Christian Hockey Camps International, Hockey Ministries International's youth camp outreach, just completed its 2009 schedule. Thirty three weeks of camps took place this summer in seven different countries around the globe including the United States, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Finland.   

CAMPERS ASK THE BIG QUESTIONS OF LIFE		NHL'er GLEN WESLEY INSTRUCTS ON ICE

Nearly 2,000 boys and girls ages 9-17 attended HMI camps in 2009.  In Europe, HMI camps were held in Helsinki, Finland, Trnava, Slovakia, La Vallee de joux, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Ronnang, Skillingaryd, and Lidkoping, Sweden. In Canada, camp locations included Lake Mistissini and Montreal, Quebec, Grande Prairie and Three Hills, Alberta, Caronport, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Moncton, New Brunswick, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Waterloo, Lake Simcoe, Kingston, and Kirkland Lake, Ontario. In the United States, HMI camps were staged in St. Louis, Missouri, Raleigh, North Carolina, Boston, Massachusetts, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Fargo, North Dakota, Chicago, Illinois, College Station, Texas, Soldotna, Alaska, and St. Cloud and Minneapolis, Minnesota.  

GOALIES HONING THEIR SKILLS		CAMPERS AT EVENING CHAPEL

At each HMI camp, campers used three hours of ice time daily to improve their game through individual skills, team skills, power skating and scrimmages. Drills from seven countries around the world gave each camp an on-ice, international flavor. A structured dryland training program was also featured each day to train campers on how to improve their hockey development off the ice. Campers also enjoyed other sports and recreation activities during the week including soccer, swimming, floor hockey and basketball in a fun and competitive atmosphere.

Spiritually, the campers were challenged each day in a number of ways. The HMI camp counselors led two huddle groups each day with their campers, leading through the "Equipped For Life" handbook. These small group settings were excellent times for campers to ask questions and participate in the lessons each day. In the evening chapel program, the campers were challenged by the testimonies of the on-ice pros and local camp staff.