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Friday, November 8, 2024
HomeLifestyleHealthTwo Harbors Cross-Country Ski Program Going Well

Two Harbors Cross-Country Ski Program Going Well

The North Shore Nordic kids’ ski pro­gram is going great, program director Megan Brown reports. They are seven weeks into the eight-week program, which has been a huge success.

This year, five levels were able to be offered, with 50 total skiers and a waitlist. Brown says that the decision to cap off the registration at 50 was due to a lack of coaches. However, 15 adult volunteers and coaches are making this program possible. Brown commented, “We have had a wonderful season so far! We have been mastering skills, hills, and lots of fun games!”

The last Sunday of February, February 26, will feature a giant obstacle course for all the skiers as a fun closing event. There will be three levels for the obstacle course, as well as a mass start race for Levels 3, 4, and 5. Sea­son awards will be given to all skiers.

Even though the ski program ends on Febru­ary 26th, the skiing fun doesn’t have to stop there! A huge Minnesota Youth Ski League festival will be held with all other regional Minnesota Youth Ski League programs the first weekend of March. Brown says, “We had so much fun at this event last year and can’t wait to attend again! It is so fun to get all the skiers from all the separate programs together for some fun and games.”

North Shore Nordic co-leader Jen Bush­maker said, “The magic of cross-country skiing is that you can enjoy this activity no matter what your skill level. While getting kids outside might seem like an antiquated yet obvious sen­timent, for many young people, consistent outdoor participation in ac­tivities like cross-country skiing is far from a reali­ty. As someone who is passionate both about win­ter and about out­door education for our youth, North Shore Nordic al­lows me to meld those 2 passions together. We all know that recre­ational opportuni­ties are essential to healthy communi­ties. What I love is that we are able to offer a club here in Two Harbors that will help bring our community together. Nowhere else is this more evident than when you look at our coaches and helpers. North Shore Nordic is 100% dependent on volun­teers.”

Maggie Bartlett’s young daughter, Elise, is a Level 1 skier. This is Elise’s second year in the North Shore Nordic ski program, and both her and Bartlett love it. 2022 was Elise’s first time ever being on skis, and the Level 1 coaches taught her the basics. What she was taught stuck with her, says Maggie Bartlett, who reports that this season Elise got “right back into it,” and started where she ended skill-wise last year.

When I asked Bartlett for some feedback from a parent’s perspective, she replied, “I love that the club encourages the kids to get out and be active in the winter months. It’s also awesome that they have so many levels of skiing so kids can learn with a group that matches their skill level. We have been noth­ing but impressed with the program and hope it continues for many years to come!”

Haley Searls
Haley Searls
Hello! My name is Haley Searls. I’ve loved writing from an early age, though my nonfiction writing at five years old consisted mainly of weather and gardening reports. I still have some of those early articles: “It’s sunny.” “It’s still sunny.” “It’s raining.” I’m glad to say my writing has improved since then. I wrote a guest post for the Silver Bay Public Library blog, and was the writer/editor of the newsletter for my American Heritage Girls troop. I have been writing for the North Shore Journal since June 2022. Besides writing, I love reading, drawing, photography, music, and spending time with family and friends. Two books that have really influenced my writing are Reforming Journalism by Marvin Olasky and Writer to Writer by Bodie and Brock Thoene. As a journalist, I want to share positive community interactions and inspire people to make lasting connections. Article topics that interest me are ones which show community activities and involvement. Such articles include community events, youth accomplishments, library programming, small businesses, local history, local artists and authors, art programs, and cultural events such as theater and dance. If you have an article idea, email the North Shore Journal with my name in the subject line! I look forward to hearing from you!
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