Prerequisites

PA in Training: Must be a 3rd year intermediate skater and/or working on junior bronze dances; must be at least 9 years old
Program Assistant: Must be a senior skater; must be 12 years old and/ or working on Senior Bronze dances

Program assistants will receive annual and ongoing training. This includes an initial orientation session, meetings throughout the season, and informal evaluations.

This season, the orientation session will be held:

Date: Saturday, September 17th, 2011
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: The Eddie Bush Arena, Collingwood
*Note: A make-up session will also be held Wednesday, October 12th from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Eddie Bush Arena.

Lesson Format

During Canskate sessions:
Beginner CanSkate: Tuesday, 5:15 – 5:45pm
CanSkate: Wednesday, 5-6pm

Skills

Under the coaches' direction, Program Assistant duties include:
- greeting parents and skaters
- helping the skaters onto the ice
- participating in warm and cool down activities
- handing out rewards
-setting up and taking down equipment
Program Assistants are expected to be attentiveness, responsive, and respectful at all times. Program Assistants must also wear name tags to identify themselves to the skaters and parents, and to identify their experience level.

Evaluation

Informal evaluations will be provided to Program Assistants, providing constructive criticism to help them improve their skills. Evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

Communication skills:
- provides both group and individual feedback
- group management skills
- keeps group on task
- maintains control
- leads activities with enthusiasm and a sense of fun
- exhibits patience
- demonstrates effectively

Duties/Tasks:
- sets up equipment
- sets up circuits
- ensures safety
- creates fun activities
- puts equipment away
- participates in theme days

Personal attributes:
- is punctual
- is willing to take on additional tasks
- is an effective role model
- follows instruction
- takes initiative to solve problems