Bunnyrabbits is the first stage of Cross-Country Canada's Skill Development Program. It is all about having fun and introducing children aged 4 to 6 to ski basics. The kids learn basic technique of moving on snow through games, action songs and scavenger hunts. The on-snow part of the class is followed by an apres-ski (juice, snacks and colouring).
This program is open to Nakkertok members only. You must register (as a member and for the program) for the current season. Registration deadline is November 25, 2008.
Who: Bunnyrabbits are 4 to 6 years olds.
Where: Mostly at Nakkertok South with a few sessions at Nakkertok North.
Time: Saturdays 10:00am - 12:00 (apres-ski from 11:30-12:00)
OR Sundays 1:30pm - 3:30 pm (apres-ski from 3:00-3:30).
Dates: Approx. 9 weeks beginning in early January and ending in early March.
Sessions are weather dependant, and every winter sees the cancellation of at least one day's classes due to extreme cold, lack of snow, wind-chill, ice storms, rain or all of the above and more. In the event of a cancellation everyone is notified by his or her instructor. (Do not assume the class has been cancelled unless you have been contacted!)
Activities: Bunnyrabbits will learn the fundamentals of being on skis through games and play on snow. Skills a bunnyrabbit might learn include falling/rising, tracking, forward movement, side stepping and star turns. The bunnies are placed in classes according to their ability, speed, endurance and age.
Class sizes: Nakkertok aims for a 1:3 bunnyrabbit to instructor ratio.
Instructors: Instructors are Nakkertok volunteers, primarily parents or graduates of Nakkertok's racing and Learn-to-Ski programs. Training is available to anyone interested in teaching/coaching. Please note that Nakkertok does not screen its volunteers.
Equipment: See our parent's guide to equipment and our wax guide.
Parent duties: Please read the Parents' Role. In addition there are many ways to fulfill your co-op committment within the Learn-to-Ski programs (click here).
Races: Every Jackrabbit and Bunnyrabbit has the opportunity to participate in several of the annual races that the club organises; the Nakkertok Invitational, the Nakkertok Junior Championships, Thea's Race (at Nakkertok North), and for older more enthusiastic Jackrabbits, the Nakkerloppet. At the Jackrabbit level the emphasis at these race
s is on participation.
Administrative Details: The number of participants in the Learn-To-Ski program is limited to 150 for each day (Saturday/Sunday). The rationale for this limit was a reflection of reality: we strive for an instructor to student ratio of 1:3 for Bunnyrabbits and 1:4 for Jackrabbits. The program has been growing for several years and we have not been able to achieve those ratios in some classes. The 150 limit is approximately the number of children that can be accommodated for the number of instructors that usually volunteer every year.
The registration process will run from when the online registration opens in September until November 25th. The classes are filled on a first come first served basis until we reach the 150 limit for each day. As in previous years, priority is given to children whose parents have volunteered to be learn-to-ski instructors.
Any cancellations received after December 15th will be subject to a 50% administrative charge. Cancellations received after the first class will receive no refund.
Due to success of the program we have a difficult time in finding enough instructors to maintain our desired instructor to student ratio. Therefore, please understand that it is our policy that you may be asked to be a leader or assistant leader for your child's class regardless of whether you have paid a fee in lieu of co-op commitment, or have done other co-op duties.
For more information contact the Nakkertok Learn-To-Ski Director at Learn-To-Ski