Running a Summer Camp

In a few weeks, I am running a camp for kids going into grades 4-6. Any tips for making it a great camp? What is the best use of time? What is the worst use of time? Any specific things that have worked well for you? I tried signing up my kids for a Breakthrough Basketball camp but it was sold out! Thanks!

For camps you want to minimize standing in lines, keep a ball in players hands as often as possible, teach skills, minimize talking (short lectures mixed with action), and make things fun. With kids this age we often show a skill and do what you might consider somewhat boring drill, Then follow it up with a fun skill building activity.

With kids, the more active you keep them the better. If they are standing around they start getting bored and acting up.

We also set a precedence at the beginning by letting them know eyes are always on the coach when talking, listen, hustle, and don't worry about messing up (losing the ball, etc).

Our ebook with Fun Youth Drills has a lot of good ideas for camps with younger kids.

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/camps/hosting-basketball-camp.html

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/how_to_run_an_effective_basketbal_camp.html

Those ebooks Jeff mentioned are great resources. Talking is never a hit with the kids. It is a necessary evil, but I'd minimize the lectures. Ball touches, lots of them. If you can swing it, have several ways for kids to be recognized individually. Awards for hustle, most improved, best listener, coolest socks, etc.

One of the more popular camps in our area places the kids on teams for 5 v 5 during the week. They teach them certain concepts and make them use those concepts during the games. They also have teams of 3 v 3. It adds some competition and allows the kids to do what they like and that's play the game. The 5v5 and 3v3 are usually during the day at some point after the drills and skills.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.