Normally, in the middle of winter and in the midst of a current  hockey season, it’s necessary for families to begin to think about summer...and attending a summer hockey or goaltending program.    

The good summer programs fill quickly and require the young  players to make summer decisions while still making winter snowmen.  

In one week of camp, many goalies can receive nearly 20 hours of  ice time which could be equivalent to 2 1/2 months worth of ice during  the season.  

For a goaltender, there are two basic options...a “Specialized Goaltender Program” and the “Traditional Hockey School.”  If done well, they  both have exceptional benefits, yet they possess some drawbacks.  

A specialized “goalie only” program should be evaluated by not  only the amount of productive ice time provided, but also by the quality  of off-ice activities.  Goalie schools are great for the development of  fundamental and physical skills, but provide few (if any) real game situations or situations that require the goalie to make decisions, emphasizing  the “mental skills.”  While some schools try, there are often too many  goalies to accomplish this well on the ice.  

The best coaches always talk about “mental decisions” when  teaching physical skills.  “If this, then do that . . . if that then do this . .  . read and react to the situation.”  Off-ice activities from chalk talks to  situation tapes can stimulate the goalies’ mental process, and provide  options.  But, in general, goalie schools fall short in this area, but are  exceptional in skill development.  (www.mitchkorn.com)  

A regular hockey school provides many more real game options... from 2 on 1 drills to full scrimmages, the goalie gets to play.  However,  many regular hockey schools treat the goalies like targets, and provide  little to no attention.  

At  Miami  University’s  camp  in  Oxford,  Ohio,   http://miami.ice.muohio.edu  (which I run), for example, we hire a  goaltending staff to work with the goalies during all non-power skating ice sessions.  They pull the goalies away from the group and work  1 on 4, just like a goalie school station.  Then, when they are needed,  the goalies go into the net and can face shots and situations, with the  goalie coach providing instant feedback.  In addition, specialized goalie  sessions are conducted daily in order to utilize props such as a screen  board, deflection boards, puck shooting machine, and video tape.  If  done correctly, a “regular hockey school” can meet the need of the  goalies regarding both the physical and mental skills.  Goalies here  receive 5 hours of ice daily!  

Evaluate these camps on the staff, commitment to the goaltenders,  and hours of ice time compared to hours of goaltender coaching.  

Once you have decided on the type of camp (unless you choose  one of each!) the next decision is whether to go to a “day school” or a  “resident, away from home” camp.  

Day schools are less expensive, but often do not offer the kind of  complete “life” experience a resident camp does.  Consider a resident  camp as a complete learning experience, not just hockey.  It is a growth  opportunity for the youngster and maybe a “vacation” for Mom and Dad  (the house is a bit quieter).

Regardless of whether it’s a resident goalie camp or a resident  regular hockey camp with quality goalie coaching, the following are  important criteria in making an informed decision.

1.  Supervision:     Choose a camp that has a major commitment to insuring that  the players will be constantly supervised.  Are there counselors?  . . . dorm supervisors? . . . is the Director around at night? . .  . do the coaches live in the dorm with the kids? . . . etc., etc.   Too often, the players have too much leeway and too much  free time and get into trouble.  The best camps have a very  strenuous schedule, little down time, and lots of supervision .  . . but the kids still need to have fun!

2.  Return Ratio/Word of Mouth:   While no camp can make everyone happy, ask around.  Word  of mouth is important.  In addition, what is the return ratio?   The more that return, probably the better the program.  How  fast does the camp fill?  The faster the better.

3.  The Camp Structure:   How are the programs designed?  How are the players  grouped?  Is it the same for age 10 as it is for age 16?  Are  there players age 9 and 15 at the camp during the same week?   I always have believed that each week a “regular hockey camp”  should have it’s own age and program focus.  For goalie  camps, this is less important.  Most camps lose the older boys  because of age groupings and program format.  Look for a  place that has distinctly different programs for different ages,  and where there is no risk of poor age groupings because of  inconsistent enrollment, or “big guys” intimidating younger  boys.

4.  Live-in Trainer:   Kids get sick, kids get hurt, kids need TLC.  It’s great if the  program has at least one certified trainer always available.

5.  All the Extra Items:   Some camps have just the basics . . . others have many extras  and teaching aids that enhance the player’s interest and help  them learn and improve.  Things to look for are on and off  ice testing (which could include use of a radar gun, body fat  computer, etc.), high tech video equipment, on-ice cordless  microphone systems, weight training for those older and take  home items such as a personal evaluation.

6.  Convenience:   Do the players have to bus to a rink?  How far apart are the  facilities?  Do they have to carry their hockey bags to and from  the rink?

7.  Coaches:   While most camps do a good job on the ice, do not be drawn  in by the use of Pro Players.  Most only make cameo appearances, and really cannot, or do not teach.  It’s great to get an  autograph . . . but at what cost?  

Overall, different folks have different objectives.  But no matter what they are, all young hockey players should attempt to  attend a camp each summer . . . while not only for hockey . .  . but to help them grow up!