Berkshire Trails Bill Koch Youth Ski League 2010 Information Sheet

After a terrific 2009 and a wonderful Bill Koch Festival at Notchview, it is time to get geared up for 2010. So, here’s the scoop for this year’s ski program. Please pass this along to anyone you know who might be interested.

Registration and Fees – Please register by December 15th using the enclosed registration form and waiver. Advance registration makes the first day a lot more fun for everyone. Our club fee is $25 per family. In addition, there is a $20 New England Nordic Skiing Association (NENSA) fee per child. We take care of registering children with NENSA.

Ski Passes for Notchview – We ski at Notchview Reservation in Windsor, Mass. You are responsible for having a ski pass to ski at Notchview each session. We recommend you purchase a family membership to Trustees of Reservations and a Notchview season ski pass.

Age Groups – We intend to organize volunteer led age/ability groups beginning with kindergartners. A parent/adult must ski with each child who is younger than 8 years old.

Equipment – For younger skiers and beginners, no wax skis are fine. Otherwise, combination skis or separate classic and skating skis are recommended along with a basic set of kick waxes and at least a rub-on, universal glide wax. There is advice on youth equipment on NENSA’s website. In addition, Berkshire Outfitters in Adams, and the West Hill Shop in Putney, Vermont, have knowledgeable staff and good equipment.

Sessions – In addition to our usual Sunday instructional session at 2:00, we are going to try to hold practices on Saturdays and perhaps Wednesday afternoons. We may not have multiple leaders for these additional sessions, but we will break into groups depending on which children and adults show up.

Parent Help – As you know, the club only operates through volunteers. The biggest challenge we always have is getting enough group leaders. We need your help!

Clothing – Some of you have seen the awesome team jackets that we purchased two years ago. If there is enough interest, we will put a clothing order together for jackets and/or racing suits (separate tops and bottoms to match the jackets). Please note on the registration form whether or not you would be interested in purchasing clothing.

Website – NENSA is providing space for a website, which we will try to get up and running before we start skiing. If that happens, all communication will be through the website.

Questions: Chris DeFrancis, [email protected] Berkshire Trails Bill Koch Youth Ski League 2010 Registration

Child Name Grade On Ability Level** December 31, 2009*

*Children must be in kindergarten or be 5 years old on December 31, 2009. **Beginner – little or no skiing experience or very young skier; Intermediate – skiing experience, able to stop and turn, knows basic classic technique; Advanced – comfortably skis up and downhill, turn and stop, classic technique and at least some skating ability

Parent Name(s) ______

Phone Number(s) and email(s) ______

Fees: $20 per child NENSA fee plus $25 BTBKYSL fee per family. Total: ______(Example: A family with three children is $60 NENSA fees plus $25 BTBKYSL fee = $85)

You are responsible for your ski passes at Notchview. See the information sheet.

Make checks payable to BTBKYSL Mail waiver, form, and check to: James Lombino, PO Box 1006, Ashfield, MA 01330

Clothing Order: Are you interested in a team jacket or team racing suits? Jackets will cost approximately $100 (perhaps less depending on quantity ordered), two-piece race suits approximately $150. We would like to gauge interest. Checking below is not a final commitment, we just need some initial numbers.

[ ] Yes! I am interested in ___ (how many) of those really cool team jackets. [ ] Yes! I am interested in ___ (how many) youth racing suits so we can show the club colors all over New England at Bill Koch races.

NOTE: YOU MUST SIGN THE WAIVER AND SUBMIT WITH YOUR FORM AND CHECK. BERKSHIRE TRAILS BILL KOCH YOUTH SKI LEAGUE/NEW ENGLAND NORDIC SKI ASSOCIATION WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY

In consideration for the rights and privileges associated with membership in the Berkshire Trails Bill Koch Youth Ski League (BTBKYSL) and New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA), I acknowledge and agree to be bound by the following:

1. Identification of Risks. I understand that participation in any skiing activity, including but not limited to, preparation for, participation in, and coaching of activities in cross-country ski competitions and clinics, involve risk of serious injury, including permanent disability, death and other losses, due to inactions or negligence of myself or others.

2. Assumption of the Risk. I agree that I am responsible for my safety while participating in activities associated with BTBKYSL and NENSA, and that such responsibility includes participation only a) when I am both physically and psychologically prepared to participate safely, b) after fully familiarizing myself with the venue before beginning the activity, and c) while using the equipment of a type and condition reasonably necessary to safely participate. I assume all risk connected with responsibility for any injury or loss connected with my participation.

3. Waiver. Aware of the risks and willing to assume them, I hereby release and agree to hold harmless BTBKYSL and NENSA, their officers, directors, employees, agents, coaches, trainers, doctors, officials, volunteers, affiliates, event organizers, sponsors, owners of property and trails used by me (Released Parties) from loss, injury, or death to myself or to any other person, or other damage to person or property resulting from my participation in events and competition and any related activities including, without limitation activities in connection with sponsorship, organization or execution of any event and travel to and from such event, whether I may participate as an athlete, coach, volunteer, spectator, or in any other manner associated with BTBKYSL and NENSA. This release is intended as a waiver of any claim I may have whether based upon negligence, breach of warranty, contract or other legal theory, against any of the above Released Parties, accepting myself the full responsibility for any such loss, injury, death or damage which may result. I intend for this release to also apply to my relatives, personal representatives, heirs, beneficiaries, next of kin, and assigns. If any part of this agreement is determined to be unenforceable, all other parts shall be given full force and effect. This waiver does not release acts of gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct of any party.

4. Insurance. I currently have, and agree to maintain throughout the time that I train and compete, valid and sufficient medical and accident insurance. I understand that this is my sole responsibility and release all persons and entities from providing this coverage for me.

5. Image. I grant permission to NENSA to use my name, and any photograph, video, image, results or record of me from any NENSA event for all purposes NENSA may choose.

Signature*:______

Printed Name:______Date:______

*Parent or guardian signature if member/s is/are under 18 years of age.