For over 30 years Nipissing Trackers has teamed up with Laurentian Ski Hill to provide youngsters with a variety of disabilities, an exciting downhill skiing experience catered to their individual needs.
“The program teaches children from the ages of six to sixteen. We have some kids who are older in the group. We don’t turn them away if we don’t have to,” said Martial Gerolami, one of the program coordinators.
“They have varying disabilities from being on the autism spectrum to being in wheelchairs. The children who don’t have use of their legs use a special device called a bi-ski.”
Volunteer trained instructors work with the youngsters over the course of five weeks.
The program is currently in need of volunteer instructors.
“I have recruited a few new instructors, but we can always use some more hands-on deck to help us with this program,” said Gerolami.
“Instructors don’t have to be a certified ski instructor. So, it is not that you have to be a superstar Olympic skier to participate with us. As long as you have been skiing for a few years and feel comfortable on your skis, you are definitely a candidate for us to train as an instructor.”
The program currently has 15 instructors, but it could use another four or five.
“The program runs for five weeks. The only weekend we don’t run is Family Day weekend. Laurentian Ski Hill provides us with the rentals for the students, so we do not want to tax the hill on Family Day,” said Gerolami
“So, the actual program starts the last weekend of January, three weeks in February and one week in March. On those weeks we run five sessions a day. There are three morning sessions and two afternoon sessions. So, the minimum commitment that I need from somebody is that they need to be able to at least work three of the five weeks, and three of the five sessions in those five weeks.”
The first of two training sessions gets underway at Laurentian Ski Hill this Sunday, January 12, the second is on the 19th.
“Some volunteers can’t make both, but it is preferable if you are new. If a person is a really strong skier regardless and can’t make it to the second one, I don’t get too excited because I know they are strong skiers. Some aren’t as strong and could definitely use the second session with us.”
Depending on the maturity level of the individual, Gerolami says he could take volunteer instructors as young as 15 years old.
“I know there are college and university students who come here who don’t have their ski equipment here in North Bay. We will provide all the gear for them. So, they will get boots, helmet, and skis provided by the hill. We don’t use ski poles. And the passes are provided for the instructors.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can email Gerolami at [email protected] or by texting or calling 705-495-9513.
“So even if they call Saturday and say they are available Sunday, that is fine. I just need to know to be prepared for numbers. We are meeting at 8:30 Sunday morning at Laurentian.”
