In 2001, Gary and Leslie Howard started a family foundation to help young adults of financial need and exceptional ability obtain an education by funding college scholarships to Colorado State University and The University of Denver.
In addition to funding numerous college scholarships, the Howards have combined their passion for education and athletics, specifically hockey, to establish the Miracles On Ice hockey camp. The camp is produced in partnership with the Colorado I Have A Dream Foundation and the University of Denver Division of Athletics and Recreation along with other participating sponsors.
The camp teaches students the importance of maintaining a strong mind and healthy body, and encourages discipline, commitment, and team play by blending education with athletics in a positive environment for learning and growth.
For one week each summer, 32 boys and girls ages 9-11, are are brought to camp by 8:30 a.m. from one of two Denver housing project sites and returned to their respective sites by 5:30 p.m. Each day’s activities consist of two to three ice sessions, dry land training, math classes, reading classes, motivational speakers and team building exercises. Our volunteer coaches, lead the kids through hockey fundamentals, ice drills and intra-squad game scrimmages. All of these activities are designed to promote discipline, commitment and team play.
