It's that time of year! Hockey players all over the continent are hitting the road for glamourous road trips with their parents to soak up the sun and put their gear on in a hockey rink and show scouts / coaches / management / over-involved board members what they've got. Spring camps serve two purposes: they're fundraisers for teams, which is fine, and they're an opporunity to build the roster for the coming season.

The key to running a successful spring camp is to combine those two functions. Raising money is important for the health of your franchise, but the kids coming to camp are not there to stabilize the local economy. They're attending to get noticed, potentially make the team, but most importantly to gain a valuable experience. 

You have the power to make it all happen. 

I've always believed it's important to get the kids on the ice in a practice setting to get them comfortable. We actually run a game first, and then a practice, followed by more games. Make sure to get a goalie session in there too. This ensures the best possible performance by the end of the camp. the beginning is always a mixed bag - there's lots of pressure on the players (did I mention they're on a road trip with their parents?), and nerves are a factor. 

Do the right thing. If you must hold a camp with 10 teams then the right thing to do is ensure every player gets a worthwhile experience. Here's a practice plan you can steal. I built it so all the jerseys can be the same colour and there is minimal staffing requirements. Just get the kids on the ice, move the puck around, build up the confidence and let everybody see you doing it.