Illinois Scouts Brave the Slopes for a Cool Merit Badge
Life Scout Paul Lehmann and his sister Ann, a Second Class Scout, stood at the top of the slope. It was Paulâs fourth time visiting Devilâs Head Ski Resort near Merrimac, Wisconsin, and he had all the confidence in the world.
âI had gone down most of the hills before,â says Paul, 14. âAll the beginner green and blue ones, and also the orange-marked terrain park. Even three of the advanced black-diamond hills.â
âBut I hadnât,â laughed Ann, 11. âIt was my first time. All I could think was, âWow, we donât have hills like this where we live in Illinois!ââ
With people waiting in line behind her, Ann jammed her right foot down to lock her ski boot in place and squinted against the glaring sun pouring down the slope. Leafless oak and aspen trees marked the left and right boundaries of the run, while a wide ribbon of pure white snow ran between them.
After some encouragement from other Scouts, Ann nodded and pushed herself out of the gate. The wind stung her face and watered her eyes, but she kept on her feet as she raced down. She was skiing!
FROM PRACTICE TO PERFORMANCE
Boys Troop 9 and girls Troop 2019, both of Champaign, Illinois, were spending the weekend at Devilâs Head to earn the Snow Sports merit badge. Many of the requirements were checked off in troop meetings before the ski trip. But before they could earn the badges, the Scouts first needed to step out into the cold.
âWe did a lot of activities to prepare for the trip,â says Makenna West, a 13-year-old Second Class Scout. âWe layered up the Scouts with all they would need to survive time in the snow. This gave them the chance to see how it felt to move around with unfamiliar gear.â
âBut itâs one thing to read about it, and another to do it!â says Daniela Stewart, a 12-year-old Tenderfoot Scout.
One of the toughest requirements was to âmake a controlled run down an intermediate slope and demonstrate short-, medium- and long-radius parallel turns, a side slip and safety stop to each side and traverse across a slope.â
âKeeping things under control when youâd never skied before wasnât easy,â 11-year-old Tenderfoot Scout Curtis Hanson says. âWe managed the turns and stops, and after I got to the bottom of the hill, all I could think was: âI want to do it again!ââ
THE VALUE OF EXPERIENCE
Skiing is a centuries-old way to travel. In the late 1800s, innovations to skiing equipment popularized downhill skiing for fun and competition, though the sport didnât catch on in the U.S. until the 1920s and 1930s. Ski resorts opened up all over the country, and now millions of people enjoy them each year. Devilâs Head has been a skiing destination for Troop 9 for the past few years.
âMost of the older guys had been there before, and they gave a lot of advice to help keep us safe,â 11-year-old Scout Addison Dyer says. âSome guys took some good tumbles. You kind of chuckled when someone fell and cheered when they got up. We rated the falls like in the Olympics. Nobody got a perfect 10, but they came close.â
Tumbles will happen — skiing requires balance and proper technique. Supporting each other during a shared experience is important, especially for those who are trying something new. Snow sports can be strenuous; you need to be physically fit.
END OF THE RUN
By dayâs end, everyone was tired but happy. Their time on the slopes wrapped up with only a few sore muscles, and they gathered at the bottom of the hill to trade jokes and stories before heading inside to roaring fires, pizza and a heated swimming pool.
Through careful preparation, solid teamwork and a dash of bravery, the Scouts finished their time at Devilâs Head.
âAnd everybody earned their Snow Sports merit badges,â Ann says. âI didnât try any of the double-black runs, but thereâs a whole lot more skiing I want to do.â
âAnd next year you can teach me a few new tricks!â Paul says.
SNOW SPORTS MERIT BADGE
Downhill skiing isnât the only winter sport you can do to earn the Snow Sports merit badge. You can also try cross-country skiing or snowboarding. For any activity, make sure you wear a helmet and stay in designated areas.
FOR YOUR SKI TRIP
Hereâs how to be ready for your own trip to the slopes.
1. Exercise. Stretch every day for 5-10 minutes. Go jogging three times a week for at least a mile. To help build those hill-climbing leg muscles, skip the elevator and take the stairs.
2. Prepare. Brush up on your first aid. Make sure at least one person in your party has a good first-aid kit and knows how to use it. Dress in layers. If you wear only one thick coat, you will become very uncomfortable. Donât forget the little things! Hand sanitizer, extra batteries and a pack of playing cards can come in handy.
3. Where to Go? There are more than 200 ski resorts in the U.S. This means wherever you live, it shouldnât be too far to get to one. Each resort has its own specialties. Some feature challenging runs, while others cater to first-timers. Pick the one that best matches your abilities and interests. Most resorts offer discounts on lift tickets, rooms and equipment rentals if you have enough people in your party. So try to take your friends!
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