Junior Development 
Our older Youth Program is divided into two groups called Junior Development (JD) and Youth Racers (YR). All participants train together at least once a week, with the Youth Racers meeting as often as 4-5 times per week, depending on the season. The program follows the Learn to Train, Train To Train, Learn to Compete and Train to Compete levels of the LTAD model with the objective of enhancing cross-country ski skills (both classic and skating) and fostering a lifelong interest in the sport. All the JD and YR athletes are also encouraged to participate in local fitness events such as running, biking, swimming, canoeing, etc. to enhance their physical fitness and quality of life.
Junior Development (JD) is aimed at youth aged 9 up to 20 who want to continue to stay fit and further develop their skiing skills. Participants do not need to have completed the Jackrabbit program prior to joining the Junior Development program, but cross country ski experience is recommended. Junior Developemnt athletes may participate in some local races, but there is no requirement to do so. The goals of this group are to improve individual fitness levels, and to work on balance, coordination,and movement skills for all sports so that when snow comes, ski skills will be learned quickly and easily. JD athletes in the Learning to Train stage of development (about eight to twelve years of age) are enrolled in Cross Country Canada’s Track Attack Program. The program was developed in parallel with the third level of the NCCP system. Program materials include a program-specific enrolment kit, an age appropriate booklet and coaching materials specific to this stage in the skier development progression. The objective is for the participants to become technically competent cross-country skiers and to utilize those skills to explore a wide range of cross-country ski activities, from backcountry excursions to ski competitions.
In the fall/winter season we offer two program choices for Junior Development. Training is on Tuesday evenings, Thursdays after school and Saturday mornings. The Full Junior Development program is a fall/winter program that includes dryland training and on-snow sessions from early October to April 1st, and participants are encouraged to participate three times per week. The Winter Junior Development program starts in December and is for children interested in staying fit and continuing to train and ski at ages beyond our Jackrabbit Program, but are interested in participating only during the winter ski season, and/or are only able to participate up to twice a week.
Youth Racers is a program for athletes 12 and up who want to train and challenge themselves to learn how to be efficient when competing at cross country skiing, running, biking and any other sport they want to compete in. The Junior Development Program is the feeder system for the Youth Racers. The athletes work on skills, balance, power, coordination, tactics and strategies so the athlete has the opportunity to test him/herself in local, regional and provincial races. Youth Racers receive a personalized training plan designed to help them reach their potential. They use the online iLog training software to track their training and performance, in communication with the Head Coach. WCCFC is developing a weight room for the program. The athletes travel to training camps and events, and participate on their school running and cross country ski teams as well as other sports. The objective of this group is to learn how to compete in a healthy environment. The group meets 4- 5 times a week.
University-Age Skiers is a program for post-secondary athletes 18 and up who want to continue to train and compete in cross country skiing and are at the Train to Compete level of the LTAD model. Like the Youth Racer program, the athletes work on skills, balance, power, coordination, tactics and strategies so the athlete has the opportunity to test him/herself in local, regional and provincial races. Athletes enrolled in this program would not receive individual training plans but would have access to the weight room during regular training session times and may travel to training camps and events. Athletes can come out to one session a week whenever it fits into their school schedule and other training. Sessions are at the same time and location as those for the Youth Racers.
Walden Junior Development and Para-Nordic Online Registration
Racing Team Expense Policy and Procedures