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Why are the HMI camps Special? Why are they important?comments powered by Disqus
Having been involved with the camp experience for over 12 years, I have had the opportunity to see first hand how special the HMI hockey camps can be to anybody who attends. When I say, ANYBODY, I mean ANYBODY. From all the people that volunteer to the campers and to the on ice instructors, everybody comes away from a week at camp with a sense that it was something special, something unique and different. The HMI Camp Experience is truly unlike any other hockey camp you could ever go to.
How do I know this? Well, I’ve lived it
Growing up in Detroit, I never knew these camps existed. I never had the opportunity to hear from the pros, spend a week with Christian hockey friends, or have a huddle time after getting off the ice. I attended my first camp in 2000 right before my freshman year playing at the University of Notre Dame. Just a simple drill demonstrator and puck collector that first year the camp was an eye opening experience.....in the good way. I saw things which flat out shocked me. Little things like kids saying thank you after practice, picking up after themselves in the locker room, sharing real things in their life during huddle groups. Needless to say I was hooked. From then on, the summer never felt right until I was able to take part at a camp.
I was always (and still am) amazed at how unbelievable the camps are for kids. These are camps they will never forget. However, I never really thought about how important the camps are for more than just the campers. In my life as a pro hockey player, the HMI camps provided:
- A place for me to serve and use my skills as a Professional to impact others for a greater purpose
- A platform for me to share my faith in front of various people.
- A setting to speak to kids about the importance of being a Christian player and person.
- An experience which was more concerned about a child's internal development rather than the cut throat push to "make it to the next level"
If you are thinking about sending your son or daughter to camp, DON'T THINK TWICE!!! Register today
If you are thinking about lending a helping hand, DON'T THINK TWICE!!! Contact us or Fill out an application
If you are a junior, college, or professional hockey player who wants to get involved, DON'T THINK TWICE!!! Contact us Today
