What a Week of Youth Basketball Day Camp Looks Like

The night before a first camp week, most kids have the same questions, and parents have a few more. Who will be there? Will my player be the youngest, the newest, the smallest? What do I pack? This is a plain walk through how a week of day camp runs at The Basketball Warehouse Academy in Largo, so Monday morning doesn't hold any surprises.

Who camp is for

Basketball camp at the Warehouse is for boys and girls of all skill levels, ages 8 through 15. The academy offers day camps in the summer and throughout the year when kids are out of school, like winter and spring break. Players can sign up for one week or for several.

If you're worried your player is too old, too young or too new to basketball, the coaches say to reach out. They can tell you whether kids of a similar age and experience level are signed up for a given session, because each week is different. A call before you register costs nothing and can save an awkward first day.

How the week is built

Day camp runs Monday through Friday, one week at a time. Half days are available, so a family can choose the morning session, the afternoon session, or both. That flexibility helps when your player is new and you'd like to start gently, or when you've got a full summer schedule to juggle.

Camp size is kept small on purpose, to maximize individual training time and supervision. Kids may be split into small groups of similar size and skill level for instruction and play, and friends can stay together. That grouping matters more than it sounds. A nine-year-old who's new to the game learns faster against other beginners, and a strong thirteen-year-old stays challenged instead of coasting.

Held at the Academy in Largo, camp is meant to be fun first. The coaches describe it as a place to have a good time while improving, with instruction and encouragement along the way, and a spirit of teamwork and competition running through the week.

What players work on

The academy's camp page lists the skills kids can learn, and it reads like a full checklist of the game:

• Fundamentals
• Dribbling
• Shooting
• Passing
• Agility
• Speed
• Defense
• Rebounding

Over five days, that adds up to something real. A small-group format lets instruction match each group's level. The goal is to use the skills in play, not only in isolated drills, because a crossover you can only do standing still doesn't help in a game.

In any good small-group camp, confidence tends to move before skill does. When the group is small and the coaches are close by, mistakes feel cheap, and a hesitant shooter gets more willing to take the shot.

What to pack

The academy's camp FAQ keeps the list short. Put these in the bag the night before:

• A packed lunch. Players bring their own.
• A water bottle. There's a water cooler on site, so a reusable bottle is all you need.
• The completed registration form, with any medical concerns noted on it.
• Casual basketball attire: shorts or sweats and a comfortable shirt.

A few small extras from us, as general advice. Choose shoes your player has already broken in, because new shoes and a full week of cutting and jumping is a recipe for sore feet. Label the water bottle and lunch bag with a name so they don't get swapped. And if your player has a medical need, make sure it's clear on the form and mention it to the coaches on day one.

Picking the right week

Every week is its own session, so you don't have to commit to a whole summer to try camp. Many families start with a single week, see how their player responds, and add more. A friend signing up the same week can make the first day easier, and the coaches note that friends can stay together in small groups.

As for dates, camp dates for 2026 haven't been posted yet. Call Coach Allen and ask when the next camp week is, and which sessions are open. The academy also announces camp dates through its mailing list, so signing up there puts the announcement in your inbox.

The morning of day one

Keep it simple. Eat a real breakfast, arrive a few minutes early so your player can find the coaches and meet the group, and let them walk in on their own if they're willing. Most kids are comfortable within an hour, once there's a ball in their hands and a coach who knows their name.

On the way home, ask what they learned instead of how it went. You'll get a better answer, and you'll hear what stuck.

For the full camp rundown, see /basketball-camp, or call Coach Allen at (727) 235-4726 with questions about ages, sessions and dates.