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E lementary school boys and girls are getting a chance to learn to skate and learn to play hockey in an after-school program at four elementary schools in Falmouth, Mass. "We believe this program has demonstrated that there is a huge opportunity to grow the sport of skating/hockey in Falmouth, and probably many other communi- ties," said Paul Moore, president of Falmouth Youth Hockey League (FYHL). "Elementary-age children are at a great age to learn to skate, but many families are not aware of how to get their children into the sport." The after-school program will run for two, six-week sessions. One ses- sion will begin after the hockey season in the spring of 2010; the second session will occur in the early fall of 2010. The pro- gram will run twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Children will be transported to the arena directly after school by school buses. Volunteers will assist them in getting dressed as well as provide a healthy snack and beverage before going out on the ice. Falmouth Youth Hockey has teamed up with Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) programs, an energetic group of parent volunteers who coordinate a range of programs that enhance education in Falmouth. Currently, over 1,000 volun- teers log more than 40,000 hours for VIPS in Falmouth and will work to attract a large group of children to the program. "Experienced volunteers make the on- ice program fun so that the kids leave wanting to come back the next week," said Moore. "We cannot overemphasize how much FUN the kids are having, and this is because we have experienced and talented instructors who know how to create an atmosphere of play while they teach large numbers of kids how to skate." Cross-ice dividers will split the ice; one side will focus on skating while the other side will introduce the kids to hockey. Both areas will incorporate sta- tion training and incorporate games like "Mother, May I?" and "Red Light, Green Light" or broom hockey and soccer to focus on the fun. FYHL's total budget for both sessions of the after-school program is $2,800. • $1,040 for helmets and equipment rentals • $1,200 for ice (deeply discounted at $50/hour) • $540 for awards and snacks ($1.50 for 30 participants for six weeks in two sessions) "Our expectation is that at least half of the children participating in this program will enroll in programming through the FYHL and Falmouth Figure Skating Club," said Moore. "FYHL is holding strategic planning meetings to discuss how and when to offer follow-on programs that will meet the needs of these new skaters." The specific objective of the spring ses- sion is to feed kids into the youth hockey programs that are offered during the summer months, including Summer Shootout, Hockey 101, Learn to Skate and Power Skating. Taking a "No Child left behind" approach, FYHL is working to increase participation in their house mite and squirt programs by 20 children. FYHL will track the numbers of kids participat- ing and those that enroll in either a learn-to-skate program or sign up for youth hockey following the after-school session. ★ ■ A real program for others in the industry to consider following. real programs 48 R INK MAGAZ INE may/june 2010 STARrinks.com Falmouth Youth Hockey Creates an After-School Growth Opportunity After-School Special by COURTNEY WELCH 1. Offer after-school time slots (4 p.m. – 5 p.m.) 2. Coordinate buses to bring kids from school to the rink 3. Program manager to handle logistics and communication 4. On-ice volunteers to create a FUN learning environment 5. Off-ice volunteers to ease the kids into the program 6. Offer it as a free four-week program with no initial cost or equipment purchase required 6 Key Components

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