Author Archives: Liz Royster-Young

Thanks to SkiDuck!

Posted on by

 

We received over 150 Seirus face masks from SkiDuck. SkiDuck is a grassroots nonprofit organization, dedicated to enriching the lives of disabled and underprivileged children by sharing the joys of skiing and snowboarding. Like Shred Love, SkiDuck is entirely volunteer-based, using all of their donations to support their ski and snowboard programs. This donation came right on time, because all of our older face masks had seen better days, lol! The face masks came in different styles: bandanas, masques, clavas, combodanas, and wind pro and all different colors. There’s a face mask to suit everyone.

Thanks again to SkiDuck, Clint of SkiDuck, and Seirus for the generous donation!

Be sure to check out their site, Facebook, and Twitter!

YMCA Camp Linwood Macdonald

Posted on by

The lake at Camp Linwood

On Sunday, August 21, I was invited to YMCA Camp Linwood Macdonald by Newark YMWCA’s CEO, Michael Bright. Michael felt Camp Linwood Macdonald would be perfect for our group since it offered outdoor activities in our off season. Located in Sandyston, New Jersey, Camp Linwood offers environmental education, team building games, and other activities, such as archery, canoeing, fishing, hiking, swimming, and a zipline that crosses a lake. Yes a zipline! Needless to say, it didn’t take much convincing that Camp Linwood was worth a visit.
When we arrived, we were given a tour around the campsite. As a snowboarder, I’m used to seeing snow covered hills and slopes, so this was definitely a switch. There were wild flowers, dragon flies, turtles (snappers!), a stocked lake, a pond with tadpoles, frogs, and more turtles, a rock climbing wall, lodging for overnight campers, the list goes on!
Because of a looming storm, we quickly had lunch so that everyone could get a turn on the zipline. On the first day of our snowboard season, we focus on courage and how it relates to snowboarding and everyday life. This day was no different. Some needed coaching to make it up the ladder, while others needed it to “jump off” and zip across the lake. But I think everyone would agree that the experience proved just how courageous we all are and how fun ziplining truly is! As Tyson would put it, “you get to zoom through the air!”.

My second go on the zipline!

After our zipline adventure, Armani Rae, Savion, and Tyson climbed the rock wall, while Jerrie and I took a hike around the camp site.
Savion was proud that he was able to conquer his fear of heights, similar to our rider Edward, and climb to the top of the wall. By the middle of the day, we were all convinced this would be a great experience for Shred Love’s participants. And if you need anymore convincing, just ask Jerrie and Armani Rae about the fire pit and the yummy smores!
We’re having a day trip to Camp Linwood on Saturday, October 29, 2011. The trip will include zipline, rock wall climbing, low rope team building activities, and smores by the fire pit. This event is open to all, however if you are only sending your kid, s/he must be at least 8 years old. For more information, please send us an email at info@shredlove.org/wordpress.
To view more pictures, click here.

Happy Birthday!!

Posted on by

 

Its our birthday!! Its our birthday, get busy!!

Today, June 27 marks our second birthday. To date, we’ve served 65 youth from New Jersey and New York, empowering them through snowboarding. Special thanks to all of our supporters, volunteers, participants and their parents for helping us reach this milestone! Who knew turning 2 would be so fun! LOL!

Fitness magazine feature

Posted on by

Our founder, Elizabeth “Liz” Royster was recently featured in the May issue of Fitness Magazine. Fitness Magazine is women’s fitness magazine that focuses on health, beauty, skin care, and success stories to motivate readers to become strong in mind, body, and spirit. The best part of Fitness magazine is that it empowers women to embrace fitness as a lifestyle, not a size and become healthy, not skinny.

We would like to thank the writer Anna Davis for the opportunity, as well as photographer Amy Postle, Marianne of The Hidden Valley Club of Vernon, NJ for letting us have the photo shoot on their slopes, and all of the participants and their parents for coming out on that bitter cold morning.

Read the article in its entirety here: Pay Fitness Forward

 

Shred Love presents Lunch & Learn!

Posted on by

On Saturday, April 9th at 12 p.m., Shred Love is offering a lunch and learn session on Life Insurance, compliments of Prudential. The event will take place at Soul Flavors, 354 Grove St, Jersey City, NJ. Seating is limited, so if you are interested, please RSVP by emailing info@shredlove.org/wordpress.

Hope to see you there!

Liz

Check out Edward & Armani Rae in the Jersey Journal!

Posted on by

Edward and Armani Rae were recently featured in the Jersey Journal for being positive teens in Jersey City. Check out the article here!

Congratulations to you both for second year participants in Shred Love, as well as being exemplary teens! Thank you Dr. Barbara Milton for the beautifully written article.

Another Great Season Comes to a Close

Posted on by

Sunday, 2/27 officially marked the end of our snowboarding season. To say it has been great, is an understatement! Over a total of 6 days (7 days if you count our photo shoot at The Hidden Valley Club), we visited 3 different mountains, served 40 students, and made a bunch of life long memories.

I would like to thank everyone for making this a huge success! With everyone’s dedication, we were able to make such a great impact on the youth’s life, as well as our own. The experience as a whole was great for both the participants and the volunteers. As we worked with the students on linking turns, safely loading and unloading the chairlift, we were able to gain a greater insight into how patience and consistency plays a role into developing solid relationships. I know that sounds like common sense, but with the fast pace of life, we sometimes forget the value in making people a priority.

It was also great reconnecting with our friends at Windham Mountain, as well as making new friends at The Hidden Valley Club, Mountain Creek and Anchor House. In addition, with the tremendous support of the instructors at the mountains, Snowboard Addiction and Aratik USA,  our group was able to take their riding to the next level. More students ventured on to the chairlift, to the top of the mountain, and in racing (snowboard cross).

Therefore, it is my pleasure to present to you our graduating class!

Congratulations Jackie!

Congratulations Armani Rae!

Congratulations Alexis!

Congratulations Taralyn!

Congratulations Elijah!

Congratulations Tyson!

Congratulations Jordan!

Congratulations Jordan!

Congratulations Savion!

Congratulations Cornelius!

Congratulations Khaliq!

Congratulations Masai!

Congratulations Brandon!

Congratulations Makhii aka 50!

Congratulations Isaiah!

Congratulations Edward!

Congratulations Julius!

Congratulations Darius!

Not pictured – Nathaniel, Isaac, Marcel, Xavier, and Malik. Congratulations!

And to the world’s best volunteers, thank you!

Thank you Shanelle!

Thank you Sarah!

Thank you Jerrie!

Congratulations Geneva!

Thank you Ming!

Thank you Mel!

Not pictured –  Rhosheema and Rob, thanks for your support!

I’m so looking forward to what next season has in store, but in the meantime, be sure to check back, as there is more to come. 😉

 

 

Super Sunday

Posted on by

We all know February 6th was Super Bowl Sunday, but for us, it was just another Super Sunday at Windham Mountain. With 21 students in tow, we were on the mountain by 10 am, ready to tackle new trails and tricks.

Harlem Shake it Up, hahahaha!

Savion, Zaakirah, and Jackie laid their first tracks down on What’s Next? and White Way. (By the way, did you know all of Windham’s trails start with a “W”?)

Savion

Zaakirah

Jackie

Mr Ollie Kid aka Khaliq showed us how its done. But Khaliq don’t get too comfortable, Armani-Rae and Alexis have been nailing ollies too! 🙂

Let's Get It!

Jerrie’s group ventured off to the K Lift for the first time.

Heeyy Ms. Jerrie!

Jordan & Nathaniel

Tyson

Makhii gave the Aratik USA board sport trainer a try and looked good doing it!

Makhii

Sunday. February 27th will wrap up our season. I have to admit, it has been the best. We’ve had a chance to meet great, new people, reconnect with old friends, serve more youth and had more time on the mountains. And with all of the fresh snow Mother Nature has dumped on us, the season as a whole has been every skier and snowboarder’s dream.

There’s a ton of pictures on our Facebook page, so go take a look. And if you aren’t already, follow us on Twitter!

Cheers,

Liz

Day 1 & Day 2 at Windham Mashup

Posted on by

Hey everyone, we are officially at the mid-point in our Learn to Ride program. Like last year, our 4 day Learn to Ride program takes place at Windham Mountain. On our first day, Sunday, 1/23, Windham celebrated 50 years of service. Check out the cool ice sculpture:

Despite the freezing temperatures, Windham gave us a warm welcome back. They were just as excited to see us, as we were them. Our eager participants wasted no time gearing up for their first lesson of the year.

For the first day, we focused on courage and how it relates to snowboarding and everyday life. Everyone shared their definition of courage and gave examples of they were courageous. Day 2, we focused on discipline.  Needless to say we got some interesting definitions for that one, lol!

Day 2 was filled with great surprises: the staff at Windham Mountain donated tons of gear to us, our first snowboard race, and Edward conquered the Green trail.

Marcel, Khaliq, Edward, & Brandon

Elijah from our Snow Monsters group came in first place.

After just learning to link turns, Elijah came in first place!

Two of our Snow Angels came in second and third.

Taralyn came in second!

Mani aka Ms. Beastin for like 5 Hours, lol!

Malik, Isaac, Alexis, Jackie, Taralyn, Makhii, Justin, and Isaiah moved up to the Willpower trail, riding the chair lift for the first time. Jerrie and Shanelle also took the plunge and gave Willpower a shot as well. I’m willing to bet Jordan and Masai will be there next Sunday as they were the last to leave the slopes.

Jordan

Malik

Isaac

Snow Angel Alexis

Justin

Be sure to check out our Facebook page to see all of the pictures from Day 1 and Day 2. Til next time!