The Maine West Project Play program is four years old, and its recreational sports offerings have blossomed under the guidance of Program Coordinator Samantha Langlois and the efforts of many others.

Langlois has been in that position for two years, and during that time the program has developed or grown its Nordic skiing, mountain biking, climbing and hiking activities, serving more than 100 kids of all ages, as well as adults. Two building construction projects are also underway.

The program was established through the initial efforts of Wade Kavanaugh, of Bethel, with the intent of involving more kids in recreational sports for more than just their early years.

Project Play is a nationwide organization under the Aspen Institute, and started by asking kids why they joined sports — as well as why they left. It used the model of a pyramid to describe the traditional progression of sports involvement. Many kids participated at an early age and dropped out as the more talented and skilled youngsters climbed to the top, forming a participation pyramid as the years went by.

Langlois said Project Play seeks “to square that pyramid,” by removing obstacles to participation at older ages, so kids can enjoy and benefit physically from sports longer.

The local version was established first through the River Fund, and is now funded by a combination of local philanthropy efforts, Langlois said.

Beyond just sports participation, the program also seeks to create opportunities for kids to explore the outdoors and develop the skills to cope with challenges, to bond and to be leaders.

All that is helped by removing barriers to participation, Langlois said, such as transportation and equipment.

Acquiring equipment was an early program goal to get activities started. Since then, several recent developments have helped the organization toward its overall goals. One was the purchase last year of two vans, which allow, for example, the quick transportation of kids from Crescent Park Elementary School to the Gould Academy Pine Hill Trails after school for Nordic and mountain biking.

The vans also take kids to the Bethel Community Forest for mountain biking or hiking, or to Mt. Abram for biking, Langlois said. One trip last spring took a group to Gorham, New Hampshire, to bike.

WAX SHED AND YURT

This year brought the construction of a wax shed and a yurt at Bethel’s Pine Hill Trails for program use. The well-insulated shed, primarily for use in waxing skis, is being constructed by Maine Passive House. Recently Langlois showed off the inside woodwork, noting “It’s too nice to use just as a wax shed.” She envisions also conducting workshops and strength training activities there.

Next door the circular yurt has taken shape, where kids will be able to gather to prepare for activities and stow their backpacks.

A total of about 75 to 100 kids, including some from the Oxford Hills area, take part in the Nordic program, Langlois said, and Maine West hosts races for them.

In addition, on Wednesday evenings in January and February, Wednesday Night Lights draws anywhere from 30 to 50 skiers of all ages for a potluck supper and ski on a kilometer of lighted trail.

There is also an adult offering in the form of a masters’ ski program, with about 10 participants doing workouts and technique development, Langlois said. In the fall they do a training camp.

This summer about 15 middle and high school kids are participating in a summer Nordic training program based at Pine Hill. To enhance bonding among the youngsters, once a week they hike a 4,000-foot mountain in the region, Langlois said.

And with the new school year comes a couple of new additions — a middle school mountain biking program and a high school Nordic ski team at Telstar High School.

Maine West recently added a second staff member, Mia Shiffrin, to help coordinate activities.

Maine West operates through philanthropic support, Langlois said. To complete work on the yurt, Maine West needs an additional $8,000 for electrical and heat work. Anyone interested in donating or learning more about the program and its partners may go to the organization’s website at mainewestprojectplay.org.

Alison Aloisio is a freelance writer.