TIMMINS, ONTARIO, CANADA
YOUTH & SCHOOL PROGRAMS
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Program Overview
Cross Country Canada has developed state-of-the-art progression of skill
development programs for children. These programs conform to the
Canadian LTAD. The main component of this development program is the
Jackrabbit Program, named after the legendary Hermann “Jackrabbit”
Smith-Johannsen. He was a Norwegian immigrant that lived and skied to
the age of 112.
Our Sunday program consists of 3 stages – Bunnyrabbit, Jackrabbit, and
Track Attack. The overall objective is to assist children in the development
of a love of the outdoors, a healthy lifestyle, excellent technical skills and a
good level of physical fitness within a sport environment. Click here to view
our NCCP certified PSR Coaches.
Volunteering
Porcupine Ski Runners was founded and thrives due to the generosity and
commitment of its membership. Children learn by example to which each
family is requested to support the club and this program. Many positions
require no formal training or skills while others will require workshop type
learning. Click HERE for a list of volunteer position available.
To meet the diverse interests of teens, Porcupine Ski Runners Snowshoe
and Ski Club in conjunction with local high schools, and local cadets offers
Teen programs (coming soon) that are based on Sport Canada’s Long Term
Athlete Development model. This diagram summarizes our program
structure: click here to view.
PSR will be launching electronic registration through www.Zone4.ca for all
JackRabbit program participants and families beginning November 1, 2011
and ending November 28, 2011 or once each level has been filled.. This
online form of registration will process family memberships, locker renewals,
jackrabbit memberships and immediately generate tax receipts for the
Children’s Fitness Tax Credit. Please check the Calendar of Events for
parent night meetings, coaching opportunities and opening and closing
registration dates as well as program start and finish dates. Zone 4 will be
the only avenue to register for the Jackrabbit program.
FAQ’s
• What should I know about trail etiquette?
• What should I wear?
• Do you need to be a certain fitness level or age?
• What should I bring?
• Nordic lingo – what do these terms mean?
ACTIVE START
Written by Cross Country Canada
The first level is the Bunnyrabbit Program, which is directed at
children in the “Active Start” stage of the development (children
five years of age and younger). Program materials include an
enrolment kit, a kid-friendly, age-appropriate booklet and skill
award stickers. It has been developed in parallel with the first
level of the new competency-based National Coaching
Certification Program (NCCP), which now provides coaching
materials specific to the needs of this age group. The objective
of the new program is to introduce cross-country skiing and the
healthy lifestyle associated with it through organized activity and
active play. In addition, the program is designed to:
• Help children develop a positive self-image.
• Be fun.
• Provide children with the opportunity to make ski-friends.
• Develop fundamental movement skills.
• Help children develop an awareness and appreciation of our
natural environment.
FUNDAMENTALS
Written by Cross Country Canada
The Jackrabbit Program, which is directed at skiers in the
“FUNdamentals” stage of development (children six to nine
years of age) is the second level of the new program. It has
been developed in parallel with the second level of the
competency-based NCCP, which provides coaching materials
specific to the needs of skiers this age. Program materials
include an enrollment kit, an age appropriate booklet that
provides a comprehensive record of the young skiers ski
career and “technique” and “program” award stickers to chart
the different levels of achievement. The objective is for
children to learn basic cross-country ski skills (both classic
and skating) and to instill a lifelong interest in the sport,
thereby enhancing their quality of life and health. In addition,
it is designed to:
• Help children develop confidence.
• Be fun.
• Provide children an opportunity to ski and socialize with
their ski-friends.
• Build overall motor skills.
• Help children develop outdoor winter safety skills.
LEARNING TO TRAIN
Written by Cross Country Canada
The Track Attack Program, which is designed at skiers in the “Learning to
Train” stage of development (skiers ten to twelve years of age) is the third
level of the new program. It is being developed in parallel with the third
level of the new NCCP system. Program materials include a program-
specific enrolment kit, an age appropriate booklet and coaching materials
specific to this stage in the skier development progression. The objective
is for the participants to become technically competent cross-country
skiers and to utilize those skills to explore a wide range of cross-country
ski activities, from backcountry excursions to ski tournaments. In addition,
it is designed to:
• Develop fitness through active play, games and activities.
• Be fun.
• Provide children an opportunity to be part of a sports “team.
• Develop overall sport skills.
• Expose children to a variety of “adventure-based” cross country ski
activities.”
Please smile and say a friendly ‘hello’ to other
skiers/snowshoer’s.
• Ski with friends and let others know where you are going.
• Ski only on the marked trails and in the proper direction as
indicated on the trail markers –avoid ice (rivers, lakes and
swamps).
• You must keep off closed trails and observe and obey all
signs and warnings.
• You must ski in control and in such a manner that you can
stop or avoid other people or objects.
• Should you fall, please quickly move off of the trail to keep it
clear and prevent further injury.
• Please leave the wilderness and trails as you found them for
others to enjoy as you have.
• Please bring all garbage back to the chalet to be disposed of
in marked cans.
• Please be mindful that Kleenex left inadvertently on the trail,
can stop a skier ‘dead in his tracks’ with serious physical
consequences.
• Please leave your pets at home.
Cross-country skiing is a lifelong sport suitable for people
of all ages and abilities. This sport is fun, low impact,
uses all of the body’s major muscle groups and develops
a healthy cardiovascular system. Children as young as
three can start toddling around on skis and many parents
choose to enroll young ones in lessons around ages 3-5.
People can ski all of their lives, just adapting their speed
and time spent on skis to whatever they are comfortable
with.
Written by: Johnathen Wiesel
classic: refers to the diagonal stride (straight ahead)
technique of cross country skiing, as opposed to skating.
cross country skiing: skiing machine-groomed trail over
varied terrain with lightweight ski equipment. Boots are held
onto the ski by a binding which secures the toe but allows
your heel to freely lift up off the ski.
groomed trail: the snow has been prepared by a machine
for ease of movement.
km: kilometer (.6 miles)
nordic: the umbrella term: Any type of skiing which uses
free-heel equipment, including cross country, telemark, ski
touring, biathlon (cross country skiing and target shooting),
and ski jumping (also called ski flying).
skating: a technique used on a consistent packed surface
where you ski in a V rather than straight ahead, pushing
one ski to the side and gliding. Specialized equipment is
available, although skating can also be accomplished on
waxable cross country skis.
ski touring: skiing ungroomed snow (including backcountry
skiing), where you break your own trail.
skijoring: cross country skiing while being pulled by a dog
(or, sometimes, a horse or reindeer).
telemark: an elegant descent and downhill turning
technique that's done mostly at alpine ski resorts and in the
backcountry. Specific equipment - very similar to downhill
ski gear, except the heel is free - is available, although the
telemark turn can be executed on light cross country skis in
the right conditions.
tracks: grooves made in the snow by a machine, enabling
a skier to ski more easily when employing diagonal stride.
Tracks make learning much easier.
Before venturing off down the trail
by yourself, with friends or with
family you may want to confirm
that at least one person (if not
everyone) has the following
items:
• A current weather forecast with
windchill factor
• A cell phone
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Water
• Lip balm (with sunscreen)
• Pocket sized snack
