The National Winter Sports Education Foundation granted the Boulder Nordic Junior Race Team a stipend and five sets of 30 pairs of easy to use kids skis for use in the 2017-18 winter. The stipend paid for a BNJRT coach to administratively and operationally support the distribution and use of the skis to five area elementary schools. A sixth school already had skis from the previous winter.
The schools were Nederland Elementary, University Hill Elementary, Bear Creek Elementary, Columbine Elementary, High Peaks/BCSIS, and Flatirons Elementary.
According to a program end report, the program resulted in about 1000 student participants using the skis in the 2017-18 winter. This number is half of what was projected. The shortfall was attributed to Boulder’s and Colorado’s substantially weak winter and consequent lack of ski-able snow in Boulder.
Boulder Nordic Club funds were used to pay for good quality garbage cans in which to store the skis at each school. The Boulder Nordic Club also paid to ship the skis from their original location to Boulder. Boulder Nordic Sport received the skis at their retail location after arranging shipping as part of its shipping operations.
It is the intention of the BNJRT to continue the program with the help of its partners. Thanks to the NWSEF, members and supporters of the BNC, Boulder Nordic Sport, the principals and physical education teachers at Nederland Elementary, University Hill Elementary, Bear Creek Elementary, Columbine Elementary, High Peaks/BCSIS, Flatirons Elementary.
Thanks especially to Coach Meghan Cornwall and Head Coach Adam St. Pierre of the BNJRT for their leadership, collaboration, and intention to get kids on skis.
Membership dollars make programs like this possible. Join us at https://bouldernordic.org/membership-account/membership-levels/.
