May 28, 2012
How to Choose the Right Basketball Camp
With so many camp choices, finding the right basketball camp for your son or daughter can be overwhelming. NBC Camps, operators of the largest overnight basketball program in the world, offer these helpful suggestions when selecting a basketball camp.
“Learning environment is key. The camp staff members create a specific camp environment by their enthusiasm for coaching, their investment in campers and the way they speak and coach.” says NBC Camps President Fred Crowell. “Ask yourself what your son or daughter needs. We believe basketball camp is the place to really develop confidence. If possible, especially when developing a new skill, choose an encouraging environment. Not all environments are equal. The best place to grow is in an environment where you are given grace for mistakes, kind correction and courage to keep going. It's possible to survive in Antarctica with harsh wind and violent weather, but it’s very tough and few make it. Similarly, confidence has a hard time becoming permanent in an environment of criticism, perfectionism and/or apathy.”
“Another key consideration,” says NBC Camps Director John Fazio, “is understanding the camp’s philosophy about talent development.” According to Fazio, there are very different ways camps tackle talent development. Some believe in gathering around and watching an expert such as a pro player lecture. “I attended a few camps like this as a young player, but honestly these weren’t the ones where I learned much,” admits Fazio. “It was more for the experience of seeing a ‘famous’ athlete. Some camps provide some skill development with quite a bit of time to watch their college players compete. Ultimately, you’ll need to decide what you want out of the experience and investment. If the child wants to be a college player someday, we believe finding a basketball camp with serious skill training is crucial. Our coaching philosophy at NBC Camps is to provide campers with hours of skill time and repetitions. We believe talent is elevated not through watching but through doing.”
For a final consideration, NBC Camps recommends the measurement they use when walking into a gym. “The key question we ask is, ‘Is it happening?’” says NBC Senior Vice President Danny Beard former college standout at Kansas State. “When we walk into a gym we want to see intensity, learning, excitement, with coaches and campers fully engaged. This to me is the difference maker between a good basketball camp and a great one.”
This summer, when looking for the right camp for your son or daughter, taking a few minutes more to sift through the choices could be just the time needed to find a camp where your child can walk out at the end of the week a better player and person.
NBC Camps, founded in 1971, has become the largest overnight basketball and volleyball camp program in the world and is located in over 50 cities and 5 countries. For more information about NBC Camps, please call 1-800-406-3926 or visit check out NBC Camps basketball programs at www.ussportscamps.com/basketball/nbc