About Hoop.Camp

Hoop.Camp is a “unified” basketball extravaganza!

Created in 1994, Hoop.Camp was designed as an event for all adults and children with a wide range of special needs. In 1996, Hoop.Camp pioneered the “unified” concept inviting those of all ages without special needs to register and attend as a unified partner. This “unified” format is what makes Hoop.Camp the best experience your child will have at a sports camp.

Hoop.Camp caters to both special needs athletes and “unified” (those without special needs) athletes of all ages and abilities. Many of our special needs athletes have a wide range developmental delays, such as intellectual impairment, autism, down syndrome, angelman syndrome, aspergers, fetal alcohol syndrome, and other cognitive delays. Many of our athletes and participants are on limited budgets and have limited access to sports activities. We offer our camp free of charge to those that need financial assistance or cannot afford to pay. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and are 100% volunteer based. We have no paid staff.

Steve Garrity

Camp Director, Founder

Steve started this unique camp in 1994 and has been the camp organizer and director since the inception. Steve is a graduate of Aloha High School and has a business degree from the (Harvard of the North) University of Alaska in Anchorage.

He attended Idaho State University for 3 years, where he played basketball and received All Big Sky honors before transferring to the University of Alaska. There, he earned his degree and finished up his collegiate basketball career. Upon graduation, he enjoyed a short professional basketball career with stints in Europe and in the US.

Steve is married to Lisa and they have 4 children: Hayes, Hannah, Hailey, and Halle. He is self-employed and the owner of Waterhouse Motors, a full service auto dealership. He is also the basketball director at Sunset Athletic Club where he runs the basketball academy training athletes of all ages.

Steve runs an annual basketball camp in Puerto Vallarta Mexico for College and pro basketball players and is also the director of the USA International Basketball Exchange bringing basketball players from around the world to train in Beaverton Oregon.

FACTS ABOUT HOOP.CAMP

  • Since 1994 we have been serving those in our communities of all ages with special needs, mental and cognitive impairment
  • Over 30,000 volunteer hours have been logged since Hoop.Camp began.
  • No coaches, directors or any staff are compensated at Hoop.Camp — ALL are volunteers.
  • Hoop.Camp is a 501 (c)3 non-profit corporation registered with the IRS. All donations are deductible.

  • Nineteen Boy Scouts have used Hoop.Camp as their Eagle service project and earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
  • Our oldest athlete was 73 years old.
  • One special needs athlete could dunk a basketball.
  • Hoop.Camp is a “unified” event. Athletes without special needs participate with our special needs campers.

  • Many of our athletes have competed in Special Olympic sporting events internationally.
  • Many have won gold medals in Special Olympic participation.
  • Our younger and smaller athletes play on 8′ baskets.
  • Our coach to athlete ratio is 1:4.

Father - Son Bring Special Needs Basketball Camp Back to Poky.

Hoop.Camp was featured by the Local News 8.