Crown Refs Skill Development Camp Is Almost Here

We are just a little over three weeks away from the first annual Crown Refs Skill Development Camp in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the excitement is building.

This weekend has been in the works for a long time, and the vision behind it has always been bigger than just another camp. The goal is to create an unforgettable experience centered around development, community, feedback, energy, and serving the game.

From on-court reps to classroom sessions, from relationship-building to detailed evaluations, this weekend is designed to bring officials together in person for a high-level growth experience that is both challenging and memorable.

📅 Schedule

The weekend will begin by 9:00 AM on Friday, May 1, and the final games will tip off at 4:45 PM on Sunday, May 3.

A tentative itinerary has already been shared with attendees, and one final update with complete details will be sent later this month so everyone feels fully prepared heading into the weekend.

📍 Location

All classroom sessions and games will take place at the Turnstone Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The camp will be working in conjunction with the 2026 Bill Hensley Memorial Run N Slam Tournament, with Crown Refs officials expected to work on 3 of the 4 courts throughout the weekend.

🏀 On-Court Expectations

The camp is expected to feature a highly competitive environment, giving officials the kind of live experience that creates real opportunities for growth.

Each attendee is expected to work approximately 5 to 7 games over the course of the weekend. The goal is not just to provide reps, but to create meaningful reps followed by feedback and reflection.

👕 Attire

Officials attending camp are asked to bring black officiating pants.

Each official will be provided with a Crown Refs referee jersey, and they are also encouraged to bring a backup striped jersey just in case. In addition, all attendees will receive a Crown Refs camp T-shirt and are welcome to wear any other Crown Refs gear they already own throughout the weekend.

🎥 Development

As important as the live games will be, the weekend is also built around substantial off-the-court learning.

Campers will take part in classroom sessions, film study, discussion, and teaching designed to maximize development in a short period of time. The idea is to make the weekend immersive, not just physically, but mentally and professionally as well.

This camp is being designed to give officials a chance to grow in multiple areas of their craft, not just mechanics and movement, but also communication, decision-making, poise, and presence.

🥗 Food + Wellness

Another major part of the weekend is the emphasis on health and wellness.

At Crown Refs, we believe health and wellness matter even more than officiating. Because of that, attendees will be served 2 meals, along with snacks and water throughout the weekend. Everything provided will be built around whole foods, clean ingredients, and better choices, with no ultra-processed foods, sodas, or fried foods.

There will also be a health and nutrition presentation on Sunday, and the hope is that attendees leave Fort Wayne with not only officiating growth, but also practical tools for greater health, wellness, energy, and happiness. In many ways, if someone walks away from the weekend with better lifestyle habits and a stronger mindset around health, that matters just as much—if not more—than what happens on the court.

🎉 Fun + Energy

One of the core beliefs behind this event is that officials are often at their best when they are fully engaged, enjoying the experience, and learning in a positive environment.

This weekend is meant to be serious in its purpose, but also energizing, enjoyable, and memorable. The hope is to create an atmosphere with strong teaching, great people, and the kind of energy that makes the entire experience special from start to finish.

🌟 Cool + Unique Features

Several unique features have been built into the weekend to make this camp stand out.

One of the most unique parts of the weekend is that campers will get the chance to watch staff officials model officiating excellence up close and in person during 2 assigned staff games. Attendees won’t just observe the action. They’ll be able to listen, interact with the officials during and after the game, and then leave feedback of their own. It’s a powerful way to sharpen evaluation skills while learning directly from experienced officials in a live setting.

Another major feature is the amount of content that will be captured throughout the weekend. A videographer and multiple content creators will be on site documenting the event, conducting interviews, and recording podcast and video content along the way. The expectation is that this weekend will help produce some of the best content Crown Refs has made to date.

And for a little extra fun, Friday before lunch will feature a camp knockout game, complete with a trophy for the winner. With so many former players in the community, that should add another fun layer to the weekend.

📲 Communication

Camp communication during the weekend will take place through WhatsApp, helping keep everything organized and easy to manage in real time.

💻 Referee-AI

Another major part of the camp structure this year is the use of Referee-AI.com as the all-in-one platform for camp assignments, scheduling, and detailed staff feedback.

This will help streamline the weekend while also giving officials access to clear, in-depth evaluations they can revisit after camp. It’s one more way the experience is being built with both immediate value and long-term development in mind.

✈️ Travel + Planning

As camp assignments are being finalized, travel restrictions and schedule limitations are also being collected in advance to help the weekend run as smoothly as possible.

That planning piece matters because the goal is not just to host a camp, but to deliver a well-organized and intentional experience for everyone involved.

🙌 Community

At its core, this weekend is about much more than games.

It’s about growth. It’s about feedback. It’s about relationship-building. It’s about getting in the gym with people who care deeply about improving and creating something meaningful together.

That sense of community has always been central to Crown Refs, and this camp is another expression of that mission.

🚨 Final Openings

There are still a couple of openings remaining for officials who want to be part of the weekend.

For anyone looking for a camp experience built around development, connection, and a strong learning environment, Fort Wayne is shaping up to be a special one.

✅ Final Thoughts

The Crown Refs Skill Development Camp is almost here, and the vision for the weekend is clear: create an environment where officials can learn, work, connect, reflect, and leave better than they arrived.

And beyond the officiating, the deeper goal is for people to leave healthier, more energized, and more inspired in their everyday lives.