Winter is coming! In order to help get kids and families outside having fun in the snow, Midcoast Conservancy is providing affordable cross country ski equipment to local kids ages kindergarten through eighth grade. Families can lease high quality skis, boots, and poles through Midcoast Conservancy for the entire winter. Each child will get sized for the gear and then take it home for the season so they can ski on great equipment wherever, whenever they want.

The first fit session is Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon; a second will be held Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. Both will be at the CLC YMCA in Damariscotta. A final lease day will be held on Jan. 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Welcome Center at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson but inventory will be very low by then so families are encouraged to come to the earlier sessions for the best selection of sizes.

The child who will use the skis must be present. The ski lease package is $70 per participant. Any questions about the ski lease program can be directed to HVNC Director Tripp Henderson, tripp@midcoastconservancy.org; details are online at midcoastconservancy.org/events.

In addition, Midcoast Conservancy will hold the annual Youth XC-Ski Clinic for kids ages 5-12 for six weeks, beginning Saturdays  in January, 9:30-11 a.m., at Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC) in Jefferson. The clinic is the perfect setting for skiers of different levels to gain confidence and enjoy HVNC’s trails. Instructors use fun, non-competitive methods to get the skiers out on the trails having a great time each week. 

Details on the clinic and registration will be available in early December.  Call (207) 389-5150 with any questions, and think snow!