Question 1

What happens during an hour of ARX?

Answer

Compared to ARK, participants in the ARX program will spend the entire hour on ONE exercise. The exercises will alternate between a navigation focussed one week and a physical (trail running, core strength, intervals, hills etc) every other week.

Question 2

What gear should my kids wear?

Answer

There is very little essential gear for Adventure Running Kids. MANDATORY In the Fall season, once it gets dark a headlamp is MANDATORY. Any participant who shows up to practice without one may not be allowed to take part. SHOES We recommend a trail shoe with an aggressive and grippy sole to handle loose trails and uneven terrain. 'Old' shoes with little to no tread should be avoided. CLOTHING Should be weather appropriate. For the early Fall/late Spring loose fitting, lightweight & breathable materials are ideal. As the weather gets cooler start to layer up with longer pants and jackets/long sleeve T-shirts. A waterpoof shell is great in wet conditions. Shorts and Tshirts are appropriate for summer, however parents should be aware of potential hazards such as insect bites (mosquitoes, ticks), sunburn, and scratches from undergrowth when running off-trail. Potential precautions include wearing light leg cover, applying sunscreen and insect repellent, and checking your kids for ticks after each session. These precautions are the same as those recommended for outdoor excursions in general and will ensure that your children are able to safely enjoy being in nature In winter conditions gear to stay warm is necessary; gloves, toques etc. Finally, clothing WILL get wet and OR muddy during some sessions! It's not the best idea to wear your favourite pair of shoes or anything you may need the next day. Clothing to be avoided: anything cotton, jeans/denim, hiking boots.

Question 3

Can I volunteer with the program?

Answer

Yes! The program is whollly run by parent volunteers under the guidance of the Program Manager. The only time we need you to volunteer is during the hour your kids are signed up for! Anyone can volunteer, we need all ability levels. We need Group Leaders to run with the lead kids and help the back of the pack along. We also need Station Coaches to run the exercises each night (that are set up before hand by the Program Manager) Check the role details here: Station Coach Group Leader

Question 4

Where can I sign up?

Answer

Visit the registration page. If the link to sign up for ARK is live, you can sign up!

Question 5

Do you cancel if the weather is bad?

Answer

In general, ARK runs rain, hail or shine. We will cancel an ARK session under the following situations: There is an active Weather Warning or Watch from Environment Canada - at 4pm on the day of practice (unless the alert is for a weather event predicted after the session is over for the evening) A weather event that has passed has caused site conditions to become dangerous (ice storms in particular) If police are recommending people stay off the roads (snow, flooding, accidents etc) If the forecast is to be below -15ºC without windchill (-20ºC with windchill). If a session is cancelled, we will send out an email to all participants and will announce it on our Facebook page & twitter feed after 4pm of the day of the session. If thunder is heard during any session, we will cancel immediately and return to check in.

Question 6

My kid is 13, but is unsure/nervous. Can they stay in U12 ARK Attack?

Answer

Absolutely. There is no issue in this situation, you can sign them up for whatever program they feel comfortable with.

Question 7

My kid is not old enough, but a great runner. Can I sign them up for ARX?

Answer

We may invite younger participant to join ARX if they have shown maturity and proficiency in navigation based races. If your child would like to join this program, please contact Meghan with a list of races they have taken part in (previous season ARK Fests where they ran solo, regional orienteering races etc)

Question 8

Are there nearby races teens can take part in?

Answer

Yes, every season the ARX Program Manager will provide information to registered ARX participants regarding races they can join other teens in. If racing is something your teenager is interested in, consider also signing up for the XCel program, which focusses more thoroughly on the navigation component of adventure sports.

Question 9

Tell me more about compasses

Answer

Compasses are no longer mandatory equipment for Adventure Running X. They are available for purchase on the registration form. We recommend longer term participants who are capable with the basics of map reading to pick one up.

Question 10

What is the difference between ARK and ARX?

Answer

The difficulty of the exercises is increased to befit the age of the participants and there is less of a focus on games. Participants are given a greater level of autonomy, they will NOT be under adult supervision 100% of the time - particularly on the navigation exercises. We expect a higher level of maturity from the participants. We should not have to discipline them or deal with bad behaviour. If we feel participants are not mature enough for for this level of program, we will move them back into an ARK Attack (U12) group.

Frequently asked questions