Family Day at Camelback

Posted on 01/03/2012 by Liz Royster-Young

Happy New Year!

Even though Mother Nature has yet to bless us with any snow this winter, the cold temps allowed many resorts to make snow and open (thank goodness!). So instead of just reading our blog about how fun snowboarding is, why not give it a shot yourself? Remember that New Year resolution you made to “try something new”? Well here’s your chance to try snowboarding and possibly fall in love with it. Not convinced you can fall in love with snowboarding on first try? Just ask our volunteer and board member, Mel.

New for 2012, Shred Love is hosting Family Day at Camelback Mountain. Mom and Dad, this is the perfect opportunity to prove to your kid that you still got it. 😉 Strap in, take a lesson, and then show these youngins what you got. Also, that evening from 5-9pm, Nike is hosting its Chosen Rail Jam at Camelback’s Sunbowl. Watch snowboarders compete for $3000 and Nike swag. Remember what it felt like watching the Olympics on tv? Well this time experience it first hand, for free. The Sunbowl is easily accessed by non-skiers and snowboarders, even more reason to come out and enjoy a day on the slopes.

Since this event is open to everyone, no transportation will be provided by Shred Love. We will provide gloves and snow pants to participating youth first and then adults as permitted. If you will need gear for your child(ren), please email us at info@shredlove.org/wordpress. Gear is limited and will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Payment is due Wednesday, January 11, 2012. We will meet at the Camelback Lodge Group Sales Desk at 9am. Lift tickets and rental vouchers will be distributed then.

Packages available:

First time ski/snowboard packages – lesson, lift ticket (restricted to beginner access lifts), and rental gear: $58
All area ski/ride packages – lift ticket and rental gear: $75
Open – close lift tickets: $38
Helmets (mandatory by NJ law): $10.75
Wrist guards (optional): $5.25

Hope to see you there!

Liz

First time for everything

Posted on 11/21/2011 by Liz Royster-Young

After visiting Camp Linwood in August, Jerrie, Armani Rae and I were excited to plan a trip for our group to visit. We had set a date in October with the hopes of giving our group something active yet fun to do for Halloween. Everything was set, we were going to Camp Linwood on Saturday, October 29, for some zipline fun, rock wall climbing, low rope team building challenges, and smores by the fire pit. Then Mother Nature happened – it snowed! Camp Linwood got close to 14 inches of snow. Yeah, as a snowboarder, we should be jumping for joy, but its October! That marked the first time a Shred Love event had to be rescheduled.

Take two: Saturday, November 5th offered us the perfect conditions to take advantage of everything Camp Linwood had to offer – ziplines, rock wall climbing, low rope team building, smores, laughs, cheers of trumphet, and great people.

Yeah, your eyes are deceiving you, he ziplined upside down! Be sure to check out our Youtube channel to see the rest of the videos. Don’t forget to subscribe!

The biggest challenge was the rock wall climbing. Ask anyone, this wasn’t as easy as it looked.

Well some did the rock wall climbing, others enjoyed the playground. And believe it or not, there several kids there that had never seen a tire swing.

We finished the end of the day off with low rope team building challenges and smores. You can find the rest of the videos and pictures on our Facebook page. And if you haven’t already, add us as a friend.

We’re currently lining up some interesting events for the upcoming season. In addition to our Learn to Ride program at Windham Mountain, we’re going snowshoeing as a part of the 17th Annual Winter Trails, joining the fight against breast cancer, and having a Family Day at Hidden Valley Club. Here’s to another great year with Shred Love! Join our newsletter and take part in some of the fun we have lined up.

Thanks to SkiDuck!

Posted on 09/10/2011 by Liz Royster-Young

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 09/10/2011 by Liz Royster-Young

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 06/27/2011 by Liz Royster-Young

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!

Action Sports Now!

Posted on 06/27/2011 by Liz Royster-Young

Click here to read our interview on Action Sports Now!

Fitness magazine feature

Posted on 06/27/2011 by Liz Royster-Young

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 03/28/2011 by Liz Royster-Young

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 03/28/2011 by Liz Royster-Young

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 03/09/2011 by Liz Royster-Young

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!