Anyone here have experience with the Cal Basketball camp for boys? I am considering signing my 7 year old for one of the week sessions.

If so, how was it? Worthwhile?

http://www.calbears.com/camps/mens-basketball.html

Thx

Our son went to 3 BB Camps - 2 at Stanford during the Montgomery era (we live on the Peninsula) and 1 at Cal during Braun's tenure. The Cal Camp was an overnight as was one of the two Stanford Camps. The Cal experience was not good as he was 10 and his assigned roommate was a couple years older. His roommate had several friends attending Camp with him and they were not gracious in welcoming our son into their midst - in fact when they'd gather in our son's room, they'd suggest to him that he leave the room and find something else to do. Supervision was not the best and my son had a miserable time - made it seem to us like we were punishing him by having sent him to camp. He couldn't wait to get out and phoned home at every opportunity. The Stanford Camps (one day camp and one overnight) were a much better experience. This was no doubt because he was a couple years older and had a classmate attend with him. I'd be very hesitant to send a 7 year old to an overnight camp if that's what you were thinking of doing.

bearsahead2;737156 said:

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Our son went to 3 BB Camps - 2 at Stanford during the Montgomery era (we live on the Peninsula) and 1 at Cal during Braun's tenure. The Cal Camp was an overnight as was one of the two Stanford Camps. The Cal experience was not good as he was 10 and his assigned roommate was a couple years older. His roommate had several friends attending Camp with him and they were not gracious in welcoming our son into their midst - in fact when they'd gather in our son's room, they'd suggest to him that he leave the room and find something else to do. Supervision was not the best and my son had a miserable time - made it seem to us like we were punishing him by having sent him to camp. He couldn't wait to get out and phoned home at every opportunity. The Stanford Camps (one day camp and one overnight) were a much better experience. This was no doubt because he was a couple years older and had a classmate attend with him. I'd be very hesitant to send a 7 year old to an overnight camp if that's what you were thinking of doing.

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Thanks for the feedback. I'm sorry to hear your son didn't have a good experience.

I agree, I won't send my 7 year old overnight. This would be a day camp for a week or so. May not work out since I would have to drive to Berkeley to drop off and pick up....not easy to leave work every day. However, if the camp is worthwhile I would do it.

What is the involvement of Cal coaches and players?

Send him to Allocco's Excel camp at DLS. He has 7 or so one week sessions each summer. They are day camps. He wii like it and learn the fundamentals.

or try Rick Slettedahl, www.webasketball.net. He has camps in July in Berkeley and Albany Village, as well as leagues during the year. He played D1 at UW back in the late 60's and is a great coach.

The university village basketball camp is great I used to work at the rec. really well run and great for all ages.

UCBerkGrad, as I recall the instructors/counselors were mostly college students. Our experiences go back some 17 years or so. After my earlier email, I looked at the link you put up and see they no longer offer the overnight camp which is probably a good thing. I suspect the liability issues make it no longer practical. Monty and Braun were present but spent most of their time with the older high school campers. Several players from the current teams also worked at the Camps.

My son did quite a few sessions of the Cal camp. The organization and quality seemed to vary quite a bit year to year. It seemed that the person who organized the camp on a particular year was instrumental in determining the quality of the experience. Lots of current Cal players and coaches drop by, and that was a big thrill for him. One year we did a father-son camp and that was a good experience, though some of the fathers were a bit too competitive for my taste. The kids get lots of free stuff at the end of these camps like balls and jerseys, and that was fun.

To really learn fundamentals well, something like Randy Duck's Hoophouse, or Advantage Basketball camps are very good, though they can get quite pricey.

My 7 yr old went to the Cal football camp last year. He had a good time and will be going again this year. I dont think he learned lots of fundamentals but he enjoyed being around the players.

I went to Lou Campinelli's camp back in like 1990 or so. It was amazing meeting him and getting coached by former players. I was so lucky -- I had Jon Wheeler as my coach there, it was like a dream come true. Highly recommended!