FARMINGTON — Opportunities for free skiing and ski lessons at Titcomb Mountain are part of a goal to involve schoolchildren in physical activities that can last a lifetime.
The Healthy Community Coalition is partnering with Titcomb Mountain in Farmington to provide these opportunities to children in Regional School Unit 9, RSU 58 and Stratton schools.
It’s part of a three-year, $1.8 million Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant the coalition received last May, Laurie Soucy, grant director, said.
“We are trying to expose the students to more things they can do for physical activity and do forever,” she said.
The coalition wants to encourage children to participate in 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per day and to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables.
As part of the grant, Titcomb Mountain will provide two free Ski and Ride Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 30 and Feb. 13. These are offered in partnership with University Credit Union, she said.
A third free Friday will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 6.
For children in grades three to six, skiing and snowboarding lessons, lift tickets and rentals will be offered to 40 students in the three school systems.
A 75-minute lesson is offered for six weeks to two groups. The grant provides transportation via school bus for Wilton students on Mondays and from Farmington and New Sharon on Wednesdays. Parents need to pick up their children after the lesson.
Although the program has started, there are still openings.
These are offered to students who receive free- and reduced-price school lunches.
“We are taking away the financial barrier,” she said.
Interested students can contact Titcomb Mountain at 778-9031.
A program featuring Saturday skiing and snowboarding lessons for children ages six to 18 with lift ticket and rentals is full for this year. Sign-ups for next season are being taken.
An after-school snowshoeing program for middle school students is in the planning stages but may not develop in time for this season, she said.
Other after-school programs within these communities are being developed. The challenge is to get people to lead them, Soucy said.
A partnership with the University of Maine at Farmington will offer similar opportunities for swimming, she said.
Under the nutritional component, students were surveyed about their present fruit and vegetable consumption. From this information, nutritional education is planned to help students make healthier and more nutritious choices.
“We are very fortunate to participate,” Titcomb Mountain manager Megan Roberts said. “This is a local treasure.” It helps children see what is available at the mountain, she said.
Skiing is also good for self-esteem, she said. Children may ski with their friends but when they come down that mountain and make the turns, they are doing it all on their own, she said.
For more information, contact Soucy at lsoucy@fchn.org or 779-2924.
abryant@sunjournal.com
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