How Do You Plan a Basketball Camp?

To succeed at basketball, kids must first master the fundamentals of the game. However, there's only so much they can learn while shooting around in their driveway. They need coaching, and a great way to provide them with that is through a basketball camp. Before you can conduct one of these camps, you must first put in adequate planning to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Things You'll Need

  • Gym
  • Staff
  • T-shirts
  • Snack
  • Basketball Equipment
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide on the length of the camp. If attendees stay overnight, you can expect higher costs and should probably make the camp a shorter period of time. However, if the camp is only a block of time each day, it can be extended longer. Choose a time of year to hold the camp when kids will have free time to attend a basketball camp, such as summer.

    • 2

      Focus on a specific age group. The wider the age range, the more difficult it will be for you to split up the activities according to the different levels of skills. If you decide to hold a camp for high school athletes, you may need to determine skill requirements for getting into the camp. While some high school basketball players are still learning fundamentals, others are looking for an edge to get them into a college program.

    • 3

      Pick out a location for the camp. If you can run the camp through one of the local schools, they may rent out the gym for a cheaper price than a private gym would. They can also help with marketing your camp. However, make sure your camp is insured with a company like eSports Insurance.

    • 4

      Select a staff with different basketball backgrounds. For example, you might want to have someone who has coached basketball for a long time, and someone else who might be currently playing basketball at the college level. This is because kids respond to different types of teachers. Some kids might respect someone with a lot of experience, while others might be more willing to listen to someone who is playing basketball right now.

    • 5

      Figure out the cost of running the camp before you set the price to attend the camp. T-shirts, drinks, and snacks are usually essential, but deciding whether to provide full meals or renting a high-priced gym could heavily influence the price. Also, don't forget to factor the staff into the cost. Maintaining a safe level of supervision is essential. You should have at least one staff member for every 10 kids attending the camp.

    • 6

      Set up an activity schedule before the camp begins. This will vary depending on the age and the skill level of your attendees. Younger kids need to learn the fundamentals like passing and dribbling. You should also incorporate games and prizes to keep them interested.

      However, more skilled players at the high school level need to be challenged. For example, a low post player should not be spending their time on the same drills as a point guard. Also, high school players should be made aware of strength conditioning that may not be appropriate for a younger kid.

    • 7

      Reserve guest speakers in advance. Don't bring in a speaker just for the sake of having a speaker. Make sure they actually have information to offer the kids. Attendees are sure to get excited about a pro basketball player. Sometimes, though, a successful coach is not just easier to reserve, but more effective with their speaking.

    • 8

      Advertise your basketball camp. If your camp is aimed at local kids, hanging fliers down at the local playground, or advertising through the local school may be the easiest way to go. But if you are trying to attract higher level basketball players, you should probably create a website and broaden your marketing campaign.