Resources · Parents

What Parents Should Know Before Basketball Camp

By RCE Skills Academy 5 min read Published October 27, 2026

Registering for camp is one decision. Getting the most out of it is another. Here's a short pre-camp checklist for parents, based on the most common questions we hear at RCE.

Two weeks before camp

  • Confirm registration, dates, and the camp location.
  • Add the camp calendar to your family calendar — including the early drop-off and late pickup windows.
  • Check that any required forms (medical, emergency contacts, authorized pickup) are submitted.
  • Order a backup pair of basketball shoes if the current pair is worn out.

The night before each week

  • Pack water bottle, snack, and sunscreen.
  • Check the week's theme so your player knows what to expect.
  • Confirm pickup arrangements — especially if a different adult is picking up.

Day-one logistics

  • Arrive 5–10 minutes early for the first day to walk in together.
  • Find the coach and introduce yourself and your player.
  • Confirm the pickup procedure and any code words or ID requirements.
  • Take a deep breath. The hardest part is the drop-off.

What to ask the camp

Some good questions to ask the camp director before the first day:

  • What does a typical day look like?
  • How are groups split by age or skill?
  • What's the supervision plan during breaks and water breaks?
  • How are injuries handled?
  • What's the weather plan?
  • How do I reach the camp during the day?

How to support from home

You don't need to coach. You do need to encourage. Three things that help a lot:

  1. Ask what they learned, not just whether they had fun.
  2. Practice the small cues at home — left-hand dribbling, form shooting, footwork.
  3. Treat every week as a chapter, not a test. The summer is the work.

What not to worry about

Your child probably doesn't need to be the best player on the floor. They need reps, coaching, and a chance to build confidence. Most of the kids who go on to play in high school were not the stars of their first camp. They were the ones who kept showing up.

Take a look at the parent information page for the specific procedures at RCE.

Ready to put these skills to work?

The RCE Summer Basketball Day Camp runs nine themed weeks of fundamentals at RCE North in Huntsville. Browse the weekly camps or save with full-summer registration.

Browse the 9 weeks See pricing

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