Tag Archives: youth

Thanks Up2Us, MetLife Stadium & NY Jets!

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Jets Blog Post

On August 7, 2014, 11 Shred Love participants received bikes, helmets and tickets to the New York Jets  pre-season game against the Colts at MetLife Stadium. We were selected by Up2Us for this opportunity. Up2Us is a leader in the sports-based youth development movement. We’ve partnered with Up2Us on several events and opportunities in the past, including the recent Dick’s Sporting Goods – Sports Matter Initiative and were extremely excited about this opportunity as well. We typically offer mountain biking through JORBA – Trips for Kids  during the spring and summer seasons and felt this was perfect to offer to the students that typically partake in our mountain biking outings.

On behalf of the students that attended, along with their parents, myself and Shred Love, I would like to extend a special thanks to Up2Us, Christine from Up2Us, MetLife Stadium, and last but not least, the New York Jets. We had a great time! Thank you for helping us impact youth through sports!

P.S. Bear with us as we redesign our site!

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Believe Again 2013

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In honor of Throwback Thursday, #tbt, here are the photos from the Ciccone Theatre gala, which was held on Saturday, May 4, 2013. The Dance Theatre of Harlem performed and after their performance met with our group and answered some of our questions. Special thanks to Joyce Becker of Bergen Community College for making this a reality for us!

 

Shred Love 2014

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Happy New Year everyone! We hope everyone has enjoyed the holidays and is now ready to get some riding in. Why? Because Shred Love’s 2014 Learn to Ride session kicks off this month! Our dates this year are Sundays: January 26th, February 2nd, and February 9th. Due to the Super Bowl being held in New Jersey this year (blah!), we have to schedule an alternative event. Some of the board members have suggested bowling or ice skating, however we would like to you hear from our riders and their parents/guardians, before we finalize our plans for 2/2/2014. What would you like to do? The event must be local and be completed by 4pm.

Our Learn to Ride program is the same as every year. Students do not need to know how to snowboard to register, but must commit to attending all of our dates. Shred Love is open to girls and boys, ages 8 – 18 years old. All participants must bring lunch or money to buy their lunch at Windham Mountain. A slice of pizza and juice is approximately $10.

Parents will receive a text message when we are approximately an hour away from our pickup/drop-off location. Parents, please be prompt will picking up students!

Our Learn to Ride program is free to our participants. We only ask that you consider making a donation to help cover the costs to run this program. Transportation costs alone for each participant is $112. Donations of prepackaged snacks, breakfast foods, juices, water, napkins, and monetary donations are greatly appreciated (and tax deductible!).

If you would like to volunteer for any of our outings, please send us an email at volunteer@shredlove.org/wordpress.

 

Shred Love’s 2014 Learn to Ride Program

Sundays: January 26 and February 9, 2014 at Windham Mountain

Pickup/Drop-off Location: W33rd St & Broadway, Bayonne, NJ

Drop off – 6am

Return – 7pm

All participants will receive snowboard pants, gloves, face masks, goggles, lift tickets, and rental equipment (snowboard and boots). All lessons are instructed by Windham Mountain’s instructors. Permission slips will be emailed on Wednesday, 1/22 and must be signed prior to student boarding the bus. Students must bring lunch or buy lunch at the mountain.

Click here to register now! Use session number 2206 and select Shred Love as your youth agency.

Please feel free to email me at eroyster@shredlove.org/wordpress with any questions and/or concerns you may have.

See you on the slopes!

Liz

Fallen Leader – Day 2

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Master of the Shred Love Temple:  Grasshopper, time has come for you to lead. You must spread your wings and fly.

The Apprentice Grasshopper:  Master I’m not ready, I’m not worthy.  There are still too many questions for which I seek answers.

Master of the Shred Love Temple:  You MUST answer the call.  In life, you must step out on faith.  You only have to believe in yourself. Follow your instincts. In you, lie all the answers you will need.

The Apprentice Grasshopper: I will try my best Master.

Master of the Shred Love Temple:  Do not try, simply do.

For the first time in Shred Love history, our fearless leader Ms. Elizabeth Royster had to miss an event (hey, family comes first as Savion was sick). She entrusted the success of the outing to her team of me, Geneva and Jerrie.  To compound the challenge, Shred Love hosted the Urban Girl Squad, who signed on as volunteers for the day.

Want more challenges?  We were meeting two new volunteers –Rozalyn and Shay for the first time.  Add to that, some guy named Old Man Winter started succumbing to the harsh effects of the dreaded flu.  However, failure was not an option.

Once arriving to the mountain, we were reunited for the first time this season, with our favorite Park Rat Volunteers Gio and Deondre along with the leader of Shred Love’s “the Ready Betties squad”, Michelle. The day moved along smoothly with no major hiccups as the Urban Girl Squad – Clare, Hannah, Charisse, Jamie, and Sue were on the training hill with the other first timers including Charisma, Bria and Adriana.  With Trey rolling in the mini park with Gio and Deondre.

Michelle riding with the “Regular Betties – Jackie, Armani Rae, Kayla, Alexis up the mountain.

Shay with Brandon’s crew of – Khaliq, Edward, Darius and Julius running the mountain, Jerrie and Rozalyn rounding out the rest of the Shred Love Team on the small chairlift slope (someday I’m going to remember the name of that trail). The day went along smoother than expected.

With Old Man Winter being completely under the weather, who could have asked for more?

The Urban Girl Squad – after a challenging morning and a better afternoon, enjoyed themselves.

As for the kids of Shred Love, they ALWAYS have a great time on the mountain.

As for our fearless and omnipresent leader, Liz, she can now find comfort in the fact that she has a competent team in the event of her absence.  Special thanks to ALL for making this event a success!

Master of the Shred Love Temple:  Grasshopper, you’ve done well.
The Apprentice Grasshopper:  Thank you, your Excellency.

Old Man Winter
(Heading for the Tamiflu)


Shred Love – Learn to Ride 2013

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Winter, oh glorious winter. Happy Holidays, hot apple cider, chocolate covered waffles and snow covered wonderlands (did I mention salted-caramel hot chocolate?).  And in the still of ANY starry, winter night, if you close your eyes and listen closely, you can hear it calling ever so faintly, echoing off of the falling snowflakes.  Can you hear it? Can you hear the mountain calling, summoning all snowboards from their year-long hibernation? The time is upon us. It’s Go Time! Queue the music.

SHRED LOVE SEASON HAS RETURNED!

Sunday of President’s Day weekend (also the busiest weekend of the winter season, I may add… never seen so many riders and skiers on the mountain), Shred Love kicked off its Winter Snowboard program returning to wonderful Windham Mountain.  Under the superb driving skills of our bus driver Mr. Mike, we arrived on time to be embraced by a reunion of old friends and familiar faces, as well as, a few new soon-to-be old friends, as we ushered in the new season.

Returning Shred Love alumni Armani Rae, Brandon, Edward, and Jaden stepped up this season as Student Volunteers, helping with administrative tasks and team leadership on the mountain.   In addition, we had our other returning Shred Love veterans proving that they didn’t lose a step, or rather shred, since last season.  Nearly all returning Shred Love students were either riding on the small chair lift or further up the mountain – how’s THAT for progression!!!!

Then we have the beginners. Oh yes, the beginners, the fearless first timers, the noble novices, the rookie riders of the mountain range (hey – I can go on all day) – Tahjan, Charisma, DJ, William, Bria and Eric dared to strap up and drop in on lessons with Marcia’s team of instructors. By the end of the lessons, all were progressing quite well.

Awesome powder, mild temperatures, and brilliant sunshine characterized the day. In the end, it was a beautiful day for all.  Can’t wait until next week!

Old Man Winter aka Mel

Ped(al) Lovin’ So Nice, Had to Do it Twice

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Ped(al) Lovin’ So Nice, Had to Do it Twice

Big Momma Nature, she can be such a temperamental jokester when she wants to be, but she’s really a nice lady (hey, I may need a favor some day, better stay on her good side). Saturday came and so did the rain, along with the threat of thunder, lightening and tornadoes. As ominous clouds dimmed the day, I looked to the sky and screamed, “Really Mother Nature, really? You knoooooow we’ve been waiting all week for this and you go and pull a stunt like this! I mean REALLY?”. She laughed, parted the darken skies, and smiled sunshine. It was all was good. Let the fun begin!!!!

The Shred Love crew, traveling from points north and south of New Jersey, met up with the wonderful riders from Jersey Off Road Biker Association (JORBA) at Allaire Park in Farmingdale, NJ. Rick, Mike, Frank, “the Other Joe” along with Lucy and Juliann took the Shred Love crew on another spectacular mountain biking adventure.

Preparation is always key for any challenge in life and mountain biking is no exception. Prior to hitting the trails, JOBRA fitted each Shred Love participant with a helmet, water bottle and most importantly a bike. These were no Wal-Mart specials, oh no, these were certified trail tamers: Trek, Giant, Fox, and Cannondale. Frank from JOBRA, ran the team through a series of cone drills to help us get use to taking sharp turns, as well as a lesson in gear management. Once he felt we were ready (and after he got a few more wheelies in), we hit the trail!

The returning Shred Love “vets”, Armani Rae, Jackie, Liz, Savion and of course yours truly, were joined (but not to be out done) by Shred Love Snowboard Alum, Tyson, Wyheem, Jennifer, Jaden, Kayla, and Trey. Also joining the team were new Shred Love teamsters Assemblyman Charles Mainor and his son CJ.

This time around, the terrain was different from the previous trip, but no less challenging. Whereas both parks had their fair share of uphill and downhill climbs, tree limbs, and muddy puddles, Allaire added a new element: sand. The sand, in addition to puddles of water and mud, added an unsuspecting degree difficulty on various turns.

Kayla and Trey, the youngest of the crew, held their own handling the up and down hill climbs, muddy puddles and deep sand. Jaden, being the natural born leader that he is, assisted “the Other Joe” in guiding the team through the rough twisting terrain. Armani Rae and Jackie kept the crew informed of upcoming obstacles along the trail with shouts of: “Lots of Water”, “Muddy Puddles” “Big Limb” “Right Turn”. And even with all of those announcements, we still ended up covered with mud. Charles showed his super human strength by single handedly (with the help of Rick, Wyheem, Mel and Joe) moving a large tree that had fallen across the trail. Way to go Charles!!!!

Reminiscent of going off trail in snowboarding, Rick led Wyheem (an experienced rider) for quick off-trail hits. Not be shown up, Charles followed right on their heels or is that tires. First time rider CJ gave it his all, if he fell, he jumped right back up and got going. By the second time out, he was hard to keep up with.

 

Tyson, the charming teddy bear of Shred Love, ended up getting a personalized trail tour by Frank and Juliann. They rode with him on trails that challenged his skill set. Like always, he conquered the mission.

Now in the woods, if you’re real quiet, I mean like a whisper, you may hear the strangest thing like, “CHEESEBURGER” and then it echoes throughout the woods. Mike explained that it’s the term used when a team of riders stop to take a break or wait for someone who may have fallen behind. When the team is ready to ride, someone shouts out “Cheeseburger” again to let the leader know to “get moving’.

 

After a much needed lunch (great sandwiches, but no cheeseburgers) to replenish our energy supply, we hit the trail again. This time around, the JORBA crew set out to really test our mantle. This time some of the trails went from sharp sandy turns straight into rocky tree limb climbs, only to be followed by twisting downhill turns. WHAT A RUSH!!!! However, all too soon, Mother Nature woke from her nap and gave us all just enough time to get home safely before she exploded the sky.

 

Shred Love would like to thank JORBA, the Trips for Kids program and Clint of Ski Duck for such an incredible opportunity. We had a BLAST. Can’t wait to do it again…. Can you say, Cheeseburger!!!!! ~ Old Man Winter

The Day Shred Love Transformed into Ped(al) Love

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Sunday, August 12, 2012 – The day Shred Love transformed into Ped Love, pedal love that is.

Put me on a snow covered mountain with my Never Summer snowboard and I’ll meet you at the bottom. I may even do a few butters and ollies along the way, however, put me on a mountain on a summer day, atop of a mountain bike, and let’s just say the outcome is not so assured.


Last Sunday a group of participants from Shred Love set out to conquer a new and different type of mountain experience, one that didn’t require snow. Shred Love met up with the Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association (JORBA) in Tourne County Park in Booton, NJ, for an exciting lesson in mountain biking. JORBA designed and regularly maintains the trails that we rode that day.

Armed with bikes, helmets, and mountain biking safety rules from JORBA, away we went to conquer our first trail. The White Trail was challenging with all of its bumps, tree roots, stumps, rocks, trekking through mud, over bridges, uphill climbs and downhill cruises. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!

After a hearty lunch, we broke into groups: those who wanted to master the White Trail and those that want a bigger challenge, the Purple Trail. To put this in perspective, if this were snowboarding; the purple trail would be equivalent to a hard blue trail.



I was part of the latter group which consisted of Isaiah, Liz, Edward and I with JOBRA experts Slow Joe and Rick guiding and coaching us along. We began the ride climbing a steep hill before venturing into the woods for an additional uphill climb. This is where the fun began! Downhill runs over bumps and rocks, 90 degree turns, tough climbs, and navigating nature’s natural obstacle course.

The White Trail team, led by teen volunteer Armani Rae, consisted of Jackie, Savion and Shred Love new comer Genesis, with the JOBRA crew of Frank, Michael and Jim, keeping the team motivated. The field report from the White Trail Squad is that all the things that had seemed challenging during the first run, turned out to be a piece of cake during the second time around. The second time, the team was able to take in the beautiful scenery of lily pads, frogs, birds, along the lake.

In the end, we came, we saw, we conquered!

Special thanks to Rick, Frank, Michael, Jim, and Slow Joe of JORBA, Trips for Kids, Clint of SkiDuck, Omenel, and parents! Can’t wait to do it again on September 8th at Allaire State Park!!! If you would like to attend, contact us at info@shredlove.org/wordpress.

Please note participants must be at least 12 years old and can ride a bike to participate.

signed,
Old Man Winter

P.S. Check out our Facebook page for more pictures.

The Kids’ Concerns Show

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Shred Love visits Disney Radio!

Shred Love will be featured on The Kids’ Concerns Show with Matt Wilder on the Radio Disney show on Sunday, July 22 at 6am! Tune into Radio Disney AM1560 or if you have XM satellite, Radio Disney 79 to hear our first radio interview.

Special thanks to Matt Wilder for inviting us, we greatly appreciate the opportunity! Big thanks to Jennifer of Disney!