Scouting Out Ski Camps For Kids
By Heather Burke
Photography Greg Burke
The ski resort brochure depicts
the smiling family skiing side by side. What they don’t show is your
little one pitching a hissy-fit while you carry them down the hill,
equipment flailing, nose running and tears streaming.
Advice from someone who’s “been
there” both as a ski instructor and a parent of two: Leave the teaching
to the professionals by enrolling your child in a ski school program.
By introducing your wee-skier to a fun filled ski camp atmosphere, odds
are they will want to keep up with new ski camp friends and impress
the “cool,” young (not related) instructor.
Ski camps are great for starting
children ages 4-6, and most resorts offer instruction and supervision
for kids up to age 12. Every well-orchestrated program I have found
incorporates fun games and activities on snow into the skiing experience.
Camps cleverly disguise learning with playful exercise, goofy animal
mascots and lots of hot cocoa breaks for a winning kid formula.
Here are some tips to prepare
you and your youngster for a successful ski camp experience:
Surf, then get on the horn.
A little web research at ski
area sites can give you a good idea of what programs are offered. Stowe.com
gives detailed descriptions of their Mountain Adventure program including
prices, hours, and an on-line registration form. Or pick up the phone
to get answers to your specific questions and to talk with a live body.
Look for parks and pals.
Kids just love trails and terrain
features that are designed with just them in mind. Okemo and Smugglers’
both have nature trails with signs, photos of wildlife, and fun twists
and turns along the way.
Mascots help replace frowns
and fears with smiles and cheers. Sugarloaf has Moose Alley, a woods
trail to a cabin where mascots Amos the Moose and Blueberry Bear reside.
Ascutney has a new kids’ size house for their main mouse, Cheddar. Bromley
has PigDog, bizarre but children love it. Keeping the kids entertained
is key, and these resorts have devoted energy and resources toward that
goal.
Get the how much and the what for?
Day
ski camps usually run from $50 to $95 per day, and include supervision,
snacks, ski lessons in the morning and afternoon, lunch, and even equipment.
Ask about multi-day discounts
or package inclusions if you are staying at the resort for a few days.
Half-day rates present a savings if you personally don’t carve the slopes
from 8-4, this leaves time for family swimming or tubing in the afternoon.
Ratios, fractions and formulas.
You don’t need to be a mathematician
here. You just want your child to be in a class with no more than 6
or 7 other kids, group size is determined by age. It’s all about personal
attention.
Where and when?
Get specific directions and
hours for camp. Most ski programs allow you to drop your child off when
the lifts open, but the kids don’t get out on the hill until 9:30-9:45am.
This gives your child some playtime with new friends while you take
some early runs. The meter is running.
What to pack for little Jack?
Kids
get wet, so a change of clothes, extra mittens, socks are all well advised.
Note: Most ski camps require children to be potty trained - they will
call you off the slopes for you to deal with “things” if there is an
accident.
You should label everything
with your child’s name, even their equipment.
If you only plan to ski a couple
of times this winter, you need not spend $200 outfitting your child
with brand new equipment. Most programs offer rentals for an added fee
of $10-$17 and some include it in the lesson price. Your child will
be fitted properly, in modern equipment and you reduce the amount of
gear to lug.
Parents can avoid some of the
ski morning hassles by picking up the child’s rental equipment at the
resort the night before. There’s the added benefit for “first timers”
of suiting up your youngster in their gear back at the condo in a well-carpeted
area. They can get comfortable with the “funny” equipment and excited
about their “adventure”.
Sign up your little pup.
Ski camps fill up due to space
issues and a limited number of instructors, especially on holiday weekends.
Enrolling your child usually requires advance registration with a credit
card deposit.
Sign your life away.
Ski camps require that you
fill out necessary registration and health forms. Request that these
be sent or faxed to you. Sugarloaf lets you print the form from their
website. By filling out these lengthy forms in advance, you can write
down important info about your child (allergies, likes and dislikes),
and avoid the hectic morning-of scene of scribbling through paperwork
in a ski resort hallway with an anxious kid on your leg and a line of
parents behind you.
Get real.
Be honest and accurate about
your child’s ability. Don’t push your future Downhiller into a class
that’s over their helmet head.
Meet, greet and goodbye.
On the day of camp, cheerfully
meet your child’s instructor and introduce your child. Hide that anxiety
– kids are super sleuths when it comes to parents’ apprehension. Instructors
will really appreciate your helpful attitude on this point. Then, entrust
your child to the pros and go have some fun skiing yourself – don’t
look back!
Stand back and let the pros do their thing.
It’s fun to observe your child
on the slopes from a distance, but resist the temptation to interfere.
There will be plenty of time for photos and accolades later. Let your
little skier concentrate without sideline little league coaching.
Get the straight scoop.
At the end of the session,
ask the instructor for your child’s ski report card and ask what they
recommend next.
Schuss, don’t push.
As with any learning experience,
don’t force it. Let the professionals set the pace they feel is appropriate.
Skiing isn’t about how many runs and the perfect wedge. If your child
is playing in the snow at camp, don’t be disappointed. With time and
a positive learning environment, chances are your child will grow to
love the sport just as you do.
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