Rocky Lake Junior High School, Bedford, Nova Scotia
Rocky Lake Junior High School is having a blast learning to cross country ski.
In November when I began my planning, I started by publishing a Google online form to reach
all 700 students of the school. Parents and students were able to register and provide the
information needed. The form also explained the program and the Ski-at School funding from
AltaGas. The campaign to reach srudents was successful with over 60 students signing up overnight. Being able to offer the program at no cost due to the generous donation from AltaGas
allowed us to reach a diverse range of students.
To personally get a better understanding and more experience, I spent a Saturday at the Halifax
Library taking the ”Introduction fo Community Coaching Workshop” with Daniel Murray. I made
valuable connections in the cross-country community; many left me their contact information
and offerd help, advice and support.
In December, we met with the students over lunch to educate them on proper clothing to stay
warm while wearing functional cross-country ski clothing. Students became better aware of
layers and the benefits when on skis. We also discussed the equipment they would be using
when learning to ski. Last we took the time to answer questions and explain travel and dates.
After a video of a cross-country ski park they went back to class excited to start in January.
I then turned my attention to ordering the equipment. After consulting with experienced
coaches and teachers, I decided on classic skis since many of my students are new to cross
country skiing.
With such a large number signed up we had to find a way to allow every student who registered
into the program time to ski! With the amount of equipment we have, the solution was to split
the group into 2 sections of 30 with each group getting out to McDonald Park 4 scheduled
times. Students also have more opportunity on our school ski park after school when the snow
is on the ground. Hopefully soon!
In planning for the at school
experience, I have ordered a human
powered groomer to groom a half
kilometer around our school property.
This track in combination with a ski
playground will energize the kids for
the at school experience. In the picture
on the left, you can see that we are
starting to design the ski playground.
Here are the drops to go off!
How to transport the equipment was a concern of mine. In the end we bought blankets and
straps to wrap the groups ski to and act as bags so we can take them on the bus. When we
arrive at he park the trail to the ball field is half a kilomenter away, so I have purchased an ice
fishing sled that I turned into a pulk to pull additional equipment back to the site where we
learn and play.
Our equipment arrived on Jan22nd and we had our first trip on Tuesday January 26th. We travel
10 minutes on the bus to McDonald Park where there are groomed trails and a ball field to play
in open space. We had snow and warm weather. Students experienced getting up on the skis
and learning skills while playing games. Caoches from Waverley Athletics Association lead the
activities for our students. I have gained a great deal of information from their experience. I will
use these lessons and activities along with my own planning in future years.
We have a poster we hang proudly at the park thanking the Ski-at-School Program. We tweet
about the fun the students are having while learning to ski. We have a banner on our school
website thanking AltaGas and CCC and have published 3 newsletters with a story explaining our
Winter Trekking program and the funding provided by our sponsors.
http://www.rockylakejuniorhigh.ednet.ns.ca/
Report by: Dave Brown – Physical Education teacher at Rocky Lake Junior High School.