I think we have found a new favorite Ski Cubs game judging by the laughter and screams coming from Molly’s Meadow this past Saturday at Sleepy Hollow. Hit the Deck, a game I learned a few years ago while working with youth as a sea kayak guide, translates quite nicely to an on-snow game with some helpful adjustments made by Maine’s L.L. Bean Healthy Hometowns! For anyone out there looking for a great youth ski game that helps participants get comfortable on their skis, practice getting up from a fall, and creatively works on agility, this is a great game to add to your tool box.
We started week two of Ski Cubs with Hit the Deck as our warm up activity. Here is how it works:
All participants spread out in a large open space (groomed field works best) which represents a ship. One coach or instructor takes charge as the captain of the ship, and all of the participants are deck hands. The rules are pretty simple. Participants free ski around the ‘ship’ and when a command is announced, participants must work together as quickly as they can to make sure that everyone completes the task. Different commands include:
Hit the deck – Fall down and get back up
Slimy deck – Fall down, roll over, and get back up
Meal time – Two people make a table by getting on their hands and knees with flat backs, and two others pretend to eat a meal off of the ‘table’
Role call – Every participant must get in one straight line facing the captain and wave hello!
Test it out, add new commands, let me know how it goes! We had a very successful day after this vigorous warm up, and all participants got to explore the fun terrain Sleepy Hollow has to offer. The falling snow at the end of the day was an added bonus. I hope everyone is ready for next week, I know I can’t wait!
