Frequently Asked Questions

1.  How old do I have to be to attend?

SmartHoops is for players entering the 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grades. We believe that this age range is ideal for concept-based basketball development.

2. Is the program co-ed?

Yes. Developing sound basketball habits isn’t a gender-specific endeavor. In the classroom, the boys and girls will share space as they see fit. On the court, girls will usually play against girls, and boys will usually play against boys, but there will be some fun exceptions in tournament play. In the dorms, the girls will be separated from the boys by floor, or dorm. All male counselors will stay with the boys on/in the boy’s floor/dorm; and all female counselors will stay with the girls on/in the girl’s floor/dorm. The girls can’t go on/in the boy’s floor/dorm and the boys can’t go on/in the girls floor/dorm. No exceptions! The dorms have a “commons room” area where everyone can gather and have fun during free time and before curfew.

 

3. How do I register and pay for camp?

You have two options. First, you can register and pay online at the US Sports Camp website: www.ussportscamps.com . You may pay the whole amount, or a $250 deposit (non-refundable) to secure a spot. For on-line registration, we accept VISA or MasterCard.

Second, you can also register via regular mail. You must download and print out the application/registration form (at the “Registration” link) and mail it with your check, money order, or credit card info ($250 non-refundable deposit; or $450 full payment) to the following address:
SmartHoops Basketball Camp
c/o US Sports Camps
750 Linardo Street, Ste. 220
San Rafael, CA 94901
 Please make checks payable to US Sports Camps, Inc.
We will not reserve a spot for you until we have received your completed application/registration and your deposit or full payment. If you choose to place a deposit, your balance ($250.00) will be due 30 days before camp starts.

4. How much does it cost?

The cost for athletes is $495.00. The cost for observing coaches is $350.00. This includes room and board for 5 days/4 nights.    

5. What is your refund/cancellation policy?

If you cancel for any reason, your $250 deposit will not be refunded. If you cancel after you have paid in full, we will refund $250 (full payment less the deposit).

6. Where do the athletes stay?

You will stay in college dorm rooms and two athletes will be in each room. The coaches will stay in the dorms as well. The rooms are usually nice, but not luxurious. However, you won’t be spending much time in your room, so it shouldn’t really matter that you won’t have 24/7 room service!

7. How are the athletes supervised?

All coaches stay in the dorms and on the same hallways as the athletes. Female counselors will stay on / in the girl’s floors/dorms, and male counselors will stay on/in the guys floors/dorms. We will do a “lights out” bed check each night, and have at least one counselor per floor doing late night “door opening” duty on a rotating basis. We rarely have issues on this front (in large part because we attract dedicated athletes, and also because we play until 10:30 or 11:00 each night and the athletes are tired!), but we are still vigilant. As noted above, the boys cannot go on/in a girls’ floor or dorm, and the girls cannot go on/in a boys’ floor/dorm. We choose small colleges because they afford convenience and security as we move among our on-campus venues (dorm, classroom, gym,  cafeteria). We normally move from place to place as a group. We also do “head counts” at each session to make sure we don’t have any sleepy heads doing unauthorized dorm duty.  

8. Will I be assigned a roommate?

Yes. We will do our best to accommodate roommate requests (you can do so on the application). If you do not make a roommate request, you will be assigned a roommate.

9. What is the daily schedule?

Our schedule will follow this basic format:

Day One
12:00 – 2:30    Registration
2:30 – 3:00       Parents meeting
3:00 – 5:00       Classroom
5:00 – 6:45       Dinner
6:45 – 8:00       Classroom/Gym split
8:00 – 10:30     Gym
11:45                Lights out

Days Two, Three, Four
7:45 – 8:30       Breakfast
8:30 – 10:00     Classroom
10:00 – 12:00   Gym
12:00 – 1:45     Lunch
1:45 – 3:00       Classroom
3:00 – 5:00       Gym
5:00 – 6:45       Dinner
6:45 – 8:00       Classroom
8:00 – 10:30     Gym
11:45                Lights out

Day Five
7:45 – 8:30       Breakfast
8:30 – 10:00     Classroom (final exam)
10:00 – 10:20   Awards Ceremony
10:20 – 11:00    Pack/Clean rooms
11:00 – 11:30   Check-out

10. What will we do in the classroom?

We will break down the finer points of the game, learn crucial hoops concepts, and review game film. This will be part of our “hear, see, do” learning approach.

11. Do I have to take notes in the classroom sessions?

We won’t force you to take notes, but our best athletes are the ones sitting in the front row, taking it all in, writing furiously, all with a wonderful sense of urgency to become a better player now!

12. How many athletes attend each session?

We will take a maximum of 70 athletes per camp.

13. Do you provide transportation?

We regret that we cannot provide transportation to and from airports, bus terminals, or train depots.

14. What should I bring?

• Basketball (with your name on it).
• Basketball clothes/shoes for four days.
• Sheets and blankets for a twin bed.
• Pillow/pillow case.
• Towels.
• Alarm clock.
• Toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.)
• Notebook (mandatory!) and pens/pencils.
• Signed Medical Release Form (download from the “Registration” link).
• $50 key deposit check (refundable upon returning key and cleaning room).
• Optional: snacks and drinks (bottled water, sports drinks, fruit, power bars etc.);
  Note: you cannot cook in the dorms.
• Optional: spending money for ordering in pizzas/subs.
• Optional: small fan…occasionally, we may be assigned a dorm that does not have A/C.
• WHAT NOT TO BRING: TV’s, Game systems, Boom boxes, or any such other “play toys”. You won’t use them, and you won’t need them. SO…..DON”T BRING THEM!

15. Do you have a discipline policy?

We don’t like rules for the sake of having rules. However, the rules that we lay out, we enforce with vigor! We attract mature, serious athletes, so our “discipline” issues are rare. That said, if you breach a camp rule, you will be sent home whether it is 2:00 p.m. or 2:00 a.m. If you are looking to be a “bend the rules” camper, rather than a serious athlete, then this probably isn’t the camp for you!

16. What time is check-in/check-out?

Registration occurs from 12:00 noon till 2:30 p.m. on the day your camp starts. Check-out occurs around 11:00 a.m. on the last day of your camp. Registration and check-out normally occur in the lobby of the dorm in which we will be staying.      

17. What is your cancellation policy?

If you have to cancel, for any reason, we will issue you a camp credit for all camp fees paid, valid through 2008. Your camp credit is transferable to a family member and may be used for any Nike Basketball Camp. Cash refunds will be given only with the purchase of Refund Protection.

Campers who leave camp during their session, will receive a pro-rated camp credit, valid through 2008. Campers who do not check-in or attend their registered camp session will receive a camp credit for all camp fees paid, valid through 2008.

18. What is refund protection?

Nike Sports Camps offers our camp families Refund Protection for $35 per session, due at the time of registration. Refund Protection entitles you to a full refund of camp fees (deposit or full payment) if you cancel for any reason before June 1st, 2007. Please note: Refund Protection fee is non-refundable.