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Club Information
For all the latest information on club activities go to the 'What's New' page.  For dates and applications check our 'calendar' page.

2005 - 2006 Membership Application please note that the mailing zip code should be 21045 NOT 20145

Club Bylaws

About Us - The Gardens Figure Skating Club includes over 100 members representing the multifaceted sport of Figure Skating.  Our goal is to promote the sport of Figure Skating by encouraging practice, development of both technical and artistic components, competition, and testing.  To enable our members to work towards these goal, the GFSC makes available ice time, organizes test sessions, hosts competitions, seminars, clinics and exhibitions, produces shows, and organizes social functions for the club's members.  
Our members participate in a wide variety of Figure Skating activities including freestyle, theatre on ice, ice dancing and pairs skating.  They include skaters of all ages, as well as several well respected skating professionals.

Club Ice -The GFSC offers club ice time for its members. Thursdays and Saturdays, fall through spring.

Test Sessions - USFS sanctioned Test sessions are held at regular intervals year round at the Gardens Ice House.  You can check our calendar or testing page for any upcoming dates.  The GFSC also enjoys a reciprocal testing relationship with two other local Figure Skating Clubs.

Junior Board - The GFSC Junior Board offers members 12 years and older a chance to serve in a leadership capacity with the club.  Activities are organized by the Junior Board to promote the club's goals. They are the organizers and sponsors of the Character Luncheon offered before our 2005 Spring Ice Show.

Competitions - The GFSC is proud to host USFS sanctioned competitions, including the 2004 South Atlantic Regional Competition.  Other Competitions include the International Theatre on Ice (2001,2002) and the North American Challenge Skate (2001).  In addition, the club also hosts its own annual competition each May.  The May Day Open, now in its 6th year, attracts over 400 competitors from No-Test through senior level, and Adult Bronze through Gold levels. Judges include those with international and national level experience.  Events include freestyle, compulsory moves, spins, jumps, interpretive freestyle, artistic freestyle, pairs, ice dancing, and theatre on ice.  The May Day Open also offers a full range of events for the Special Olympics Figure Skater.
Skating Clinic - The GFSC is proud to offer a skills clinic for its members during club ice time.  National level coaches work with skaters in a small group environment to develop specific skating skills at their current technical level - single through triple jumps.

Ensemble Team - Theatre on Ice - The GFSC sponsors a senior level ensemble skating team.  Practices are held once a week during the Thursday club ice time. Skaters must be Intermediate level MIF or higher to participate.

Special Events - The GFSC hosted its 1st annual Spring Ice Show this year to sold out crowds.  Other events sponsored by the club include recitals, Regional, Sectional and National Competition send offs, and social events for club members.  The club also recently hosted a school breakfast for teachers, administrators and board members of local school systems.  The purpose of this event was to provide an opportunity for the school personnel to become educated on the sport of Figure Skating and get a first hand look on the type of training such a sport involves.

Membership Info - Home club membership in the Gardens Figure Skating Club includes membership in the USFSA as well as an annual subscription to their magazine - SKATING. Membership categories include - home club member, additional home club member, associate member, and club skating professional member (home or associate).  GFSC members are eligible to participate in a wide variety of club-sponsored activities including competitions, USFS test sessions, shows, recitals and specialize skating clinics.


Gardens Figure Skating club is a member of U.S. Figure Skating.


Membership  -
Membership rates for this year are:
Home Club Member** $60
Associate Membership $45
Additional Club Member at the same address $10
Club Skating Professional Member (Home or Associate) $20
(must submit a copy of liability insurance to be eligible for the skating professional membership)

**Home Club Membership with The Gardens FSC of MD includes membership in U.S. Figure Skating, the national governing body of figure skating and a subscription to Skating Magazine (first family member only).

Professional Policy -
The club has a policy that the Board of Directors must approve Professionals wishing to teach on Club Ice in advance. In order to be approved, you will need to submit a current resume, proof of insurance through ISI or PSA in the amount of $2 million, and proof of PSA membership in addition to the Club registration form and USFSA form if GFSC is your home club. All paperwork must be submitted to the Membership Chair who will submit your name for consideration to the Board. You must get approval from the Board before you are allowed to teach on club ice. Professionals must update this paperwork annually.

Volunteers -
The success of the club requires the work of many volunteers. The May Day Open, Test Sessions, and other activities require many volunteers working together to make the event a success. We are hoping to offer more activities, but to do so we need volunteers. Volunteer opportunities will be posted as they arise on the club web site and the club bulletin board. Please check the bulletin board or the web site to see if there is anything that you can help us with, or talk to one of the club's board members.