Enrollment for the Northbrook Park District’s Skating School is now open.
According to a news release, the school is not just about teaching ice skills –— it’s also about helping children develop confidence and build friendships, and allowing them an opportunity to participate in the spectacular Northbrook-On-Ice show.
Northbrook Park District Ice Skating Supervisor Ania Lopez said the quality of instruction and the opportunities for both competition and recreational fun make the Skating School at the Northbrook Sports Center stand out.
“Our Skating School focuses on a positive and encouraging environment for children of all ages,” Lopez said in the release. “The introductory classes are a gateway for youth to explore their interests towards one of three possibilities on the ice: figure skating, hockey or speed skating.”
Parents say their children love taking ice skating classes at the Northbrook Sports Center, whose multi-level class structure is based on standards developed by the U.S. Figure Skating Association, the release said.
The Park District’s skating levels are divided into:
Snowplow Sam, introductory classes for ages 4 through 6.
Basic Skills, with six progressive levels (Basic 1-6) for ages 7 through 12, starting with new skaters with no prior experience. These classes focus on developing the fundamental skating skills: agility, balance, coordination and speed.
Free Skate, open to students who have passed Basic 6. Starting with Pre-Free Skate followed by Free Skate 1-6, students learn a variety of progressive skating skills, transitions, spins and jumps.
Nikki Goldman’s 8-year-old daughter, Amaya, takes the Pre-Free Skate class and will also be taking the Basic 5 Low Power class along with private lessons this fall, the release said. Their mother said that Amaya’s younger brother, Ryder, 4, will take the SnowPlow Sam 1 class and is looking forward to trying ice hockey as soon as his skating gets a little better.
For Amaya, taking classes also means socializing with her friends, Nikki Goldman said.
“Even though they’re not all in the same level, most are still in classes at the same time, and all are in Low Power together. They get to eat lunch at the rink in between, which is a highlight,” she said.
Northbrook-On-Ice takes place in May and showcases exciting performances from skaters of all ages and levels from the park district’s Skating School and Freestyle Ice program, according to the release. Each year has a different theme — “Skate in Paradise” was the latest one — featuring dazzling choreography and costumes. The 2024 show marks 55 years of this Mother’s Day weekend tradition and will feature alumni as well as current skaters.
To enroll your children in Skating School, please visit nbparks.org/programs/ice-skating/skating-school or call (847) 291-2993.