Gaining Ground Clinic
April 2005
BKL Notes
BKL is about having fun on skis with friends, playing games, and being outside. Skiing is the means not the goal.
· Less talk more action / learn by doing.
· Learn (fitness, self confidence, self esteem, etc.) through games.
· Keep it safe, fun, and warm. If it isn’t safe, fun, and warm – get hot chocolate! (Going inside is not bad.)
· Our goal is to make cross country skiing a way of life. Talk about being prepared (clothing, food, water, etc.).
· You can time people but not post times.
Ideas for special events:
· Relays with parents (parents getting involved in games makes it a more positive experience)
Balloon relay – each team lines up youngest to most experienced. Everyone gets a balloon. Youngest skis course with 1 balloon then hands balloon to next skier who skis with 2 balloons, etc. Most experienced skier skis course with all balloons.
Big Kid vs Little Kid – outer loop is longer for big kids, inner loop is smaller for little kids. Same start and finish.
· Obstacle course / ski park
For ideas contact - Doug Hardy
PO Box 12
Norwich, VT 05655
Hoola hoops
Hopscotch (paint the snow)
Ski through a tunnel/culvert
Bicycle bumps
Side step over a snow table
Dog tunnel (PVC tubing and a tarp)
Ski around a maze of cones
See-saw
· Costume day
· Bring a friend day
· Bring an adult/parent day
· Put on a play
· Teach a dance
· Capture the flag
· Sharks and minnows
· Easter egg hunt / scavenger hunt
· Music
· Speed gun – see how fast you can go down a hill
· Slalom course
· Paint Ball Biathlon
· Ski jump
How much air can you get? Helmets required.
· Letterboxing
Maps guide you to boxes with hole punches. How many letters can you punch on you sheet of paper in 20 minutes?
· Jump turns
How many degrees can you jump?
· Double pole to a designated point and see how far you can glide
· Ski limbo with reggae music playing
· Barrel racing – figure 8 around 2 barrels
· Surprise start – skier #1 starts to sprint and skier #2 tries to tag her within a 15 meter defined course
Recognition Ideas
· Skill pin / card (bronze,silver,gold)
Contact Maine Winter Sports Center (they have done this)
207-328-0991(phone)
207-328-0992(fax)
· Patches for K’s
· Ribbons (.39/piece from NENSA office – can make unique to an event)
Game Box (for the little ones)
· Rubber Chicken
Chicken tag – whoever has the chicken is it. When you tag someone you drop the chicken and the person who is it has to pick it up.
· Balloons
Kick and throw
· Costumes
· Bells
· Books (children’s books about skiing and winter)
The Race of the Birkebeiners (by Lise Lunge-Larsen)
While the Bear Sleeps (by Caitlin Matthews)
The Snow Bear (by Miriam Moss)
Goals of a NENSA Club
· To promote Nordic skiing at all levels for all ages.
· To promote a healthy lifestyle
Physically
Socially
Mentally
· To organize and create opportunities to ski
Competitive
Non-competitive
· To communicate Nordic events to the community
· To have a dialogue with the community
· To educate the community about cross country skiing in all its forms (including roller skiing)
· To promote summer (cross training) events
· To promote NENSA
· To have a good relationship with local trail centers
Successful Events
· Volunteers like to work in an organized environment striving for success
· Rules
1. 1 person per job
2. 1 leader with at most 7 people under them
3. Educate each leader
4. Communicate frequently
5. Empower leaders to find the best solutions
· Planning
1. Define goals
2. Identify issues – break into small bits
3. Share issues – find solutions
4. Build a plan and a timeline to address issues
5. Share the plans with other groups