Camelback offers free season passes to disadvantaged kids in new program
Camelback Resort is teaming up with New Jersey-based organization to improve underserved children's lives with outdoor activities.
On Tuesday, the Poconos resort announced a new joint venture between their Camelback Cares program and the youth-oriented Winter4Kids group to "introduce youth from a variety of socio-economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds to the wonders of winter sports while promoting healthy lifestyles."
Camelback Cares will allow graduates of Winter4Kids — which focuses on providing for underserved children and introducing them to winter and summer activities — to receive three seasons of complimentary passes to Camelback Resort, in addition to other opportunities and family activities supported by each group at the resort.
“We are keenly focused on making winter sports welcoming, accessible and inclusive and are thrilled to offer youngsters this unique opportunity to enjoy the exhilaration and physical benefits of outdoor winter activities,” Camelback's Vice President of Facilities, Tim Bayer, said. “Through this partnership, our goal is to help broaden engagement with skiing and snowboarding – helping all kids develop a lifelong love of winter sports by providing easier sustainable access to the slopes.”
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Camelback Cares originally launched during the pandemic as a means to "recognize, show appreciation for, aid and boost the spirits of valued people on the frontline and its own employees during a dangerous and stressful time" but has since grown to include giving back to the community in a broader sense.
Winter4Kids, which is located on the National Winter Activity Center campus in Vernon, New Jersey, has aimed to offer healthy meals, equipment, mentoring and progressive learning to children by utilizing winter and summer activities for those who normally lack access to such opportunities.
In 2015, the organization acquired their dormant facility and transformed it into a "sacred space" featuring opportunities for kids to engage in Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. The activity center now boasts "state-of-the-art snow making, grooming and lifts" that cater exclusively to the youth.
Since its inception, the program has helped over 10,000 children with "a multi-session, multi-year program of experiential learning, healthy meals, equipment, clothing and mentoring," and aims to assist tens of thousands more over the course of the next few years.
“With a culture and environment that is welcoming, embracing, empathetic and belonging, this partnership with Camelback Resort uniquely furthers the sustainable journey we steer from first time to lifetime enthusiast, while bridging the gaps of economics, access and availability for kids," Winter4Kids CEO and President Schone Malliet said.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Camelback to offer free season passes to disadvantaged youth
