Points of Instruction
•Shooting
•Ball Handling
•Rebounding
•Passing
•Defense
•Teamwork
•Sportsmanship
La Canada High School
SPARTAN BASKETBALL
“A Winning Tradition”
CIF Champions 1992 & 2011
Rio Hondo League Champions:
1988-98, 2002-08, 2010-12, 2014-2023
CIF Divisional Runner-Up 2007
CIF State Regional Runner-Up 2011
39 consecutive CIF playoff appearances
2025 Camp Dates
June 9-13
June 16-20
June 23-27
ABOUT SPARTAN BASKETBALL CAMP
Are you looking for a great activity once it is time to put the schoolbooks away? Play basketball in an atmosphere where you can’t help but improve. Former members from Coach Tom Hofman’s 31-time Rio Hondo League champion Spartans, along with a select group of college players, will be among the counselors.
This is far and away the most popular youth basketball camp in the entire Valley. Nearly 300 boys and girls attended last summer! Players acquire new skills, refine skills previously learned, build self-esteem, have fun, and go home with a smile!
Each afternoon for five days, you will be drilled on correct techniques of ball handling, shooting, passing, offense, defense and more. Our goal is to provide our campers with instruction that can be used all year long. This sport can build their self-confidence and motivate them to push themselves farther, which can be invaluable as a life experience beyond basketball.
League play takes place during the final hour each day during which you will apply the new skills you have learned throughout the day. Your team coach for the games will evaluate your skills after each game, giving immediate feedback. Additionally, SPARTAN BASKETBALL CAMP will have a camper-to-coach ratio of approximately 8-to-1, providing more individual teaching than most of the larger basketball camps.
A final evaluation will be conducted on Friday, at which time your coach will assess your strengths and weaknesses, which will help guide players as to what they should concentrate on during the off-season to become an even better player. The week’s final games will be played and trophies will be presented to each player in front of friends and family at the Awards Ceremony. Every player will receive a trophy.
PURPOSE
Spartan Basketball Camp was founded in 1988 to help youngsters become better basketball players by stressing fundamentals, something which is often overlooked. Campers will learn individual offensive skills and team strategy concepts, as well as build self-esteem while they have fun!
DATES, TIMES & LOCATION
Because of the popularity of the camp and its waiting list in recent years, there will be three sessions conducted this summer. The first is from Monday, June 9 through Friday, June 13. The second one-week session is June 16–20, and the third session is June 23 – 27. The camp is held from 1:15-5 PM each afternoon in the air conditioned La Canada High School gymnasium at 4463 Oak Grove Drive. In the past, families have carpooled with friends to simplify transportation. Our camps are coed; girls are welcome to attend!
AGE ELIGIBILITY & REGISTRATION
The camp is open to youths between the ages of 6 and 14, with 8th grade graduates being the oldest at camp. Please note that enrollment is based strictly on a first-come, first-served basis according to the date the application is postmarked. Last year, all but one of our sessions sold out. It is advisable to return your application as soon as possible.
FRIDAY’S AWARDS CEREMONY
Family and friends are encouraged to attend the final games and the Awards Ceremony on the final day of camp (either June 13, June 20 or June 27 depending on the session). The day’s first games will begin at approximately 3:00 p.m. with the ceremonies being held immediately after the final game. Each camper will receive an attractive trophy at the ceremony. Since COVID restrictions may limit the number of people allowed in the gym, we will advise in June how many parents can view their child’s final game on Friday.
TROPHY AWARDS
In addition to the individual trophy every player will receive at the Awards Ceremony, players will also compete for additional trophies in our special competitions each afternoon during the week. These trophies will be awarded for Free Throw Accuracy, a Three-on-Three Tournament, and a Two- On-Two Tournament.
COMPARE OUR COST
Parents have told us that our individual instruction is better than the high- priced camps which feature NBA superstars. – Sign-ups and payments are currently being accepted online for the camp fee of $425.99, which includes a tee shirt, a new basketball and a trophy. Our fee for a 20-hour week is comparable to what a sitter would charge, except the children do far more than sit on the couch and watch television. Our camp participants will be exercising and becoming physically fit while enjoying themselves under the watchful guidance of experienced camp counselors.
WHAT TO BRING
We recommend that players wear a T-shirt and shorts. Bringing water or money for a drink from the school’s vending machine is also advised. Do NOT bring watches, baseball caps or your own basketball. Each camper receives a Spartan Basketball Camp T-Shirt (which should be worn each day at camp), a detailed evaluation sheet of his/her skills, and a trophy at the Awards Ceremony.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
See registration site for terms of cancellation and refund. Cancellation Insurance fee is an available option for those who may be interested.
Levels of Training
Is this camp right for me?
Beginners
Are you in elementary school and just starting to play and have never participated in an organized league? Summer basketball camp is the ideal place to begin a career. We’ll get you off to the proper start by teaching you the correct way to execute the fundamentals. This is your first opportunity to learn the techniques that will literally last a lifetime!
Intermediate Players
If you are already somewhat experienced and have enjoyed playing basketball in your school’s physical education class, we will help make you a better player.You will improve your game, refine your skills, and be a more consistent and dominant player in middle school.
Advanced Players
If you are already a competitive player who has participated in the local Junior Basketball League or other youth league and your goal is to compete in high school and beyond, we will refine your skills so you can achieve that level.You will learn the intricacies of the game that are not usually taught prior to high school giving you an advantage as you gear up for the possibility of becoming a member of a league or CIF championship team!
Camp Gallery
About Coach Tom Hofman
Tom Hofman, La Cañada High School’s varsity basketball coach and the camp’s director, has turned the Spartans into a Southern California basketball power. This includes two CIF championships in the school’s 60 year history in 1992 and 2011, and an outstanding 839-277 won-lost record at LCHS, making him one of the winningest coaches of any high school or college coach in California. He has been selected “Coach of the Year” ten times by the Rio Hondo League, three times by the Glendale News Press, five times by the L.A. Times, twice by the Pasadena Star News, was four-time Coach of the Year of the CIF Southern Section Div. III, and in 2007 he was named Div. III State Coach of the Year. Hofman’s coaching success is demonstrated by his accomplishments: an unprecedented 30 league titles, 37 consecutive appearances in the CIF playoffs, and his teams have advanced to the playoff semifinals ten different seasons. It is easy to see why he has earned the reputation as one of the state’s premier coaches during his 39 year varsity career.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
Camp weeks are non-refundable unless Cancellation Insurance is purchased during registration. There are no make up days. You may transfer between 2024 dates at no charge. We may provide Spartan Allstars Camp/Spartan Basketball Camp Credit to parents who need to withdraw their child but did not purchase Cancellation Insurance.
We have a sliding scale for Spartan Allstars Camp/Spartan Basketball Camp Credit given based on the original week registered. If the enrolled program was a result of a previous transfer, the earliest program’s start date is used in this calculation.
Credit (Valid for 24 months)
28+ days before start date = 100% credit
21-27 days = 75% credit
14-20 days = 50% credit
7-13 days = 25% credit
6 days or less = 0% credit
If camp is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the Camp’s control (facility issues, pandemic, natural disasters, etc).
100% Spartan Allstars Camp/Spartan Basketball Camp Credit, valid for 24 months, will automatically be issued.
WHAT IS CANCELLATION INSURANCE
Cancellation Insurance is an optional add-on that may be purchased during registration that allows you to cancel a program, for any reason, up to the start date of a program, and receive 100% of your registration fee back, less any discounts or add-ons that were applied during the check-out. It is important to note that Cancellation Insurance may only be exercised BEFORE a program begins. Even with Cancellation Insurance, program fees are non-refundable after a program begins. Last minute vacation changes, illness, injuries, aging out of camp (so future credit is not needed), and global pandemics are all a real concern. If you don’t want Camp Credit, consider purchasing Cancellation Insurance instead.
Is there a medical exception?
Yes. If the medical situation is supported by a written and signed acknowledgment from a licensed medical practitioner, we will extend Spartan Allstars Camp/Spartan Basketball Camp Credit on your account, prorated from the date we receive the medical acknowledgment. Please note this is a credit, not a refund, which expires 24 months from the original program’s start date. The credit may be applied toward future Spartan Allstars and Spartan Basketball Camps.