We’re Rolling!

It’s happening! For a short while I really thought that we may not be able to say that.

I can’t tell you the number of times I heard the phrase “That sounds like a great idea and a needed service but we just can’t cover it.” It really seemed hopeless at times. We’re a brand new organization with some big dreams and we just don’t have the track record to insure some of these big exposures.

But, as is often the case, just as we were about to give up and compromise on some of our plans, we found a company willing to take us on and give us the insurance coverage that we need to operate within our local school district. The only exclusion within that policy is that they don’t cover skiing.

So, why is our website covered in photos and videos of kids on skis? Well, we’re pretty creative you see. We partnered up with SASD to revive the high school ski club! Movement provides the transportation, help with ski gear for anyone who needs, and a scholarship fund. The school hosts the event. It’s a perfect work around!

This year we’ve had between 10 and 12 students join up with us to ski on 5 different trips to Hidden Valley. Some of them work at the resort and have a season pass but are looking for some pals to go ride with. Some need a ride up to the resort. Others, were able to take advantage of our scholarship fund and as a result are able to get out on the slopes for the first time ever! It’s a varied crew and I think that validates our vision.

You see financial barriers certainly exist in our community. But so does a lack of outdoor community, lack of skill/gear, and a lack of knowledge about the variety of opportunities right here in our back yard. That’s why it’s so cool for me to sit in the drivers seat and look back in the mirror at kids who are all benefiting from the work of Movement in a different way. So whether you’re feeling isolated, lack the financial resources, or just never had a chance to give it a try, the outdoors are the great equalizer and Movement hopes to help bridge the gap.

Some folks are really gifted with patience and an organizational mindset and they thrive in working out the puzzles of finance, fundraising, paperwork etc. That just isn’t my specialty. I love getting my hands dirty, hanging out with kids, fixing bikes, hosing mud off of vehicles and backpacks, editing photos of our kiddos having a blast. It’s been such a joy to finally be able to step away from the paperwork and step into the chaos of outdoor activity.

So, what’s next? We’re eagerly awaiting what appears to be our first and final snowstorm of the year. If that happens this weekend we’ll be setting up a snowshoeing event for our students. And if not, we’ll be loading them up next week to hit the climbing gym in Pittsburgh! As soon as the weather breaks and the trails dry out we expect to be headed out on some biking trips and will be offering a number of hiking opportunities as well!

Unfortunately, our trusty van Sally has taken her last trip. Her 225,000 mile engine let loose on our last ski trip. We did manage to limp our way home! While it’s sad to say goodbye to Sally, we’re feeling so fortunate for a great connection with SASD and McIlwain School Bus Lines. With some divine intervention I got my CDL 2 days prior to Sally’s demise. McIlwain is providing us with a fantastic price to use a school bus on our outdoor adventures and our friends here in the community have offered up their pickup trucks and trailers to help us haul gear to the trailhead when we need to. What an awesome provision in what would otherwise be a tricky situation.

Our dear friend Sally

We do hope to replace Sally someday. That will have to come after some focused fundraising efforts and perhaps a cool down of the used vehicle market. Now that we’re up and running we’ve started to make plans to fund Movement into the future. We expect to be seeking out grant opportunities partnerships with local organizations, and help from folks like you.

As always, if you’d like to support Movement you can do so through the “donate now” link on our website or you can mail a donation to us at PO Box 851 Somerset, PA 15501. All gifts are tax deductible and we’d be so grateful for your support.

The future is looking bright my friends! Thanks for helping us get this far.

Spencer Brougher

Director