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For the past 5 years we have had a winter camporee at or close to a local ski area. The Ski ARea gives scouts lift and rental for 20.00. They also have free lessons from beginner to advanced for Downhill,Nordic and Snowboard and offer snow sports MB in the afternoon. ALthough this is our district event we open it to all scouts that are interested. We are close to Pittsburgh,Pa. and Morgantown WV and we get troops from both of those areas. Plus Venture Crews and Girl Scout Troops. This past winter we had over 300 attend.

Skiing? Isn't that something you do on water? What's snow?

But seriously folks, snow skiing for a camporee sounds like a great time if you are in a location that can handle it. Imagine working on winter survival skills too. Sitting around a campfire sipping on hot cocoa and eating s'mores, AHHH... Sounds like a fantastic idea to make the program better.

Venture crews have a skiing weekend caleed Winter Fest at Gatlinburg, TN, I believe it's Jan30-Feb 1, 2005 this season. Everyone I've spoken to has a great time there.

Our beaches here are as white as snow, and that's about the best we can do here.

B2

At our council winter camporees each patrol builds a wooden sled and packs their gear on it and pushes, pulls, drags (well you get the idea) the sled through the competition.... it's ton of fun! even when there is no snow!

Does anyone here know much about snowboarding? I'm thinking about taking #1 son away for the weekend, and am sure he could master the downhill skiing requirements under my instruction. Not so sure about the snowboarding. Are these skills something he could learn in 3 days?

If your son is a decent skier he would pick up SB rather vquickly.
That being said there are different techniques that do take time to learn. ALso pick up a set of wrist guards like you use to rlooer blade as snowboarders have a tendany to break wrist. Skiers mess up knees.
Several years ago I sponsored a ski club at a Junior High SChool. My injury rate with skiers was almost nil. But SB usually one taken off the slope in a stretcher each trip. Several Broken Wrist a broken Collar Bone and at least two consussions.

TY. He doesn't ski, but is athletic. I will heed your safety warning! Much appreciated. ~AN

I have found that a quick 30 minute lesson or so with a professional at the resort is well worth the money spent.

Even for semi- experienced skiers and snowboarders, it serves as a good refresher.

Have Fun,
Chief J

Chief J is exactly right, a quick lesson never hurts.

As a patroller in the National Ski Patrol, I ski/patrol 50 days a season but I still go through Con.Ed. classes every week to always continue advancing my skiing ability. A lesson no matter how good you are is always a PLUS.

Also, with regards to taking your troop/group skiing or snowboarding at a Ski Resort stop in at the Ski Patrol Station and ask them if they can do a safety talk with your group.

Wagionvigil, you make a great suggestion. If you are snowboarding, please wear a helmet and wrist guards. Wrist guards will prevent the hassle of a trip to the hospital, paperwork, and a lot of pain. Every week I work on dozens of snowboarders with wrist injuries.

Helmets should be required, but unfortunately they are not. Please insist your group members wear one. At most areas you can rent helmets.

If you are taking your group/troop skiing or snowboarding and have any questions at all please don't hesitate to send me an e-mail.

Good info. -- and timely, too! My youngest daughter is going SB in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the tips.

RW get her wrist braces like you use to roller blade! Wal Mart etc have them

I have another pad suggestion

when my dad started, he got a but bad and since snowborders fall ALOT ( when they are begining) he said it helped alot

http://www.airgear.com/buttshield/index.php lol

We are leaving Friday night to head to a ski resort where we will complete the MB.

New Requirement unde G2SS as of August 2009

3.Appropriate personal protective equipment is required for all activities. This includes the recommended use of helmets for all participants engaged in winter sports such as sledding and other sliding devices. The use of helmets is required for the following activities: downhill skiing, snowboarding and operation of snowmobiles (full face helmets).

Interesting that a helmut is only RECOMMENDED for sledding and REQUIRED for downhill.

So I think I will try the Luge, Skeleton and Bob Sledding without a helmut. Afterall, they are only recommended.

Not approved actvities

Curious...what's the date for the 2009-2010 event?

THANKS

Wagion, we're in the middle of snowboarding (4 hours of lessons so far; 4 hours of lessons to go). According to our instructor, the BSA requirement couldn't have been written by someone who actually snowboards . Only some of our boys will be able to earn the badge [mostly the older ones who have skiing or wakeboarding experience]. So we will be back up in the fall.

Turns out that the head snowboarder is an Eagle Scout, and one of the top ski instructors is a DE and former SM. They want to get something going, but aren't sure how. Can you tell me which ski area and provide a contact, if possible?

We are in SW PA and we have been doing this at Mytic Mountain which is part of Nemacolin Woodlands resort. Greater Pittsburgh Council also uses this for theirs