MWSC contender for international award

    ARK CITY, Utah – The Maine Winter Sports Center is among eight finalists for the first International Ski Federation’s FIS SnowKidz Award, which will be announced June 4 at the FIS Congress in Antalya, Turkey.     The Caribou-based Maine Winter Sports Center’s ongoing “Healthy Hometowns” program introduces nearly 5,000 new participants to nordic skiing each year.
    The new award was launched to recognize and promote the best examples of bringing children to the snow in varying national circumstances around the globe. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association awarded its 2009 Russell Wilder Award for contributions to youth to the Maine Winter Sports Center, one of over 425 USSA clubs across America. FIS member national ski associations worldwide were invited to submit projects for consideration. A total of 22 applications from 18 national associations were received along with nine others from aid and promotion causes for developing ski nations.
    Healthy Hometowns provides programming for nearly 5,000 youth participants each year, in addition to providing seasonal equipment rentals to an additional 2,000. The program has a presence in clubs and schools in 96 different Maine communities. A pair of portable trailers makes rounds all winter long throughout Maine. The program also conducts leadership workshops to bring winter sport teaching skills to Maine communities so the program stays behind.
    “Thanks to the Healthy Hometowns program, my kids are active, involved, and always learning new things,” said Gail Johnson of Fort Kent.  Her two sons, Sam (10) and Cody (13), became involved in skiing through programming in their community supported by Healthy Hometowns coaches and equipment.  “Instead of caring about video games, my sons want to make the Olympics.”
    “Our program provides an exciting introduction to skiing as well as tools for communities to build sustainable programs,” said Andy Shepard, MWSC president. “Best of all, it’s a model that consists of easily replicable components, which any other state, region or nation could implement.”
    “Healthy Hometowns is a truly amazing program that is bringing kids to the snow by the thousands,” said USSA Vice President, Athletics and two-time Olympian Luke Bodensteiner. “We’re honored as a nation to have the Maine Winter Sports Center as a finalist and hope its program motivates other communities and nations to bring the excitement of our winter sports to more kids.”
    The FIS SnowKidz Awards jury selected the eight finalists. Each of those selected will receive an award of 5,000 Swiss francs (approximately $4,500 in American currency). The top three will be decided by the FIS Council in June, with the winner getting a 15,000 Swiss franc grant ($13,500), and the runner-up a 10,000 Swiss franc grant ($9,000).
    The other finalists include: Barnas Skiklubb, Norway; Naltar Ski School, Pakistan; Schneekinderleicht – Bewegtes Land, Germany; Suusabuss (Skibus), Estonia; Skilly Day, Italy; Snow Day, Hungary; and Teach the Teachers to Ski, Finland.