For all the young hockey players out there, there’s still room to register for Ponoka’s Black Elk Hockey Camps.
The day camps run from Aug. 18 to24 and the specialty camps from Aug. 24 to 27. And there are no registration deadlines.
“They can register right up until the day of camp,” said Ponoka camp director Gord Jones. “If they’re going to come it’d be nice if people would register early.”
At the day camps knowledgeable instructors will coach attendees on numerous skills. This year’s featured instructors at the Black Elk camps include: Jim Fleming, power skating specialist; Kris Russell of the St. Louis Blues; and Ryan Olynyk, University of Alberta Golden Bears alumnus.
Players will be instructed in power skating and stick and puck handling skills. The day camps also include outdoor games classes, ball hockey classes, chalk talk, two scrimmages and a final game.
For goaltenders there’s a specific school as well as a goaltenders’ clinic, free of charge that they’re invited to along with the rest of the camp activities.
“We hope to have a lunch program up and running,” Jones said.
At the end of the children’s time at the camp they’re also given a report card. “Parents and kids, especially the older ones, appreciate getting feedback,” Jones said.
Along with their skill evaluation the report card includes a section for autographs and it grades the attitude of individuals. “How they approach the camp, that’s a useful thing for parents to see,” Jones said.
Ponoka’s camp used to take place in July and be spread over several weeks, but due to dwindling numbers it was cut to one week and moved to August.
Jones said parents who are getting their players ready for winter prefer this.
“We’re in a good week and in a good location,” Jones said. “Ponoka is an excellent place for a hockey camp.”
In 2002, Black Elk Hockey Camps was named one of MoneySense Magazines 101 Things Worth the Money. “That was very prestigious for us,” Jones said. “We like to think it’s still the same, still worth the money.”
Only four hockey camps in Canada were selected in the same class as Black Elk, they were the only one from Alberta.
For more information about Black Elk Hockey Camps, phone Michelle Turnbull at 403-938-2686 or the toll free number 1-888-338-2686. And to register visit the website www.blackelkhockeycamp.com.