Hershey Figure Skating Step In To Spring Basic Skills Competition April 10, 2021 1:00pm-6:00pm Hosted by The Hershey Figure Skating Club Sanction #29890 Hershey Park Arena 100 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey PA 17033 Chief Referee: John Patrick O’Connor Chief Accountant: Joanne Nipple 1 Entries: The 2021 Hershey Figure Skating Step in to Spring Competition will be conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations of U.S. Figure Skating, as set forth in the current rulebook, as well as any pertinent updates that have been posted on the U.S. Figure Skating website. Eligibility: Skaters may enter as many events as they choose and for which they meet the eligibility requirements. This competition is open to all eligible, restricted, reinstated or readmitted persons as defined by the Eligibility Rules, and who are currently registered member of a U.S. Figure Skating member club, a collegiate club or who is an individual member in accordance with the current rulebook. Please refer to the current rulebook for non-U.S. citizens. Competition level is the highest test passed as of the entry deadline in the discipline the skater is entering. For the 2020-2021 competition season, athletes may skate up two levels above that for which they qualify but they are not eligible for IJS Test Credit. Note, athletes may not skate down in any event. Age and test status as of March 26, 2021 will determine the competitor’s eligibility. Age Restrictions/Requirements: Skaters will be divided as closely as possible by age should the number of entries warrant more than one group. All age classes may be divided or combined depending on the number of entries and at the discretion of the chief referee and/or the competition committee. Boys and girls of all levels of compulsory moves, solo dance, solo free dance, jumps, spins and dramatic/light entertainment events may be combined or separated by gender at the discretion of the Chief Referee. COVID-19 Health and Safety Procedures In an effort to provide an opportunity for skaters to engage in competition while maintaining the health and safety of skaters, coaches, families, volunteers, and rink staff, Hershey Figure Skating Club has created a health and safety plan for the 2021 HFSC Step In To Spring Basic Skills Competition. We understand that these procedures are very different from what most skaters have come to expect as “normal” in a competition setting, but we as a club are committed to offering an opportunity for skaters to showcase their skills while still adhering to state and local protocols and maintaining the safest possible environment for skaters, coaches, spectators, volunteers, and rink staff. Please note that these procedures have been created based on state and local guidance as of February 2021, and may be subject to change if new guidance emerges throughout the months leading up to the event. In the event of any changes, this announcement will be updated in Entryeeze and all registered participants will be notified via email. Required Waiver: U.S. Figure Skating Waivers are a requirement for ALL athletes. The online waivers must be completed via Members Only prior to the competition, instruction here. Face Coverings: All persons present should wear a face covering at all times while on the Hershey Park Arena premises.All attendees are always required to properly wear face coverings over their nose and mouth and secured under their chin while in a facility (exception: IF approved by facility, skaters may remove when on the ice alone). Skaters must wear a face covering during practice ice and warm ups. This is not only for your protection, but for the protection of others and is applied to all attendees. Spectators, coaches, and volunteers should wear a face covering at all times. Skaters should wear a face covering at all times except while on the ice alone. Anyone not properly wearing a mask as described above may be asked to leave the premises. Parents/Spectators: We understand that many skaters require adult assistance with costume changes, tying of skates, transportation and assembly of props, and other tasks throughout a competition. However, in an effort to limit the number of people in the facility at any given time, as well as to limit the potential for large gatherings within the facility, we can allow only one adult spectator to accompany each skater into the facility. Each skater will be given 1 (one) color coded wrist band for each event they enter, this color coded wrist band will be used by the adult spectator to gain entry to Hershey Park Arena at the appropriate time and will also be used to ensure that spectators exit the Arena once their skater’s event has concluded. Spectators will not be permitted on the lower level of the arena and must remain in the designated spectator area. The only exception is for skaters ages 12 and under who require assistance tying their skates, although we urge parents whenever 2 possible to have skaters come to the Arena dressed and with skates on to avoid capacity issues. PLEASE NOTE: This is subject to change due to the ever-changing situation surrounding COVID. This policy will be updated to reflect the most current guidance at the time of the event. Spectators should enter the assigned rink only when the warm up for their skater’s event is scheduled to begin, remain in the spectator viewing area to watch the event, maintain appropriate social distance from other spectators, and exit to the lobby or outside immediately after the event concludes. Doors will be clearly labeled as “Enter” or “Exit” to ensure a safe flow of traffic in and out of the rink area and spectator viewing area. Arrival and Departure: Skaters and coaches will be provided a schedule with a designated arrival time as well as your staging area, ice entrance. Please do not report to the Registration desk early, as we will be unable to allow you to check in early. No one will be permitted to enter the Arena until 30 minutes prior to the start of their first event. Please arrive dressed and ready for your first event, including hair and make-up, in order to minimize the need for locker rooms. Locker rooms are being used as staging areas for small competition groups and not as dressing rooms unless you are in multiple events. After the posting of the results from your event, we ask that you obtain your awards from the registration area and then exit the facility immediately in order to minimize the likelihood of large gatherings. If you are not skating in back to back events, skaters will be asked to leave and return for their next event 30 minutes prior. The doors to enter and exit the Hershey Park Arena are clearly marked with “entrance” and “exit.” We ask that all guests please follow the flow of traffic indicated by the posted signage and avoid congregating in large groups while inside the facility. Failure to adhere to these times may result in your inability to compete. Coach Arrival and Departure: Coaches must abide by their skaters’ designated schedules, and depart the building after their skater has competed. Coaches with multiple skaters competing in different events may have to leave the building until the next designated entry time. COVID Screening: Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Security will conduct COVID screenings at the security booth prior to allowing anyone into the Arena parking lot. Anyone who will be entering the building must submit to a temperature check and answer a few short COVID screening questions. Anyone who is unable to pass the COVID screening conducted by Security will not be permitted to attend the Event. In addition, Hershey Figure Skating Club reserves the right to conduct additional temperature checks, if deemed necessary. Registration: The Registration desk will be set up outside the main entrance of Hershey Park Arena. Upon arrival at the Hershey Park Arena, all guests including skaters, coaches, volunteers, and spectators should report immediately to the registration desk. No one who presents with COVID symptoms will be permitted in the facility. Please arrive at Registration at the check in time designated on your skater or coach schedule. Skaters and coaches will not be permitted beyond the Registration area until 30 minutes prior to the start time of their first event. Locker Rooms: Whenever possible, please come dressed and ready to skate. However, as this competition will include both Basic Skills events and Showcase events, we understand that costume changes will be necessary throughout the day. Locker rooms and a schedule for use will be created for those skaters who are participating in more than one event. The schedule will allow for a skater to change into a new dress/costume. Time limits will be established to ensure all skaters who need to change may do so safely and in a timely manner for their next event. Skaters will not be permitted to leave their personal affects in the locker rooms. When they have completed changing all personal affects must be removed so the locker room can be sanitized for the next skater. Locker rooms and changing areas at U.S. Figure Skating competitive events are for athletes only, will be labeled with regard to specific use and where identified will be gender specific. An exception can be made for athletes 12 years old and younger that will allow for one parent of the same sex to assist their child immediately prior to and after their skating event(s). Please review the Locker Room and Changing Area Policy and the SafeSport Handbook (both found on the U.S.