Snow Much Fun: Reflections from Snow Club
This January marked another exhilarating season for City Kids as we embarked on our third year of Snow Club programming. Thanks to the generous support of the Vail Resort and Katz Amsterdam Foundation’s Epic for Everyone Youth Connection to Winter Sports Program, we were able to provide a transformative experience for our youth, expanding their access to snow sports.
The Epic for Everyone funding included free lift tickets, ski gear, transportation, ski and ride school, meals, and equipment rentals for four on-hill ski/snowboarding lessons at Vail’s Whitetail Ski Resort in Mercersburg, PA, conveniently located within two hours from DC.
Throughout the program, between 30-40 City Kids enthusiastically participated in four memorable trips. Each week, our youth received two-hour lessons in their chosen sport and seized the opportunity to hone their skills for several additional hours after lunch. New this year, the Whitetail staff took us behind the scenes to learn how the snow was made and all it takes to keep the resort operating.
Throughout the program, these dedicated participants immersed themselves in skiing or snowboarding, progressively enhancing their abilities. They not only ventured beyond their comfort zones but also cultivated confidence through mastery of a new sport.
Reflecting on their experiences, our participants shared insights that encapsulate the profound impact of the Snow Club program:
Lily, third-year participant: “I challenge myself by going on high slopes. They made me nervous at first, but I pushed myself!”
Makenzi, fourth-year participant: “I definitely plan to continue snowboarding! I was telling my mom how much I was looking forward to Sunday! Like Sunday needs to come! I would love to go with my family and teach my brother and my mom how to snowboard.”
Josiyah, third-year participant: “If someone was considering being part of Snow Club next year, I’d tell them to be open-minded about it. Know that it is going to take time. It is going to challenge you in a different way but as long as you stay open-minded and continue doing it, you are going to love it.”
Brandon, CK Alum and Volunteer: “Reflecting on my time at City Kids, it gave me the confidence and determination to go back, do things again, and get better at them. It was great to see kids still learning that same lesson today through Snow Club. That spirit of not giving up. I still carry that into my day-to-day life. Just being relentless and keep pushing through stuff even when it doesn’t seem like it’s fun or you’re not good at it or comfortable with it.”
As Brandon, an alumni who joined the program 20 years ago and is now a volunteer, aptly remarked, “Snow Club is huge. Back when I was a camper, the former Executive Director, Cathy would fly us out to Vermont to her house for a few days to go skiing, but it would be a select few probably like no more than six or seven kids. And now to see 30-40 kids on each trip. Man, that was impressive. I’m so glad that these kids got the opportunity to do that.”
Each year, more alumni like Brandon are coming back to volunteer on trips and witness firsthand the evolution of City Kids, from its beginnings in 1996 to the successes of our current programs.
As we look towards the future, we anticipate even greater achievements and continued growth. The Snow Club program not only imparts valuable skiing and snowboarding skills but also instills lifelong lessons of perseverance, resilience, and the joy of embracing new challenges. With each passing year, we strive to eliminate barriers, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to explore the wonders of the outdoors without financial constraints.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to Vail Resort and the Katz Amsterdam Foundation for their steadfast support and to all our donors, partners, volunteers, Friends of City Kids, and staff who make programs like Snow Club possible. Together, we are empowering the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and leaders. Join us in celebrating another successful year of Snow Club, where City Kids discover the thrill of the slopes and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
