The Moose Jaw Skating Club is making good use of the available ice, as they are holding their first-ever summer development camps beginning on Monday.  

Skaters of various age groups from Moose Jaw and surrounding areas will embark on Mosaic Place over the next two weeks for the two camps. 

Bree Campbell is the co-coordinator of Moose Jaw’s CanSkate program and a coach for their STARSkate program, she explains the importance of early ice availability to allow the skaters to hit the ice running.  

“It meant a lot and we worked really hard with the city and other user groups to be able to get the availability for the ice, and being able to have it, Mosaic is an amazing opportunity,” says Campbell. “The ice available in town and the amount of ice is awesome.” 

“Usually, our skaters head off to other communities during the summer because there’s a summer series and if our skaters aren’t able to train in the summer they can’t compete,” adds Campbell. 

Over the week-long camps, skaters will undergo both on-ice and off-ice training in various offered programs. 

It includes CanSkate, which is for younger age groups through the Learn to Skate Program through SkateCanada. This program is for all disciplines of skating, and it creates and builds the foundations for skaters to choose their own pathways.  

The club will also be providing the first nationally recognized Can Power Skating program at their camps.  

“We’re targeting ages U7, U8, and U9. It’s for skaters who are looking to further develop their hockey and/or ringette skills.” 

For those looking to further develop their figure skating skills, the club will be offering a variety of programs for their STARSkaters.  

“The skaters will be in different group formats. We're offering edge classes, dance classes, and jump classes over the course of the two weeks. They’ll come and they will do an off-ice session,  they’ll get to have a 30-minute group lesson and then some private lessons.” 

The STARSkate program teaches figure skating skills in a group and/or private lesson format in a progressive and sequential manner and includes specifically designed awards and incentives. 

Campbell adds the structure of their programs is different than usual to create more of a camp-like atmosphere.  

On top of the various programs being offered at the camp, in the second-week guest coach and dance guru Bobby McGee will make an appearance.  

“We’re excited to offer something different to our skaters. We’re hoping this program catches on and we can offer it every year to Moose Jaw and surrounding areas.” 

Availability is still open but spots are filling up fast for some programs in both camps. Those looking to register for their summer camps can do so on the Moose Jaw Skating Club website.  

The schedule will go as followed and will be the same throughout the two camps: 

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - CanSkate Program 

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - CanPower Program 

4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m - Off-Ice Session 

5:30 p.m - 8:30 p.m - On-Ice Session