Bay Area Basketball Camp for Boys & Girls: Overnight Camp at Cal State East Bay

Every parent searching for a summer basketball camp in the Bay Area sees the same things: drills, skill clinics, guest coaches, and a highlight reel of smiling kids. What’s harder to find is a program that actually develops the whole player — the athlete and the person.

At Maccabi Sports Camp, we believe a basketball court is one of the most powerful classrooms there is. Our co-ed overnight basketball camp, set on the campus of Cal State East Bay in Hayward, combines elite skill development with the kind of character-building that only comes from a true overnight community. Boys and girls train and live together in an environment grounded in the values of the Oshman Family JCC — where becoming a better player and becoming a better person happen at the same time.

This is the Bay Area’s only Jewish overnight basketball camp. And nothing else comes close.

Enroll now, request a camp tour, request more information, or call us at (415) 997-8844 — we’re happy to answer any questions about the program.

More Than a Day Camp: The Overnight Advantage

Day camps build skills. Overnight camp builds players.

The difference is in the hours between sessions — the team dinners, the cabin conversations after a tough loss, the early morning shootarounds, and the bonds that form when a group of kids compete hard together all day and then share the same space at night. That’s where confidence is really built. That’s where leadership shows up.

At Maccabi Sports Camp, campers are fully immersed in the game and the community for the entirety of their time with us. They live in CSUEB’s dormitory suites on a beautiful university campus in Hayward, eat together in the campus dining hall, and train on the same hardwood courts used by Cal State East Bay’s collegiate athletes. It’s a complete experience — not a drop-off program.

Boys and girls train and compete together. Our co-ed structure reflects how the game is actually growing — with boys and girls developing alongside each other, pushing each other to raise their game. Players who train in mixed environments consistently develop better court vision, stronger communication, and a more adaptable competitive mindset.

Elite Basketball Development: What We Work On

Our coaching staff — experienced mentors who put character before clips — runs a progressive, structured curriculum built around the skills that define great basketball players at every level:

Ballhandling & footwork

The foundation of everything. Players work on dribble combinations, change of direction, and footwork patterns in structured repetitions that build real muscle memory — not just drill performance.

Shooting mechanics & shot creation

From catch-and-shoot fundamentals to off-the-dribble pull-ups and floaters, players develop the shot repertoire they need to score against real defense. Form, footwork, and release are coached individually.

Defensive principles & IQ

We treat defense as a skill, not an afterthought. Players learn on-ball and help-side positioning, defensive rotations, and how to guard without fouling — the things that actually get players on the court at the next level.

Team concepts & decision-making

Basketball is a team sport. We dedicate real time to 5-on-5 concepts — spacing, ball movement, pick-and-roll reads, transition offense and defense — so players return home with a basketball IQ that makes their whole team better.

Character & leadership

This is the pillar that makes Maccabi different from every other basketball camp in the Bay Area. We integrate deliberate lessons in sportsmanship, resilience, accountability, and leadership into every day of camp — grounded in the Jewish values that have defined this program for decades. We don’t just train athletes. We help shape who they’re becoming.

What Boys Gain at Maccabi Basketball Camp

For boys, Maccabi is a chance to be genuinely challenged — on the court and off it — in a setting that rewards effort, growth, and character as much as it rewards skill. Male campers consistently tell us the competition surprised them. The friendships they made surprised them more.

For the competitive player: position-specific skill work, live 5-on-5 competition organized by ability, and tactical sessions designed to prepare players for school and club tryouts.

For the developing player: a progressive curriculum that meets them exactly where they are. Our coaches focus on fundamentals and confidence — no one gets lost in the crowd, and no one gets overlooked.

For the social kid: an overnight community built around a shared love of the game. Boys form the kind of friendships in our CSUEB cabins that feel completely different from school-year friendships — forged under pressure, and built to last.

What Girls Gain at Maccabi Basketball Camp

For girls, Maccabi offers something genuinely rare in the Bay Area: an overnight basketball experience that treats female players as serious athletes without qualification. Same courts, same coaches, same level of instruction, same competitive expectations as the boys. No separate curriculum. No lower bar.

For the aspiring competitor: technical and tactical instruction that translates directly to tryout and game performance — plus the experience of competing in a co-ed environment that sharpens every part of your game.

For the player building her confidence: a team-first culture where female athletes are celebrated and pushed in equal measure. Our coaches specialize in developing the mental game alongside the physical one.

For the girl who loves camp as much as basketball: Maccabi is the only overnight basketball camp in the Bay Area with authentic Jewish camp culture woven through the entire experience. It’s the best of both worlds — elite training by day, real community by night.

Jewish Values. Real Friendships. Unforgettable Summers.

Maccabi Sports Camp is the West Coast’s only Jewish overnight sports camp, and a flagship partner of the Oshman Family JCC. What that looks like in practice isn’t a list of rules or obligations — it’s a culture that runs through everything we do.

It’s a culture where character is treated as a skill worth developing. Where community is built on purpose, not by accident. Where players are measured not just by what they accomplish, but by how they show up for each other.

Jewish campers will feel immediately at home. Campers of all backgrounds tell us Maccabi gave them something they didn’t know they were looking for: a team that competed hard and had each other’s backs completely.

Shabbat, evening programming, and community traditions are woven through the week in a way that feels genuine — not scheduled or performative.

Our Home: Cal State East Bay in Hayward, CA

Maccabi Basketball Camp is hosted on the campus of California State University, East Bay — a spacious, tree-lined university campus on a hill in Hayward, CA, centrally located in the East Bay with easy access from across the Bay Area.
CSUEB gives our campers access to the same world-class athletic facilities used by collegiate athletes:
– Full NCAA-regulation basketball courts and gym facilities — the same surfaces used by CSUEB’s varsity program
– University dormitory suites serving as cabins, with 8 campers and 2–3 dedicated counselors per suite
– Lane and recreational swimming pools for recovery and evening activities
– Campus dining hall serving kosher-style meals, with organic, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options
– Classrooms and outdoor spaces for team film sessions, tactical discussions, and evening programming
– A campus garden used for Shabbat and community gatherings
 
The CSUEB campus sits in the East Bay, accessible to families from San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Silicon Valley — a short drive from all three major Bay Area airports.

Want to see the campus and courts for yourself? Request a camp tour or attend an open house — or call us at (415) 997-8844 and we’ll walk you through what a week at camp looks like.

Program Details at a Glance

Who it’s for: Boys and girls, ages 8–16, all skill levels from beginners to competitive club and school team players

Camp format: Overnight (sleep-away) — the Bay Area’s only Jewish overnight basketball camp

Location: Cal State East Bay (CSUEB) campus, Hayward, CA — accessible from across the Bay Area

Housing: CSUEB dormitory suites; 8 campers + 2–3 counselors per cabin, organized by grade and gender

Training: Morning and afternoon sessions covering individual skills, team concepts, and live competition

Dining: Kosher-style meals in the CSUEB dining hall; organic, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options available

Evening programming: Team activities, Jewish life programming, community events, Shabbat

Staff: Coaches who lead with character first — athletes, educators, and mentors selected for who they are as much as what they know

Affiliation: Oshman Family JCC | West Coast’s only Jewish overnight sports camp

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this camp co-ed? Can boys and girls attend together?

Yes — Maccabi Basketball Camp is fully co-ed. Boys and girls train and compete together throughout the week. Our coaches design every session to challenge all players equally, regardless of gender. Training in a mixed environment builds a more complete competitive skillset and stronger team communication.

What ages and skill levels is this camp for?

We welcome players ages 8 through 16, from beginners just learning the fundamentals to competitive club and school team players working on specific skills. Our coaching staff meets every player at their current level and pushes them progressively from there.

Is this an overnight camp or a day camp?

Maccabi Basketball Camp is a true overnight camp — players live on the Cal State East Bay campus in Hayward for the duration of the session. This is what makes us different from every other basketball camp in the Bay Area: the experience doesn’t end when practice ends.

Where exactly is the camp located?

Camp is held on the campus of California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) in Hayward, CA — in the East Bay, accessible from San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Silicon Valley, and a short drive from all three major Bay Area airports. Note: the Oshman Family JCC’s administrative office is in Palo Alto, but the camp itself takes place at CSUEB in Hayward.

Does my child need to be Jewish to attend?

Not at all. Maccabi Sports Camp welcomes players of all backgrounds. Our Jewish values create a character-focused, community-driven culture that resonates across traditions. Jewish campers feel deeply at home; players from all backgrounds tell us they leave with a sense of belonging they didn’t expect.

What facilities will my child train in?

Players train in CSUEB’s NCAA-regulation gymnasium and basketball courts — the same facilities used by Cal State East Bay’s varsity programs. Campers also have access to the campus pool, outdoor spaces, and dining hall. Housing is in CSUEB’s dormitory suites, organized into cabins of 8 players with 2–3 dedicated counselors.

How do I register?

Use the Enroll Now link to start the application through our CampInTouch portal. You can also request a camp tour, attend an open house, or call us at (415) 997-8844 — we’re happy to walk you through the process.

Ready to Give Your Child the Summer They’ll Talk About Forever?

Enrollment for our Bay Area co-ed overnight basketball camp fills quickly — especially for families coming back from previous summers. Whether your child is stepping onto a basketball court for the first time or sharpening the skills they need to make a team, we want them with us at Cal State East Bay this summer.

Spots are limited. Secure your child’s place today.

Enroll now, schedule a camp tour, attend an open house, or call us directly at (415) 997-8844 — we’d love to have your child on the court with us this summer.

Have more questions? We’d love to answer them. Request info today!