RUMFORD — Chisholm Ski Club, in conjunction with Black Mountain of Maine and Western Foothills Kids Association, has launched a Youth Ski Program to encourage youth in the towns of Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield and children from other regions of Maine to participate in winter sports activities.
The initiative offers a wide range of programs, training, equipment and events with founding and corporate sponsorships available. A GoFundMe campaign has been established, and individual donors are welcome via mail donations as well. The Youth Ski Program will include after school and weekend activities and will expand as dedicated funding expands.
The ski club, founded in 1917, is one of the oldest ski clubs in the United States. For more than 100 years, CSC has produced and nurtured numerous Olympic and national athletes. CSC has a rich history of hosting national and international skiing events.
More than 40 youths, ages 4 to 14, many of whom had never Nordic skied before took part in a soft program launch over the winter under the direction of Dan Warner, Erin Haynes, and Miki Skehan. Based on this season’s success, CSC’s Youth Nordic Program will be expanded and modeled after the Bill Koch League — the largest Youth Nordic Program in the United States.
CSC’s Youth Ski Program will have after-school and weekend offerings for youths aged 4 to 14. The program will run for 10 weeks. Age-appropriate skills development will be taught while special activities, events and races will be held for participants to engage in. Any Maine youth may participate, although participation may be restricted because of funding considerations.
Technical skills clinics will be offered for adults and youth alike and will be free to program participants and open to the public for a fee. Most activities will be held at Black Mountain of Maine or at participating schools nearby. Other ski locations will be visited during the winter to engage in a program outing and for competitions. Additionally, CSC will provide financial assistance to promising competitive Alpine and Nordic athletes of all ages.
The goal of CSC’s kick-starter funding model is to raise $25,000. An anonymous donor has agreed to match-fund a portion of the proceeds. Money will be used to acquire equipment, clothing and help offset coaching, trail grooming, and transportation expenses directly incurred by the program.
For more information, visit chisholmskiclub.org.
PHOTO: Emery Black of Black Mountain Maine (Submitted photo)
