Choosing the Right Summer Camp Could be a Daunting Process

“CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUMMER CAMP,


COULD BE A DAUNTING PROCESS”

Choosing the right summer camp, could be a daunting process. There are some obvious things that come to mind, but to really make a wise choice you need to think a little deeper. I am not an expert on this subject, but have seen enough to make my thoughts worthwhile.

PRICE-Price seems like an obvious choice. However, don’t pick the cheapest camp just because it is the cheapest camp. Take into consideration what you are getting for that price. Example - An hour of ice with 25-30 players, two coaches and a counselor is better than an hour of ice with 40-50 players and one coach.

LOCATION-“There is an element of growth away from home.” Kids grow up when they are out of their normal setting and away from their friends and family. They are forced to make new friends, forced to communicate with adults and are forced to make decisions on their own. It is good for kids to experience some “away” time. As long as it is in a controlled setting. Pick a location that is different from the everyday setting your kids are in, one they will enjoy and have fun in. There are numerous setting to chose; local rink, college campus, out of state camp, and/or a self sufficient stand alone camp.

NUMBER OF WEEKS-Any day (or any week) when a player can do “something out of the ordinary” is a good day. Any amount of time a player can spend at a summer hockey camp is a good thing. However, from a physical development standpoint, a minimum of three consecutive weeks is the most ideal. This is true because most camps teach and train players in a more intense manner than a player would be doing on their own. Because of this increase in training, a players’ body gets broken down a little bit during the first week. The second week a players’ body is slowly getting built back up to where it was before camp and the third week a players’ body is starting to go beyond where they started and is starting to show improvements. Each week beyond the three weeks will also show more improvements.

RESULTS-Results speak for themselves. Look at as many results as you can. Look at the increase in improvements of the players that attend. Look at the amount of athletes that attend the camp. Look at the return rate from summer to summer. Look at the success of the athletes.

HISTORY-How long has the camp been in existence? How many owners has the camp had? How much success has the camp had?

ICE TIME-Ice time is very important but when researching hockey camps take into account not only quantity, but also quality. Spending quality time on the ice is very important. After all the ice gets paid for by the hour.

TRAINING-Make sure the summer camp you chose has a structured off-ice training program. The summer time is the time to improve a young players’ game. Big improvements can be made off of the ice. A player can get bigger, faster, and stronger, improve on explosive power, improve balance, improve conditioning, more accurate shot, quicker release, better hands, etc without stepping foot onto the ice surface. If a player runs, jumps, lifts and skates every day, they improve in all categories evenly and develop into a complete player. If a player just lifts weight, he only gets stronger. If a player only runs, he only gets faster. Get the idea. All four pieces are integral pieces of the complete puzzle that need each other to survive. Without one, the other three fall. A complete player runs, jumps, lifts and skates every day.

STAFF-This might be the most important area for obvious reasons. There are a couple of different kinds of staff you need to be concerned with. For every staff member, it is important that they have a caring level above average and a passion for the game of hockey. First is the coaching/training staff. For your son/daughter to get the most out of their summer camp experience they need to be taught by courteous, knowledgeable, professional coaches and trainers. Second is the counselor staff. Make sure the counselors are detailed people, are courteous, caring, professional and love their jobs. Your son/daughter is going to be with the counselors the majority of the time they spend at a summer camp. A counselor can make or can ruin a summer camp experience. Thirdly, make sure there is a good support staff in place. Make sure the maids are qualified so your housing is in order. Make sure the cooks are enjoying their jobs as your child will have to eat while at camp. Every mother is worried about what their child is eating!

SECURITY-Who is watching your son/daughter when you aren’t?

RECREATION-There are a couple of questions here. What sorts of recreation does the camp offer? There needs to some sort of recreation, some winding down time at the end of the day. Is this recreation structured? Is there staff supervision the recreation?

HOUSING-Where would my son/daughter sleep? How many roommates? Is there staff close by? Housekeeping? Someone to wake my young child up in the morning?

EMERGENCY-What happens in the case of an emergency?

By doing your homework before you commit to a summer hockey, you will have probably have a better experience, improve more and want to return again the following summer. We will help you get your homework started.

PRICE-Comparing other camps, you get the most for your money at Minnesota Hockey Camps. We are priced competively and feel that you get the best “bang for your buck” at MHC.

LOCATION-Minnesota Hockey Camps located in the beautiful Brainerd Lakes Area. We are nestled in the woods on the shores of Clark Lake. Within in a short drive from Gull Lake and numerous golf courses. You couldn’t ask for a better setting.

NUMBER OF WEEKS-You can attend Minnesota Hockey Camps any length of time you wish, one week or multiple weeks. We run every summer for ten weeks, you can even stay all ten. We recommend three consecutive weeks. We also run specialty week camps including a girl’s camp, a goalie camp, a mite camp and an adult novice camp.

RESULTS-Our results really speak for themselves. I have an office full of past testing results that prove our program works for all athletes.

HISTORY-We are entering into our 30th summer. We are a time tested program that is second to none.

ICE TIME-Our ice time is quality ice time. Each athlete is on the ice twice daily for an hour and fifteen minutes each time. Our instructors are actual coaches, they coach at the high school, junior, college and professional levels. The pros that come to our camp, come because they want to complete our program.

TRAINING-Our training is second to none. We have our “training sanctuary” that is used twice daily, once for a dryland session and once for a weight session. Athletes learn how to train properly and are able to take home with them, the best training program around. We also have a shooting/stickhandling range where players can improve on their stick skills.

STAFF-Our staff speaks for itself. We have coaches whose profession is to coach and mentor kids. We have coaches that represent all levels of hockey from high school to junior to college to the professional ranks. Their job is to help your child improve.

SECURITY-All of our staff lives on our grounds, right along with the campers. So we are staffed 24 hours a day. Your kids are always in good hands.

RECREATION-We are settled in the pines along the shores of Clark Lake. Our recreation has unlimited possibilities. We have swimming, boating, beach activities, street hockey, other sports, team games, video arcade, etc. All of our athletes have the time of their lives.

HOUSING-We have different housing available. We have dorms, cabins and hotel style housing. We have an entire housekeeping staff that keeps our living quarters in top shape. The majority of our cabins overlook the beautiful lake.

EMERGENCY-We are staffed 24 hours a day. We have certified trainers on site 24 hours a day and we are located just a short drive to the hospital.

MINNESOTA HOCKEY CAMPS MAKES YOUR DECISION EASY!

SEE YOU THIS SUMMER!