Coaching/Sports Administration Opportunities

Basketball Camp Manager

Description:

For my business I decided to create a basketball camp for kids from ages 8-12. There had been a drop in interest in a local basketball league. I gathered my teammates from my high school team. We divided up into groups and each coach taught specific drills for defense, passing, ball handling, dribbling, and proper shooting technique. After practicing for about an hour we then had scrimmages between teams allowing them to employ the techniques they had learned.

How I got the idea / found the employment:

I got this idea because it is what I did for my Eagle Scout Project. I wanted to do something that related to my interests and my abilities. I had attended a lot of basketball camps and knew of what made them engaging and exciting for the players. For me the most important part was getting my coaches excited to compete against one another. This really changed the whole mentality of the camp and promoted that friendly rivalry. Coaches were cheering for their players and helping them have a positive experience playing the game of basketball. Kids love to compete if they feel like they can actually contribute in some way. The tone of how the camp acted was directly related to how much excitement and enjoyment I was having while participating. Enthusiasm is contagious.

Challenges I faced, and how I overcame them:

The main challenges I dealt with for my basketball camp were where this was all going to take place and how to coordinate six different groups through various stations while also having them take part in the scrimmages. I found a church where we could hold our camp. In order to keep everything running smoothly I eventually decided to act as an overseer. I would go from group to group to see if they were on task and I would inform coaches of how much time they had left to teach skills.

It was also really difficult in gathering enough 8-12 year old boys to have decent competition. This required some consistent advertising in all the local wards. I also had to make verification phone calls the night before to make sure they were all remembered. During this phone call I asked them to bring a basketball if they had one so that we would be able to provide them in the various stations. It required a lot of planning ahead of time to get things to run smoothly for the three hour duration of the camp.

What I learned:

The thing that was the most interesting about this opportunity is that it showed me how much I enjoy teaching others. It also showed me that if you organize, and demonstrate your talent in a field with a lot of excitement then people will be interested to learn about that talent. They will see how happy you are and want a similar benefit. I had never pictured myself as someone that would be able to manage such a broad endeavor but this experience certainly gave me real confidence in considering working for myself some day. It was one of the most fulfilling things I've ever been done.

Dance and Cheer Mentor/ Tutor

Description:

I offered private and group instruction to young girls who were trying out for dance teams or needed one on one dance/cheer instruction. This included helping girls rehearse for dance recitals, auditions, helping them with cheer and dance technique. I served as a tutor for these young girls who were struggling to keep up with their dance or cheer squad. Since I had a lot of personal training and experience in both dance and cheer I was able to offer dance and cheer lessons to girls living in my area.

How I got the idea / found the employment:

I got this idea from personal experience with dance instructors who taught in their homes. When I was three years old I began taking ballet classes at a studio in San Francisco, California but dropped out because I was shy and didn’t feel comfortable I front of all the other kids. My mother took me to a teenage girl in our ward who was trained in classical ballet and she offered me one on one ballet classes, where I was able to improve before reentering in a larger class with girls my age and in a studio setting. I got this idea because it was something that I had when I was little and thought it would be a good way to make money.It was a good way to use my talent to benefit me financially.

Challenges I faced, and how I overcame them:

One challenge I faced was time scheduling and consistency. Since I was still a teenager and fully involved with dance teams of my own and schoolwork on top of that, I found it hard to balance my time and find time that would consistently work for both me and for those I was instructing. To solve this problem, I offered most of my lessons only on Saturday mornings when most young kids would be awake and I knew I would not have school and would have minimal dance classes. Another problem I faced was how much to charge for my lessons. It was hard for me because I realized I could not charge as much as a professional dance studio and at the same time most of my business came from young girls in my ward and their friends, so it was hard to charge people I was so close to. To solve this I would offer deals, where they could purchase a few lessons a month and if there came a time where there was an audition or a new routine I would give them a few extra hours free of charge.

What I learned:

One challenge I faced was time scheduling and consistency. Since I was still a teenager and fully involved with dance teams of my own and schoolwork on top of that, I found it hard to balance my time and find time that would consistently work for both me and for those I was instructing. To solve this problem, I offered most of my lessons only on Saturday mornings when most young kids would be awake and I knew I would not have school and would have minimal dance classes. Another problem I faced was how much to charge for my lessons. It was hard for me because I realized I could not charge as much as a professional dance studio and at the same time most of my business came from young girls in my ward and their friends, so it was hard to charge people I was so close to. To solve this I would offer deals, where they could purchase a few lessons a month and if there came a time where there was an audition or a new routine I would give them a few extra hours free of charge.

Host a series of Lacrosse camps for youth

Description:

This particular opportunity can be used for different sports in which many you actively engage. The plan was to host a week long lacrosse summer camp held in USU football stadium for kids ages 8-15. There had never been a camp like this before given that it was a sport that is considered up and coming on this side of the country. The camp was similar to any soccer, football, or volleyball camp created, only that it was for Lacrosse. The goal was to get a good turn out and involvement from those already playing the sport in private clubs throughout the city and also get others who had never played lacrosse to get interested and hopefully pick up the sport as a hobby.

In order to get the proper turnout, we visited local middle and jr. high schools to sign kids up for the event after meeting with principals and taking care of “administrative “ business such as registration for the camp and also the insurance policy that each kid would have to sign. The camp would be $30-$35 dollars per kid pending on if they had their own stick and gloves. We needed extra equipment for the kids that didn’t already have their own so we had to find sponsors and donors that would help provide the right equipment. We found a company in Salt Lake City that agreed on a great deal that if we purchased a certain amount of equipment they would reduce the price for our kids in the camp and also donate shirts and hats from their company. The insurance policy was $1million dollars for each kid if any accident were to happen while participating in the camp. It was great because we found a deal through a specific company that specializes in insurance policies for lacrosse training camps.

In order to run the camp, the duty called for a staff of 10 experienced lacrosse player that would be able to direct training drills such as passing, shooting, and field positioning for offence and defense and also being refs for the scrimmages held at the end of each day of camp. The hard part was coming up with ways to pay each staffer. We were lucky and able to find those who were passionate about lacrosse and were willing to help with a ‘minimal fee’ which was a free, hot breakfast for each staffer before the camp started each day at 8 am and then drinks during the event until 12 from Monday to Friday.

After having the right amount of workers and a large enough group of kids that wanted to participate, we made shirts and hats for those that participated.

A difficult part of this was the amount of effort to get things going but once things were taken care of, such as the stadium rental, insurance, equipment, and staff, the camp ran well. It required a lot of planning and dedication however it was well worth it to see the involvement from so many kids that wanted to play the sport but weren’t sure how to get involved.

How I got the idea / found the employment:

How my buddy Ryan got the idea was because he was coming to the end of the Sr. year and didn’t want others to feel like he did at the end of his general education career…like he didn’t get enough of the sport he loved in a fun competitive level. He got the idea after talking to his Lacrosse coach who said it would be near impossible to get the work done and have the camp be a success. No one likes to hear that they can’t do something…especially when we all know that everything we strive for is achievable . He wanted to prove those wrong and provide others way younger that he to have a great opportunity to love the sport and maybe go somewhere with it.

Challenges I faced, and how I overcame them:

A major challenge was the initial lack of support from adults and their participation. After we were able to acquire the correct insurance coverage and registration it helped convince those initially skeptical to the idea become convinced that we were serious about have a successful camp. Other difficult challenges were finding the right sponsors for great deals and the right people to help run the camp. I would recommend using the internet for local listings and searches of companies that are involved in sporting activities and are looking to build brand recognition. It’s a huge benefit for companies to have their name on banners for kids to see while at the camp and for parents to read while dropping their kids off for the day.

What I learned:

: It was great experience because we learned that we can accomplish a difficult task full of different variables and still make some good money. After a week of camp, we both earned $1000. There is a great feeling of accomplishment when you know that you started and finished a great project. It made us feel like adults as we were able to, with the help of a few mentors, pay all debts and still make a profit.

Also I learned that in order to have success you have to help others have success. It will be a great principal that I will carry with me in all of my entrepreneurial endeavors.

Summer Sports Camp Director

Description:

When I was in middle school I put on a five day long basketball camp for little children. I held the camp in the driveway of my house. Before the camp I made flyers and gave them to families that I knew that had children in the age group that I was going to teach. I charged $20.00 per child. Each day I would spend time to teach the children skills and do various drills with them. At the end of each session, the children would play a game which I would referee. Each day there was a break in the middle where snacks and a sports drink were provided. It gave the children a chance to rest and refuel. The last day was the most exciting day. It was a day various contests which whoever won would get a prize. Then, at the end of the last day, after the last game, prizes would be handed out for those who won the contests. Also, I gave every child a certificate with a positive comment on it like “the hardest worker” or “the three point king,” and a nice treat. The parents were invited to come to watch this “awards ceremony.”

How I got the idea / found the employment:

I got the idea from twin brothers that were high school aged that went to my church. They would put on a basketball camp every summer. They had a little more to offer than mine, but theirs cost more. They did two sessions each day, one for a younger age group (4th, 5th, 6th grade age) and one for an older age group (7th and 8th graders). They also had someone videotape parts of it, and then everyone got this highlight tape that attended. Everyone also got a shirt as well on the last day of the week. My brother decided to do a basketball camp one summer and it went well, and so I thought that it would be fun to do one myself for younger children.

Challenges I faced, and how I overcame them:

I really can’t remember too many challenges that I faced. One thing that I did, when the parents would pay the fee, was have the parents sign a waiver explaining how I was not liable for any injuries or illness incurred and giving me authorization to act in my best judgment on their behalf in the event of an emergency. Examples of waivers can be found through a search of “basketball camp waiver,” or something like that, in an internet search engine.

What I learned:

It was really fun putting on this basketball camp. I learned that it is fun to share knowledge and talents with others. I also, at a fairly young age, was able to get some experience in leadership and in using my talents to put together a profitable endeavor that was very also very enjoyable for those who participated. If someone has the initiative, even at a younger age, there are many services that you can give to others and make some good money doing it.

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