The first annual Basket Summer Camps was a huge success. About a 100 athletes, aged between 12 and 20 years, attended from all over the country. During these 3-day camps, the athletes learned about the fundamentals in basketball, participated in skills development, team practices, and games.
“When I was 12 I went to a camp in America for the first time. That camp made me decide that I wanted to become a professional basketball player. I wanted to set up a similar camp, with that effect, in the Netherlands.” – Charlon Kloof
Together with top trainers such as ACB coach Ibon Navarro and ex-NBA player Francisco Elson, but also his physiotherapists Tom van Teeffelen and Rud Raymakers, sports psychologist Bram Meurs and dietician Gregory Hirschfeld, Charlon Kloof aimed to create a fun and memorable camp experience, whereby athletes were able to learn more about the game of basketball.
During the camps, the kids learned skills on both side of the ball, both defensively and offensively. But also developed and improved basketball skills, including shooting, rebounding, dribbling, passing and team concepts. But more importantly, they were inspired.
“You have a very strong influence on the kids, because the camp starts at 10 o’clock and 7.30 my kid was dressed and ready to go.” – One of the athletes’ parents
As the founder, Charlon Kloof was very enthusiastic about the Basket Summer Camps last summer. “At each camp there was a nice atmosphere in which the participants worked very hard, but there was also enough space to have a lot of fun and because of the great interaction between the coaches and the youth, there was also extra energy, despite the fatigue after so many days of hard work.”
“Usually after the training my son still has a lot of energy. I don’t know what you did with the kids, but after the camp he was knocked out in the car.” – One of the athletes’ parents
“Support from parents is 5 times stronger than support from a professional”, says Charlon Kloof. That’s why he involved the parents during a Parent teach-in at the camp, where they were taught on on how a child with top sport ambitions can best be guided from home. Sports psychologist Bram Meurs and sports dietician Gregory Hirschfeld took them by the hand and provided them with tools to give their children the necessary mental support, nutrition and training.
The many positive reactions from participants and parents after the camps have given a lot of energy to continue and in 2022 the Basket Summer Camps will therefore return during the summer holidays!
“This very first Basket Summer Camp was an overwhelming success. It wasn’t just a basketball camp, it was a life changing experience. Not only for the athletes, but also for me personally. Every single athlete inspired me, and it was amazing to see them grow within these 3 days. We’re planning on making it an annual event. So stay tuned!” – Charlon Kloof
The Basket Summer Camps 2022 are scheduled around July 2022.
