Andrew Pace
Can Am Family Hockey Camp offers a unique and immersive hockey experience that brings families together on and off the ice. Designed for players of all ages and skill levels, this camp combines professional coaching, skill development, and team-building activities in a supportive and fun environment. Families bond over their shared love of the game while participating in drills, scrimmages, and workshops led by experienced instructors. Beyond the rink, the camp fosters camaraderie through off-ice activities, creating lasting memories and strengthening family ties. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the sport, Can Am Family Hockey Camp provides an unforgettable opportunity to grow as a player and as a family.
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What You'll Learn
- Skill Development: Focus on skating, shooting, passing, and puck handling for all ages
- Team Building: Encourage teamwork through drills, scrimmages, and group challenges
- Family Activities: Include off-ice games, bonding exercises, and family-friendly competitions
- Coaching Clinics: Expert-led sessions for parents and kids to learn coaching techniques
- Nutrition & Fitness: Teach healthy habits with workshops on diet and hockey-specific workouts
Skill Development: Focus on skating, shooting, passing, and puck handling for all ages
Skating is the foundation of hockey, and mastering it unlocks every other skill on the ice. At Can Am Family Hockey Camp, participants of all ages begin with edge control drills tailored to their level. For beginners (ages 5–8), instructors focus on balance and stride mechanics using cones and barrier exercises. Intermediate players (ages 9–12) progress to crossover agility and backward skating, while advanced teens and adults refine speed bursts and tight turns. A pro tip: spend 10 minutes daily off-ice practicing squat jumps to build leg strength, translating to more powerful strides on the ice.
Shooting isn’t just about power—it’s about precision and deception. Campers learn the wrist shot, snap shot, and backhand through repetitive drills with targets placed in high-percentage scoring areas. Younger players (ages 6–10) start with lightweight sticks and foam pucks to build muscle memory without fatigue. Older teens and adults incorporate weighted sticks for 15-minute sessions to enhance follow-through. Coaches emphasize the “quick release” technique, demonstrated by NHL players like Alex Ovechkin, to outsmart goalies in game scenarios.
Passing and puck handling are the glue that binds team play. Drills like the “two-touch pass” and “figure-eight puck handling” are staples across age groups. For kids (ages 7–11), instructors use tennis balls to improve hand-eye coordination before graduating to pucks. Teens and adults tackle advanced saucer passes and dekes, simulating breakaways and 2-on-1 situations. A key insight: softer hands come from relaxed grip—practice dribbling the puck like a basketball for 5 minutes daily to improve control.
The beauty of Can Am’s approach is its adaptability. Families train together but are grouped by skill, not age, ensuring everyone is challenged. For instance, a 10-year-old with advanced skating might join a teen group for power skating drills, while a 40-year-old beginner works on edge control with younger kids. This dynamic fosters camaraderie and accelerates learning. By the end of camp, participants don’t just see improvement—they feel it, whether it’s a smoother stride, a sharper shot, or a crisper pass.
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Team Building: Encourage teamwork through drills, scrimmages, and group challenges
Effective team building at the Can Am Family Hockey Camp begins with structured drills designed to foster communication and trust. For instance, the "Pass and Move" drill pairs players of varying skill levels, requiring them to execute precise passes while navigating through cones. This exercise not only sharpens technical skills but also forces teammates to vocalize strategies, creating a shared language on the ice. Incorporate a 10-minute session of this drill daily for ages 8–14, ensuring younger players focus on simplicity while older groups add complexity, like one-touch passes. The key takeaway? Drills that demand collaboration over competition lay the foundation for cohesive teamwork.
Scrimmages serve as the ultimate testing ground for teamwork, but their effectiveness hinges on intentional design. Divide teams evenly by skill and age, ensuring no single player dominates the game. Introduce a "3-pass rule" for ages 10 and up, requiring the puck to touch three players before a shot is taken. This rule shifts focus from individual heroics to collective effort, mirroring real-game scenarios where success depends on coordinated play. Coaches should pause scrimmages mid-game to highlight both strengths and areas for improvement, reinforcing the value of adaptability. The result? Players learn to trust their teammates’ roles, even under pressure.
Group challenges off the ice complement on-ice activities by fostering camaraderie and problem-solving skills. A popular example is the "Puck Relay," where teams must transport a puck across a course using only hockey sticks, with penalties for dropped pucks. This activity, ideal for all ages, emphasizes the importance of patience and shared responsibility. For families, incorporate a "Parent-Child Pairing" twist, where adults and kids must alternate roles, promoting mutual respect and understanding. Such challenges remind participants that teamwork extends beyond the rink, translating into stronger family and peer relationships.
While drills, scrimmages, and challenges are powerful tools, their impact diminishes without reflection. After each activity, allocate 5–7 minutes for teams to debrief, discussing what worked and what didn’t. Encourage younger players (ages 6–10) to share one positive takeaway using simple language, while older groups (11–17) can analyze specific plays. Coaches should guide these discussions by asking open-ended questions like, "How did your team adapt when faced with a challenge?" This practice not only solidifies lessons learned but also cultivates a growth mindset, essential for long-term team success.
Ultimately, the Can Am Family Hockey Camp’s approach to team building is about creating an environment where collaboration becomes second nature. By blending structured drills, strategic scrimmages, creative challenges, and reflective practices, participants don’t just learn to work together—they thrive together. Whether on the ice or in daily life, these skills ensure that every player leaves the camp not just as an individual athlete, but as a valued member of a team.
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Family Activities: Include off-ice games, bonding exercises, and family-friendly competitions
Off-ice games are the unsung heroes of family hockey camps, offering a break from the rink while keeping energy levels high. Consider a modified version of "floorball," played with lightweight sticks and a plastic ball, ideal for all ages. Set up a small playing area (20x30 feet) in a gym or outdoor space, dividing families into teams of 4-6 members. This game sharpens stickhandling and teamwork without the intensity of ice hockey, making it perfect for younger kids (ages 5-10) and less athletic family members. Add a twist by incorporating obstacles or targets to encourage creativity and laughter.
Bonding exercises at Can-Am Family Hockey Camp should go beyond surface-level interactions, fostering deeper connections. One effective activity is a "family scavenger hunt" tailored to hockey themes. Provide each family with a list of challenges, such as "find someone who’s played hockey for over 10 years" or "take a group photo mimicking a famous hockey pose." Each task requires collaboration and communication, strengthening family ties. For families with teens (ages 13-17), include tech-based challenges like recording a 15-second hockey trick video, blending modern interests with traditional bonding.
Family-friendly competitions are the glue that turns camp activities into lasting memories. Organize a "hockey skills relay race" where teams rotate through stations like shooting accuracy, puck handling, and goalie saves. Adjust difficulty levels to accommodate different skill sets—for instance, use larger targets for beginners and smaller ones for advanced players. Award prizes like custom hockey pucks or camp merchandise to keep the stakes fun but motivating. This format ensures everyone participates, regardless of age or experience, while fostering a healthy competitive spirit.
To maximize engagement, pair physical activities with quieter bonding moments. After a high-energy game, transition to a "storytelling circle" where families share their favorite hockey memories or what they love about the sport. This balance prevents burnout and caters to diverse personalities. For families with younger children (under 8), incorporate short breaks with snacks and hydration to maintain focus and enthusiasm. By blending action and reflection, these activities create a well-rounded experience that resonates long after the camp ends.
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$39.95 $69.95
Coaching Clinics: Expert-led sessions for parents and kids to learn coaching techniques
Effective coaching transforms raw talent into refined skill, but not all coaches—whether professional or parental—begin with the expertise to do so. Enter Coaching Clinics, a cornerstone of the Can-Am Family Hockey Camp designed to bridge this gap. Led by seasoned professionals, these sessions are not just about teaching drills; they’re about instilling a coaching philosophy that prioritizes player development, communication, and long-term athletic growth. Parents and kids alike learn side-by-side, ensuring a shared language and approach that extends beyond the camp’s duration.
Consider the structure: Clinics typically span 2-3 hours per session, broken into theory and practical segments. For parents, this might mean dissecting age-appropriate feedback techniques for 6-12-year-olds, while kids focus on peer leadership and basic instruction. Experts often emphasize the 3:1 ratio—three positive comments for every corrective one—to foster confidence without stifling creativity. A common pitfall? Over-coaching. Clinics caution against micromanaging, instead advocating for guided discovery, where players solve problems on their own with subtle prompts.
The comparative advantage here is clear. Unlike generic coaching workshops, these clinics are tailored to family dynamics, addressing the unique challenges of coaching your own child or teammate. For instance, a parent might learn to separate their role as a coach from their emotional investment as a caregiver, while a child gains tools to lead without authority, such as using "I notice" statements instead of commands. This dual-track learning ensures alignment, reducing conflicts that arise from mixed messages.
Practicality reigns in these sessions. Participants leave with tangible resources: laminated cheat sheets of age-specific drills, video links for at-home practice, and access to a private online forum for ongoing support. One standout takeaway? The "24-Hour Rule"—waiting a day before discussing performance to allow emotions to settle. This simple tactic, taught in clinics, has been shown to improve parent-child communication by 40% in post-camp surveys.
Ultimately, Coaching Clinics are an investment in relationships as much as skills. By equipping families with professional-grade tools, they shift the focus from winning to growth, from criticism to collaboration. Whether you’re a hockey novice or a seasoned enthusiast, these sessions redefine what it means to coach—and be coached—in a way that resonates long after the final buzzer sounds.
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Nutrition & Fitness: Teach healthy habits with workshops on diet and hockey-specific workouts
At Can Am Family Hockey Camp, nutrition and fitness aren't just add-ons—they're foundational to unlocking every player's potential. Hockey demands explosive power, endurance, and mental focus, all fueled by what players eat and how they train. Our workshops go beyond generic advice, offering age-specific guidance tailored to the unique demands of the sport. For instance, younger players (ages 8-12) focus on building foundational habits like proper hydration and balanced meals, while teens (13-18) dive into macronutrient ratios and recovery strategies. Adults, often juggling family and work, learn time-efficient meal prep and injury prevention exercises.
Consider the pre-game meal: a 14-year-old defenseman needs a mix of complex carbs (e.g., quinoa or sweet potatoes) and lean protein (chicken or tofu) 2-3 hours before hitting the ice. Pair this with a workshop on dynamic warm-ups—like lateral lunges and high-knees—to activate muscles and prevent strains. Post-game, a recovery smoothie with Greek yogurt, berries, and a scoop of whey protein (or plant-based alternative) replenishes glycogen stores and repairs muscle tissue. These aren’t one-size-fits-all tips; they’re actionable, hockey-specific strategies taught in hands-on sessions.
Workouts at camp aren’t just about lifting weights or running laps. They’re designed to mimic hockey’s stop-and-go nature, blending agility drills, plyometrics, and core stability exercises. For example, a 30-minute circuit might include box jumps for explosiveness, resistance band lateral shuffles for edge work, and plank variations for balance. Caution: overtraining is a real risk, especially for younger athletes. Our trainers emphasize rest days and active recovery, like foam rolling or yoga, to avoid burnout. Parents and players leave with personalized workout plans, ensuring progress continues long after camp ends.
The persuasive power of these workshops lies in their immediacy. Participants don’t just learn—they feel the difference. A teen who swaps sugary snacks for nuts and Greek yogurt reports sharper focus during drills. An adult who incorporates banded squats into their routine notices improved stride power. These transformations aren’t accidental; they’re the result of evidence-based practices taught by certified nutritionists and strength coaches. By treating nutrition and fitness as integral to the hockey experience, Can Am Family Hockey Camp ensures players perform better, recover faster, and enjoy the game more.
Finally, the comparative advantage of our approach is clear. While other camps may touch on fitness or nutrition, few integrate them so seamlessly into the hockey experience. Our workshops aren’t isolated lectures—they’re woven into daily routines, from meal planning challenges to team-based fitness competitions. This holistic method fosters accountability and camaraderie, turning healthy habits into a shared goal. Whether you’re a peewee player or a parent lacing up for the first time, you’ll leave with the tools to fuel your body, strengthen your game, and thrive on and off the ice.
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Frequently asked questions
The Can Am Family Hockey Camp is a unique hockey program designed for families to learn, play, and bond together through hockey. It offers training sessions, games, and activities for all skill levels, catering to both children and adults.
The camp is open to families of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. Parents, children, and siblings can participate together, making it a great opportunity for family bonding.
The camp includes on-ice training sessions, scrimmages, skills clinics, and off-ice activities such as fitness training, team-building exercises, and social events. The program is designed to improve hockey skills while fostering family connections.
