by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Ten fifth- and sixth-grade students at Kennedy Community School participated in a Joetown ski camp from 2-4 p.m. Jan. 25-29.
Instructors Molly Weyrens and Dave Johnson held the camp to try to get more students interested in cross-country skiing. Weyrens and Johnson coached together at Apollo and Cathedral High School. Johnson was also a ski coach at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University.
Weyrens said she noticed there weren’t a lot of students interested in the sport of cross-country skiing.
“Mainly, it had to do with lack of access,” she said. “Cross-country skiing involves special equipment and not knowing much about the sport can be overwhelming. While I was at Kennedy one day I looked out the window and saw they had a whole lot of space. They could ski all over.”
Weyrens discovered the Minnesota Youth Ski League had a trailer full of cross-country skis for non-profits to use.
“We reserved the dates and Voila! a ski camp was born,” Weyrens said.
She said Kennedy physical education teacher Barb Gabler was great and fun to work with.
During the camp, Weyrens and Johnson tried to keep things fun and introduce the students to a great activity they can do for the rest of their lives.
Students who participated commented on what they liked about the camp.
“I like falling down,” Carter Bates said
“Once you fall down you get up and try again,” Nikki Swenson said.
“If you’re a beginner, it really helps you learn how to ski,” Devon Meyer said.
“I like the opportunity we had with all those skis,” Emma Bergwall said.
Johnson’s favorite part of the camp was skiing down Mount Kennedy, a hill which is about 6 feet high.
“Getting 4 inches of snow the first day put a huge smile on everyone’s faces,” Weyrens said. “It’s a great group and I hope we can grow it next year. We started with fifth- and sixth-grade so they could continue on to the high school team as they reach seventh-grade.”
Lindsey Zimmer practices her cross-country skiing skills during the Joetown ski camp held at Kennedy Community School Jan. 25-29.
Kennedy Community School students Liam Zenner (left) and Jordan Wilson participate in the Joetown ski camp Jan. 25-29.
Fifth- and sixth-grade students at Kennedy Community School participated in a Joetown ski camp Jan. 25-29. The group included (front row, left to right) Emma Bergwall, Carter Bates, Jack Koenig, Devon Meyer and Jordan Wilson; (back row) Coach Dave Johnson, Bethany Knoppy, Lindsey Zimmer, Nikki Swenson, Gray Drontle, Liam Zenner and Coach Molly Weyrens.
Joetown ski camp instructor Dave Johnson lines up Kennedy fifth- and sixth-grade students for a drill.
