IMPORTANT UPDATE:  CONGRATULATIONS TO PAT’S PEAK YOUNG ADULT PATROLLER AND VALUED NEW HAMPSHIRE REGION MEMBER, ABI LENT, FOR WINNING THE EASTERN DIVISION YAP SEMINAR AND PLACING FIRST OVERALL IN THE OEC COMPETITION.  WE ARE ALL VERY PROUD OF YOU, ABI!!!!

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT UPDATE:  CONGRATULATIONS TO PAT’S PEAK YOUNG ADULT PATROLLER AND VALUED NEW HAMPSHIRE REGION MEMBER, LEXI KENDRICK, FOR WINNING THE HANS HYSON MEMORIAL AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP.  WAY TO GO, LEXI!!!!

It’s Sunday evening and I have just returned from the 2014/2015 Young Adult Patroller Seminar held at Jiminy Peak Resort in Hancock, Massachusetts.  This year, despite the fact that SATs were being held for college bound students, more than 50 Young Adult Patrollers from across the Eastern Division attended, participated and competed in this annual event.  In addition to training and competition, the event provides the student patrollers with the opportunity to network with their peers from across the Division, from Maine all the way to North Carolina.  A contingent from the New Hampshire Region attended the seminar and, while not a large group, they certainly represented the Region very well.  It is also important to note that several of our adult patrollers attended as chaperones, and we thank them for their commitment and dedication to this very important segment of our population.

As for my role in this weekend, I had the distinct honor of evaluating our fine student patrollers as they competed on the hill in Ski & Toboggan events (skiing, toboggan handling, and skills).  Despite the weather – typical New England with rain all day Saturday and snow/sleet all day Sunday – the students gave all they had to try to earn the coveted awards handed out at this evening’s closing banquet.  I have to tell you how impressed I was as not one student complained about the weather, the conditions, or what they were being asked to do – they just did it, and did it well.  In addition to the competition, there were also clinics where lesser experienced Young Adult Patrollers got to work and gain some experience and confidence in the different areas.  I am impressed at how much and how quickly they learn.

So, to the title of my article – To YAP…or not to YAP.  My question…..is your mountain YAPping or not?  If so, thank you to your commitment to the Young Adult Patrollers and the future of the National Ski Patrol.  If not, what is holding you back?  Ask anyone involved with one of these programs what it means to a young person to be given the responsibilities of a patroller, or how implementing/developing a Young Adult Patrol at your mountain can re-vitalize your patrol, and you better sit down for a while because it will be long, positive conversation.  The student patrollers are smart, motivated and energetic, and will challenge you daily to teach them something new.  If you are interested in starting a Young Adult Patroller program at your mountain, or if you have a Young Adult Patroller and would like them to get involved with other Young Adult Patrollers across the Region/Division, please feel free to contact our Regional Young Adult Program Advisor for details.

Paul Kelly

NH Region Director