By
Carol Van Dyke
The
New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) named Stowe Nordic Outing Club as
the 2004 Bill Koch League Club of the Year.
Sixty kids from 5 to 15 years old participate in Stowe Nordic Outing
Club’s Bill Koch League where they learn the lifetime sport of nordic skiing
and how to enjoy winter outdoors in the woods.
Mansfield Touring Center is the weekly venue for the Tuesday afternoon
gatherings and generously provides instructional and equipment support. Trapps graciously hosts special races and
events throughout the season. A core
group of dedicated volunteer parent/coaches is the key to the club’s popularity
and success.
SNOC
won this special recognition for the innovation in creating the Bill Koch League
Family Mini-Marathon Tour. The past two
winters on a Sunday in mid-January, ninety plus kids and family members from
all over northern Vermont set their goals to classic cross country ski on a 15K
or 25K course from Mansfield Touring Center over to the Trapp trail system and
back. Race directors are Becky McGovern, and Ed and Deb Miller. The event concept was emulated at the northeast
regional level and introduced at the New England Festival this year in
Waterville Valley.
The
goal of skiing a mega-distance – further than many kids have ever done before, with
the enticement of food stops along the way, the camaraderie of friends and family,
and the encouragement of volunteers makes this event truly a highlight of the
winter season. It is not a race, but a
feat of accomplishment. Everyone
celebrates with a chili feed at the end and commemorative cowbells are awarded to
all finishers.