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The following were written by officials that attended an 2008 OABO summer camps.

Thank you for the opportunity to attend the camp on the scholarship. The camp far exceeded my expectations. I liked that the schedule was full and well prepared. The topic coverage that you chose and that was presented by the evaluators was particularly beneficial to me as a new official. I also really liked the video sessions. The videos are an excellent tool to use outside of the camp to look at the mechanics, and to review judgment and interpretation of the rules.

I will definitely be recommending the camp to others, and will be attending again next year.

Thank You for an excellent BDP Camp Experience. I did not know what to expect when I arrived, but the opportunities to learn and grow as a referee were evident. I felt that your organizational approach to the camp was professional and we were challenged to work hard to learn our role, not only as an individual referee but also as a team player.

I can only speak for myself, but I believe we all felt welcomed from the first moment we started camp. The instructors were knowledgeable, caring and passionate about their role. I know that the video procedure for daily evaluations was a definate asset to the camp. It not only allows you to watch yourself on the dvd, but the constructive commentary is probably just as valuable, as the video. I definately hope that I will be able to attend camp next year as a much more complete referee.

I would like to thank you very much for the experiences I had at the OABO camp this weekend. The knowledge of the staff, the camaraderie of my fellow campers, the insight I got is really going to help me. I have not run that much or that hard since high school (if even then), but I have seen instant benefits already (my B.P. was down 20 points :))

Finally, I would whole-heartedly recommend the camp to any official who would like to improve their game and be able to pick the brains of such knowledgeable peers who are so willing to share. Hope to see
you next year.

Thank you very much for running an excellent camp this past year. The camp was very informative, provided officials with great experience and gave officials a way to evaluate their own games themselves after the camp was over. The evaluators did a great job all week and provided me with new things to enhance my game. I also really enjoyed having the games taped and reviewed. I basically record every televised NCAA game to DVD and review the games for tips but seeing yourself is so much more helpful especially when you are critiqued the whole time. Taping my own games is something I am going to have someone do this upcoming season as it just allows you to review and look at things from another perspective.

I had always heard from officials in my board to make sure I was physically and mentally prepared for any camp. Honestly I didn't think refing 5 games in 4 days would have been a big deal knowing that you would be evaluated in each. I refereed 3.5 games in 1 day at OFSAA under high pressure (one official got hurt) and thought 1 or even 2 games a day in a 3 man system would not have been as difficult. I can now say I am glad I spent the past 2 months running in 5K races. A new workout plan will have to start to gain as much muscle as you and other officials. Definately need to work on my biceps.

This was my first camp even though I am going into my 8th year of officiating and I know I will be back to attend again in the near future. Again thank you very much for running a great camp and providing so many recommendations and suggestions all week.

I really enjoyed the experience this camp had to offer. Not only did it allow my to work on my skills but gave me the opportunity to view them in action. Critical feedback is the best thing any official can receive that aspires to be among the best. That is what I found that I was being instructed by some of the best officials in the game. I appreciated the learning experience and look forward to attending next years camp. Thanks to all Camp organizers and instructors.

I wanted to let you know that I had a great time at the JDP camp and it was definately a worthwhile experience. I want to thank everyone who evaluated my games and I appreciate the comments I received from everyone. These comment will stick with me and will help improve my game big time. The video of my games was a huge benefit and I know watching them and seeing myself will make a difference. I look forward to working on these things next season and returning to the camp to see where I stand.

As with the first 2 camps I had attended I had a great time again at the Boys' BDP camp as just ended. I enjoyed meeting other officials and talking about experiences both as referees and simply as good people with stories to tell about refereeing, personal struggles, and just life in general. The classroom sessions this summer were inspirational, heartwarming, entertaining, and of course very informative. Anytime we, as newer officials get to listen to stories and gain knowledge from panel officials, and even officials with international and Olympic level experience we cannot help but see growth in our own on lives both on and off the court.

It was particularly fun for me this summer to have had the chance to work a game with Brigg Harvey, a well-known and respected panel official. Furthermore, it was nice to have the opportunity to finally see you referee and to work the table during your games. Clearly, having someone like Jaime McCaig evaluate one of my games was an absolute thrill! His classroom presentation was awesome in that he shared his personal stories on how
refereeing has impacted his life, and he provided a detailed list of important things one might do well to learn and remember from camp.

Finally, it was motivating simply to see the passion expressed by the leaders and evaluators at camp. Your staff clearly do care about the success of each and every camper and that is what makes the experience so terrific and keeps me coming back year after year. It makes me proud to even be acquainted with all of you. You should also know that during games each season I often reflect back on these four days and think, 'now how would Bruce, Jaime, Brigg, Tim, Rick, Charlie, Don, etc, handle this situation?'

Thanks again, and I certainly hope to see you all on a court somewhere, or at least again in the summer of 2009!

As rookie official, I was a little apprehensive about attending the camp at first, but come Sunday afternoon, I didn't want to leave, the amount of information provided was excellent, in addition the overall camp atmosphere was great, I'm still laughing at some of the one liners thrown back and forth between you and your staff. I would definitely recommend attending the BDP camp to anyone interested in becoming a better referee, the information gained from the excellent evaluators and game video is priceless, regardless of your experience level. I also enjoyed meeting and working with other referees from around the province, I'll be looking forward to coming back next year and seeing everybody again.

I just really wanted to thank you and your staff for running an amazing camp, I'm looking forward to working all the pointers into my games this fall, but even more grateful, that I've had the chance to start many new friendships. Thanks again to you and your staff for coming together in the middle of your summer for yet another camp.

I had a great time at camp. Which is one of the main reasons I returned. And the other big reason is to improve my officiating skills, which I also feel were accomplished. I feel the biggest improvement isn't particularly from the camp itself, essentially the camp lays out things that need to be improved. And then the onus is on the official to work on those things in the upcoming year.

I remember the focus of the camp I attended last year was mechanics and signals and just a polished look and feel to the official, after working on it all year I could tell Jamie, who saw me last year, noticed a difference this year. I also feel the atmosphere of the camp really helps with the learning. The 3-4 continuous days of games and classroom sessions really get the ball rolling quickly. Also I found all of the campers really are there with the intention to improve, that just adds to the dynamic and you can make some really good contacts and a support group. My suggestions though would be to have just a tad more staff on hand if it is possible.

I personally felt I learned quite a bit when the staff were able to sit down in the post game for a longer time rather than having to go down to evaluate the next game. Also watching the game from the sidelines and getting a feel for what evaluators are looking for really put an interesting spin on it. Having the chance to work the shot clock was a good opportunity, but I feel there would've been more benefit from other opportunities to sit down with evaluators observing the game as well.

This is my second year officiating and my second year at camp and the experience is awesome!!!Last year I wasnt satisified with the way I performed in camp and wanted to make amends this year. I feel I had a good camp especially since this has been my first introduction to FIBA 3-person officiating (exception last game). I gained more confidence from doing the games and interacting with the camp staff.

I want to give a big thanks to the staff and helping me improve my game and understanding how to become a better official. You guys have a wealth of knowledge and are great people....it definately must be a challenge to do what you guys do every summer and being away from home and your families for such a long time. You guys definately rock!!!! I think the effect that you and the staff have had on so many peoples (players & officials) lives and the game of basketball cannot be measured.

Next year I am thinking about taking two camps. I remembered what Dawna had said regarding goal setting, opportunity and being prepared, so I just want to be ready for the chance when given. I am diving into the rule/case books, watching videos, lose weight and get physically prepared. I feel that if I am in better shape I will be able to be more focused and show better judgment in tight games down the stretch of the final period.

Camp is a grueling few days due to the sleep patterns, being away from home and constant absorption of information. But I wouldn't trade it in for the world. Just the chance to meet and officiate with amazing people from across Ontario, and learn from some of the best clinicians around. The camp staff really showed me a lot regarding positioning, mechanics, game awareness, pre/post game, goal setting, rule discussion/clarifications and being vocal.
I am looking for a mentor on my board to help my game through out the season and I think I've found one. Next year I'll be back and ready to rock.

I had a great time at the camp. Your efforts and those of your colleagues (as well as Meg) are most appreciated. I can hardly wait for girls' season so that I can put to practice what I have learned. Thank you again. See you next summer.

I just wanted to pass along my appreciation for your (and your team's) time, dedication and professionalism during my recent BDP Camp. Not only did I learn a new system (3-man), but I also picked up several hints / tips / suggestions that I know make me a better, more confident and professional looking official. The camp inspired and motivated me so much so that I watched each of the 5 video-taped sessions within the first few days back home.

What a blast camp was. I was full expecting to work hard and sweat but what I wasn't expecting was such a honest interest in helping me become and see the potential I have to be a great official. The camp was absolutely the best investment of time and commitment I could have given. Not only did I gain valuable inside both from the evaluators feedback and the video analysis but the class time and feeding off of the other campers experiences and energy was fabulous. You never know fully what you are capable of and what your obsticles are until you attend a camp where the personal sacrifices to attend are not only something the campers give but we realize the personal commitment the coordinator and evaluators and video tech people and Megan all gave. Without their willingness to give us "every angle" we would not be able to "see" our potential. This was my second camp in 6 years and I intend to make it a annual event. You should too! One suggestion though... make sure there are a lot more power point presentations... those were awesome! Thanks to everyone... too many to mention.

I just want to thank you for all of the work you put into the camp... I had a great time this year, got some very positive feedback, and finally met another female official who's interested in talking basketball. I'm looking forward to getting more experience and coming back next year!

Having gone through many different education formats in many different sports, there is no single camp that has more to give than the ones OABO runs. The work and time that you and your staff put in has been a great benefit to my development as well as all those officials who participate. I could not imagine my summers being the same without the insight that you guys provide. I too look forward to the acquaintances made at camp and it makes camps all that more fun. Thanks for all that you do.

The following were written by officials that attended an 2007 OABO summer camps.

As a first time participant to one of these development camps, I can only say that I wish I had taken part in previous years. I really appreciated the honest and constructive evaluations from the staff on-hand, I know my officiating skills and knowledge have greatly benefited from this camp. The classroom sessions were very informative and the trainers/presenters were very knowledgeable. All-in-all it was a great experience, I had the opportunity to meet some interesting people, to officiate some good basketball, to improve my officiating skills and have some fun. I hope I get the opportunity to return.
Thank you!

This was my first camp experience and I thought it was just great! The opportunity to meet and work with all of you was super. I learned a lot and I am looking forward to implementing the tips, suggestions, and comments into my games this season and beyond. Thanks again to all campers and organizers and of course a special thanks to the evaluators for all their information and recommendations. I hope to return for more such camp experiences and it would be great to cross paths with all of you again.

If you aspire to become a better official a camp is a must. If you look to learn about three person officiating then MDP#2 is a must. The camp experience is a great method in improving one self, in addition to sharing the newly learned knowledge with other members in our boards. To become a better official, you MUST attend an OABO camp. The confidence and experience you obtain at camp will carryover to the floor for the new season.

Thank you for running this camp. Each time I come, I learn how to recognize my strengths and work on areas of concern. I like coming to camp knowing that I will improve my officiating abilities with sound expertise (via evaluations/video, post game meetings and clinics) from experienced and qualified officials/evaluators. I also enjoy meeting and refereeing with new people from surrounding and distant boards, and seeing many of those familiar smiling faces again (usually laughing at something Brigg just said…). Lastly, I appreciate learning how to work the 24 second shot clock. That alone was an experience!!! This camp was a lot of fun and worth every minute. Thank you to all, especially to Bruce and Mike.

I think the MDP boys camp provided a great opportunity for officials to learn 3 person mechanics. The calibre of players were high. It is important for officials to step up and be ready for these ball games in future

I must admit that this years introduction to 3 person and FIBA rules was exceptional. I enjoyed working hard and the evaluators ensured that the feedback directed the campers to strive towards attainable goals. The feedback was consistent from all evaluators providing concrete areas of which to improve.

Thanks everyone I had a great time and will definately return.