What type of summer camp is best for my child?

During the summer many parents choose to send their kids to week-long hockey camps.  It is important to realize that hockey skills are not developed over 1 week.  While it is great to be on the ice 10-20 hrs, it's not beneficial to squeeze them all in 5 days.  This approach has a negative effect.  Skating, Stickhandling & Shooting are skills that are developed over the long term and through constant repetition of the proper techniques.  

 

With the hockey season seeming longer and longer, we always recommend that kids limit their skating to once per week during the off-season.  Skating once a week will enable a player to continue his/her long term development by maintaining a comfort level on the ice.  At the same time, it is important to remember that the summer off-season also allows kids to recharge their energy, enthusiasm, and interest in the game of hockey.     

  

The Reality of Week-Long Hockey Camps 

Day 1 & 2:	The player will start a week-long camp after being away from the ice for a while.  They will spend the 1st 2 days uncomfortable while trying to re-acclimate to their equipment, edges, and timing on the ice.
Day 3:	By the 3rd day, the week-long camp has had them on the ice too much in 2 days and the kids are now dealing with exhaustion and blisters.  Exhaustion will only lead to bad habits.
Day 4 & 5:	They are starting to get comfortable on the ice again and..... the week is over!  The player will not be back on the ice until after Labor Day and the skills that they discussed throughout the week in July are long forgotten.

All SSH Summer Camps are designed to maintain our focus on long term development: ONCE-A-WEEK.