Many, many thanks for contributing your time and energy to this wonderful cross-country ski program. The following notes and suggestions were made to help you and your class has a fun and safe season at Nakkertok. The primary reason we are in this together is for the love of cross-country skiing in the great outdoors! This is something we all wigh to pass on to our families and fellow Nakkertokers!
When planning your lessons it is important to keep in mind that there are many possible reasons why children enjoy participating in a sport: to have fun, to learn or improve skills, to do something they are good at, for the excitement of competition.
Therefore, it is imprtant that lessons be fun and that children feel like they are learning and developing their cross-country ski skills. Take some time the first day to learn the names of your students and to do a baski evaluation of your students' skills for your class level. This will give you a goodbaseline for the season and a sense of the speed an dendurance of your class so that you do not venture too far away with your group and fail to return on time. On-going evaluation is also important, and will help you develop appropriate lesson plans. There should be some teaching about trail etiquette, and map reading. You could incorporate map reading skills inot an activity, and point out how they can determine if they are skiing north or south from the trail signs. This would be important if they were ever to become lost! And remeber that snacks and hydration breaks are good!
It may take a couple of classes to get everyone (even the leaders) feeling comfortable on their skis for the new season!
Classes begin on the January 3/4 2009 weekend at Nakkertok South. All classes on Saturday begin promptly at 10:00. Bunnyrabbits ski until 11:30 with 30 min apres-ski; all other classes finish at 12:00. On Sundays the classes all start at 1:30 pm and go until 3:00 with 30min apres -ski (Bunnyrabbits) or 3:30 (Jackrabbits).
When you receive your class list (it will have phone numbers and email addresses) you should contact your co-instructors to decide who will be responsible for the first lesson plan, and who will make initial contact with the parents of the children in your class. Please cover the followin:
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- Does the child have any relevant allergies or medical conditions?
- This year all classes will meet in the stadium area outside the new ski chalet. The group signs will be put up to help minimize class confusion.
- All classes will begin promptly at the specified time as children quickly become chilled waiting around for late comers.
- All ski equipment should be properly labeled.
- Please request that children of an appropriate age carry a map. Maps can be printed from the website.
- The majority of groups have only 2 instructors. It is important that every effort id made to have one additionaly parent ski with your group for safety reasons especially if you are skiing with young children.
- All children should bring a snack and a drink. Snacks should be peanut-free. Alternatively, children can take turns brining a snack for the group.
- Parents need to notify their child's instrcutor if they are planning on taking their child prior to the end of class.
Please take the time to read all communications and pass on information to your group's parents either by email or phone. When you do receive information from the co-ordinators, PLEASE acknowledge receipt of the message.
Many thanks, remember to dress warmly, and enjoy!!
Nakkertok Day Coordinators
Here is a typical routine for your reference:
- Arrive on time to meet and greet your group in front of the new ski chalet located in the stadium area.
- Answer questions and receive any improtant messages from parents as tehy drop off children.
- Ask that one extra parent come along for each lesson or meet you part way through the lesson. YOu never know when you might need extra hands to ski back with a cold tired child.
- Ensure that your students are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions. Is thier equipment labelled? Does everyone have the required equipment?
- Discuss your plan with your co-leader. Please make sure that you are both carrying a map.
- Start with a warm up game at the meeting place. This will also give the few straggles time to grab their skis.
- Please use the equipment from the storage hut as it is there for the leaders. There are lots of balls, noces, etc. Please return all equipment after the lesson.
- Move on to your key teaching points for that lessos eg. herringbone, falling on the flats.
- Remeber that many of the technical skills can be taught through games. For example, children can learn numerous things from playing a game of tag such as gliding, stopping and turning.
- Go for a ski to reinforce these teaching points.
- Remember to have a snack (peanut free) and a dring (hot or cold) break.
- Vary your lessons and activities. Happy, active children that are engaged stay engaged.
- Please be back in time to avoid finding a group of worried parents in the parking lot.
- Please note that there is an equiment guide on the Nakkertok website, and there are lots of suggested games and lesson ideas (old program for now) on the website in the member's zone.
Here are some suggested items to carry in your backpack:
- maps of Nakkertok (mandatory)
- whistle, maybe a cell phone (there may not be coverage)
- basic first aid kit that might include items such as band aids, moleskin, first aid cream, kleenex, sun cream, vaseline, scissors or swiss army knife, tensor bandage
- duct tape
- hot paws or type of hand warmers
- extra socks, mitts, hats
- space/emergency blanket
- waxes: appropriate range of grip waxes for the conditions
- extra water and food
- gummy worms and stickers for those moments when a little treat goes a long way!
Here are some suggestions for bunnyrabbit instructors:
- Limit formal instruction.
- Mix play and discovery in your plans.
- Teach 'herringbone' right away; Nakkertok is rolling terrain.
- Don't go too far away as they have ot get back to the Chalet.
- Snack time can be inside or out. You may find that it is good to incorporate a story or story telling at this time to maintain your group's interest and to ease the transition from one acitivty to the next.
Here is some information about appropriate dress:
Children need to be well equipped and properly dresses for the great Canadian outdoors! They will need the following for each class:
- warm socks (wool or synthetic)
- non-cotton long underwear
- second layer of comfortable clothes: tights, turtleneck, fleece
- wind breaking outer wear
- snowsuits for Bunnyrabbits
- gloves, mitts, and hats always!
- skis, poles with names or tape or stickers on them so they can easily be identified
- boots that fit and are tied on properly
