Snowmass Village in Colorado is hosting its first Wild Skills Junior Ski Patrol camp for girls ages 11-17, on March 25th. The camp is being held by SheJumps, a non-profit that is aimed at serving girls and women who want to give back and share a passion for the outdoors in a partnership with Aspen Skiing Co.
Snowmass ski patroller Jen Klink wil help coordinate the different stages and stated that, “I was excited when I heard about the events SheJumps has put on in the past, I think education is for all, but I think sometimes having spaces dedicated to young women or young LGBTQ-identifying people can make more of a personal impact.”
Colorado SheJumps ambassador and Basalt event coordinator Beth Olsen added, “In the industry, we have very few women represented, and it’s a minority that needs to be changed, We have as much, if not more, to offer than men, and it’s baffling to me we don’t have more representation and professional standings in different aspects of the industry on the mountain itself.”
When attendees arrive for the vent, they will be split into two teams of eight based on their abilities. Each team will be led by a ski patroller as well as two adult volunteers. The teams will then take turns on the different stations across the mountain in order to learn a variety of skills that a ski patroller needs to keep people safe on the mountain.
Klink concluded by saying, “I hope (the camp) is an inclusive space where they can kind of let their guard down and have fun and learn in a deeper way then they possibly would in a different setting.”
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