We are very excited to have you join us!
WHAT: The program provides children ages six and up, as well as adults, an opportunity to experience cross country skiing in local schools, parks, and ski club settings with their friends, families, teachers, classmates, and local club leaders or park activity coordinators.
WHO: Any school, club, park, nonprofit organization, or retail group is encouraged to join the program and use the Nordic Rocks equipment with the youth in your communities. As of the 2021-2022 ski season, 139 elementary, middle, and high schools are enrolled, getting 16,400 students on skis.
WHY: Central Cross Country Skiing (CXC) is committed to growing the sport of cross country skiing with participants of all ages and abilities. The Nordic Rocks program allows elementary, middle and high school students to experience skiing during physical education classes, recess, and after-school programs. In addition, area parks and clubs are central to the Nordic community, and play an instrumental role in developing sports on a local level. In many communities, park activity coordinators and club leaders organize events and lessons for those interested in getting started in the sport. Having simple and affordable equipment is a critical component of our goal in building the base of the sport, and creating lifelong participants in Nordic skiing.
EQUIPMENT: The unique feature of the Nordic Rocks equipment is that it doesn't use ski boots. Instead, the skis use custom-developed step-in bindings that fit any snow boot. Our ski poles are telescoping to accommodate any range of heights. We have two ski sizes, 120 cm, and 160 cm, which usually gives teachers enough range to use them across many grade levels. One hundred twenty cm-long skis usually fit elementary school students, and 160 cm-long skis can fit up through middle schoolers and some younger high schoolers.
HOW:
Enrolling in Nordic Rocks means:
1. Purchasing the equipment
2. Commit to holding ski sessions with kids during class, recess, or after-school programs.
3. However your students get on skis, we'd ask that you provide us with pre-and post-season data on usage, demographics, etc. We rely on leaders and teachers to share this information with us as a part of the program to continue fulfilling our commitments to our funding donors. No one likes doing paperwork and forms, but it is how we can cover repairs and replacements at no cost to all of our programs - AND sponsor contests like our January and February Best Practices - $500 prize money!
UPON ENROLLMENT: As part of the program, we provide you access to our online Nordic Rocks Resource Center, which contains lesson and unit plans, skills progression guides, equipment instruction videos, and ideas other programs have shared. We also encourage teachers and leaders to let us know what other uses might work for them and their students. We will also follow up with you about what equipment you will need for the upcoming season with your future skiers!
NEXT STEP: Send us your inquiry form to follow up with you on questions, concerns, and joining the program!
NORDIC ROCKS PROGRAM RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR
In 2018 CXC's Nordic Rocks program received U.S. Ski & Snowboard's prestigious Russell Wilder Award which is presented annually to recognize the most outstanding effort in America in focusing the interest of youth on skiing.
NORDIC ROCKS PROGRAM RECEIVES SNOWKIDZ AWARD
In 2020 CXC's Nordic Rocks program participated in the SnowKidz Awards competition hosted by the International Ski Federation (FIS) and walked away with the 4th place in the world!NORDIC ROCKS PROGRAM LOCATIONS
The Nordic Rocks program has given my students an opportunity to try cross country skiing while at school; many of them would never have had the chance to experience the fun and excitement found in the sport without this program. It's really an awesome opportunity to ski at school!
- Carrie Furey, PE teacher at Greenland Elementary in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
BECOME NORDIC ROCKS PROGRAM SUPPORTER
The Nordic Rocks for Schools Program has impacted thousands of new skiers by enrolling over 140 schools across the Midwest region.The community organizations, businesses, and contributors who help financially support the Nordic Rocks program are the vital link to the partnership. They are instrumental in further creating a culture of skiing within their communities.
By becoming a Supporter Member, you can provide one pair of Nordic Rocks skis to an elementary ski program! At least ten unique students will use YOUR pair of skis on average of 50 times in one season. With your generous contributions, we hope the Nordic Rocks program will continue to grow and excite schools throughout Midwestern communities about skiing!
With your generous contributions, we hope the Nordic Rocks program will continue to grow and excite schools throughout Midwestern communities about skiing!
