There is no “one-size-fits-all” host family. We are happy to have families of all shapes and sizes — whether it’s a two-parent household, a single parent, or empty nesters. The common denominator is a desire by the host family to make a positive contribution in a player’s life.

Each family receives a monthly stipend of $800 for each player living with them. In addition to helping offset the expenses families incur when hosting a player, this gesture allows our organization to recognize the invaluable support these families provide to both the individual players and STAR Academy.

All you need is the willingness to support someone else’s goals and dreams. We would love to have you become a fan of hockey and STAR Academy. However, you don’t need to be involved in hockey to become a host family.

A family can host 1 or 2 players. By hosting more than one player it provides company and support to the player. Players may share a room but must have their own bed, a place for their clothing, and access to a restroom.

• Players arrive in late August-early September to begin the season and remain until the end of the school year (usually 1st or 2nd week of June).

• Thanksgiving, players typically have 5-7 days to return home.

• Christmas players typically have 10-12 days off to spend with family.

• In April during school spring break players will have 7-10 days off.

Players are between the ages of 13 and 17 years old.

STAR players attend St. Bernadette Parish School or Kennedy Catholic High School located in Burien, WA.

STAR Academy’s home ice is the Kent Valley Ice Centre. STAR Academy is part of the CSSHL which is an elite league of hockey academies across Western Canada and the US. The players will play locally and will travel to Canada for tournaments and league play.

• Players will attend school for approx. 4-5 hours a day.

• Approximately, 3 hours a day will be dedicated to on-ice development, strength and conditioning workouts, team meetings, video sessions, and study hall.

• Evenings will be quality time spent with the host families eating dinner, homework, resting, and enjoying each other’s company.

During the weekdays the players will attend school and STAR Hockey Academy for training. Players play an average 45-60 games throughout the season on the weekends and occasional weekdays. Once the season concludes in March, the players will still attend school and STAR Hockey Academy for on and off ice training. In the spring players have been known to get together on the weekends to golf, play a spring sport, or participate in outdoor activities.

Kennedy High School will provide transportation midday from school to the training facility at Kent Valley Ice. STAR Academy will also provide transportation to and from travel games. Depending on the player’s age, the host family will need to provide transportation to school and from Kent Valley Ice Arena in the evenings. STAR Academy players, parents, and host families often work together to carpool throughout the season. In addition, Kennedy Catholic students have the option of using convenient school bus transportation.

The Academy Coordinator will serve as your point person if any questions or concerns arise. STAR Academy will strive for players to respect and comply with the policies set by STAR Academy and the host household. Additionally, the Academy Coordinator will provide check-ins via phone or in person.

Arrangements will be made, through the Academy Coordinator, for the player(s) to stay with a teammate or another host family.

STAR Academy puts a great deal of thought and effort when placing players in the homes of families for suitability. Consequently, no issues are expected once the players and families have had time to get to know one another. Even so, there may be situations when the host family and player(s) are simply not compatible by no fault of either party. In that circumstance, the host family, Academy Coordinator, and STAR Academy will make our best attempt towards making the necessary changes to ensure everyone is satisfied and comfortable with their arrangements.

Your support and guidance play a vital role in shaping the players personal and athletic growth, helping them become confident, well-rounded individuals that exceeds far beyond the hockey season. Often, host families, players, and the players family develop lasting relationships that continue long after the hockey season ends.

By opening your home, you provide the player(s) a safe, supportive environment that helps them reach their goals. Host families are the heart of our program—and we couldn’t do it without you.