Why is your camp only for girls?
Research has shown that girls gain confidence, learn more, and are less likely to be sexually harassed when in an all-girl learning environment.  In contrast to girls and boys in co-educational learning situations, girls in girls-only settings speak more in class, have more confidence in their abilities and take on leadership positions in academics, sports, arts and student government.  We all know that hockey is a traditionally male sport with a physical culture that can get pretty masculine as players get older.  In some co-ed hockey situations, girl players can be subject to hazing or harassment because of their gender, and are sometimes made to feel unwelcome and unwanted. Limiting the camp to girls enables us to focus on teaching and learning hockey, without having to deal with any of the complications of adolescent gender relations.  It also enables us to create a positive learning situation where a large group of girls who want to improve their game are able to take risks, make mistakes and learn that they only fail when they stop trying.  It has been our pleasure to watch the girls take leadership roles in the camp and motivate, inspire, and support one another.

What types of girl benefits most from attending our camp?
The girl who benefits most isn't categorized by age, experience, or playing ability, but by her attitude.  Like most things in life, you get out of what you put into it.  Girls who come to camp willing and able to take instruction, and who are ready to push themselves beyond their comfort zone, will be highly successful.  Girls who accept that they are accountable for their improvement also excel.

What are the benefits of attending camp?  
On-ice, campers will improve their skating, puck handling, shooting, passing, and positioning.  Off-ice, they'll learn the fundamentals of conditioning, sports nutrition, injury prevention, player preparedness, and mental toughness.  Playing with and against great competitors, girls gain confidence, have fun, and develop the attitudes of a champion.  Camp offers them opportunity to build friendships with other exceptional young women and to develop their passion for the game.  Campers will have fun and learn in a supportive environment.  They will be led by knowledgeable, experienced, highly-qualified coaches and fitness professionals who understand how girls learn and how to motivate young women.  They will learn how to play and be their best.

What can my daughter expect during a typical camp day?   
Each day, you’re daughter will spend up to 3.5 hours on-ice and up to 1.5 hours training off-ice.  She can expect fun, excitement and camaraderie.  She’ll never be bored.  You daughter will be challenged (just enough) to improve herself as a hockey player, an athlete, and a person.  She’ll always leave feeling good about her accomplishments, and maybe just a little bit tired.  She’ll want to share what she did.  She’ll laugh, smile, and enjoy the coaches and camp friends.  If that sounds like a big promise for a hockey camp, have a look at the faces on our photos page and read some of the testimonials from satisfied campers.

What types of drills, exercises, and activities are done on-ice?  
Our on-ice training and instruction is designed to develop, enhance, and strengthen both individual and team skills using fun, challenging, and skill appropriate drills and activities. 

The daily teaching structure is divided into three segments which enables each camper to strengthen their abilities, fundamental skills, and learn how to create defensive or offensive pressure by using timing, read, and reaction drills.  In addition players will leave the camp understanding how to control space and angling by using puck possession, transitional, and cycling drills.

Segment One Focus:  Puck Possession & Puck Protection (stick handling, passing, shooting etc...)

Segment Two Focus:  Game Positioning, Controlling Space, Angling & Skating

Segment Three Focus: High tempo "Small Area Games"
Campers practice and master: puck skills, proper game positioning, how to anticipate and read the play. Emphasise is placed on practicing controlling space, angling, and creating defensive or offensive pressure.

What do campers do in off-ice training sessions?  
Off-ice training is designed to teach your daughter how to be her physical best each time she steps on the ice.  We teach the fundamentals of functional strength training and conditioning, as well as advanced instruction in core training, sports nutrition, injury prevention, functional strength training, and cardiovascular fitness.  

We engage campers minds and bodies in learning.  Here’s how:  First, our fitness expert gives a mini-lecture on a key concept, exercise, or tool.  Then campers practice until they get the basic idea in their head and in their bodies.  Then we distribute detailed handouts for players and parents enabling them to continue practicing and developing on their own until the concept, exercise, or tool is mastered.   

Among last year’s topics:  Eat Well/Play Well: How to Eat Like A Champion, Prepare To Play: Creating a Pre-Ice Routine to Avoid Slow Sluggish Starts, Build Your Foundation: Core and Pillar Training Linking The Body From Toenail to Finger Nail, Be First to the Puck: Become an Explosive Skater While Reducing Knee Injuries, Functional Fun: Conditioning Games and Circuits.

What is the camper to coach ratio?
An industry leading 7 to 1.  In order to make more money most camps have a high ratio of campers to coaches and count high school and college aged players as “coaches” to lower their ratio. While we do have one or two high school aged players working with our youth group, we don’t include them in our ratio.  What’s more, our on and off-ice coaches and fitness professionals have a combined 70 years of experience.  In addition, our off-ice director and skating director are youth development coaches who work with these age groups year-round.

How can I be sure that what you teach in just one week will stick with my daughter?
Unlike most summer camps we stay connected with you and your child throughout the year.  First, we have a monthly newsletter that offers training tips, strategies, and motivation on how you can be and play your best.  With content written or developed by our key directors and staff, the newsletter offers information on sports nutrition, off-ice conditioning, injury prevention, mental aspects of the game, skating drills and more.   We also offering off-ice training and on-ice player development experiences year round.  Starting with summer camp, your daughter will become part of the MGHA community, ensuring not only that she’ll retain what she learned, but also continue her improvement. 

Why is the high school camp longer than the youth camp?
Every aspect of our camp is designed to maximize your daughter’s benefit.  For each age group, camp length is determined by scientific research into what girls of a particular age level can safely and effectively do physically and psychologically.  The research shows that younger girls learn and retain more if sessions are shorter.  Since the older girls are more physically and mentally mature, they are able to focus for longer periods of time.  Understanding what both groups can and cannot do maximizes learning and retention, and enables every girl to have a custom camp experience that is both fun and meets each of her specific needs.

First, see how long the camp has been operating.  The longer the better, because camp longevity means campers and staff have returned year after year, giving it their most important vote of confidence—their presence.

Next, examine the credentials of the coaching staff, paying special attention to camp directors. Don’t entrust your daughter to just any coach who thinks he or she can offer a camp.  As important as volunteer coaches are to girls hockey, most coaches are just not qualified to offer a high quality player development experience.  Camp directors and lead coaches should have a solid coaching resume, USA Hockey coaching certifications, and extensive training or experience in player development if they are going to conduct a camp.  You should also look into the credentials of front-line instructional staff. Many camps will advertise NHL or college players as a registration enticement.  But if you’re going to pay all that money for the presence of a star athlete, make sure she or he will not just be making a “motivational” appearance.


Can you provide references or testimonials from graduates of your camp? 
Great camps should have no problem providing you with more references than you can handle.

What accomplishments have your graduates achieved? 
You should expect to see graduates competing in regional and national hockey programs, whether USA Hockey, high school, or collegiate.

Do your campers come back to camp year after year? 
Kids vote with their feet! They just won’t go if it’s not fun and useful.

Do your key directors and instructors return to camp year after year? 
Rapid turnover of staff is a sure indicator that something’s not right.

Besides teaching hockey skills and strategies, what else is on the curriculum? 
You should expect great camps to take care of the whole athlete, offering high quality instruction in off-ice conditioning, sports nutrition, mental toughness, and more.