Camp Details
Our five day, four night camp is committed to helping campers develop and refine their basketball skills in a fun and supportive environment. Coach Larry Steele, a 9-year NBA player who was on the Portland Trail Blazer NBA World Championship Team in 1977 oversees all aspects of the camp.
Coach Steele brings a unique skill set built in his history of playing in over 1,000 competitive basketball games, several thousand practices, and coaching over 500 games from youth to college. Coach Steele feels the best instruction he can provide campers is along the emotional and mental aspects of the game. He helps campers to develop an attitude where they can more easily overcome the emotional challenges they might experience when playing basketball, as well as handling the high emotional states that occur in competition.
His staff also supports campers to learn shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding, defense, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Staff teach these fundamentals in beautiful outdoor surroundings while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive and respectful attitude both on and off the court.
We welcome players of all abilities at our camps from ages 9 to 18 years old. Once at camp, each camper will be personally evaluated and placed into a group with other players of similar age and abilities. This provides a foundation for fundamental skill development for beginning players and a challenge for advanced players.
When not playing basketball, campers enjoy swimming in the heated pool, braving the giant slip and slide, or just hanging out with their new friends.
The parents of more than 23,000 campers have put their trust in our camps over the past 34 years. Coach Steele has received hundreds of thank you letters, testimonials, and referrals for his camp. Many campers return year after year and some return as Camp counselors and coaches. We know the powerful impact an exceptional camp experience can have on a growing player, and we hope to see your child at one of our camps this summer!
As a camper, your player receives:
- Larry Steele Basketball Camp T-Shirt
- Individual Photo
- Camp Photo
- Skill Competitions
- Award Ceremony
- Certificate of Completion
- Autograph Opportunities
- Guest Speakers
Arrival
Registration is the first day of camp from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. There is a BBQ buffet dinner for the camper and up to two guests during check-in.
Departure
Parents and guests are invited to the closing ceremonies on the last day of camp, from 2:00 - 3:00 pm. All campers are dismissed at 3 pm.
Camp directions
Larry Steele Basketball Camp is located at Camp Cedar Ridge 18062 Keasey Road, Vernonia, OR 97064. Vernonia is located 40 miles northwest of Portland and is reached by taking Highway 26 west from Portland. Turn right onto Highway 47 North and travel 15 miles to Vernonia. Turn right at the red blinking light. Turn left on State/Keasey Road (at the Napa Auto Parts). Go 1.3 miles to Camp Cedar Ridge on the left.
Sleeping arrangements:
Our primary sleeping accommodations are four bunkhouses. Each bunkhouse has three rooms that sleep 14 campers and are organized by age. The bunkhouses have bunk beds with twin mattresses. If campers want to bunk with a sibling or specific friend, please let us know when you register.
Letters and phone
Mail should be addressed in care of Larry Steele Basketball Camp, PO Box 296, Vernonia, OR 97064. Essential phone calls should be made to 971-394-9010
Packing List:
- Sleeping bag or twin sheets and blanket
- Pillow
- “Dirty clothes” bag
- 2 or 3 towels (for shower and pool)
- Personal care items
- Soap and soap container
- Sunscreen
- Lip protection
- Long pants
- Shorts (3 or 4 pairs)
- Shirts
- Socks
- Jacket/sweatshirt
- Swimming suit
- Hat/visor
- Basketball shoes
- Shoes for free time
- Flip flops
- Stationery, stamps, pen or pencil
- Book
Foot care
Foot care is very important in order to prevent blisters. If ankles and knees need to be supported, bring tape or other types of support.
Mark your property clearly
Mark each shoe and other items with tape or indelible ink. Unmarked items are very difficult to identify and return.
Electronics
We suggest that cell phones and other electronics are left at home, because we don’t want them to be a distraction from their experience at camp. We strive to keep kids off their devices as much as possible including on the court and at meal times so they are connecting with other campers and focused on the game. Campers are always allowed to call home on the camp phone line.
The Camp Store
The Camp Store will be open daily. Money may be deposited into the camper’s account at registration time. Money from the account is deducted when personal items or snacks are purchased. Any remaining funds will be refunded when camp is over.
Example Daily Schedule
8:00 Wake up!
8:30 All Campers on the Court
8:45 Breakfast
9:00 Coaches Meeting
9:15 Warm Ups
9:30 Games* (2-25-minute games, 5-minute halftime) or Skill Stations
10:30 Station Work (8 minute rotations)
11:10 Games* (1- 20-minute game, 5-minute halftime) or Skill Stations
12:00 Lunch
1:15 Games* (2-25-minute games, 5-minute halftime) or Skill Stations
2:15 Position Work: 20/10/10 (Posts, Wings, PG’s)
3:00 FREE TIME (Pool, Creek, Individual skills, Slip-n-slide, Volleyball, Camp Store)
5:30 DINNER
6:30 Team Lines
6:35 Games* (2-25 halves, 5-minute halftime) or Skill Stations
7:40 Fun games
9:00 Mail
9:10 FREE TIME (Camp Store, Social Activities)
10:00 BUNKS
10:30 LIGHTS OUT!
* Players are divided into 3 age groups (Pac12, WNBA/NBA, NCAA)