offering:
If participants register once for a full season → Core Program
If you need flexible sessions or drop-ins → Camps & Clinics
If players must try out before placement → Tryout Program
If you are running standings and league play → League Program
If participation is ongoing and recurring → Subscription Program
If it’s an add-on or optional offering → Supplemental Program
Choose based on structure first — not just the name of the offering.
What happens if I choose the wrong Program Type?
Program Type generally cannot be changed after creation.
If the structure doesn’t match your needs, you will need to create a new Program using the correct type.
What is the biggest difference between Core and Camps & Clinics?
Core Programs are built for full-season registrations tied to divisions or teams.
Camps & Clinics is built for session-based scheduling and optional drop-in participation.
If families need to register for individual dates, use Camps & Clinics.
Should I create separate Programs for each season?
Yes, in most cases.
Programs are typically structured by season (Fall 2026, Spring 2027, etc.) to keep reporting, visibility, and lifecycle clean and organized.
Can multiple Program Types exist at the same time?
Yes.
You can run Core, Camps & Clinics, Supplemental, and other Program Types simultaneously. They operate independently within the system.
Does Program Type affect checkout or payment processing?
No.
All Program Types use the same checkout experience, including:
Waivers
Payment plans
Promo codes
Cart functionality
Program Type determines structure — not payment tools.
If I’m unsure, which Program Type is safest?
If your offering is a traditional seasonal registration without drop-ins, Core Program is usually the correct starting point.
If flexibility by date is important, choose Camps & Clinics.
When in doubt, review the detailed article for each type before creating your Program.