If you don’t want your child’s hockey skills to get “rusty” during the summer, you might want to consider hockey camp. Choosing a hockey camp can be a difficult decision. There are many factors to consider. You want your child to get stellar training on various skill sets, however you also want your child to have fun ! Consider these six factors when looking for a hockey camp.
Staff
It’s important to know who is overseeing the camp. Although, there are instructors who have a background playing hockey, that does not necessarily make them qualified to teach hockey. It’s important to have staff who are licensed , certified and went through a criminal background check. What is the coaching to player ratio ? One article suggests that, “ 8:1 ratio for off the ice and 6 : 1 for skill development session ” should be the minimum ratio.
Money’s Worth
Consider these questions : Are you getting value for the money you spend ? What type of facilities do they use ? Is the equipment/ice well maintained ? How much time is dedicated to teaching children different skills ? Is there an adequate amount of time spent on the ice and other activities ? Is the curriculum well – rounded ?
Reputation
How long has the hockey camp been running for? Do you know any players who have attended the camp in the past and what were their thoughts on it ? Some hockey camps may have online reviews that you can read. A hockey camp that is affiliated with a league, national body or brand can possibly make the camp more reputable. This is not to discredit new camps. If you are considering a newer camp, make sure to be thorough with your research.
Fun
Having fun is an important part ! Material should be presented in an engaging manner. Players will be able to absorb information much easier if they are in a dynamic environment. You don’t want to choose a camp that is below a player’s skill level. Having a camp that does not challenge the player, will cause the player to become bored. Some kids may need more of a push to get involved in activities, and camp instructors have to be respectful of players’ different needs. Younger players who are away from parents value a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Safety
Hockey camps should prioritize children’s safety. Parents place children under the care of instructors, therefore it’s important to know their protocols/procedures used in their hockey camps. This is to avoid unnecessary harm. Staff must be effectively trained in all safety procedures.
Goals
Does the camp have a way of tracking progress ? At the end of the week, players should have some form of evaluation. There are specialty camps that focus on honing particular skills and there are also general camps. Parents should have a breakdown of the curriculum/schedule of the hockey camp. You also don’t want to choose a camp that is above one’s skill level. Holding realistic expectations for younger children is important. For younger children, happiness and willingness to go to camp is a good indicator of success!
– Tim Turk Hockey
