We look forward to seeing you for Spring Break Skating Camp, March 25-29. Please read the important information below to know what to expect for camp and to start your skating journey off right.
Fairfax Ice Arena Contact information: (703) 323-1132 and ask for the Lessons Office
Parents and legal guardians can contact the Lesson Office with questions, to leave a message for their child, or to speak with their child directly in case of an emergency during camp.
Check-In / Check-Out
Parents and legal guardians of camp participants are required to check-in and check-out their students. The parent or the legal guardian of the camp participant should inform Fairfax Ice Arena in a written notice (via email, lesssons@fairfaxicearena.com) about their child being picked-up early, or being picked-up by an individual who is not the parent or legal guardian. The designated non-parent or non-legal guardian will be asked for their ID.
- Camp check-in is located at the lesson office Monday-Friday, 11 AM - 11:30 AM
- Camp check-out is located at the lesson office Monday-Friday, 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
At check-in: parents and legal guardians of camp participants are required to sign-in and fill out and turn in a lunch form for their child. On the first day you will also confirm emergency contact and allergies information. Please note we will begin check-in at 11 AM. Early check-in is not available.
After check-in: students will get their skates and meet their camp staff and instructor in their designated room or area. Their designated room or areas are where camp skaters will leave their personal items. There will be a camp staff(s) with camp participants in their designated room or area.
At check-out: parents and legal guardians of camp skaters are required to sign-out each of their student.
What to wear:
- We recommend dressing in layers and wearing clothing that are easy to move in, and keeps you dry (snow pants are great for beginners). Students in beginner classes do spend some time sitting and kneeling on the ice, and touching the ice.
- Thin or medium weight long socks. Please do not wear two pairs of socks. You want to skate with one pair of socks that will help circulate air in the skates and keep your feet dry. The thickness of your socks will affect the size of your ice skate rentals. HOT TIP: Be consistent with your socks so you are not having to try on different skate rental sizes before your class.
- Gloves
- A jacket
- We strongly recommend wearing a helmet and protective gear. We provide free helmet rentals for adults, teens and kids. You may bring your own helmets for best fit (bicycle helmets with a rounded back work well), and knee, elbow, and crash pads, and wrist guards without an outer plastic shell.
- Hair should be worn out of and away from the face.
What to bring and have with you during camp:
- Sneakers for any off-ice activities which may include jumping and running short distances
- Snacks
- Extra set of clothes
- Tissues
- Refillable water bottle
- Hand Sanitizer
Skates
Ice skate rentals are included and are available for the student's use during camp time. Let the staff at the skate rental counter know your shoe size.
- Skate fit is important and critical to a safe and successful skate: Skates come in full sizes only. You will need to get skates that are a half to a few sizes smaller than your shoe size. Skates should fit snug and tied all the way up and tied tightly so that your ankle is supported.
- Example: if you wear a size 6 in shoes, you will be handed a size 5 skate rental. If you wear a size 6.5 in shoes, you will be handed a size 6 in skate rental. Kids shoe size 3 and under will have about the same size for their skates.
- If you have your ice skates on and are finding it difficult to walk in them while you are in the lobby area, you will need to ask for a different pair. Simply return the ice skate rental you have and trade them for a different ice skate rental. Let the staff at the skate rental counter know what was wrong with the pair that you are returning so they can better assess your needs.
- HOT TIP: if there is a pair of ice skate rentals that you like skating with, there is a number on the sole of each pair of skate rentals. You can ask for this number and if they are available, you can get the same pair to skate with for your class.
- At the end of class, return your skates properly with the laces tucked inside the boot.
Can I stay to watch my skater?
Parents may stay to watch during the entire camp. Parents who decide to stay during camp are still required to check-in, check-out and fill out the lunch forms for the students. Parents who are staying must abide with the following:
Parents are not allowed in the camp rooms or areas designated for camp skaters and staff.
Do not interrupt or distract camp, coaches, and skaters during camp session times on and off the ice.
- Do not stand in front of the entrance doors to the ice rink. For your safety and the safety of emergency personnel, skaters, coaches, and staff getting on and off the ice, keep the entrance pathways to the ice rink clear.
- Do not leave your items unattended. We have lockers available.
- Leave benches clear of items so others who are coming in can sit and put on their skates.
- Do not walk or stand on the ice without any ice skates. Please go to the lesson office in the lobby and see a staff or manager to reach someone who is on the ice.
- No flash photography, professional cameras and camera tripods are allowed.
- No filming coaches and students other than your own child. Anyone taking photos or videos without written permission from Fairfax Ice Arena will be asked to stop and may be asked to leave the premises.
- No large items are allowed such as personal folding chairs, large bags, camera tripods, signs, etc...
What do the skaters learn?
Skaters will learn the skills and maneuvers of the level they are registered for. On the last day of camp, skaters will be evaluated for their level and their coach will make recommendations on their next class level.
View the skills and maneuvers of levels (PDF).
How can I help my skater learn?
Parents are encouraged to:
- Ask their skater what they have learned in class
- Be proactive about knowing what the maneuvers are called and how they are executed. Hot tip: use the list of maneuvers of levels as a checklist. A list of these maneuvers are also available in the lobby area on the tv to right of the fireplace.
- Ask your skater to show you what the maneuvers look like both on the ice and off the ice; ask where their arms are supposed to be; ask where they should be looking when doing the move; etc.
- Speak with the coach to get an idea of what your skater is doing well, what needs improvement and how to help your skater improve.
Cancellation Fee
Cancellations must be received in writing via email to lessons@fairfaxicearena.com.
There is a $35 cancellation fee and a credit will be issued into your Fairfax Ice Arena account for the amount of the remainder of camp that you did not take minus the cancellation fee. Refunds are not issued for cancellations.
Please contact the Lesson Director at lessons@fairfaxicearena.com about your cancellation credit.