Materials Needed

Camp Organization

I.  First, break the campers into groups based on grade levels. We recommend creating 3 groups, but you may prefer 2 or 4 groups depending on the number of campers. Next, name the groups. In keeping with the basketball theme, use the names of the professional and collegiate divisions. Call the youngest group the NAIA, the middle group the NCAA, and the oldest group the NBA. As best you can, try to balance the number of boys and girls within each group.

II.  Depending on the number of stations on the court (determined by court space and baskets), break the NAIA, NCAA, and NBA into station groups based on grade or age. You may also decide to keep friends together.

III.  The campers should also be divided into two groups for the All-Camp Competition. These groups are distinguished by giving them different colored T-shirts. Again, as best you can, try to balance the number of boys and girls within both of these groups. 

This table illustrates how campers are to be divided. The T-shirt colors used in the example are red and blue for the all-camp competition, with the NAIA, NCAA, and NBA representing different age groups.

NAIA (Red)	vs.	NAIA (Blue)
NCAA (Red)	vs.	NCAA (Blue)
NBA (Red)	vs.	NBA (Blue)

 

Staff Responsibilities

Camp Director: The Camp Director should have experience running basketball camps. He/She is responsible for the overall organization of the camp, as well as overseeing all camp activities. The Director should exercise discretion adapting the program to meet the specific needs or goals of their location. Prior to the scheduled camp day, the Director should assign pre-registered campers into station groups.

The Director coordinates with the local charitable organization(s) that will receive the canned goods. The Director should also contact the local media to assist with camp announcements and attempt to get coverage on the day of the camp. At the end of the day, a brief presentation of the donated canned goods should be made.

Camp Commissioners: Three Commissioners directly supervise the camper groups (NAIA, NCAA, and NBA). One Commissioner is assigned to each group.. The commissioner helps to ensure that enough campers remain in each group to conduct the finals in the afternoon. Commissioners keep track of award winnersand runner-ups.  (Commissioners will find the Camp Awards Form below helpful.)

Commissioners are responsible for keeping the Camp Director informed of any camper station changes, so the camp director can keep parents "in the loop" as necessary.

Coaches: Coaches are the core of the program.  They deal directly with the campers on the court and provide campers with training, guidance, and teamwork skills. Coaches should balance both experience and skill levels to keep all exercises as fair and interesting as possible. It is important that campers of all skill levels feel welcome and supported throughout the training stations, and that everyone feels truly a valued part of the program.

Detailed Camp Schedule

On the morning of the event, all camp staff should report at least 1 hour before the scheduled start of activities. Student-athletes should be in the gymnasium welcoming campers and inviting them to join them in playing knockout to keep them engaged until the start of the regular program.

Registration: Two tables should be set-up for walk-in registrations. We recommend labeling the tables by grade to simplify balancing the age groups that have already been established. Another table should be set up to distribute T-shirts (by color) and to answer questions. If space permits, encourage parents to stay and assist as a volunteer or simply watch the camp activities. The more people involved, the larger the scope of the camp, and the more community spirit.

Collection of Donations: One additional table is needed to collect the donations. The canned goods should be stacked in order to take pictures. 

Photographs: Picture taking is important throughout the entire day in order to capture the camp excitement and assist in promoting future events. If possible, an experienced photographer should be assigned to this task. Don't forget to invite your local media to cover the event, and be sure to have someone on hand to greet them at the door and answer their questions.

Groups should be assigned as part of the registration process. Campers who have pre-registered should already have been assigned to teams and leagues, so that they can simply check-in at the "Pre-Registered" desk, and proceed directly to their assigned area, without having to wait in line.

Using separate forms for each age group makes the assignment process for stations and camp competitions much easier. First, go down the list and put R (red) and B (blue) next to each name, to issue T-shirts, and divide the group in half for all-camp competition. Then divide the camp into the three age groups - NAIA, NCAA, NBA. Then divide each group into the number of stations you will have at your local facility.

Once registration is complete, write up sheets with names for each station coach with the station number, basket location or area, camper names, and T-shirt colors. The T-shirts can be given out at check-in or at the first station. Each coach will conduct foul shooting with their first station group, and keep a record of hotshot and knockout winners.

Getting Underway: Coaches should be given the preliminary list of campers who have pre-registered and been assigned to their station, along with a complete copy of your camp schedule. It's a good idea to have a map of the gymnasium drawn to shown the location of all stations, and the direction of station rotations. You'll also need to provide a list of the names of coaches and assistants who'll be working together, along with a detailed description of their station activities.

At 9:00am, the Camp Director should blow the whistle and gather all of the campers in the front of the gym. At this time, the entire staff should be introduced and the camp schedule briefly explained. Then the Camp Director calls out the names of each camper, one station at a time, and they join their coach at their first station.

Once all your campers are on station, the camp rotation can begin. The Camp Director blows a whistle to signal station rotation. Campers who arrive late can be sent directly to their group on the court.

Typical Competitions

Foul Shooting: This will be conducted at the first station each camper reports to. The number of campers per station and time allotted will determine how many shots each camper will take. 

5-on-5 Competition: The coaches divide teams into red and blue, and play short games within their respective leagues. The results count toward all camp competition point totals. 

Knockout Competition: This game can be used to fill down time during certain parts of the day. It is also a way to award certificates to many campers. Be sure coaches keep a list of all winners. 

All-Camp Competition: This is the highlight of the day for most campers. It's critical that staff divide themselves and lead each color in cheering during competition (student assistants can really help here).

Each relay is done three times, in the following order: NAIA Red vs. NAIA Blue, NCAA Red vs. NCAA Blue, NBA Red vs. NBA Blue. While one group is conducting a relay, the other two are cheering for their teammates. Points are awarded for winning a relay and also for enthusiasm in cheering. Do not allow negative cheering. Post the score on a scoreboard if at all possible. 

During the morning (11:10am - 11:35am) coaches need to determine one finalist, of each color (Red and Blue), for each group (NAIA, NCAA, NBA).  Coaches should coordinate with each other between stations so there are only two finalists. The Commissioners should oversee this process. 

In the afternoon finals, have one player shoot at each basket while the entire camp watches. Each player should shoot 2 at a time for the best out of ten shots. Have one player shoot 2 then switch. At 5 shots, reverse the order of who shoots first and switch baskets. In the event of a tie, shoot off until someone misses. 

3-on-3 Competition: Coaches line campers up and select teams based on groups (NAIA, NCAA, NBA) and color. The NAIA red should compete against NAIA blue, etc. You can have substitutes in the event of uneven numbers. The finals can be used towards the all-camp competition totals.

Awards

The All-Camp Competition:  In the beginning of the day, announce that the team color with the highest total points at the end of the day wins a special prize. Then, at the end of the day, award the prize to all campers sighting their enthusiasm and sportsmanship as why they are all winners. The prize is something like an extra soda or Popsicle.

Certificates: These are given out for the Knockout and Hotshot competitions. Give as many of these out as possible. Certificates are also given out for 3-on-3 runner-up teams. These are awarded in each age group for the following:

In these categories, try not to have repeat winners. Trophies should go to as many different campers as possible.

Suggested Station Progression

Station One - Ball Handling
1. Five basic dribbles (4 lines, 4 balls, twice each dribble):
a. speed dribble
b. control dribble
c. stop-n-go dribble
d. reverse dribble
e. behind the back dribble

2. Cone directional dribbling (2 lines, 2 balls):
a. left hand, right hand, zigzag around cones
b. left hand, right hand, reverse dribbles
c. left hand, right hand, behind the back dribbles

3. Dribble relays (2 lines, 2 balls):
a. speed dribble
b. control dribble
c. stop-n-go dribble
d. reverse dribble
e. behind the back dribble

Station Two - Passing
1. Five basic passes (pair opposite each other, 1 ball every 2 players):
a. chest pass
b. bounce pass
c. overhead pass
d. baseball pass
e. step-around pass

2. Two-on-one passing (groups of 3, 1 ball each group):
a. do not pass over defender
b. rotate on command, deflection, steal 
c. odd player rotates in

3. Triangle passing drill (groups of 5, 1 ball each group):
a. do not pass over defender
b. rotate on command, deflection, steal 
c. odd players rotate in

Station Three - Shooting
1. Form shooting (pairs, 1 ball each):
a. shoot back and forth into arm basket (10 feet apart)
b. shooting form, follow through, arc

2. Shooting footwork (2 lines, 2 balls):
a. plant inside foot
b. short jump shots
c. passer, rebounder, shooter

3. Triangle shooting drill (2 groups, 4 players, 2 balls):
a. no shot blocking
b. offense only one extra pass
c. step in and shoot

Station Four - Individual Offense
1. Primary moves (1 ball)
a. v-cut, jab-n-crossover, lay-up (both sides)
b. v-cut, jab-n-go, lay-up (both sides)
c. v-cut, jab-n-jump shot, (both sides)

2. Using a screen (1 ball, 2 lines)
a. pass, screen-away, over top, jump shot
b. pass, screen-away, backdoor, lay-up
c. pass, screen-away, fan for jump shot

Camp Awards Form

LEAGUE______________   ( NAIA, NCAA, or NBA )
FOUL SHOOTING FINALIST
COLOR - A _______________________________
COLOR - B ______________________________

3-ON-3 FINALIST
COLOR - A _______________________________ 
COLOR - B ______________________________
COLOR - A _______________________________
COLOR - B ______________________________
COLOR - A _______________________________
COLOR - B ______________________________
COLOR - A _______________________________ 
COLOR - B ______________________________

BEST HUSTLER_________________________________________
MOST IMPROVED_______________________________________
BEST CAMPER_________________________________________

KNOCK-OUT WINNERS
____________________________________
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