Richfield Recreation Reports Shortage of Ski Program Volunteers

For many years, Richfield—along with Bloomington, Edina and Eden Prairie—has offered adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to learn downhill skiing and snowboarding through its held at Highland Hills.

While the program is gearing up for its next session in January 2012, Supervisor, Kelly Mertes, told Richfield Patch that the program is facing a major shortage in volunteers to act as teachers.

"At this time last year I had all of the volunteers that I needed," Mertes said.

Mertes believes the lack of snow on the ground is to blame for the lack of volunteers.

"[Due to several inches of snow at this time last year] the winter and the ski and snowboard season was fresh on peoples minds and they were excited to get back on the hill," Mertes said. "This year with just a coating of snow, volunteers have been very slow to come in."

To make the program successful, Mertes said 80 to 90 volunteers who are intermediate to advanced skiers are needed for two hours each Thursday for seven weeks. As a volunteer, skiing and snowboarding are free.

For more information on the program or to volunteer, contact Mertes at 612-861-9361 or visit cityofrichfield.org/recreation. The volunteer application is attached to this article as a PDF.