Welcome to the 2012 REV Youth Ski Club!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

- February 2, 2012: Another week with no need for snow shovels, which means we will plan to meet again at Green Acres Recreation Area in Lake Elmo this Sunday, February 5, from 12:15-1:30. Look for your group outside the small building behind the main chalet after purchasing your trail pass. Remember to take a few minutes to watch the kids ski and see the great improvements they’ve made after only three sessions.

- January 19, 2012: Our ski session on Sunday, January 22 will once again be at Green Acres Recreation Area in Lake Elmo. Our ski time is 12:15 - 1:30. See you there. If your skier isn't comfortable putting skis on and taking them off, you may want to have them practice doing so inside on a carpeted area. Being able to do this quickly will allow them to spend more time skiing!

- January 14, 2012: We are skiing tomorrow! All should have received an email with details regarding our session at Green Acres Recreation Area in Lake Elmo. Our ski time is 12:15 - 1:30. See you there.

- We still have one set of rental equipment available for an older child (12 or older). Contact the club leader if interested and to determine if the sizing will be appropriate.

- January 6, 2012:

1. Due to lack of snow at Lebanon Hills, we are cancelling our Jan 8 session. We will meet on Jan 15th either at Green Acres Recreation Area in Lake Elmo where they make snow, or at Lebanon Hills for dryland ski games. Check back next week for additional information.

2. Due to rental cancellations, we now have 3 sets of ski equipment that can be rented for the season. One set is for an older youth (probably age 12 or older) and the other two sets are for younger children (probably age 4, 5, or 6). Contact the Club Leader if interested.

- January 2, 2012: Although we are hoping to have enough additional snow to start our season on schedule, the weather forecast isn't looking promising. If we can't start January 8, we'll hope for snow so we can start January 15th.

-December 3, 2011: We have confirmed the time for our sessions with Lebanon Hills: 12:45 - 2:00PM on Sunday afternoons (see "Scheduled and Location for specific dates.

-November 18, 2011: Our "full-season" rental skis are all spoken for. There are no more club rentals available. However, daily rentals will be available on-site at Lebanon Hills.

Overview

Our club was formed to help kids from age 4-15 in the Rosemount/Eagan/Apple Valley area learn to love the life-long sport of cross-country skiing. The low registration fee and absence of attendence requirements make this a great way to for younger skiers to experience the sport for the first time while also allowing older athletes to stay in shape and cross-train for soccer, swimming, track, cross-country running, lacrosse, and other sports. The training sessions are designed for "classic" style skiing rather than "skate" style skiing. However, we will attempt to schedule some skate lessons as well if there is enough interest and skiiers have the proper skate ski equipment.

Schedule and location

Our first meeting date for the 2012 ski season will be Sunday, Jan 8 from 12:45-2:00 PM. Our "home course" is Lebanon Hills Park in Eagan, at the location with the Visitor Center at 860 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55123. (http://tinyurl.com/LHSkiCenter). Anticipated dates are as follows, with all sessions scheduled for 12:45 - 2:00 PM:

Sunday, Jan 8:

Sunday, Jan 15

Sunday, Jan 22

Sunday, Jan 29

Sunday, Feb 5

Sunday, Feb 12

Sunday, Feb 19

Sunday, Feb 26

This schedule may change based upon availablility of coaches and potential races that may be scheduled for interested club members. Every effort will be made to get at least 8 sessions scheduled, but depending on weather we may not be able to have a full slate of 8 sessions.

Registration

Registration is handled on-line by clicking on the "registration" link above. Equipment rental fees (see equipment section below) can also be paid online. If you have your own skis, be sure they are "classic" style skis. If your skier has "skate" style skis, contact the club leader to determine if we will have the proper coaching to support skate skiing.

Weather and cancellation policy

We will not ski if the air temperature is below -10˚ F, or the wind chill is below -30˚ F, or at the leader's discretion. Cancellations will be posted on this web page in the "Announcements" section above.

Children should be dressed in layers. A moisture wicking under layer, an insulating layer, and a wind proof layer are typically appropriate. Please use your discretion noting your child's activity level and the outside temperature/wind chill. Often a winter jacket and snow pants or a snow suit are too warm once the child gets skiing.

Equipment

We have a limited number of great ski equipment for skiers to use for a nominal fee - at this point we estimate the fee to be $25 - $35 for the entire season. This equipment can be taken home and used for family outings. REGISTER EARLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS FANTASTIC RENTAL OPPORTUNITY!! Please remember we have a limited number of ski packages and sizes. If you paid for rental equipment on-line but were not able to be outfitted, you will be reimbursed for the fees. Our rental skis are classic no-wax skis.

If we don't have sizes for your skier, or if all club ski equipment is rented, ski equipment can be rented for daily use at Lebanon Hills for $6/session.

Volunteering

This is a volunteer run club. The success and affordability of this program comes directly from your contributions of time, energy, and talent. By registering your child for this club, you are committing to the club's success and are agreeing to volunteer. Level 1 skiers will need to be accompanied by a parent. Coaching at level 1 is a great way to accompany your child. Please consider coaching as it is our number one need! You do not necessarily need to coach at your child's level....in fact it is often better if you don't. If you are able to help coach "on snow", we will provide instructional information for each session and discuss training opportunities to learn more about proven coaching techniques and drills.

If you aren't comfortable coaching on skis, there are many other ways in which you can volunteer, including:

Assistant Coaching: Sometimes we just need someone to provide encouragment, a smile, and support on the snow. This is a great way to be involved and enjoy watching kids learn.

Bib coordinator - To help identify the skiers as part of the club, they wear "race bibs" during the sessions. We need someone to make color coordinated level cards with skiers name and insert them in bib pockets, recording bib number with child's name, and collecting bibs at session's end.

Race Coordinator - Make other club members aware of available racing events for the kids, and coordinate the group at the race location. (Note: Races are optional opportunities not part of the standard club fees)

Lead a Special Ski Day - Prepare a fun activity for all the kids to enjoy during our normal ski time. This could be a treasure hunt, costume party with acrobatic ski events, destination ski to a certain spot on the course with treat at the destination, ... really anything. Fun activities are a great way to help the kids love skiing without knowing they are actually training.

If you have ideas about how to help kids learn to ski, now is your chance to make it happen.

Club Leader Contact Information:

Dave Freed

952-891-1054

davefreed@charter.net