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About
At the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, we believe that access to the sport of cross country skiing should not be restricted by income. Skiing is an expensive sport, but we are lucky to be part of an amazing community that shares our vision of access and affordability. Scholarships are made possible by the generosity of many families that support the Outdoor Center, and go towards offsetting the costs of ski programs or race/camp travel for Craftsbury junior and BKL skiers in need.
The Kathy Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund is named honor of Kathy Wright, a member of our community who passed away in March 2016. Kathy was a cross-country skier, hiker, biker, and Outdoor Center member. Her two children, Griffin and Aliza, have been part of our junior programs for years, and this memorial fund helps her love of the outdoors live on by providing opportunities for young skiers to participate in our programs and attend races and camps.
The numbers
In the 2018-2019 season, 20 different junior athletes received scholarship support to attend 6 different events, including: invitational summer training camps (the National U16 camp and Regional Elite Group camp), Junior Nationals, New England U16 Championships, Eastern High School Championships, and Biathlon Junior World Championships. In other years, junior athletes have also received support to attend US Senior Nationals, the U18 Scandinavian Cup trip, the National Elite Group training camp, the Bill Koch Festival, and regional races. Travel scholarships for 2018-2019 totaled approximately $12,000. In a typical year, travel scholarships total between $12,000 and $18,000. Years when major competitions (Junior Nationals, Senior Nationals) are in New England result in a lower demand for travel aid.
In the 2019-2020 season, we expect up to 25 junior athletes to request support to attend as many as 11 different events, both locally and across the world. As our programs grow and more of our athletes find success at higher levels of the sport, the demand on the scholarship fund grows as well. We anticipate up to $25,000 in requests for travel scholarship aid this coming season.
Scholarships also provide support for a broad range of kids right here at home in the Northeast Kingdom. In a typical year, $10,000 - $12,000 of scholarships are granted locally in the form of fee waivers for CNSC program fees; equipment rentals; and uniform/jacket rentals. This aid supports 20-30 unique children in 11 different ski programs. In the warmer months, fee waivers support kids enrolling in our dryland training programs and mountain bike club as well.
We’re proud to be part of an organization and community that rallies so much support for our young athletes. Your support of our scholarship fund helps get kids skiing and pursue their dreams on snow. What does your tax deductible donation cover? Many things! For example:
$10 - breakfast or lunch on the road
$25 - a fee for one piece of baggage when flying
$50 - a race entry fee
$100 - 1-2 nights of lodging for a skier at a major event
$150 - a full two-pair rental package for a CNSC skier
$200 - one kid’s BKL development winter program fee
$300 - one kid’s attendance at NE U16 championships or EHSC
$500 - a plane ticket across the US
$1,000 - one kid’s fee for U18 Scandinavian Cup trip (not including airfare)
$2,500 - one kid’s fee for Junior Nationals + a New England uniform and jacket
How to apply for a scholarship
We offer scholarships to support families in need of assistance to get their kids out on snow. Scholarship applications can be found here; email coach Anna Schulz with questions.
How to donate to the fund
All gifts, of any amount, go a long way towards supporting Craftsbury’s commitment to make skiing accessible.
To make a donation to the scholarship fund, click the Donate button below or send a check to: the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Road, Craftsbury Common, VT 05827. All donations are tax-deductible. Thank you for your support.