Frequently Asked Questions
I am a beginner, is this camp for me?
This is the most common question. These are learning
camps, not elite conditioning camps for high level players hoping to make it to
some geriatric professional league. By breaking up players based on their ability (for
certain skills and drills), we are able to accommodate a wide range of playing
abilities. That is one primary reason why we are an adult-only camp. You don’t
need to be scared of being run over by some kid on his way to the pros.
Players that attend our camps rate themselves as
follows:
25 % - Rookie (First Year Players)
17 % - Novice
39 % - Intermediate (Solid "C League" recreational
player)
17 % - Advanced Intermediate ( "B League" player or
played high school hockey)
2 % - Advanced ("A League" player or played college
hockey)
However, it is important for us to state that this is
not a "learn to skate" program for players that have never been on skates. This
is simply because of the 12 hours of ice time over a four-day period. Unless you
are exceptionally athletic, 12 hours in 4 days is too much for someone who has
never skated before. But if you are currently playing at any recreational level,
you will fit in just fine!
What is the cost of the Camp?
Go to our dates and
locations page, and then click on the camp location that interests you. The
price of the camp and other details are provided on that page.
What is a typical schedule like?
Our camps are organized over extended weekends to
better fit the busy schedules of adults who can’t afford to get away for an
entire week to play hockey. All camps run Thursday through Sunday. See
our typical camp schedule.
Are you having a camp in Myhometown, USA?
We would love to do a camp in convenient proximity to
everyone’s home. Unfortunately, we can’t do that. We try to choose fun
destination cities for you to go to, so that you can experience a weekend filled
with hockey fun and learning. We encourage you to get away from home to one of
our great locations.
However, with that said, if you would like us to bring a camp to your area,
we are always looking for new places. If you think your local area would be a
great place for a camp, please let us know. Just be warned that we may ask you
to be a source of local information, a Camp Scout if you will. Also, if you have a large group, and don’t
mind doing some organizing, we will go just about anywhere!
Do you split up players by ability?
Yes. While some drills are done as a group, players
are split up by ability for other drills. This allows beginners to work on the
basics, while more experienced players can focus on more advanced skills.
Do you play games or scrimmage during the camps?
Yes, however, the main focus is on learning.
There is always a delicate balance, as some players want to play a lot, and
others just want more skills and drills. After all, the reason you come to
a camp is to improve your game, but you also want to have fun. This is how
we try to satisfy both needs.
We spend 12 hours on the ice over the course of the
weekend, broken down into 6 two-hour sessions. We will typically have a 15
minute scrimmage at the end of two of the sessions, and then a 30 minute
scrimmage at the end of the final session. (Times vary somewhat, depending
upon how long it takes to get through the curriculum.) However, these
scrimmages are not just games where the coaches effectively "check out" as they
do at some camps. Our coaches are intimately involved in the scrimmages.
One coach is stationed at each bench, and are there
to provide feedback to you when you get off the ice, just like a pro would
receive (although they won't "chew you out" like a pro if you mess up). A
third coach will "run the ice". If they see something that is of
instructional value, they will stop the play, and offer feedback to the group.
This is especially helpful in identifying and correcting situations where
players are poorly positioned.
By running scrimmages like this, we are able to meet
the needs of all of the players. You will get a chance to practice what
you learned in a game environment, and receive professional feedback that you
won't get back home in your recreational league.
Please send me all of the information on the camp in location X.
There is a lot of information on our website. From
the Dates and Locations
page, click on the specific location in which you are interested. Still want to
know more? We’ll be happy to tell you what you want to know. If you ask by
e-mail, please be specific about what you would like to know. Better yet, give
us a call at our toll-free camp hotline at 1-888-333-9924. |
