More Than Hockey: Reflecting on the 2026 Flagstaff Summer Camp

Reflecting on the 2026 Snowman Goaltending Flagstaff Summer Camp

Every year, our Flagstaff Summer Camp brings new challenges, new memories, and new stories. This year was no different.

As we approached camp, the Pocket Fire created some uncertainty for families and our staff. Like many people in Northern Arizona, we were monitoring the air quality and changing conditions closely while preparing backup plans to make sure we could provide a safe environment for everyone involved. The health and safety of our campers always comes first, and we were thankful that conditions improved enough for us to enjoy a full week together in Flagstaff.

Once everyone stepped on to the ice, the focus shifted back to what makes this week so special: bringing athletes together to learn, compete, and enjoy the game of hockey.

This year’s camp included goalies and players from a wide range of ages and experiences. Our youngest camper was 7 years old, while our oldest participant was 38. Despite the difference in age and background, everyone arrived with the same mindset—to improve, challenge themselves, and be part of the hockey community we continue to build in Flagstaff.

Development On and Off the Ice

Throughout the week, our goalies worked on the skills that are essential to becoming better goaltenders: skating, tracking, positioning, post play, recoveries, rebound control, and reading the game.

Our classroom sessions allowed campers to continue learning away from the rink. We started the week with equipment education, helping goalies understand their gear, how it fits, and how those choices can impact their performance. We also used video feedback throughout the week to help athletes better understand their own game and connect what they felt on the ice with what was actually happening.

For us, development is about more than just teaching a goalie where to move. It is about helping athletes understand the position, make better decisions, and take ownership of their improvement.

A Complete Hockey Experience

This year’s camp continued to grow beyond just goalie training.

Dan led our forwards throughout the week, providing focused instruction and helping players develop their skills away from the puck and in game situations. Jaidyn also brought a valuable perspective by leading power skating sessions, helping athletes become more efficient, balanced, and explosive skaters.

One of the biggest improvements we saw this year was with our shooters. With more dedicated shooters on the ice than ever before, they were able to get a tremendous number of repetitions while also helping create a more realistic training environment for our goalies. Instead of simply shooting pucks, our shooters were challenged to create game-like situations—making decisions, creating screens, and helping goalies read plays.

During afternoon sessions, goalies and shooters were organized into stations based on age and skill level, allowing athletes to compete and learn in an environment that challenged everyone appropriately.

The Moments Away From the Ice

Some of the best memories from camp happened away from the crease.

Our annual tie-dye tradition was once again a favorite part of the week. Every camper created their own unique shirt, giving them a keepsake to remember the friendships and experiences they shared during camp.

Lunch is another tradition that has become a special part of the week. Each day, Ann hand-packs lunches for campers, taking the time to accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies so every athlete has a meal they can enjoy. It is a behind-the-scenes job that takes a lot of planning and effort, but it is one more way we try to take care of our campers beyond what happens on the ice.

Those lunch breaks also give everyone time to relax, share stories, and build friendships.

This year, we also celebrated the end of camp with Fratelli’s Pizza on the final day. We were also able to celebrate James’ birthday during the week with cupcakes for everyone. Those small moments are part of what makes camp feel like more than just a hockey event.

Building a Community

One of the things we are most proud of is the community that continues to grow around this camp.

Every year, we see returning campers reconnect with old friends while welcoming new athletes into the group. Whether it was someone’s first camp or they were returning for another summer, our goal was to create an environment where every athlete felt welcomed, challenged, and supported.

Throughout the week, we also recognized campers with awards celebrating things like work ethic, improvement, competitiveness, and positive attitudes. While winning is never the focus, taking time to recognize the qualities that help athletes grow is an important part of the experience.

Thank You

A week like this does not happen without an incredible amount of support behind the scenes.

We want to thank the NAU Ice Jacks for their continued support and commitment to growing hockey in Northern Arizona. We are grateful to be connected with an organization that shares our passion for developing athletes and building the hockey community.

Thank you to the Jay Lively Activity Center, the City of Flagstaff, and everyone who helps make hockey possible in our community. Having a great facility and a supportive environment allows events like this to happen.

We also want to thank our partners, including Pure Hockey and Cwench, for helping make this year’s camp possible.

Finally, thank you to all of the campers, families, coaches, shooters, and volunteers who made this week what it was. Your trust and support are what allow us to continue creating this experience year after year.

Looking Ahead

As we begin thinking about next summer, we are already looking for ways to continue improving the camp experience. We are exploring new opportunities, including the possibility of an on-campus housing option, which could make attending camp even easier for families traveling to Flagstaff.

Most importantly, we are thankful for another incredible week of hockey, friendships, and memories.

Thank you for being part of the 2026 Snowman Goaltending Flagstaff Summer Camp. We cannot wait to see everyone back on the ice.