FAQ’s

Q: What is the camper to counselor ratio?

A: All children are on their own team of up to ten players and have their own head coach for the entire week. Additional staff, including two Camp Directors, two Asst. Directors, five Commissioners (assigned to each age group), one Trainer, several paid support staff, and both paid and unpaid program interns, brings the ratio closer to 5:1.

Q: What should my child bring to camp?

A: Campers should wear sneakers, shorts, and any t-shirt the first day. From Tuesday on they will wear one of two team shirts that we provide. A water bottle with their name on it is a must, but any snacks or drinks are optional. Most divisions play on outdoor courts at some time during the day so sunscreen is important. Our trainer has sunscreen in the event you forget.

Q: Who are your coaches and what are their backgrounds?

A: Our coaches come back year after year and are the heart and soul of the program. Their backgrounds vary depending on the age group. Varsity coaches and professional players teach the older boys and girls, while the younger age groups often have certified PE teachers, AAU coaches, or college players that demonstrate outstanding enthusiasm as well as knowledge of the game.

Q: Does MVP provide busing?

A:  There is busing for one week from various locations included as part of our scholarship program. These locations may include Greenburgh, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, and Peekskill. This schedule varies from year to year. Please call (914) 946-1231 for details.

Q: Can my camper be placed on the same team as a friend?

A: We can always keep friends in the same grade together in the same division. As far as placing campers on the same team within a division, parents of boys and girls 12 and under may make such a request by phone or email in advance of camp ONLY if they feel strongly that their child’s personality and/or confidence level requires such a request. We believe children gain more from forming new relationships than from depending on old ones.

Q: Can parents come and watch?

A: Yes, we encourage parents to stop by on Fridays to watch games and attend our weekly awards ceremony.

Q: Do many children attend for just one week or do they come for the whole summer?

A: At least 30% of all kids attend just one week, but a growing number take advantage of multiple week discounts and come for three or more weeks. Each Monday we start with a mix of new and returning campers and all new teams are created. New arrivals will have teammates prior to lunchtime on Monday, and their coach will lead the new team through icebreakers so they can get to know each other and form friendships.

Q: Do you have a nurse or trainer?

A: MVP has a Certified Athletic Trainer on site from 9am – 4pm daily. The trainer has special qualifications for handling all types of medical situations arising from sports activities and can hold and administer medications such as Epi Pens if we get parent authorization. Many MVP coaches also have CPR training through their certifications as teachers and/or coaches.

Q: Why MVP and not another local basketball camp?

A: MVP has size, and this helps us create narrower age groups and better competition. MVP has longevity, with more than 25 years in Westchester County. MVP has accolades, like a prestigious “Best of Westchester” award, proclamations by both White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach and Westchester County Executive Bob Astorino for its community involvement, and endorsements from former NBA stars like Knicks’ Allan Houston. MVP has diversity, with kids from the most affluent towns getting to compete against children from under-resourced communities where MVP’s scholarship program is active. But if you really want to know “why MVP?” you should ask one of the many campers who has been to numerous local basketball camps and several expensive sleep-away camps and tells his parents “I only want to go to MVP. Because it’s the most fun!”