Ice Box skating rink boot camp teaching hockey and life skills to adults

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- Every Sunday in the month of August, the Ice Box skating rink is creating a real-time crash course in hockey basics for adults who want to improve their skills or pick up new ones.

The boot camp has been around for close to 10 years and teaches everything from correct hockey posture to power skating and puck control.

For someone who is brand new to skating, like many people at the boot camp, there can be a lot of initial fears about hitting the ice, which is why Community Engagement and skating Director, Ally Decloedt says there is one thing beginners must do before they walk through the doors.

“Check in the ego at the door,” Decloedt said. “Everyone’s going to fall down and everyone’s going to get back up. It’s slippery out there, so you’re going to have to learn your edges and have fun with it.”

For the 50 plus years the ice box has been open; they have welcomed 800 first time skaters, and the hockey boot camp has played a pivotal role in welcoming many of those skaters to the ice for the very first time.