Snow Valley Basketball and Language Camp - International programs Santa Barbara, California
New this year, we are offering international campers the option of adding up to three weeks of English instruction prior to our Snow Valley Basketball programs. Live with an American family, learn English and take your basketball game to a new level with this unique experience.
Since 1961, the Snow Valley Basketball Schools have been instructing kids on the fundamentals of basketball. As the longest running basketball school of its kind, you'll receive more instruction in the fundamentals and more chances to improve your skills than anywhere else in the world. This rigorous daily format includes fundamental instruction, clinics and team games that will leave each camper with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
Through our partnership with ELS language schools, international campers can combine English instruction with a basketball training program. This is a unique opportunity for campers to experience living with an American host family, participate in a ELS language program and train with American basketball campers at our Snow Valley basketball camp. (See the DETAILS tab for more information about how the program is structured.)
The Snow Valley Basketball Schools are a great camp for all ages. If you are a high school basketball player, the Snow Valley Basketball Schools provides an incredible opportunity to improve your game, and if you are a younger player, it will be sure to help you develop the basic skills to help you make your team.
International campers who are looking for a basketball only program (no language), please click here for our individual session dates.
Highlights Include
- An amazing group of experienced high school, college, and professional coaches selected for their ability to teach the game and one-on-one coaching
- Daily Instruction, lectures, and demonstrations on fundamentals
- Intense drills aimed at improving each camper's individual skill development and knowledge of the game
- Report Card and discussion of skills with a personal evaluation
- Daily games against players of similar abilities - games until 10:00 at night!
- Build a lasting bond with local families in the beautiful Santa Barbara area
- Improve your English skills through the ELS language program offered as a one, two or three-week morning language program
- Experience California West Coast living in the seaside town of Santa Barbara, with its fantastic weather, beaches, shopping and more!
- Experience U.S. college campus living during your stay at our Snow Valley Basketball Camp
International campers participating in the ELS language program would live with an American host family in the Santa Barbara area located near the ELS language school in downtown Santa Barbara. After the language program, campers would live and train at the Westmont College location as part of the Snow Valley Basketball camp program. The Snow Valley Basketball Schools return to our long standing host school at Westmont College for our entire camp schedule. We are excited to offer five different sessions for the serious basketball player.
Santa Barbara is a friendly town on the Southern California coast. Known as the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara is famous for its sunny weather, Spanish-style architecture and lively college-town spirit. The city is pedestrian-friendly and offers excellent public transportation. Santa Barbara is one of the safest cities in California, and its amazing mix of mountains and beaches include everything from big city culture to outdoor adventures. It is located approximately 100 miles Northwest of Los Angeles, and within driving distance of many Northern California cities. The Santa Barbara Airport is closest in proximity to Westmont College, however the Los Angeles International airport (LAX), serves all international destinations and is located about 2 hours away. Direct bus, and car service options are available. Our international camp liasion can provide support for travel arrangements between LAX and Santa Barbara.
The ELS Language Center is located at 104 West Anapamu Street in Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Westmont College offers a safe and secure campus, which includes scenic gardens, stone bridges, and stunning pathways, is an ideal place for camp. Campers reside on campus in the newly renovated Van Kampen Hall.
Meet your coaching staff
Camp Director
Charlie Sands
<p>
A master teacher of the game of basketball, Coach Charles Sands has played and coached at both the high school and college levels. After playing as a point guard at California State College, Los Angeles, he spent eight years as the varsity basketball coach at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. Continuing his coaching career at West Los Angeles College, he established the basketball program and continued to coach there for thirty-two years winning over 400 games. With his earnest love of the game and of teaching, Coach Sands has shared his vast knowledge with his peers and players alike over the course of his impressive career.</p>
<p>
For the past twenty-five years the coach has been the co-owner of Snow Valley Basketball School, one of the most prestigious teaching camps in America. Coaches and players from all over the country and the world have partaken of skills and techniques taught there. Many have gone on to successful careers at various levels of the game. With the high regard he has received, Coach Sands has been invited to travel, conduct coaching clinics and teach basketball in many states in the U.S and in Europe.</p>
<p>
At West Los Angeles College, his teams competed in the State Playoffs, and, as a result, his coaching peers elected him Coach of the Year several times. In fact, because of his outstanding reputation throughout the state, he was ultimately elected to the California Community Coaches Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>
Since his retirement and because he is passionate about helping basketball players take their skills to another level, especially their conditioning and shooting, he continues to coach. With his incredible understanding of the game, his ability to analyze player's strengths, as well as his communication skills, Coach Charles Sands will always be a valuable asset to the game of basketball.</p>
Camp Code: BVXISV
The Snow Valley basketball and language camp includes: English language classes at ELS's downtown Santa Barbara Center with Santa Barbara homestay, three sessions of Snow Valley Basketball Camp -- two sessions of complete skills camp (running 7/14-7/21 and 7/21-7/25) plus the Weekend Offensive Shooting camp (which runs 7/15-7/21), and all accomodations/meals at Westmont College during the basketball program. The tuition does not include airport transfers from LAX, but transportation can be arranged. (We recommend the accompanied service for which the round-trip cost (From LAX) is $500. Note, there is regular train and bus service available from LAX and this is a cheaper alternative if the camper is not an unaccompanied minor. )
If requested, campers will be met by ELS Staff at the LAX airport and travel to Santa Barbara where they will be introduced to their host family and ELS staff. (See arrival dates below.) Campers will live with a local host family during the language program and attend the language program at the ELS downtown Santa Barbara location. For more information about the ELS program in Santa Barbara, download their program PDF. Our sport and language program utilizes ELS's American Explorer program which offers student 15 english classes per week. Click for a daily schedule of the ELS language program. Nike Sports Camps has a special arrangement with ELS to allow campers a more flexible language program to fit with our camp schedules and dates. If you are looking for a more intensive language program, we can put you in touch with a ELS representative. Email international@ussportscamps.com
After their language program, campers will transition over to the Snow Valley Basketball Camp location (Westmont College) on the first date of camp which is July 14th. (Nike Sports Camp will oversee the transition of the camper from the ELS language program to the Snow Valley program.) During the Snow Valley Basketball Camp - campers will reside in on-campus dorms at Westmont College, also located in Santa Barbara. At the conclusion of camp, campers will be taken back to LAX on the last date of camp on July 25 for their flight home.
Snow Valley Basketball programs feature staff and players whose own high school and college coaches were important in their basketball development, so they know how to help you achieve your basketball goals. Snow Valley treats each player as an individual. A Personal Player Report Card will be kept on all campers throughout the week, and given to them at the conclusion of camp. This report card will note particular strengths and weaknesses, and offer suggestions for individual improvement once they have left Snow Valley.
Daily game competition against other players of similar age and ability levels will be scheduled. Every participant will play a minimum of one half of every game. In addition to games, a minimum of nineteen clinics concerning individual and team fundamentals will be presented during the week long session. Drills are a big part of each clinic. We design our program to have an eight to one player to coach ratio and guarantee your son or daughter will receive an excellent week of BASKETBALL INVOLVEMENT.
Sample Daily Schedule
- 6am Point Guard & Post Clinic
- 7:00 Breakfast
- 8:00 Organization and Warm-up
- 8:45 Clinic - Offense
- 9:35 Clinic - Defense
- 10:35 Clinic - Shooting
- 11:30 Team Practice
- 12:30 Lunch
- 1:15 (13:15) Clinic - Offense
- 2:30 (14:30) Central Division Games
- 3:45 (15:45) Eastern/Central Division Games/Break for Western
- 4:45 (16:45) Dinner
- 6:00 (18:00) Organization & Individual Athleticism
- 6:30 (18:30) Clinic - Defense
- 8:00-10:40 (20:00-22:40) Western Division Games
International Campers will be met at LAX based on their arrival into the ELS Language school. A travel form which will be included in your detailed registration package.
Possible Arrival Dates:
Sunday, 6/23 (3-week language school) followed by Snow Valley Basketball check-in on July 14th (see details below)
Sunday, 6/30 (2-week language school) followed by Snow Valley Basketball check-in on July 14th (see details below)
Sunday, 7/7 (1 week language school) followed by Snow Valley Basketball check-in on July 14th (see details below)
Snow Valley Basketball Camp Check-in
• July 14 between 1-3pm - meet at Van Kampen Hall. (note, first meal will be dinner at 4:45pm.
- Campers should come dressed and ready to play. After registration, campers will report to gym at 3:30pm.
• Boys Check-out: Thursday July 25; 4pm (Last meal: Lunch)
Note, in between the two complete skills basketball sessions, there will be a Weekend Offensive Skills Program. All Sport and Language campers will be enrolled in this program. This Offensive Skills Program will begin on Friday at 12 Noon and run through Sunday morning. The next week session will begin again at 3:30 pm on Sunday. All campers will be supervised during the transition time between each program. The Offensive Skills Program will focus on Passing, Catching, Footwork, Shooting, Dribbling, 3-on-3, 4-on-4, and Cut-Throat. This program will be led by California Community College Hall of Famer Charlie Sands. Coach Sands will guide you through his offensive skills progression. This program will be invaluable tool in helping you become a better offensive player.
Read camper reviewsParent of camper
Phil is the only junior in the starting line up on a senior-laden team and flips between the 2 and 1 guard spots. He will probably wind up the team's leading scorer and first or second in rebounds, steals, and assists. Defense is very good. Mixes his offensive production between outside stuff and rebounds/put backs with a few slashes to the basket every game. Finishes well. Sealed a one point win taking a charge with no time left the other day that was pretty heady.
All of this to simply say "thank you" for your contribution to his development. His skill sets are very high and game IQ very high. I attribute that to investing in Snow Valley Basketball Camp.
Past Camper
Rigorous but fun!
This was a rigorous but fun experience. I got great feedback which has helped to improve my game. I now know the areas that I need to work on and I am striving to improve my game every time I go to the court. I would recommend this program to anyone who seriously wants to improve their technique and be a better player!
Past Camper
One-on-one coaching
I benefited from the one on one coaching. My coaches knew when to push me so as to reach my potential. Facilities were nice and clean. Food was excellent.
International Coach
Best Camp We Experienced
We brought a group of boys from our basketball program in Thailand and it was an incredible experience. While in the US, our boys participated in several US basketball camps and the Snow Valley Basketball Camp was by far the best basketball skills camps we attended. We are looking forward to next summer when we will be bringing another group of excited campers! Thank you