Central Cross Country Ski Association

CXC EXPANDS YOUTH PROGRAMS to introducemore kids to cross country skiing at the entry level, assist local clubs, and provide competitive opportunities around the Midwest/Central Region. This emerging program now covers all levels in youth advancement through the sport of cross country skiing. The CXC Youth Program assists any youth clubs and ski groups around Midwest/Central Region and beyond that join CXC as a club.

WANDER OUTSIDE THIS WINTER! (“W.O.W.!”) is an entry level initiative developed to get kids and their families outside in the winter to have fun on snow and enjoy winter. It encompasses a variety of exciting winter activities like cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, downhill skiing, making a snowman, and tubing. It also has a nutrition component to aid in building a healthy habit of fueling the body with fruits and vegetables. This initiative has been developed with assistance from elementary school teachers, children book illustrators, the Madison Children’s Museum and nutrition scientists. For the benefit of healthy youth, get involved!

FUNDAMENTALS is the next very important level in youth development by building sport specific skills and abilities. CXC assists youth clubs with a set of comprehensive materials:

- Youth Ski Club Manual | Written by: Everett Myers, 52 pages
- Long Term Athlete Development, 2.5 hour DVD
- Ski School Activity Booklet | Source: The Norwegian Ski Federation, 12 pages
- Winter Activity Log | Written by: CXC | Illustrated by: Kay Lum, 20 pages



These materials are helping youth instructors and parents with tips and ideas on how to organize ski sessions in an effective and constructive way. All of these materials are available to CXC Youth Clubs at no charge. Clubs and youth skiers can SIGN UP FOR THE MEMBERSHIP HERE. CXC has partnered with XC Zone from Canada and the Norwegian Ski Federation to offer some of their educational materials to CXC members.

COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITIES for young skiers (J3/J4/J5 age categories ages 8-13) are available at most of the Junior Olympic Qualifier races. Skiers can compete with their peers around the region and score points. New in 2009/2010 the Metro Nordic Youth Super Series (MNYSS)was formed. MNYSS was developed in collaboration with Minnesota Youth Ski League (MYSL) in Minneapolis, MN and various race organizers. The goal is to encourage more youth clubs to work with race directors throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes to host youth races, events, and series along with their citizen races. CXC has written a youth race manual that can be shared with clubs and race organizers to run their own races and race series.

FUNDING
The principle funding source for the CXC Youth Program is the CXC Masters Team; a group of master/citizen skiers who have committed to support youth development and enjoy the benefits and opportunities of training with CXC Elite Team Vertical Limit and CXC coaches. CXC welcomes skiers to join the CXC Masters Team and enjoy supporting CXC youth initiatives.

DEVELOPMENTS
CXC is currently working on the new CXC Youth Website that will feature helpful tips for winter activities and nutrition guidelines, present blogs, games and more. Stay tuned for more news about the program! For regular updates SIGN UP for our mailing list.