Grades K-5
Nordic Rocks (in school program)
See Below for fun opportunities for Nordic Rocks skiers to attend Junior Vasa
and Vasa Domingos!
and Vasa Domingos!
Nordic Rocks began in 2015 as Vasa Ski Club's effort to introduce cross country skiing to elementary age children.
This is an in-school instruction program that takes place during the PE class session, during recess or sometimes after school.
VSC raises the funds to purchase age-appropriate skis that can be used with any kind of boot or shoe, and provide them to local elementary schools. We offer a suggested curriculum and list of on-ski activities to the physical education teachers. A number of dedicated Vasa Ski Club volunteer coaches work with the physical education teachers at the participating schools.
The goal is to familiarize young students and their parents with xc skiing – and make it fun too! Many of our Nordic Rocks students go on to ski in middle school with Nordic Flyers program, and ultimately to our high school nordic ski team.
The Program has been grown steadily, and so far we have placed more than 350 pairs of skis in 15 Traverse City area elementary schools (and 1 middle school) where they are used regularly by more than 2,000 students, many skiing once or more per week weather permitting.
We also have two weekly after-school elementary programs, at Eastern Elementary and Blair Elementary.
Additionally, we now have Nordic Rocks 2.0, an after school cross country ski instruction program put on by Vasa Ski Club, as part of TCAPS LEAP extracurricular activities program.
Program Director
Gary Faria
Program Director at Blair Elementary
Sara Cockrell
This is an in-school instruction program that takes place during the PE class session, during recess or sometimes after school.
VSC raises the funds to purchase age-appropriate skis that can be used with any kind of boot or shoe, and provide them to local elementary schools. We offer a suggested curriculum and list of on-ski activities to the physical education teachers. A number of dedicated Vasa Ski Club volunteer coaches work with the physical education teachers at the participating schools.
The goal is to familiarize young students and their parents with xc skiing – and make it fun too! Many of our Nordic Rocks students go on to ski in middle school with Nordic Flyers program, and ultimately to our high school nordic ski team.
The Program has been grown steadily, and so far we have placed more than 350 pairs of skis in 15 Traverse City area elementary schools (and 1 middle school) where they are used regularly by more than 2,000 students, many skiing once or more per week weather permitting.
We also have two weekly after-school elementary programs, at Eastern Elementary and Blair Elementary.
Additionally, we now have Nordic Rocks 2.0, an after school cross country ski instruction program put on by Vasa Ski Club, as part of TCAPS LEAP extracurricular activities program.
Program Director
Gary Faria
Program Director at Blair Elementary
Sara Cockrell
OPPORTUNITIES FOR NORDIC ROCKS SKIERS:
1. JUNIOR VASA!
Saturday Feb 8, 2020 During the North Amercian Vasa
Join the fun! The Junior Vasa is a short loop children’s race within Timber Ridge Resort, and part of the premier annual North American Vasa cross country ski event. Each registered skier will wear a Junior Vasa race bib, and receive a beautiful medal and delicious Boomchucka cookie from Cherry Republic at the finish line. Lots of fun! Family members, make sure to bring your camera and cowbell for this festive event!
Trophy Awarded to School With the Most Participants!
Please indicate the name of your school when you check in on race day because... a trophy will be awarded to the elementaryschool with the most Nordic Rock sstudent participants! So encourage all your classmates to join you and bring home a trophy to display at your school!
The 2019 trophy went to Blair Elementary... Let’s see who takes it back to their school this year!
Junior Vasa Start Times:
12:00 pm Ages 5-7; 12:10 pm Ages 8-9; 12:20 pm Ages 10-12
FREE! *Vasa Ski Club will pay your Jr Vasa entry fee if you use the code: 2020NAVNR
Register online by Thursday February 6 at 6:00pm @: h p://www.vasa.org/register/
Register in person at Timber Ridge on Feb 7, or Feb 8 un l the registra on close me at 11:00am
Skis Provided!
The Vasa Ski Club will provide skis for the race to Junior Vasa par cipants, free of charge for those without equipment (any kind of boot can be used with these skis, no special ski boots needed). We will also have poles available, on a rst come basis.
See you on race day!
Click HERE for a printable Junior Vasa flyer
2. VASA DOMINGOS
In partnership with the NORTE and Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, we’re excited to launch a winter edition of Vasa Domingos, a family-friendly, weekly group ski where we’ll meet new friends, get fit, explore the woods, build confidence and have FUN. Probably eat some snacks after, too.
WHEN?
We ski every Sunday through the winter.
Starts December 15th: Meet at 11:45. Skiing at noon.
WHERE?
The super awesome Timber Ridge!
WHO?
From preschoolers to high school seniors, all ages and abilities are welcome. Although the routes at Timber Ridge are groomed and marked, this is not a guided ski but rather a group ski for families. We 100% support kids who know their way and have the necessary skills to ski alone/sans adult but we ask that parents ski with their child if not.
HOW FAR?
3 distances available:
1) Paved loop around Timber Ridge for our youngest striders
2) 3-4K Out and back from Timber Ridge on Vasa towards power lines.
3) 6K Vasa loop for advanced skiers (not marked!)
FREE?
On December 15th, ski equipment will be free for those participating in the first Winter Vasa Domingos ski. There are approximately 100 sets of Nordic ski equipment available. The Vasa Ski Club is in the process of negotiating a reduced rate with Timber Ridge for a ski rental package that would be available throughout the Vasa Domingo Ski Season. Also, the use of the Timber Ridge Resort, including parking and trail passes, will be free for the entire Winter Vasa Domingos Ski Season.
No need to sign up or RSVP. Just show up. Bring a friend or three too.
LOVE IT! HOW CAN I HELP?
Volunteering at Vasa Domingos is both easy and fun. Sign up to help on a Sunday or two here: elgruponorte.org/winter/domingos/how
NEED TO RESERVE EQUIPMENT TO BORROW?
Go here: elgruponorte.org/winter/domingos
1. JUNIOR VASA!
Saturday Feb 8, 2020 During the North Amercian Vasa
Join the fun! The Junior Vasa is a short loop children’s race within Timber Ridge Resort, and part of the premier annual North American Vasa cross country ski event. Each registered skier will wear a Junior Vasa race bib, and receive a beautiful medal and delicious Boomchucka cookie from Cherry Republic at the finish line. Lots of fun! Family members, make sure to bring your camera and cowbell for this festive event!
Trophy Awarded to School With the Most Participants!
Please indicate the name of your school when you check in on race day because... a trophy will be awarded to the elementaryschool with the most Nordic Rock sstudent participants! So encourage all your classmates to join you and bring home a trophy to display at your school!
The 2019 trophy went to Blair Elementary... Let’s see who takes it back to their school this year!
Junior Vasa Start Times:
12:00 pm Ages 5-7; 12:10 pm Ages 8-9; 12:20 pm Ages 10-12
FREE! *Vasa Ski Club will pay your Jr Vasa entry fee if you use the code: 2020NAVNR
Register online by Thursday February 6 at 6:00pm @: h p://www.vasa.org/register/
Register in person at Timber Ridge on Feb 7, or Feb 8 un l the registra on close me at 11:00am
Skis Provided!
The Vasa Ski Club will provide skis for the race to Junior Vasa par cipants, free of charge for those without equipment (any kind of boot can be used with these skis, no special ski boots needed). We will also have poles available, on a rst come basis.
See you on race day!
Click HERE for a printable Junior Vasa flyer
2. VASA DOMINGOS
In partnership with the NORTE and Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, we’re excited to launch a winter edition of Vasa Domingos, a family-friendly, weekly group ski where we’ll meet new friends, get fit, explore the woods, build confidence and have FUN. Probably eat some snacks after, too.
WHEN?
We ski every Sunday through the winter.
Starts December 15th: Meet at 11:45. Skiing at noon.
WHERE?
The super awesome Timber Ridge!
WHO?
From preschoolers to high school seniors, all ages and abilities are welcome. Although the routes at Timber Ridge are groomed and marked, this is not a guided ski but rather a group ski for families. We 100% support kids who know their way and have the necessary skills to ski alone/sans adult but we ask that parents ski with their child if not.
HOW FAR?
3 distances available:
1) Paved loop around Timber Ridge for our youngest striders
2) 3-4K Out and back from Timber Ridge on Vasa towards power lines.
3) 6K Vasa loop for advanced skiers (not marked!)
FREE?
On December 15th, ski equipment will be free for those participating in the first Winter Vasa Domingos ski. There are approximately 100 sets of Nordic ski equipment available. The Vasa Ski Club is in the process of negotiating a reduced rate with Timber Ridge for a ski rental package that would be available throughout the Vasa Domingo Ski Season. Also, the use of the Timber Ridge Resort, including parking and trail passes, will be free for the entire Winter Vasa Domingos Ski Season.
No need to sign up or RSVP. Just show up. Bring a friend or three too.
LOVE IT! HOW CAN I HELP?
Volunteering at Vasa Domingos is both easy and fun. Sign up to help on a Sunday or two here: elgruponorte.org/winter/domingos/how
NEED TO RESERVE EQUIPMENT TO BORROW?
Go here: elgruponorte.org/winter/domingos
