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Tag: Healthy Hometown Ski Programs

  • L.L. Bean Donates $1 Million to MWSC For Healthy Hometowns Program

    L.L. Bean Donates $1 Million to MWSC For Healthy Hometowns Program

    L.L. Bean's CMO Steve Fuller (r) presenting Maine Winter Sports Center President Andy Shepard (l) with an engraved canoe paddle commemorating the company's donation to MWSC's Healthy Hometowns program on Tuesday morning in Freeport, Maine. Photo: L.L. Bean.

    On Tuesday morning at its headquarters in Freeport, Maine, L.L. Bean presented Maine Winter Sports Center with a $1 million commitment to its Healthy Hometowns program. The gift is part of the outdoor company’s 100th anniversary celebration, which also included a $1 million grant to the National Parks Foundation and $500,000 that has already gone towards the creation of new athletic fields in Freeport.

    The goal of all three gifts is to make enjoyment of the outdoors more accessible to everyone. With its donation to MWSC, it focuses that goal on Maine youth. The gift will be paid out annually to MWSC in $200,000 increments over the next five years, and will allow what was once a ski-oriented program that existed primarily in northern Maine’s Aroostook County to expand to the entire state, be active in all four seasons, and offer access to a multitude of outdoor sports.

    “We wanted to do something for the state of Maine, and the theme of this 100th anniversary is getting more kids outside,” said Steve Fuller, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We know Andy [Shepard, MWSC President], and we like what they’re doing in northern Maine. Anyone who has spent a little time with those folks knows they’re doing very cool things.”

    L.L. Bean has given away comparably sized donations in the past, but they are relatively few in number. This grant will rank up among the highest the company has ever given, said Fuller.

    Shepard, who worked in product development at L.L. Bean before leading MWCS, expressed enthusiasm for the coming partnership between the company and his organization.

    “L.L. Bean is respected around the globe for their 100-year commitment to their customers and the state of Maine,” he said. “They probably have one of the strongest brand reputations in the world, and for Maine Winter Sports Center to be associated with that now is an extreme honor.”

    The Healthy Hometowns Ski Program began 13 years ago with the inception of MWSC. It represents the community development component of an organization that also has a competitive ski program and owns several ski areas throughout northern and western Maine.

    Healthy Hometowns operates on a model of educating volunteer organizations across the state to be able to sustain their own outdoor programs, with the aim that that empowerment translates into leadership in other areas within the community from both its ambassadors and its youth participants. The program has received awards in recognition of its efforts from both the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and the International Ski Federation.

    As of this year, Healthy Hometowns had reached 106 communities throughout Maine. With L.L. Bean’s donation, the hope is to quadruple that reach.

    “Four years ago we started the process of developing outing clubs instead of just ski clubs,” said Shepard. “We had outdoor leadership programs, and canoe and kayak trips in the spring, summer, and fall. But really our limitation was: we didn’t have any gear. We had to find communities that could round up gear from friends and family.”

    “Now, the outreach can be more strategic, larger scale, and accessible to every kid in the state of Maine.”

    The partnership between L.L. Bean and MWSC to push for an increase in the accessibility of outdoor sports for Maine youth is in response to the state childhood obesity rate, which has worsened along with the nationwide rate in recent years.

    “Maine’s a great place, but the health statistics aren’t great,” said Fuller. “This project goes towards something that is near and dear to the entire state.”

    Shepard expanded on that notion: by introducing kids to an active lifestyle, you not only create a healthier population — you prepare those kids for success later in life.

    MWSC’s competitive program and its race venues throughout Maine play a role in that overall vision alongside Healthy Hometowns.

    “The competitive program assumes that when you have thousands of kids on skis or mountain biking, inevitably those kids will want to see who’s fastest,” said Shepard. “We believe in a commitment to excellence, setting high goals, going about accomplishing those goals, and holding yourself accountable for the results.

    “Those are the same attributes required for success in life, and that’s what we’re trying to prepare these kids for.”

     

  • Maine Winter Sports Center Reorganizes Staff

    Will Sweetser and Mike Smith named Division Heads. David Chamberlain joins staff.

    Caribou, Maine The Maine Winter Sport Center (MWSC) is restructuring its leadership to align with its programming priorities. The Caribou-based organization has split its curriculum into two divisions— Competitive Programs and the Healthy Hometowns Program.
    Will Sweetser, the current Director of Cross Country Development, will head the new Competition division, and will be responsible for ensuring a consistency of philosophy across all programs, while making sure no athletes fall through the cracks.
    Sweetser, a Maine native and graduate of Dartmouth College, brings with him 11 years of experience within the MWSC. During his tenure, Sweetser has coached every level of programming for the center—experience and perspective that will enable him to ensure a seamless transition for athletes in both the biathlon and cross-country programs. The new director takes over a program that has placed 10 athletes on the past two winter Olympic teams, representing both the United States and New Zealand.
    “Will is internationally respected for his broad knowledge as a coach,” said Andy Shepard, President of the MWSC. “That experience, and his intelligent, creative approach to programming, will lend themselves very well to our goal of being the premiere training site for elite nordic athletes in the US.”
    Mike Smith, a Presque Isle native and University of Maine graduate, is currently responsible for the MWSC’s community development efforts, which include the award winning Healthy Hometowns Program. Smith brings an impressive resume to his new responsibilities, having been actively involved in outdoor leadership and education for the past 11 years. Smith’s training and experience leading kayak expeditions around the world as a guide and outdoor educator, along with the passion he brings to introducing kids to the outdoors, makes him an ideal candidate for this new leadership position. Beyond nordic ski instruction and coaching, Smith’s background in the outdoors includes work as a registered Maine guide, leading four-season wilderness trips, backpacking, mountaineering, canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking.  He has also led whitewater kayak trips and instruction in Maine, the Carolinas and Central America.
    Smith’s promotion is a reflection of the MWSC’s commitment to transitioning the state’s Healthy Hometown ski programs into year-round Outing clubs. ”In order for a child to embrace the healthy, active, outdoor lifestyle we are promoting,” said Shepard, “they need to see a commitment on our part to being in their lives year-round. We are really blessed to have someone with Mike’s unique skills and energy to lead that effort statewide.”
    The MWSC is also announcing the addition of David Chamberlain to the staff as the new Youth Development Coach. “I feel honored to be able to add David to our staff,” said Shepard. “The athletes are very fortunate to have someone of his experience to help them find their way.” “David has been a remarkable role model, carrying himself with such dignity and humility—our Development athletes will be learning from the best.”
    The Bates College graduate, and former US Ski Team member, has seen athletic success at every level of competitive skiing. Chamberlain’s impressive list of achievements includes two Maine Class A state ski championships, two NCAA All American honors, two FIS Super Tour titles and being a three-time member of the US World Championship Team. Chamberlain, who retired as a full time athlete last spring, brings a fun loving nature and world-class experience to his new position.
    The Maine Winter Sports Center is a non-profit economic development company, that exists with annual grants from the Portland-based Libra Foundation. To learn more visit www.mainewsc.org.