Photo from 2009 camp

A true Long Beach legend will hold his annual basketball and educational camp for middle school students this August, when former Poly High coach Ron Palmer hosts the Ron Palmer Summer Basketball Camp on the campus of California State University Long Beach from August 3-7.

Campers will get professional basketball instruction over the five-day camp, but will also attend educational sessions on subjects such as Mathematics, Language Arts & Critical Thinking and hear motivational speakers.

The experience costs $335.00 per camper and registration ends on July 31. Visit HoopSmart.org to learn more. Individuals or small businesses can also sponsor a camper with a donation. Contact camp director Erroll Parker at 562.477.7769 for donating information.

Palmer coached Poly High for 25 years and amassed a 601-150 record that includes 20 Moore League titles and 8 C.I.F. championships. Palmer was named C.I.F. Coach of the Year seven times between 1976 and 2002, including a National Coach of the Year award in 1984.

This year, the campers will receive a special treat as former Long Beach State star and NBA veteran Bryon Russell will offer instruction for a day during the camp.

The campers will stay in the Parkside Commons dormitories of California State University Long Beach and receive expert educational instruction, including health and nutrition sessions led by the Long Beach Health Department. They’ll also receive three meals per day, snacks, a camp t-shirt, poster, photo with Palmer, a healthy eating cookbook and more.

Download the full application at HoopSmart.org. Partial and full scholarships are available to campers in need of financial assistance.