Okay, so I decided to check out the Avon Old Farms hockey camp this summer. I’ve heard some good things, and my kid’s been bugging me to get him some extra ice time before the season starts. So, I figured, why not?
First thing I did was try to get some info. Found their stuff, looked alright, I guess. It’s up in, you know, Connecticut, so it would mean a bit of a road trip.
I dig up some parent reviews online, looks like it mixed bag, but mostly positive. So many camps out these days, it’s hard to choose, right?
Signing Up and Getting There
The sign-up process was kinda a pain. A lot of forms to fill out, medical info, waivers, all that jazz. But, got it done eventually. Paid the fee, ouch, it’s not cheap, but hey, what isn’t these days when it comes to hockey?
We packed up the car, tons of hockey gear, and clothes, and snacks. The drive wasn’t too bad.
Got to the campus, and wow, it’s pretty impressive. Old-style buildings, big fields, the whole nine yards. Looks like something straight out of a movie, to be honest.
The Camp Itself
Checked in, got the kid his dorm room, met his roommate. Seemed like a decent kid.
The first day was mostly orientation. Met the coaches, they seemed alright. They talked about what they were gonna to focus on during the week, drills, scrimmages, off-ice training.
They had different groups based on skill level, which was good. Didn’t want my kid getting thrown in with a bunch of future NHL stars, you know?
- The drills were tough. Lots of skating, stickhandling, shooting. My kid was wiped out by the end of each day, but he loved it.
- They did some off-ice stuff too. Video sessions, talking about strategy, and some workouts in the gym. That part, not so much his favorite.
- Scrimmages were intense. It was cool to see the kids actually playing, using what they learned in the drills.
The food was… okay. It is camp food, so I weren’t expecting gourmet meals. Lots of pasta, chicken, the usual stuff. My kid didn’t complain, so that’s a win.
The End Result
By the end of the week, it was noticeable improvement in my kid’s skating and puck control. More importantly, he had a blast. He made some new friends, got to play a ton of hockey, and learned a few things.
Would I recommend it? Yeah, I think so. If your kid’s serious about hockey and you’ve got the cash, it’s worth checking out. Just be ready for the drive and the price tag.
It’s not a magic bullet, but, it put a smile on my kid face, and that is all matter.
