Our experience started at the Bluewood office in downtown Dayton on a sunny Friday morning. Our group consisted of 10 students, grades 3 to 5, all of whom had never been skiing or snowboarding before. Most did not have adequate clothes for the experience—thus, our meeting with Bill Pogue at the Dayton office. He equipped the students with all necessary clothes and helmets from his closet of items that had been donated by generous people and businesses.
Once on the mountain, the kids were fitted with their rental gear by the Bluewood staff. Once equipped, they headed up to the lesson area. Our school staff was very impressed with the instructors, and you could see the growth happening right in front of us.
After the lesson, the students went over to the rope pull for a few minutes before lunch. Our lunch consisted of a hot dog, chips, apple and water. The students loved the hot dogs and left with bellies full, wanting to head back out.
After lunch we had about an hour left on the mountain, so all of the students went back to the rope pull. They loved it. None of them wanted to leave. It was an amazing day.
I overheard one of our fifth-grade students say in the van on the way home, “This was the best day of my life.”
We truly appreciate your program getting our students up on the mountain, and Sporthaus for providing the clothing—creating a special day for students at Nueva Esperanza Leadership Academy.
Eric Sobotta, Principal
Nueva Esperanza Leadership Academy