Try Hockey for Free - August 18th, 2021

3303 West 20th Avenue,Oshkosh WI 54904

18 August, 2021

Description

The Oshkosh Warbirds invite you to try the great sport of hockey! TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE Get padded up and join the Oshkosh Warbirds for some fun on the ice! Never skated before?  No worries, we will teach you! Equipment is provided but limited. If you prefer to use your own equipment please bring the following if you have them.  Hockey, skateboard, BMX, or any multi crash rated helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, winter gloves and snow pants.   COVID-19 update:Due to our ever changing world we have made a few adjustment to our program this season. The health and safety of our guests, participants and volunteers will remain our #1 priority during this event. Please know that this event requires contact with participants to fit them with equipment and assist them on the ice. Participants will be in close contact with volunteers at this event. Please know that situations may change that require us to adjust event times, venues, and requirements. You will be kept updated on any changes through the email provided during registration. An outline of program changes are listed below. Additional information can be found in the Q&A section on this page. If you have additional questions about this event see the contact information at the bottom of this page. Registration is required and will close the Saturday before the event. Registration numbers have been evaluated and set to keep skater groups small.Event arrival times will be staggered and assigned. Skater questions are required to prepare equipment bags. Equipment bags will be prepared in advance to limit volunteer contact. Spectators, participants and volunteers are asked to self monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms. If you have a fever or other symptoms please do not attend this event. If anyone in your group has been in contact with an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19 or is under investigation for COVID-19 in the last 2 weeks, please do not attend this event. FAQsWhat does it cost? It’s FREE!*  This event is offered by Oshkosh Youth Hockey Association as a gift to our community!  Sponsors of this event are SCHEELS and the Oshkosh YMCA. Your hosts for this event are the Oshkosh Warbirds. All participants will receive a free gift. Do I have to register for Try Hockey for Free? Yes, registration is required this season to helps us properly plan equipment and staffing needs for the day.   Registration will close at 12:00 PM on Saturday, August 14th to allow time to pull and pack skater equipment. All participating in Try Hockey for Free will need to sign a waiver before enjoying the ice. Reminder, this event requires contact with participants to fit them with equipment and assist them on the ice. Your skater will come into close contact with volunteers on and off the ice. What type of equipment is provided?A full set of hockey gear, including a hockey helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, shinguards, hockey gloves, skates, a hockey stick and hockey jersey, will be provided for each participant to use during the event. To limit contact with multiple volunteers and to ensure fresh equipment is available for your skater, a equipment bags will be packed in advance of the event. Please make sure to enter the child's weight, clothing size and shoe size to help us prepare the correct fitting gear for each participant. Equipment provided is from the hockey association's rental fleet. The equipment used has been previously worn. Any equipment that has not been in storage for a minimum of 2 weeks will be properly disinfected before being made available to use. Are spectators allowed at this event?Yes, spectator are allowed at this event. Spectator are asked to stay out of the player bench area. Please stand or sit in the bleacher area while practicing proper social distancing of 6 feet between groups. What are face masks requirements?For the safety of all, USA Hockey has requested all volunteers, participants and those in attendance at a Try Hockey for Free follow local State mandates. How is a clean environment being maintained at this event?Our goal is to follow all health department and CDC guidelines. Each facility has its own protocols based on recommendations and guidelines. Equipment bags are being packed in advance to help limit volunteer contact at this event. Hand sanitizer will be available for anyone wishing to use. Are there age requirements for the event?The program is designed for kids ages 4-8 but all ages are welcome.  We can not guarantee we will have equipment for kids outside the listed ages but they are welcome to join in the fun. Do you need to know how to skate?  Skating experience is not needed! If you have never skated before this is an awesome opportunity to get padded up and give it a try! We split the skaters up into groups based on their skating experience.   Beginners group - just learning to stand and move on skates.  Volunteers will be available to give tips on the basics of skating and encourage the beginners.  This group will play games on the ice that encourage movement as they get used to skating. Intermediate group - participants have some skating experience.  This group will do skating drills, hockey drills and may scrimmage if time allows.   Experienced group - participants are confident on skate and may or may not have played some hockey.  This group will do advanced skating drills, advanced hockey drills and may scrimmage if time allows. Please note that participants may not be allowed to change groups this year. To help maintain social distancing and limit exposure to other groups, we will be assigning three different arrival times. Every effort will be made to group participants by like skill level while keeping families together. If needed, coaches will adjust drills and activities based on skater's abilities. If you will be attending with a friend you will have the opportunity to request the same group. When should we arrive?To maintain proper social distancing, arrival times will be assigned this season. You will receive an email 48 hours before the event confirming your arrival time. Skaters will have a 75 minute window at the rink. The first 15-20 minutes will be dedicated to gearing up in hockey equipment. Then 35-40 minutes of ice time, followed by 10-15 minutes to get out of gear. Please be on time but do not come into the rink early. At the conclusion of the event please do not linger inside the rink. Once your gear is removed and your questions are answered we ask that you head out to make room for the next group coming off the ice. What should I wear?Wear comfortable athletic clothing.  You will be moving around on the ice and you will be warmer than you think.  A long sleeve t-shirt or a light weight sweatshirt and sweat pants are all you will need.   What should I bring to the event?Please bring any of your own protective equipment that you wish to use.  Equipment is provided but some times does not fit right.   The following list is equipment you may want to bring.  Hockey, skateboard, BMX, or multi crash helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, winter gloves and snow pants.  All on the ice must be in a helmet.  Snow pants are only needed/recommended if you do not want to wear hockey pants. If your skater would like water, please bring a labeled water bottle for them to keep by the bench. The water fountain is turned off. A bag will be provided to store skater's shoes, coat, and hat if needed while they are on the ice. Please limit all other personal items brought to the rink. Where do I find more information about hockey and ice programs?Oshkosh Youth Hockey Association: www.oshkoshyouthhockey.org Oshkosh YMCA: http://www.oshkoshymca.org/programs/ice/youth-and-adult-hockey-programs.html How can I contact the organizer with questions?Email: [email protected]   Oshkosh Youth Hockey AssociationPO Box 3836 Oshkosh, WI 54903 [email protected] [email protected] Home Rink:Oshkosh Community YMCA 3303 W. 20th Avenue Oshkosh, WI 54904