Summer Camp Advice

Once you are through the Christmas Holidays many families turn their thoughts toward selecting a summer goalie school to help with their child’s development.

Surprisingly, many of the top programs have already had some locations filled to capacity!

Since time is of the essence I want to provide you with some fundamental advice on selecting a camp where you will get the best experience for your money.

It would be a clear conflict of interest if the remainder of this article basically pumped the tires of Future Pro Goalie School. Right off the bat I want you to understand that there are many great programs available beside my camps and that I’m secure enough to admit that I’m not the only goalie expert in the world. In fact, I’m sure there are more intelligent coaches that even I could learn from.

When I began outlining this article in my head I used the premise of what would I look for, knowing what I know, if I was going to send my own son to another camp.

I have also provided a simple scoring system so you can compare the camps with the highest scores

1. Credentials – I would want a camp to provide me with the credentials of the head instructor and the actual amount of time he would be on the ice instructing every day. I would ask for this in writing.

If the program will provide written credentials and the on-ice coaching time of the head instructor give that camp. Add 1 point ____

2. Quality Credentials of the head instructor

* Bachelor Degree in Education or related field: teaching will be professionally delivered, add 1 point  ____

* NHL game experience: playing in the NHL doesn’t make a great teacher but provides a valuable resource and respect, add 1 point  _____

* Actual NHL Goaltending Coach experience: NHL coaches have to display remarkable ability to earn one of 30 positions in the world, add 1 point  _____

* Coaching Experience: for every five years of coaching experience at any level add, 1 point  ____

* Other playing experience: if they played Major Junior, Division 1 or top tier European hockey, add 1 point ___

3. Ice time value – Take the total hours of ice time per week for each camp and divide into the price for the camp to determine cost per hour of on ice instruction. If a camp is top three in value, add 1 point  _____

4. Staff:Student ratio – Obviously the more staff the better. Ratios range from 1:1 to 1:6 or higher. If the camp you are looking at has a ratio of 1:2 or better, add 1 point  ______

5. Word of mouth – Although not scientific, ask around. Which camps have people had personal experience with? For every positive testimonial from another goalie parent, add 1 point ______

6. Years in business – If a camp has been around for many years it isn’t an accident. Camps come and go - here today, gone tomorrow. For every five years of being in business, add 1 point  ______

Search the internet and visit as many goalie school websites and refine your search to a handful. Use the above system to breakdown each program.

Once you have further refined your search call them up. How quickly do they return calls? Does the owner speak with you or do you speak only to support staff?

I have heard many great things (and bad experiences) about many goalie schools. But if you use due diligence I think you will find a camp that is right for you.