Skyline Adventures Serves At-Risk Youth

DAYTON – Last year, a group of individuals led by Ski Bluewood owners Kelly and Michael Stephenson, formalized the ski resort’s outreach program into a nonprofit called Skyline Adventures. The group has met its first and second year goals and has big dreams for the future, including a “magic carpet” and possibly even a Wounded Warriors program.

Through its outreach program Ski Bluewood has worked for years to provide at-risk youth with a day of skiing and snowboarding fun at Bluewood. By becoming an official nonprofit, they can now seek grants which will allow them to increase their reach.

Ski Bluewood General Manager Kim Clark said Skyline Adventures’ five board members pooled their own resources to cover startup costs and to provide 84 partial scholarships last year. The program includes a day on the slopes, a lift ticket, lessons, lunch, and clothing, for $40. Last season’s $10 scholarships cut that cost to $30 for each attendee

Skyline Adventures applied for grants for the first time last year and was able to fund 200 full scholarships this season. Clark said the scholarships were made possible by a $2,000 grant from the Blue Mountain Community Foundation, which was then matched by two individual donors.

Clark said the program serves many groups including Jubilee Leadership Academy, drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities, and Boys and Girls Clubs. The program is designed to provide a safe, exciting, youth and family-centered experience that builds character by instilling values of commitment, community, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

“It’s a great confidence-builder. Many of these kids would never have the opportunity to get up here, otherwise,” Clark said.

As a new nonprofit, Clark said the group has taken a “slow and methodical” approach and has tried to make sure their initial goals are realistic and achievable. But that doesn’t stop them from dreaming.

He said the group would love to get involved with veterans through a Wounded Warriors program. He estimated it would cost $6-$8,000 for the special equipment needed to allow amputees and individuals with disabilities to hit the slopes.

Personally, Clark said he would like to see the group provide funds to schools or organizations like the Special Olympics and Scouts to help with expenses. “I’d like us to be able to give a set amount for the groups to use as needed, toward transportation or whatever need they might have,” he said.

Skyline Adventures’ loftiest goal is to replace the existing platter pull with a magic carpet lift. Clark said the single holdback for first-time skiers is navigating the platter pull. “It works, but it’s not necessarily easy for a beginner,” Clark said.

Clark likened the magic carpet to the moving walkways found in airports. Passengers slide onto the belt at the base of the hill and ride to the top where the belt pushes them onto the snow and they slide off.

“Having a magic carpet would be a huge boon to all the programs but that’s about a $250,000 project,” he said.

Clark said Skyline Adventures will gladly accept donations of ski clothing and gear, which can be hard to come up with, as well as monetary donations at the Ski Bluewood office located at 262 East Main Street in Dayton, or by mail at PO Box 167, Dayton, Wash. 99328.