Basketball Camp 101

Key Questions to Answer before Starting Camp Why host a basketball camp? What are you trying to accomplish? How will you share the Gospel? What is your follow up plan?

Camp Volunteer Positions Camp Director Ensures the camp runs smoothly Keeps track of time (can be delegated) Ensures all equipment and supplies are ready for each day of camp Available to answer questions from parents or players Ability to solve problems that come up Knows basic first aid practices Station Captains Need to have some basketball knowledge as they will be teaching the players Be able to adapt instructions for various ages and skill levels Be patiently willing to repeat instructions often Be able to help referee scrimmages

Camp Volunteer Positions Team Leader No basketball knowledge or experience necessary Ensure all of assigned team members are where they are supposed to be at all times Be the biggest encourager for every player on their team – know their names! Be willing to lead a small group discussion with your players following the large group Bible story time Organized enough to keep track of substitutions during the scrimmage Be watching throughout the day for reasons to give the players daily awards Registration Be available before the start of camp each day to ensure each player is checked in and given a name tag Have emergency contact information organized and accessible in case there are any injuries

Camp Layout

Typical Day of Basketball Camp 9:00-9:10 - Registration and Welcome 9:10-9:20 - Warm-up Game and/or Stretches 9:20-9:30 - Station 1 9:30-9:40 - Station 2 9:40-9:50 - Station 3 9:50-9:55 - Water break 9:55-10:05 - Station 4 10:05-10:15 - Station 5 10:15-10:25 - Station 6 10:25-10:45 – Experiential Game with Devotional/Bible Story 10:45-11:20 - Scrimmage 11:20-11:30 – Daily Award and Closing

Stations Layout Station 1: Footwork Station 6: Games that Teach Station 5: Defense & Rebounding Station 4: Shooting Station 3: Passing & Receiving Station 2: Ball Handling and Dribbling Stretches, Devotions, and Closing

Experiential Games These games are used to lead the kids to the main idea of the day. Instructions for these games are found in the camp devotions. Each game is played and then a few short questions are discussed afterwards. “Trust Pivot Roll” (see Day 1 of Devotions in Basketball Camp 101 guidebook) Debrief Questions What was the most difficult thing for the person in the centre? Why? Do you think it became easier as you went around? Why? Were there some people you did not trust? Why not? How did you feel when you were in one of the circles? What was your purpose? Who are the people in your life whom you trust? Why do you trust them?

Devotionals and Team Time A Bible story is told to the entire group. This can be done in a variety of ways. It can be reading from Scripture and summarizing. It can be done as a skit or monologue from one of the characters. Be creative! There are some great ideas on pp in the Basketball Camp 101 guidebook. After the Bible story is told, have the players sit with their coaches and discuss the story and how it applies to their lives. There are questions provided on pp in the Basketball Camp 101 guidebook. We have had more responses to the Gospel in small group, team time than large group settings. The players have formed relationships with their coaches throughout the week. They are usually more open to hearing the Gospel from them in the smaller setting.

Scrimmage Layout Scrimmage #2 Scrimmage #1

Camp Layout

Basic Scrimmage Rules 5 minute “quarters” Man to Man Defense Half Court Defense Fouls and Violations Equal playing time Do not keep score!

Substitutions Player1 st Quarter2 nd Quarter3 rd Quarter4 th Quarter TimXX JoeXX HollyXX AprilXX ZekeXX SawyerXX SadieXX JasmineXX SamXX HopeXX See p. 62 in the Basketball Camp 101 guidebook for a sample substitution form Using a form helps to ensure that all players get equal playing time

Daily Awards Team Leaders are responsible for giving out awards to each player. Players should be told specifically why they are receiving their award each day. We give out stickers to be placed on a poster. We give stickers for effort, sportsmanship, defense, offense, Christlikeness and Memory Verse. By the end of camp, players should have received each award. Sometimes we use the memory verse as a bonus award. Players can learn a new verse each day to earn multiple memory verse stickers.

Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. 1 John 4:18 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 Our prayers for your camp: