Rocky Mountain Jackrabbit Ski Club
est. 1987
est. 1987
The Rocky Mountain Jackrabbit Ski Club, or RMJSC for short, is a family-oriented, volunteer-run, Jackrabbit program designed to teach children, aged 4 to 14 years, the joys of cross country skiing.
Sessions occur on Sunday afternoons, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., from January to March, at either the Canmore Nordic Centre, Peter Lougheed or Spray Lakes Provincial Parks in Kananaskis Country, Cascade Fire Road, or Lake Louise areas.
The club began in 1988 under the name "Bragg Creek Jackrabbit Club" but was changed when the club had grown to encompass more members and expand the ski venue locations beyond the Bragg Creek area. Since adequate snowfall and maintaining accumulation was difficult within Calgary and the Bragg Creek area over the duration of the season, a decision was made to "head into those far off mountains" where the snow conditions are somewhat more predictable. This season the club has 19 families registered, totaling 77 members with 39 children in the jackrabbit program.
Children are divided into groups respective of their skiing ability and with peers in a similar age level. FUN and SOCIAL INTERACTION is key for kids while learning how to cross country ski, so both are the principle aim of the club. Group leaders are volunteer parents organized through the "Leader Coordinator." Leader training sessions are offered early in the ski season, usually the first part of December, to help parents set up appropriate "lesson plans" for whichever group level they decide to lead. In the process of taking the training sessions, parents undoubtedly improve their own skiing skills. All parents should have a chance to ski with their children and to participate in the afternoon parent sessions. This year, classes for parents will be offered on two or three occasions when the club coach joins the club for the day. The coach leads training sessions for leaders and assistant leaders in the morning, and adult ski lessons with interested parents during the regular club meeting time in the afternoon.
The progression through the groups ranges from beginning "Bunnies," 4-6 year olds, to more advanced "Junior Challenge," usually junior high aged children. Bunnies basically become comfortable with maneuvering along the snow with skis through a variety of fun games and activities. As children progress, they learn specific classic and skate techniques to cover more distance skiing. Group leaders will make the necessary parent coverage requests on a rotating basis to ensure that there is adequate supervision within each group. For Bunnies the club requires a parent to be present during the duration of the session. This allows the leader to continue should the odd temper tantrum occur, or should a bathroom break be required.
Special events for the children include a "Junior Olympic Day (JOD)" in mid February at the Canmore Nordic Centre and a season-ending "Wind-Up Party." JOD is a fun day of "low key" races with medals presented to the top three finishers in each group, separated by gender. All Bunnies receive ribbon medallions for finishing their own special obstacle course. The Wind-Up Party is normally held at the last ski session and encompasses games, season badges/reports handed out to the children, and a "Hot Dog" feast to wrap it all up.
Various Loppet races are advertised on the Club schedule. Loppets are fun races, organized by various area clubs, designed to enable children to experience cross country ski racing at a "low level" of competition. Parents and children are encouraged to participate if interested. The club also organizes an "Annual Ski Tour" from Goat Creek to Banff Springs and the "Moonlight Ski" tour to enable families to venture out along ski trails not visited during regular club ski sessions.
The club's "Executive" group meets three or four times per year to organize each season's activities and carry on the required administrative functions. The Fall Social/Potluck and Registration takes place in October, allowing plenty of time to gear up for the new ski season. A "Potluck Dessert and Coffee Feast" is organized alongside the Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in April. Reports are presented and elections are held to wind up the ski season as the snow melts away and the tulips sprout up.
If, after reading this material, should you have further questions, please do not hesitate calling 286-7772 and speak to David, and I'll be happy to fill in the gaps.
David Thacker
President