Joining me will be 130 youth from around London's poorest neighbourhoods, about a dozen youth workers and about half a dozen volunteers.
The organisation is Snow Camp, a charity that teaches "disadvantaged" kids (aged 13-22) to ski or snowboard. The 130 kids I'm about to meet will spend 7 days in Les 2 Alpes, France learning the snow sport of their choice during the day and taking lifeskills courses in the evenings. I've been working as an Ambassador for Snow Camp now for about 3 months: mostly raising funds and sourcing sponsors.
Today will be my first chance to experience Snow Camp first hand; I look forward to seeing the work of the charity in practice.
I support Snow Camp simply because it makes snowsports accessible to all. The idea that skiing and snowboarding are only for a select few has kept over 90% of people off of the world's slopes. This has led to limited appeal in poorer areas where snowsports are viewed as too expensive, in ethnic areas where they may be viewed as culturally incompatible and in the general public, where the idea of being in the cold or sliding quickly down a slope is a less than attractive prospect.
This trip will introduce kids from outside of London's "elite" circles to the joys and challenges of snowsports. The learning progression during days will be matched by lifeskills analysis during the evenings. During these sessions, we will be able to draw parallels between surmounting very challenging tasks on the slope and making the most of their lives back home on their London estates.
Well, nearly there now. I'm excited and a little bit apprehensive about the challenge ahead. Before we get to the Alps though, we will endure an 18 hour coach ride in a convoy of three coaches.
Wish me luck. Will keep you posted.
Parker Lake | M: +44 7984427854 | www.varsityfitness.co.uk | Comp Reg 6307745
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