A hands-on summer program for kids (ages 7–12) to build confidence, responsibility, and real-life skills — without screens.
Through gardening, caring for animals, and structured outdoor activities, kids develop discipline, teamwork, and independence in a fun, supportive environment.
Limited to 10 spots to keep the program personal and impactful.
Who This Program Is For
Does your child fit one of these descriptions? Buds and Blooms might be exactly what they need.
Need More Structure & Routine
Kids who thrive with clear expectations, schedules, and consistent guidelines.
Struggle with Confidence or Behavior
Kids who need support building self-esteem and developing positive behaviors.
Spend Too Much Time on Screens
Kids who need to disconnect from devices and reconnect with nature and people.
Love Being Outdoors & Active
Kids who are energetic, curious about nature, and enjoy hands-on activities.
Want to Build Independence & Responsibility
Kids ready to take on meaningful tasks and develop real-world skills.
Involved in Sports (Or Want to Be)
Kids who benefit from teamwork, discipline, and athletic development at any level.
If your child fits any of these descriptions, Buds and Blooms can make a real difference.
We keep our program small (just 10 spots) to ensure every child gets the attention and care they deserve.
Holistic Youth Sports Development: More Than Just Hockey
Buds and Blooms is an integrated, holistic approach to youth athlete development and character building. Our unique 18-week program combines ice hockey training, holistic health and wellness, off-ice player development, gardening, and animal care. We believe that true youth sports development goes beyond skills and drills—it's about developing confident, compassionate, and resilient young individuals prepared for success on and off the ice.
Through gardening, planting, tending, and harvesting, children learn patience, responsibility, and the circle of life. They also explore nutrition, environmental stewardship, and the joy of caring for living creatures—like hatching and raising chickens—developing empathy and pride in their work.
We understand that the best athletes are well-rounded individuals who know how to work hard, take responsibility, and support their teammates both on and off the ice.
Gardening
Learning through planting, tending, and harvesting
Hockey
Building confidence and teamwork on the ice
Mindfulness
Managing emotions and finding inner calm
Growth
Developing resilience and compassion
Meet Your Coach
About Me
Hello! My name is Lori Bast, and I am the owner of Elite Wellness & Sports Management in Shellbrook, Saskatchewan. I am your local Athletic Advisor and Holistic Health & Wellness Coach, dedicated to supporting athletes of all ages in reaching their full potential both on and off the ice.
Who I Am
I am a Holistic Health & Wellness Coach, Energy and Traditional Healer, and Athletic Advisor. My certifications include Personal Training with Corrective Exercise, Performance Enhancement, and Sports Nutrition. In recent years, I have also completed comprehensive training in Front Office Hockey, covering analytics, scouting, general management, coaching, player development, and athletic advising. I have been privileged to be mentored by some of the top General Managers in the OHL and WHL, and attending NHL Draft Week in both Nashville and Las Vegas has been among my most inspiring experiences.
Do I play hockey myself? Absolutely not. But do I understand what Scouts, Coaches, and General Managers are looking for in emerging talent? Absolutely.
I am an Athletic Advisor, not an agent. My role is to provide the tools, guidance, and resources athletes need to develop not only their skills but also their character. Off-ice development is just as crucial—if not more so—than on-ice performance.
My Approach
While much of my work over the years has focused on elite-level programs, I often ask myself: why wait until young athletes are noticed by scouts to start their development? Who is there to guide them in becoming confident, well-rounded individuals capable of stepping into the shoes of retiring elite performers?
Athletic training today is evolving. While there are many dedicated coaches who focus on skills, strength, and performance, few concentrate on off-ice growth. Helping young athletes develop confidence, resilience, and self-awareness from an early age lays the foundation for future success—both in sport and in life.
My Mission
From the ground up, from the home to the rink, my goal is to build strong, well-rounded young athletes who understand their unique value. Together, we can help them become not only champions on the ice but confident, capable individuals off it as well.
Please note: While my background is in hockey and the program is inspired by the sport, it is designed for any young athlete with an interest in sports. This program is inclusive and open to all, providing tools for growth, confidence, and skill development regardless of the sport your child enjoys.
I'm excited to guide your child through their 18-week transformation journey!
Program Details
Everything you need to know about enrollment, timeline, and what your child will gain from the Buds and Blooms experience
🌱 Limited to 10 spots — register early to secure your child's place
Program Timeline
Dates
May 24 – September 18, 2026
Schedule
Sundays | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Age Range
7–12 years old
Duration
18 Weeks
Registration Fees
Full Program Fee
$500
Early Bird Discount
$50 off
Pay in full before April 15
Additional Enrollment Incentives
Parent Volunteer Program, Sibling Discounts, Family Referral Program available
Registration Deadline
May 1, 2026
Limited spaces available
What Your Child Receives
- 📘 Buds and Blooms 18-Week Workbook & Journal
- 🧢 Buds and Blooms Summer Hat
- 💧 Reusable Water Bottle
- 🌱 Personal Gardening Tools & Basket
- 🥕 The Harvest From Their Garden
- 🐣 Hands-on Chick Hatching & Care Experience
- 🌿 Summer Garden Scientist Mini Project
- 👨👩👧 Private Facebook Parent Group
Enrollment Incentives
🌟
Early Bird Registration Discount
🐣
Parent Volunteer Program
up to $50 discount
🌿
Sibling Discounts
🏒
Family Referral Program
Only 10 Spots Available This Year
Ready to Secure Your Child's Spot?
Buds and Blooms is designed to be personal, impactful, and life-changing. We keep it small to ensure every child gets the attention and care they deserve. Don't wait—secure your spot today.
Enroll NowMeet Your 18-Week Guides
Follow along with these four beloved characters as they guide you through your transformational journey with Buds and Blooms.
Chirp
The Coop Captain
Your inspiring leader who fosters growth, enthusiasm, and the spirit of the program throughout your 18-week journey.
Rocky
The Rink Rooster
Your confidence and skills coach, helping you build athletic ability, self-assurance, and mental toughness on the ice.
Daisy
The Gardening Mentor
Your nurturing guide who teaches patience, responsibility, and environmental stewardship through the art of gardening and caring.
Pip
The Curious Chick
Your tiny, curious companion who represents wonder, exploration, and the beginning of your amazing journey of growth and discovery.
Chirp's Journey: From the Ground to the Rink
One warm spring morning, something amazing was about to happen inside the coop.
A tiny egg began to wiggle.
Crack.
Crack.
CRACK!
Out popped a fluffy little chick named Chirp.
Chirp blinked at the bright world around him. The garden was full of life, the air smelled fresh, and the ground beneath his feet felt warm and strong.
Everything was new.
Everything was possible.
But Chirp didn't know it yet — he was about to begin a journey that would help him discover something very special about himself.
With the help of his friends, Chirp would learn how to grow not just bigger… but stronger, kinder, and more confident too.
🐣 Chirp the Coop Captain
Chirp loves to skate, explore the garden, and cheer on his friends.
But like every young athlete, Chirp is still learning. Sometimes he feels nervous. Sometimes things feel hard.
With practice and encouragement, Chirp begins to discover that real strength comes from inside.
Over the next 18 weeks, Chirp hopes to grow into a true leader — a Captain of the Coop.
🏒 Rocky the Rink Rooster
Rocky is the hockey mindset coach of the coop. Rocky believes that being a great athlete is about more than just skating fast or scoring goals.
It's about how you think, how you treat others, and how you carry yourself.
Rocky teaches the chicks:
- 🏒 Grit and perseverance
- 🏒 Teamwork and trust
- 🏒 Confidence and body language
- 🏒 Being coachable
- 🏒 Projecting positive energy
"Champions are built through effort."
🌼 Daisy the Garden Hen
Daisy is the gentle gardener of the farm. She teaches Chirp and his friends how to plant seeds, care for the soil, and appreciate the food that helps their bodies grow strong.
Daisy reminds everyone that nature has powerful lessons to teach. Through gardening, the chicks learn about:
- 🌱 Patience
- 🌱 Responsibility
- 🌱 Caring for the earth
- 🌱 Where healthy food comes from
Daisy also teaches the chicks how to slow down and feel connected to the earth through grounding practices.
"Everything grows with patience and care."
🐥 Pip the Tiny Chick
Pip is the smallest chick in the coop. Pip asks lots of questions, tries new things, and reminds everyone that learning is part of growing.
Pip helps Chirp discover that every chick has something unique inside them. Together they learn to:
- ✨ Discover what makes them special
- ✨ Use their voice
- ✨ Lift others up
- ✨ Have fun while learning
"Every leader starts small."
🌟 The Buds & Blooms Journey
Over the next 18 weeks, Chirp and his friends will learn lessons that help them grow both on and off the rink. Through gardening, teamwork, and caring for animals, they will discover how to become strong leaders and positive teammates.
Along the way they will practice:
Every week brings a new adventure.
Every lesson helps them grow.
And every chick discovers that the most powerful thing they can be is their true self.
🐣 Becoming a Captain of the Coop
At the end of the journey, Chirp will realize something important.
A captain isn't just someone who leads.
A captain is someone who:
By the end of the program, each child will discover the same thing Chirp does:
They were a Captain of the Coop all along.
The 5 Core Pillars of Buds & Blooms
Our program is built on five foundational pillars that work together to develop well-rounded, confident, and compassionate young athletes.
Life Skills & Mindset
- • Confidence & self-esteem
- • Emotional regulation & stress management
- • Leadership & teamwork
- • Accountability & responsibility
- • Grit, goal-setting, and discovering their "why"
Holistic Health & Wellness
- • Physical and mental wellbeing
- • Natural stress relief (breathing, grounding, energy techniques, essential oils)
- • Nutrition awareness and healthy habits
Hockey Foundations (Off-Ice)
- • Coachability and consistent effort
- • Positive energy and using your voice
- • Team culture and trust
- • Discipline, perseverance, and fun
Gardening & Environmental Stewardship
- • Planning, planting, and maintaining a garden
- • Soil health, composting, and weeding
- • Understanding the circle of life and nutrition
- • Harvesting and healthy eating habits
Animal Care & Empathy
- • Hatching eggs and raising chicks
- • Feeding, cleaning, and daily care routines
- • Developing empathy, responsibility, and pride
🌿 Our Philosophy
Every child is like a seed. With the right care, guidance, and environment… they will grow.
🌳 We Grow the Whole Child
Mind
Confidence, focus, resilience
Heart
Emotions, empathy, teamwork
Body
Movement, strength, coordination
Environment
Nature, responsibility, connection
🌱 Growth Takes Time
- • Roots grow before results
- • Progress isn't always visible
- • Small steps lead to big change
👉 Trust the process
🌊 Emotions Matter
- • Feelings are part of growth
- • We learn to pause, breathe, and reset
- • Strong players stay in control
🤝 We Grow Together
- • Teams build confidence
- • Helping others builds leaders
- • Everyone has a role
🌟 Effort Over Outcome
- • Try
- • Learn
- • Improve
👉 Progress > perfection
🌿 Learn by Doing
- • Garden
- • Care
- • Move
- • Play
👉 Experience creates real growth
🌞 Balance Builds Strength
- • Work hard
- • Rest well
- • Reset often
🌻 Who We Are Becoming
"I am confident."
"I am resilient."
"I am a great teammate."
"I am growing."
🌱 Buds and Blooms
We don't just grow players…
we grow people.
How It Works
Buds and Blooms combines three key pillars to nurture confident, compassionate athletes
In the Garden
Through gardening, planting, tending, and harvesting, children learn patience, responsibility, and the circle of life. They also explore nutrition, environmental stewardship, and the joy of caring for living creatures—like hatching and raising chickens—developing empathy and pride in their work.
Off the Ice
Off the ice, our program focuses on building the foundational pillars of success in hockey and life: confidence, self-awareness, leadership, teamwork, accountability, and the ability to manage emotions.
Life Skills in Sport
Children learn natural ways to relieve stress, harness positive energy, and find their voice, all while aligning these life skills with the core values of sport—being coachable, working hard, discovering what makes us unique and having fun.
Program Moments
Capturing the joy, growth, and memories from our Buds and Blooms community
Our Core Values
At Buds and Blooms, we cultivate well-rounded, confident, and mindful individuals who understand the importance of hard work, responsibility, and community.
Confidence
Building strong self-belief in every child through positive experiences and encouragement
Self-Awareness
Helping children understand their emotions, strengths, and areas for growth
Leadership
Empowering children to lead by example and inspire their teammates and peers
Teamwork
Teaching the power of working together toward common goals with respect and support
Accountability
Fostering responsibility and the understanding that our actions have consequences
Community
Building a supportive, inclusive environment where every child feels valued and belongs
Ready to Help Your Child Flourish?
Registration for children ages 7 to 12 years of age. Summer program runs from May 24th, 2026 every Sunday, to September 18th, 2026.
🌱 Limited to 10 spots — register early to secure your child's place
Through hands-on gardening, caring for animals, and structured outdoor activities, kids develop confidence, responsibility, discipline, teamwork, and independence—all without screens. We create a personal, nurturing environment where every child can truly flourish.
WHAT WE OFFER
Off-ice Player Development
Professional coaching on ice and off
Garden Learning
Hands-on environmental education
Life Skills
Mindfulness, leadership & teamwork
Supporting Our Community
Buds and Blooms is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors and partners who believe in nurturing well-rounded young athletes.
Your sponsorship directly supports our youth gardening programs and off-season wellness initiatives. We use contributions to purchase seeds and gardening supplies that teach young athletes about sustainable growing practices, build and maintain chicken coops that provide hands-on learning experiences with animal care, and acquire equipment and resources that support overall fitness and well-being.
We focus on comprehensive off-season support that helps young athletes maintain their fitness, health, and nutrition throughout the year. We also seek donations for nutritional resources, wellness workshops, and sports science materials that help our young athletes understand the importance of proper nutrition, injury prevention, and holistic health practices during their off-season.
Whether you can donate supplies, materials, equipment, or cash contributions, your support helps us provide transformative experiences that develop confident, well-rounded young people who understand the importance of physical fitness and lifelong athletic development and how we can incorporate this into a whole Holistic Player Development lifestyle. Every contribution makes a meaningful difference in our community and in the lives of the families we serve.
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Become a Partner
Interested in supporting Buds and Blooms and making a difference in young athletes' lives? We'd love to explore partnership opportunities with you.
Get in TouchFind us Here
Visit us at our location and experience the Buds and Blooms difference
Have questions about our location or program?
Contact UsJoin Buds and Blooms
Ready to help your child grow into a confident, compassionate athlete? Request a Registration Application today!
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Questions? Reach out to us directly:
loribast@budsandblooms.net