After the long drive to Blue Knob, I was excited to see what it was for. It was definitely worth the drive. I had expected a small group, maybe four or five at the most, what I found was ten awesome patrollers. Going into this whole experience for the first time, I was apprehensive about the program. I didn’t expect that I would have as much fun as I did at both of the Yap events this year.
My first experience with the YAP program was at Blue Knob ski resort. I was excited to meet everybody, and practice some patroller skills. I came late to the party due to previous obligations, but was warmly welcomed upon arrival. That weekend opened my eyes to a different world of patrolling. At my home mountain, Seven Springs, there may be a total of four patrollers under twenty. At the YAP event everybody was under eighteen. It was really cool to be able to talk to people that are like you in so many ways. While at Blue Knob, we participated in many helpful exercises and activities. We had clinics in both skiing and tobogganing. It was nice to be able to get additional exposure and one on one attention when in normal clinics that kind of attention is harder to come by. The Blue Knob event really made me realize that I should have taken part in the yap program last season. It really was an awesome part of my ski season.
Another highlight of this year would have to be the Smugglers Notch event. Young adult patrollers from the northeast all met to ski in one of the most stunning locations in the northeast. Instead of ten yaps to talk to there were over forty awesome people to hang out with. Besides hanging out, we had a lot to do while at Smuggler’s. I was exposed for the first time to avalanche safety and equipment. Although avalanches are rare in the North this skill is one that is important. Knowing how to use a beacon can save lives. I have skied out west before and I was ignorant about everything in regards to avalanches. While I am no expert, the short demonstration has made me want to learn even more about avalanche safety. Besides demonstrations I participated in the competition that was held at Smugglers between all of the yaps. Going into the competition I was nervous, I didn’t care about winning, I just didn’t want to embarrass my home mountain and the people that had taken the time to train me. The competition was nerve racking, being judged is never a good feeling, but I felt comfortable with the skills that had been nurtured by the instructors over the past ski season. After the results from the skiing, tobogganing and the OEC sections I can say that I made my mountain proud in my performance. I did well in some categories while I did average in others. I learned exactly what areas I need to focus my attention on next season. It was awesome to be able to ski at Smuggler’s Notch and learn as much as I did.
In conclusion both yap events were awesome. There is no other word for it. I only wish that I could go back in time and do it my first year on patrol. The people I met and the relationships that I made will stick with me for years to come. I owe you a thank you for this great experience that I had the opportunity to be part of. I would like to personally thank everyone involved in both of these events.
Thank you again,
CW
My first experience with the YAP program was at Blue Knob ski resort. I was excited to meet everybody, and practice some patroller skills. I came late to the party due to previous obligations, but was warmly welcomed upon arrival. That weekend opened my eyes to a different world of patrolling. At my home mountain, Seven Springs, there may be a total of four patrollers under twenty. At the YAP event everybody was under eighteen. It was really cool to be able to talk to people that are like you in so many ways. While at Blue Knob, we participated in many helpful exercises and activities. We had clinics in both skiing and tobogganing. It was nice to be able to get additional exposure and one on one attention when in normal clinics that kind of attention is harder to come by. The Blue Knob event really made me realize that I should have taken part in the yap program last season. It really was an awesome part of my ski season.
Another highlight of this year would have to be the Smugglers Notch event. Young adult patrollers from the northeast all met to ski in one of the most stunning locations in the northeast. Instead of ten yaps to talk to there were over forty awesome people to hang out with. Besides hanging out, we had a lot to do while at Smuggler’s. I was exposed for the first time to avalanche safety and equipment. Although avalanches are rare in the North this skill is one that is important. Knowing how to use a beacon can save lives. I have skied out west before and I was ignorant about everything in regards to avalanches. While I am no expert, the short demonstration has made me want to learn even more about avalanche safety. Besides demonstrations I participated in the competition that was held at Smugglers between all of the yaps. Going into the competition I was nervous, I didn’t care about winning, I just didn’t want to embarrass my home mountain and the people that had taken the time to train me. The competition was nerve racking, being judged is never a good feeling, but I felt comfortable with the skills that had been nurtured by the instructors over the past ski season. After the results from the skiing, tobogganing and the OEC sections I can say that I made my mountain proud in my performance. I did well in some categories while I did average in others. I learned exactly what areas I need to focus my attention on next season. It was awesome to be able to ski at Smuggler’s Notch and learn as much as I did.
In conclusion both yap events were awesome. There is no other word for it. I only wish that I could go back in time and do it my first year on patrol. The people I met and the relationships that I made will stick with me for years to come. I owe you a thank you for this great experience that I had the opportunity to be part of. I would like to personally thank everyone involved in both of these events.
Thank you again,
CW
I have spent an amazing three years with the YAP program and its been one crazy, fun, valuable, and memorable journey. The experiences this program has provided and the lessons I have learned is beyond anything a school class or extra curricular activity could have provided. I have made friends, acquired new skills, and have grown as an individual.
This season our training began in early February at Blue Knob with the Regional YAP Seminar. This event is always beneficial because we get to meet our fellow yaps, train hard, all while having a blast. This year the instructors took our previous feedback suggestions and gave every Young Adult Patroller tips they needed for individual improvement. Our region also has its own hashtag for social media, #WAPYAPP2015. This is a really great and free way to promote our program. At the end of the day the fun stuff completes the hard training weekend that strengthen the groups’ camaraderie.
I got to travel with my fellow WAPWAPP family to Jiminy Peak for the Divisional YAP event in March. Having the opportunity to travel with some of my already best friends and new friends is not something every person can do. It brings a whole new level and meaning to all of them. Though this event is much bigger it still offers the chance to obtain new skills. This event never fails to challenge my knowledge, makes me think outside the box, and pushes me to become a better patroller. It even offered me the opportunity to begin my quest for Senior Level status. Each year I see myself developing and growing as a stronger and more improved member of the National Ski Patrol.
I wish everyone could see what the YAP’S can. Not everyone gets that chance, but I was a lucky to be one who did. The development of this program is essential to the National Ski Patrol. I will take my new knowledge from the YAP events back to my home mountain where I hope I can begin to shed light for others to understand the importance of this program. I have made life long friends that get the same joy from helping people as I do and skiing!
Although my time as a YAP has come to an end, I can say this is not the last time I will see the program. This part of my life is engrained in my memory and will forever be treasured. I can’t thank everyone who has been a part of this journey enough because they have made this learning experience one of the best. I hope to be able to give back to Young Adult Patrollers some day because it has given me much more than ski, OEC, and leadership skills. It has given me a new outlook on what it means to be a member of such an awesome group. This part of my trip is over, but it opens up new possibilities for future journeys with the Blue Knob Ski Patrol, our region and the National Ski Patrol.
Sincerely,
AH
This season our training began in early February at Blue Knob with the Regional YAP Seminar. This event is always beneficial because we get to meet our fellow yaps, train hard, all while having a blast. This year the instructors took our previous feedback suggestions and gave every Young Adult Patroller tips they needed for individual improvement. Our region also has its own hashtag for social media, #WAPYAPP2015. This is a really great and free way to promote our program. At the end of the day the fun stuff completes the hard training weekend that strengthen the groups’ camaraderie.
I got to travel with my fellow WAPWAPP family to Jiminy Peak for the Divisional YAP event in March. Having the opportunity to travel with some of my already best friends and new friends is not something every person can do. It brings a whole new level and meaning to all of them. Though this event is much bigger it still offers the chance to obtain new skills. This event never fails to challenge my knowledge, makes me think outside the box, and pushes me to become a better patroller. It even offered me the opportunity to begin my quest for Senior Level status. Each year I see myself developing and growing as a stronger and more improved member of the National Ski Patrol.
I wish everyone could see what the YAP’S can. Not everyone gets that chance, but I was a lucky to be one who did. The development of this program is essential to the National Ski Patrol. I will take my new knowledge from the YAP events back to my home mountain where I hope I can begin to shed light for others to understand the importance of this program. I have made life long friends that get the same joy from helping people as I do and skiing!
Although my time as a YAP has come to an end, I can say this is not the last time I will see the program. This part of my life is engrained in my memory and will forever be treasured. I can’t thank everyone who has been a part of this journey enough because they have made this learning experience one of the best. I hope to be able to give back to Young Adult Patrollers some day because it has given me much more than ski, OEC, and leadership skills. It has given me a new outlook on what it means to be a member of such an awesome group. This part of my trip is over, but it opens up new possibilities for future journeys with the Blue Knob Ski Patrol, our region and the National Ski Patrol.
Sincerely,
AH
