Ski Camp 2017-2018

SKI CAMP INFO …

We'll start with the most important piece about ski camp this week - it's going to be COLD, VERY COLD.  With that in mind, all skiers should be sure to pack sufficient gear to stay warm.  That means layers, warm gloves, some kind of buff/scarf to keep your neck warm and an actual warm hat (not just a headband).  If anyone thinks they don't have enough clothes or is missing some critical piece of gear, definitely reach out to John ahead of time and he will help in getting/loaning you what you need.

Also, there are still a couple more things needed re: food.  Can you make a main course dinner, main course breakfast or batch of cookies?  Please see the "Feeding the Team" section below and sign-up on the online spreadsheet.

On to the regular details ...

Camp will take place at the Sugarloaf Touring Center in Carrabassett Valley

• Friday, December 29 - Monday, January 1.

• Lodging is at the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center (AOEC), which is located on the access road to the touring center - https://www.adaptiveoutdooreducationcenter.org

• The adults on this trip will be John Tarling, Sam Kapala, Gina Quinn-Skillings, Lucy Birkett and Jim Ahearne.

• Contact information:  If communication is necessary during camp: Lucy 607-9630, Gina 210-0864, John 807-1919, Jim 671-2046.  You may also connect with Susan at 353-8800.
• We will assess the cost per family after camp once all expenses are known.  Families will be billed at that time. Costs will include food, lodging, trail passes and gas.

Pre-Camp:

All skiers should prepare their skis prior to camp.

Classic skis:

• Clean kick zone

• Sand kick zone lightly with a 100g sand paper or scotchbrite

• Wax tips and tails with green or green&blue glide wax

• Brush

Skate skis

• Clean and wax with same green or green&blue glide wax

• Brush 

Having skis ready will save time. We will add kick wax at Sugarloaf before skiing.  Skiers should take responsibility for their skis, so everyone should bring a cold hard kick wax and glide wax along with scraper and cork.

Please bring only two pairs of skis.  There shouldn't be a need (and we won't have room) for more.

Trail Passes:

We will be purchasing trail passes for all skiers each day.  If you have a season pass to the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, please let Susan know via email (highschool@mainecoastwaldorf.org) this week.

Feeding the Team:

Chaperones will be preparing meals and feeding the team at our lodging, with pre-trip help from the families. THANK YOU to all who are contributing with this rather large task.  A few meals/items are still needed. Here is the link to the spreadsheet with food info and shopping/cooking help - ***Link to Food Sign-Up***

Since everyone has their own preference for bars/snacks, all skiers should bring their own.  These should be small enough to be stashed in pockets/waistbelts.

Travel details:
The group will be taking two school vans up to Sugarloaf. Departure time is 10:00 am on Friday, December 29, from the high school parking lot at Desert Rd.  Do check the blog Thursday evening, in case for any reason the departure time is adjusted.

We will have lunch upon arrival and prior to heading out to ski, so everyone should wear their ski gear so they will be ready when it's time to ski.

***If you are already at Sugarloaf and will be meeting the team there instead, let Susan know asap.  Even if you think you already told her, please remind her again.

***If you will be staying at Sugarloaf with your family and not riding the van back to Freeport on Monday, let Susan know asap.

Return travel info:

We plan to ski on Monday morning and head home after lunch, unless weather and conditions dictate otherwise. We should know by Sunday evening what the plans are for the return on Monday.  Either way, the kids will be home by dinnertime on Monday and could be home as early as 3:00. Please check the blog on Sunday evening.

Packing List:
*LABEL ALL THE GEAR AND CLOTHES YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE.

Must have:

• Your own SNACK for the van ride
• Your own LUNCH (or $ to purchase) for the first day

• Sleeping bag + pillow

• Towel
• Snacks for the 4 days (to be stashed in your water bottle belt). Bars are ideal.

• Workout clothes for 4 days for skiing AND running, including multiple sets of base layers (wool or synthetic long underwear)
• Outer layers: warm jacket parka, wind layer jacket, xc ski pants, etc.

• Warm mid-layers:  vest, sweater or fleece

• Multiple pairs of socks

• Hats, gloves, mittens, etc. - you will need WARM gloves

• Neck warmer / buff

• Plan on layers!

• Warm snow boots

• Apres-ski clothes for evenings + indoor shoes or slippers if you want something on your feet inside

• Pajamas

• Toiletries (including sunscreen)

• Headlamp

• Sunglasses

• Classic AND skate skis, poles, boots - packed as compactly as possible.

• Water-bottle holder with a water bottle - ideally the kind that you can wear around your waist that also has a pocket for a snack

• Basic wax equip

     o   Scraper

     o   Cork

     o   Small amounts of cold, hard kick wax and glide wax

Optional:

• Cash for snacks/hot chocolate at the Outdoor Center

• Books, games, etc. - If you have a good group game, please bring it!

*Please leave CANDY at home.

A note about electronics ... 

-       Cell phones/ipods may come on this trip

-       Leave your laptops/ipads at home

-       We ask that the athletes keep electronic use to a minimum. Using them from time to time should not be a problem, but it will be in the purview of chaperones to assign rest time to the gadgets.