race team Telemark

From the Coaches

2024/25 Nakkertok Exchange

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Nakkertok / Experiences Canada Exchange Information

For the 2024/25 season Telemark has been approached by Nakkertok to participate in another exchange with them. The information below is based on the exchange that we went on last season. This exchange is for all skiers who were born in 2010, 2011 & 2012. This is not a racing / training opportunity, but there will likely be an opportunity to race depending on when the exchange is. For non-race team skiers this is an amazing opportunity to experience winter culture in the Ottawa / Gatineau area.The first step is to find a parent coordinator who will be main organizer for the trip. They will be involved in the first discussions with the Nakkertok organizer and will be required to be one of the chaperones on the trip. Please email lance.itec@gmail.com (Track Attack Coach Lance) if you are interested in taking on this role

Nakkertok does an exchange every year for the 2nd year u14 (grade8). It generally takes about a year to organize. Generally in the past we have travelled in December with twin clubs coming here in late January early February (best time for skating on the canal). The exchange is a trip where skiers visit another Canadian club for a week then return the favour in Kelowna later in the season. Here is the what you need to know for now:
1. This trip qualifies for participation in the Experiences Canada (EC). An Experiences Canada Exchange is a reciprocal, homestay exchange between two groups of Canadian youth, each in a different part of Canada.
2. Airfare is covered by EC and the host families provide the accommodation, meals and daily transportation to activities.
3. The cost to cover activities during the exchange could be between $400 to $500 for out of pocket expense depending on the amount fundraising the group plans to do. 4. EC requires everyone to fly together as a group. No one can leave or arrive, early or late; or from another destination. We have no control over the timing of the flights as EC books the flights.
4. Your athlete will need to take 2 weeks off school. We do not have a timeline yet but in previous years our skiers usually traveled for a week in late November or early December then played hosts to their exchange partners for a week in February. (This is subject to change depending on ski races and the exchange club)
5. Parents will need to take 2 to 3 days off to host the exchange athletes in our homes. During this week the kids must always be supervised.
6. All group organizers and chaperones are required to obtain a Police Record and Vulnerable Sector Check. All members of the host family who are over the age of 18 are also required to obtain a police record and vulnerable sector check, as this is an EC
requirement.