Duane Hicks
The new youth division of the Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club is getting kids active outdoors.
The “Yeti Squad,” which was organized by Tara and Brian Tolley, got started in January to introduce youths aged seven-12 to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
“The Yeti Squad was started in order to take advantage of an opportunity in the community,” Tara Tolley told the Times.
“Fort Frances has a fantastic little gem in our area–the trails at Rocky Inlet,” she noted. “The Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club’s trails are beautiful, well-kept, and so close by.
“We presented the idea to the club,” added Tolley.
“Our own children love cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and they noticed there was no group to join and share the fun with,” she explained.
Tolley said the goal of the Yeti Squad was to give children–and parents–the opportunity to try skiing and snowshoeing with volunteers present to instruct and lead them through the trails.
“The ‘Yeti Squad’ is very fortunate to have knowledgeable, reliable volunteers available,” Tolley stressed.
Jim Krag, president of the Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club, said the club “could not be happier” with the initiative taken by the Tolleys to develop and co-ordinate the Yeti Squad.
“Whenever I checked in, the kids were having a great time on the ski and snowshoe trails while getting some healthy exercise in the great outdoors,” he remarked.
“The Yeti Squad program seemed to support a need for an alternative winter activity for youngsters,” Krag added.
The group began Jan. 14 and finishes up this Saturday (March 25) with a wind-up party.
It ran every second Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon, unless Mother Nature didn’t co-operate.
The program was designed for youths to be able to drop-in in order to make it easier for families to work it into their schedule.
About 10 youngsters attended consistently and most of their parents joined in, too, noted Tolley.
The kids had a choice to pick skiing or snowshoeing for that day.
Each squad outing began with the children learning how to pick out equipment, including how to care for it and put it on.
For cross-country skiing, they were divided by their ability to work on different skills while on the trails.
“Our snowshoeing participants enjoyed the trails with a volunteer guiding them and pointing out features of the forest [such as animal tracks],” Tolley said.
It went over so well, in fact, that “Yeti Squad” likely will return next winter.
“The interest and positive feedback has encouraged us to continue with the program next winter,” Tolley remarked.
Sign-up will be in late fall or early winter, she added, so those interested can keep an eye open for news on that later this year.
“As well, volunteers are always welcome,” added Tolley. “Anyone who has cross-country skiing and/or trail and survival experience would be most welcome.
“It does not have to be a commitment for the whole season, nor do you have to be an expert,” she stressed.
In addition to the “Yeti Squad,” the Tolleys and Level 1 certified cross-country instructor and coach, Matt Chalmers, met with the club executive last month to propose an expanded junior program for next year.
“We are currently working together to bring other, more competitive cross-country skiing opportunities to the district to enhance the youth program,” noted Tolley.
This will be separate from the “Yeti Squad,” which is more casual and family-orientated, she noted.
“The club is very excited about the initiative and looking forward to supporting the junior program next year,” said Krag.
“The future of skiing in the Fort Frances area is much brighter as a result of their efforts, commitment, and enthusiasm,” he added.
Tolley can be contacted through the Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club’s Facebook group.
