Minutes from 8/31/05 BKL Meeting

Sylvia's ideas:
 *  Sylvia could not attend but sent an email with a few ideas.  She would like to look at the possibility of having smaller groups (3-4 skiers) with one coach.  It would facilitate a greater bond between the coach and children allowing the coach to better plan their time together, support the ski for K's, make sure kids are dressed properly, make sure gear is returned, and better help the children to achieve their goals.
 *  Sylvia felt we could get new kids interested in BKL by having a presentation at Friday morning meeting.  She suggested having the kids do a skit and show how much fun skiing can be or having a poster presentation of fun on skis.

Both of these ideas are great.  My goal is to complete registration in October and to have a meeting with coaches in November.  Once we know our skier / parent coach ratio we can then organize the groups.  I have always wanted a program in which the coaches took ownership of their group.  I agreee that smaller goups are more fun for everyone.  Anything that brings the joy of cross country skiing to children is high on my list.  Perhaps someone can step forward to organize a presentation at Friday morning meeting.  I will add that responsibility to the volunteer job list.

Mary Chambers responded via email to Sylvia’s first idea with the following:

“I think that a group of 3-4 might be a little small because if one or two do not show you no longer have a group.  I think that 5-7 is better, but I will go with the flow, just a little thought.”

Hillary's input:
 *  Hillary brought several guest skiers to the program last year in an effort to expose more children to the sport of cross country skiing.  This is the goal of the BKL program and I thank Hillary for her enthusiasm and dedication to our children.  Her experience was that these children would have so much fun that they would want to come back (again and again).  As a club we need to address how we deal with the enrollment of children midway to late in the season.  For liability reasons we need to have signed waivers submitted to NENSA for every child participating in BKL.  I will work with Carol to have a system set up before we go on snow to handle bringing children in later in the season.  We want everyone to know that they are welcome.

Gregg's input:
 *  Gregg is our veteran BKL person and we are fortunate to have him still with the club given that his children are no longer participating.  Gregg pointed out that while we are lucky to have the touring center supporting our program we need to keep in mind that the Stowe Mountain Resort is also lucky to have us.  We have definitely created a community of local parents and children who are embracing the sport of cross country skiing.  Many participants, who never knew about the touring center prior to this program, are experiencing the beauty of the trails at this center because of this program.  Basically, for many people,  we have generated an awareness and an appreciation of this facility that did not exist before.
 *  Gregg is still excited to head up the construction of a ski park at the touring center.  He noted that we need to talk with Scott and Jeff to get their OK before we go any further.  I suggested that we outline a plan for the park and present that to them so that they understand what we have in mind.  Gregg also noted that we need to address the issue of maintainance.  Maintainance will have to be the club's responsibility.  If anyone would like to help put a plan together please call me or Gregg.
 *  Gregg informed us that the Mt. Mansfield Ski Academy wants to create a program to support cross country racers in the same way that it currently supports alpine and snowboard athletes.  Currently our racers have no local support once they leave the BKL program.  The hope is for a relationship to develop between SNOC/BKL and the academy.

 *  With regard to the club offering a few lessons to adults, Gregg stated that these adults must be parents of SNOC/BKL children.  We do not want to compete with the lessons offered by the touring center.

Carol's input:
 *  Carol will be enjoying her first year as the official District Chair for the Northern Vermont BKL clubs.  Last year Judy was still active while Carol was right by her side learning the ropes.  Carol has been attending many NENSA meetings and is full of great information.  We will put together a calendar of events in September which I will hand out at registration.  Carol did announce some events to give people an opportunity to get them on their calendars.

 November 8    Tuesday           Golden Eagle Resort Conference Room
                                                1PM  Clinic for Parents with Dorcas Wansavage

(NENSA BKL Program Director)
3PM  Clinic for children with Dorcas

This is a tremendous opportunity - please try to come!!!! 

 January 7         Saturday         Stowe Mountain Resort Touring Center
                                               4th Annual Stowe BKL Mini-Marathon!!!

Fun for the whole family

 January 22       Sunday            NENSA Women's Day at Trapp's
                                                Clinics and events for Women of all ages

Designed for beginner and intermediate skiers

Ski with your mother, daughter, friends.  Have fun with others who love the sport of cross country skiing.  Have a good meal!  Play!  Laugh!  Improve you abilities!

January 28        Saturday          Craftsbury Marathon
                                                Sign-up begins November 1st.  Usuallly fills up by mid

December.
www.craftsbury.com
            802-586-7767
            Information about the marathon and on-line registration is          not available yet.  Keep checking!

You can race or tour.  Enjoy the food stops and the beautiful scenery!!

March 4-5        Weekend         BKL Festival in Bethel, ME
                                                Theme:  Flying Moose in the Maine Woods!!!
                                                Carol has a block of rooms that will go fast.  Call her to

reserve you spot.  Rooms are suites making them easier to

share.

The festivals are great fun.  We will be hosting the festival in 2007!!!!

 *  Carol stressed the point that cross country skiing is a family sport.  Unlike many other sports that our children participate in, cross country skiing is one in which the whole family can enjoy together.  The BKL program was created to give children and their families the opportunity to bring this sport into their lives as a life long activity.  Thank you, Carol, for reminding us of this important aspect.

I hope I have remembered everything from the meeting.  If not please send me a note and I will add what has been left out or correct what has been included.  I forgot to ask if anyone wanted to say anything at the meeting.  If you have something you would like to add or you have an idea you want to share please email me and I will add it to these notes.  At future meetings do not wait for me to ask.   Your ideas are so important to the success of this club.  Just shout them out!!!!

Thanks again to everyone who came.
Deb