Giants Ridge Training Camp Date Poll

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Giants Ridge received funding to build an “Event Center” at the foot of the ski area this year.   Consequently, our beloved Sports Dorm is slated for demolition this fall.   The chalet will remain in place for now.    Yes, we lost our lodging for our annual Giants Ridge camp.  I have found a facility that will serve our needs fairly well at a reasonable price.  However, it is south of Eveleth and is roughly a 25-minute drive from the hill.  It is called Camp Chicagami.    It can house our team and coaches but not parents.    

Giants Ridge will give us training space.  The camp is available .  But I will need to act THIS WEEK if it is going to happen.  We need help from you making the decision as to when the Giants Ridge Training Camp will take place. Please read about the two options below, then go to the bottom of the page and click on your choice of when you would like camp to take place. Thanks so much for your time.
Option 1 
Our Traditional Weekend Thurs, Jan 22 - Sun, Jan 25th

Currently the camp is available the traditional weekend we hold the camp, the weekend after MLK.   There were some problems with this weekend that makes it less than ideal in Mark's mind.
  1. You needed to miss school to get two days of training out of the camp.
  2. The coaches couldn’t coach on the third day of the camp.
  3. We tried to squeeze team bonding activities and ski race education into two evenings of open time.
  4. The camp fell toward the latter part of the season and thus we only had a few short weeks to reap the benefits of newfound friendships and skiing experience.   

Now if we hold the camp over this traditional weekend, even more of our evening time will be spent in travel to and from the camp.   My guess is that in the end, we will feel very rushed for time all the time compared to past years.  This camp is the only lodging that I have found that houses our team and is priced close to the Sports Dorm.   But we can make it work if we have to.   
Option 2
Winter Break.  Leave mid afternoon Dec. 30th - Jan 3rd

Training would include some directed free skiing as well since it is still relatively early in the season.  Mark is open to a three-day camp as well: Same dates but come home after training on Friday, Jan 2 instead.  

Here are the benefits as Mark sees them:
  1. You do NOT miss any school.
  2. The coaches can work with you all four days of training.
  3. When you get home the race season swings into high gear.  By moving this high mileage training on steeper and longer terrain to the preparation period of the ski season, you will reap the benefits earlier in the race season.
  4. We have three evenings instead of two to offer workshops and team bonding activities.
  5. You will have six to seven weeks after the camp to enjoy the new and deepened friendships you have made at camp.
Of course, there are some disadvantages:
  1. Some of you take family vacations during break.    
  2. The camp is longer so it will cost more (I estimate $100-125 more).    
  3. You don’t get to miss school.   
  4. It takes place over New Years.   
My hope is that you will see the value of holding the camp during Winter Break.    If you want to improve your skiing and race results this season, this is a unique opportunity. It will give you the most training we can pull together in this short season.    

    Giants Ridge Date Poll