Upcoming Events
Four weeks of rollerski skills and games for all levels at Brackett Park in Mpls (near the...
Nine weeks of rollerski skills and games for all levels at Brackett Park in Mpls (near the...
Four weeks of rollerski skills and games for all levels at Brackett Park in Mpls (near the...
Nine weeks of rollerski skills and games for all levels at Brackett Park in Mpls (near the...
Welcome to the Woodland Wapiti Youth Ski Club
The 2022 season will be a great year for the kids at Woodland Wapiti Youth Ski Club! We love getting kids and families outside and moving in the winter. This is a volunteer led program. Every family is urged to help in some way. Please see below for volunteer information.
Schedule and location-
Woodland Wapiti Ski Sparks Club will meet for 8 Sundays beginning with our first meeting Sunday, January 2nd, 2022 from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM at Woodland Trails Regional Park in Elk River, MN.
Announcements
This club needs volunteer coaches. Contact woodland@mysl.org to get on our coach list.
Weather and cancellation policy
We will not ski if the air temperature is below -2˚ F or the wind chill is below -10˚ F, or at the leader’s discretion. Always ask woodland@mysl.org with questions. Cancellations will be sent through email.
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 snowsuit are too warm once the child gets skiing unless they are young and in the beginner groups.
We will be outside at all times as there is not a building at the park. There is a porta-potty in the parking lot area.
Equipment
We have some great youth equipment for skiers to use for a nominal fee - $45 for the entire season. This equipment can be taken home and used for family outings. Please remember we have a limited number of ski packages and sizes, so register early. If you paid for rental equipment on-line but were not able to be outfitted, you will be reimbursed for the fees.
Our youth rental skis are classic no-wax skis. We do not have skate ski equipment available on a rental basis. Children skiing in level 5 or above should have their own skate skis, boots, and poles. In addition, for children skiing at level 4 or above, waxable classic skis are highly recommended.
We do not offer adult rentals. We do recommend that you get skis and come along with the kids! Getting a new set of boots, skis, and poles that fit well at a local ski shop makes skiing fun for the whole family! Most shops offer package deals.
Registration
Opens October 4th. Please register early to ensure a spot at Woodland Wapiti. Register on the main page for MYSL by selecting "Club Membership."
Levels and age guidelines are as follows:
For children who are new to MYSL, assign the child to the lowest skill level that spans their age as of January 1. If a child has skied at least 10 times, consider advancing them one skill level. It is common for kids to repeat skill levels, so returning families need to choose a skill level based on last season’s performance, but still staying within the age ranges. Coaches will assess children at the first meeting, but it is important for parents to accurately assign levels by age during the registration process.
Classic ski lessons: (club equipment rentals available)
Level I: Ages 4-5 (parents ski along with the child)
Level 2: Ages 6-8 (parents check in occasionally)
Level 3: Ages 7-10
Level 3 STARS: Beginner Skiers Ages 11-14
Level 4: Ages 8-14
Skate ski lessons: (skiers need their own skate skis/boots/poles)
Scholarship families: please let us know if you need assistance finding skate equipment; we have a limited supply available.
Level 5: Ages 9-14
Level 6: Ages 11-14
More about skill levels here: http://mysl.org/skill-levels. Questions about levels? Contact us at woodland@mysl.org.
Communications
We will be communicating with Woodland Wapiti SkiSparks families via email. When you register please include ALL appropriate contact e-mail addresses.
MYSL is on Facebook! You can “like” the MYSL page to get general announcements, photos and videos from each of the MYSL club.
Woodland Wapiti Youth Ski Club is also on Facebook.
Need to contact us? Email us at woodland@mysl.org
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 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 an adult. Volunteering/coaching at level 1 is a great way to accompany your child. We are also in very great need of coaches for all levels 1-6. Please consider coaching as it is our number one need! You do not necessarily need to coach at your child’s level.
Following are some suggested areas of volunteer service:
Coaching:
We really need your help! This is our biggest need and is one of the most rewarding ways in which you can help the club. Kids get more out of the program when the coach-to-kid ratio is low, and coaches need not be experienced skiers to volunteer.
The MYSL program makes it easy for a coach to know what to do. An eight week curriculum has been prepared for every class level and each day's lesson is printed on a card that can be carried in your pocket. The pocket guide also provides many helpful tips and games to keep classes enjoyable and interesting. You do not have to be an elite level skier to be a coach. All you need is a desire to help kids and have fun. The club will provide coaching supplies. Contact us at woodland@mysl.org to sign up.
Junior Coaches:
Middle & High school aged skiers, we need you! We rely heavily on high school volunteers, who are fun, friendly and in far better shape than most of us. Coaching for Woodland Wapiti Ski Sparks qualifies for service hours. Think about how great this will look on a college application! Contact us at woodland@mysl.org to sign up.
Assistant and Sub Coaches:
As an assistant coach, you can support a coach by accompanying the group on the trails and helping skiers. If you feel like your skiing level is at the same level as the level your kids are signed up for, you would be a fantastic assistant coach! You are not in charge of the instruction, rather you are there to make sure the kids are safe, have an adult to bring them to the bathroom, and can assist with activities.
If you are a sub coach, you can fill in when a coach isn’t able to make it to ski club.
Contact us at woodland@mysl.org to sign up.
Snack Coordinator:
We like to finish up every club meeting with hot chocolate/apple cider and a snack.
Snack Coordinators can help set up a sign-up for parents to bring weekly snacks and send reminders.
They help distribute snacks and fill hot chocolate/cider cups.
They could get a bonfire going in the fire ring and help with marshmallow management and s’more assembly.
No skis needed, just be available on ski days to help organize and clean up snacks.
Contact us at woodland@mysl.org to sign up.
Club Photographer:
Document all the winter fun, create and share an album with other club members.
Equipment Donations
If your kids have grown out of their ski equipment consider donating it to the club, every set of skis in out rental fleet is another club member!
If you have any old adult ski equipment gathering dust we will take that as well to give to parents who want to get out with their kids.
If you have ideas about how to help kids learn to ski, now is your chance to make it happen!