By all accounts the 2024 Deep Creek Lake Lions Club blind skier program was a rousing success. This 51st year of the program instructed 20 skiers who are visually impaired plus family members who also participate in activities. This year’s program ran during four weeks from January 22 through February 14, 2024. The skiers and their families arrived on Monday afternoon each week and stayed until Wednesday afternoon.
A typical week for the skiers and families include having Pizza from Brenda’s Pizzeria on Monday night. The first full day has volunteers arriving at 6:30 AM to make the skiers and their families a nice breakfast. After breakfast the families and skiers meet at the Wisp Resort to get their ski gear and lift tickets. High school volunteers, from Southern and Northern High Schools of Garrett County and Good Counsel High School in Montgomery County assist the skiers in getting their skis before hitting the slopes. The skiers, with the help of adult and school volunteers, get on the slopes around 9:30 AM. The skiers initially begin their skiing instruction by working on a flat area to get accustomed to their skis and boots. They then move onto the slopes with the aid of a bamboo pole with a volunteer on each side to help the skier. This is the time where a good feel for having skis underfoot and balance is established. Around 11:30 AM, the skiers and volunteers take a much-needed break for lunch. Usually, by the end of the first day, after the skier is feeling comfortable, the visually impaired skier is able to utilize a tether to help control their speed. Around 3 o’clock, the skiers and volunteers are usually finished skiing for the day.
On Tuesday night, the skiers, families and Lions Club members meet to share their experiences, with reflection on the day and on accomplishments on the slopes. Wednesday morning, volunteers again arrive at the rental home at 6:30 AM to prepare breakfast. After breakfast, the skiers meet at Wisp Resort with another group of volunteers to hit the slopes again by 9:30 AM. If the skier is feeling comfortable with the tether, the next step is to ski with just voice commands to direct the skier to turn. The goal of the program is to have the vision impaired skier ski with friends and or family.
According to Mike O’Brien, Deep Creek Lake Lions Club president, “These kids are truly amazing. They are great skiers that just happen to be visually impaired. They learn quickly and embrace the thrill of downhill skiing and become proficient in a short amount of time, yet at their own pace. While the skiers and their families are the reason and focus of the program, we need numerous volunteers and donations to help the program launch and succeed each year.”
“This year we had more than 12 volunteers for breakfast, 37 high school volunteers from different high schools, 4 other school volunteers, and 20 adult ski volunteers. It takes a community to put on this program. Without the assistance and financial support of the community and Wisp Resort, the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club would not have been able to have such a successful program, especially not for the last 51 years. Many thanks to everyone for their continued support,” added Tommy Wenzel, program coordinator for the club.
High school volunteers: Kaitlin Allen, Madeline Allen, Gus Alvarez, Ashlynn Anderson, Malakai Bach, Timothy Brands, Wally Brands, Ethan Cain, Liam Coddington, Lani Daugherty, Henry Faulkner, Romello Haefner, Dylan Hooks, Kendall Huber, Jacob Kilduff, Madison Kilduff, Kylee King, Ben Lohr, Erica Mager, Rachel Mager, Bella Mason, Olivia Maust, Trenton Neel, Kara Opfer, Brice Roche, Finn Roche, AJ Santos, Alexsandra Schmidt, Khloe Vitez, Lana Ward, Nate Wilhelm, Ellie Williams, Ava Zinn.
Unfortunately, this year the Lions were not able to include snowmobiling in the activities, as the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club snowmobiles were “out of commission.” Since the club would like to continue this activity next year, they request anyone that would like to volunteer or fund the snowmobiles to please contact Deep Creek Lake Lions at dcllions@gmail.com. It truly takes a community to continue to provide such a multifaceted program each year.
For more general information on the club, visit https://deepcreeklions.org/. For information on becoming a member, or to express interest in future projects, email DCLLIONS@gmail.com or call 323.325.5466.
