Every year, the YMCA of Snohomish County partners with the Chill Foundation to provide a snowboard program that expands access to outdoor adventure for teens from communities facing barriers to opportunity. Teens spend a full day in the Cascades, traveling to the pass to experience the fun, challenge, and confidence-building power of snowboarding. 

The program runs once per week during the months of January through March. Everything from cost to equipment is included. 

“Being able to experience some of the best terrain in the lower 48 is a gift for any one of us, and it’s especially a gift for them, many of whom have never been up there,” said Jason Maki, Skate and Teen Director of the Mukilteo Family YMCA. 

The first time Jason truly got a taste of the impact his program has on teens was when things didn’t go quite as planned.  

Due to some complications, they got to the pass much later than originally planned. Only getting minutes on the snow and having to take their dinner to go, Jason was disappointed he couldn’t give them a full day experience.  

Thinking the kids would be upset, he was prepared to apologize to them on the bus ride back. But before he even had a chance to speak, a teen interrupted him, asking if that’s what every week is going to be like. To his surprise, all the teens exclaimed that it was the greatest night of their lives. 

It’s moments like this that illustrate the impact programs funded by our Community Campaign have. Without it, teens would miss out on lifetime experiences such as snowboarding in the Cascades.  

To learn more about getting involved with the YMCA Community Campaign, please visit ymca-snoco.org/community-campaign.