Update: 17-Mile Route Cancelled
Last night the Bolton to the Barns planning group decided to cancel the 17-mile route option. In the morning, before the sun and March temperatures have a chance to warm the snowpack, the upper sections of the Bolton terrain are bullet proof. Ordinarily, it would be a hard decision to scrap a portion of the route that many of us wanted to include – given the conditions, this was not a hard decision. This will mean that all skiers will start from the Bolton Nordic Center at 9:30. Because skiers will start at 9:30, this will allow the snow to soften before tackling the steeper descents on the course.

Registration and Fees
If you haven’t already registered, please do so now. This will really help with our planning. For those who have yet to send in the $50 registration fee, you may pay with a check (or cash) on Saturday. We will have extra waiver forms on hand, but it will speed things up if you arrive with your form filled out. Remember, if you raise $125 in sponsorships, we will waive your registration fees. Thanks to all those who have already done such great work on this front!

Shuttles
We will be shuttling people from the West Monitor Barn (directions to barn here) up to the Bolton Nordic Center. Vans will be leaving the Barn at 8:45. Please plan on arriving a few minutes before the van departure time. For those not needing a shuttle, please arrive at the Bolton Nordic Center at 9:15. This will give you time to check in, etc.

Current Snow Conditions
For all but the last approach to the barn, the coverage is very good. As is the case with spring skiing, there may be a bare spot or two, but nothing one can’t step around. Volunteers have worked hard to mark the trail over the past few days and they have all been encouraged with the amount of snow in the hills. In the morning, the snow might be a bit hard, but by 11:00 or so it really begins to soften up. Skiers may need to walk the final hundred yards or so to the barn, but if this is the hand mother nature deals in early March, so be it. We are figuring Vermonters are a hardy bunch and won’t be too fazed by a short walk.

A small amount of Maxi Glide might help gain a bit of traction on the trail. If you don’t have Maxi Glide, the Bolton Nordic Center sells tins for $12. We’ll also have a communal tin available on Saturday morning.

Rental Equipment
The Bolton Nordic Center (434-6876) has a bit of rental equipment left. Also, the Catamount Trail Association (864-5794) also rents gear. If you rent from Bolton, you will be able to return your gear here at the barn, saving you a trip back up to Bolton.

Après Ski
• The Skinny Pancake and the Spot are catering our Après Ski party. The Great Harvest Bread Company has also donated rolls. Entry fees include a crepe, a bowl of chili (and roll), and a cold brew or non-alcoholic beverage. If you’re still hungry, you’ll be able to purchase crepes for $6.50. We will not be taking credit cards – cash or checks only.
• We will begin serving food at 1:30.
• Friends and family who don’t ski are also welcome. $15 for adults and kids under 12 are free – spread the word!
• After a bonfire, a ski movie, a slide show from the day, and a raffle drawing, we’ll wrap things up around 5:30 – 6:00.

Raffle Prizes
All skiers are automatically entered into a raffle drawing which will be held around 3:45. Prizes include a pair of Asnes Sondre Nordheim X-C skis, 3 Black Diamond Headlamps, a framed picture from Ember photography, a snow shoe tour from Umiak Outfitters, t-shirts, pint glasses from Outdoor Gear Exchange and more!!

Additional raffle tickets can be purchased for $5.

For additional information, email Breck at breck.knauft@vycc.org or give him a call at 802.434.3969 ext. 110.

Every year VYCC staff travel to multiple career and service fairs as well as set up informational tables in local high schools to advertise our programs and job opportunities to Vermont youth. In 2010 we are planning to attend outreach events and presentations in every county of Vermont as well as some outside of the state. This award from Sign*A*Rama will allow us to purchase a new banner to hang up when we have set up a table at career fairs and outreach events

The VYCC’s application was chosen from among more than sixty applicants to receive one of twenty grants awarded in the current annual cycle. Again we would like to thank Sign*A*Rama for this grant and we look forward to our name being more visible at upcoming events and fairs. Keep a look out for the new VYCC banner!

If you have any questions, please contact the VYCC at (802) 434 – 3969 x200.

We look forward to meeting you and travel safe!

Session 1: June 19 – July 17, 2010

Session 2: July 24 – August 22, 2010

“The Drive To 25” has a goal of raising 2,500 pounds of food for the Richmond Food Shelf during three fundraising and food drive events at Bolton Valley. On the 25th of January, February, and March those who bring two nonperishable items of food will receive a half-price lift ticket – $25 when it’s usually $49. A portion of each lift ticket will be donated to the VYCC and food will be distributed to the Foodbank and the Richmond Food Shelf.

For more information, please contact Breck at (802) 434 – 3969 x110 or breck.knauft@vycc.org.

See you at the mountain!

How our CSA Works:

• 20 weeks of farm-fresh vegetables, June through October
• Vegetables are grown and harvested at the VYCC’s Monitor Barns
• Pick-up every Thursday, 3-6:30 pm at the West Monitor Barn in Richmond, Maple Wind Farm in Huntington, or Healthy Living Market in South Burlington
• Flowers and Herbs are included for members in our Pick-Your-Own gardens
• Weekly add-on’s will include Vermont cheese, artisan bread, pasture-raised eggs, and delicious baked goods from local sources
• Pasture-Raised Poultry share of six whole chickens throughout summer is also available
• Members enjoy weekly E-newsletters, recipes, and stories from partner farms
• Encourage sustainable farming by eating chemical-free vegetables and pasture-raised meat
• Proceeds support conservation programs and efforts to provide local produce to area schools and food shelves

Purchasing a CSA share supports the Monitor Barns Farm mission to produce food for local families, area schools, and food shelves. Thank you!

For more information, download the Monitor Barns CSA Brochure.

To order a Monitor Barns CSA Share, fill out our Membership Form or contact Beth at (802) 434 – 7257. Meat shares are also available from Maple Wind Farm.

Monitor Barns CSA Informational Session
March 11, 6-7 pm
Meet at the VYCC’s West Monitor Barn in Richmond, VT
*Refreshments will be provided.

What: EPIC Backcountry Ski Tour

Where: Bolton Valley Nordic Center to the VYCC’s Monitor Barns

When: Saturday March 6, 2010

Transportation: Participants will meet at the West Monitor Barn in Richmond, VT. From there, the VYCC will provide a shuttle to the trail head at the Bolton Valley Nordic Center. Shuttles will leave at 7:15 am and 8:45 am.

Route: Skiers will have two options: a 17-mile route (the Crew Leader Route) or an 11-mile route (the Crew Member Route). Both routes will begin at the Bolton Nordic Center and finish at the Monitor Barns.

Start Time: Shuttles will leave from the VYCC West Monitor Barn 45 minutes before each tour’s starting time. For the Crew Leader tour, the shuttle will leave at 7:15 am. For the Crew Member tour, the shuttle will leave at 8:45 am.

Après Ski: Upon arrival at the Monitor Barns, warm food will await hungry, triumphant, and deserving skiers. Other festivities will include the showing of classic ski movies, a warm bonfire, and libations. Spend a day skiing new terrain and then relax amongst friends, new and old!

Poster: Help make our First Annual Bolton to the Barns Backcountry Ski Tour a success! Spread the word by printing out a Bolton to the Barns Ski Poster and posting it at your office, local grocery store, favorite diner…wherever!

For additional information, email Breck at breck.knauft@vycc.org or give him a call at 802.434.3969 ext. 110.

The VYCC is currently reviewing applications for 2010 Summer Corps Members and Crew Leaders! 2010 marks the 25th anniversary of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. In honor of this milestone we will be running 25 Crews this summer season and hiring over 300 individuals to work on high-priority conservation projects throughout the state of Vermont.

NOW is the time to apply for either a Crew Leader or Corps Member position!

We hire Corps Members on a rolling basis. To apply for a position, please fill out our online application found at www.vycc.org/apply. After you submit an application, we review will contact you for a 25-30 minute phone interview. Due to our thorough hiring process, applicants may need to wait several weeks for a hiring decision. We ask for your patience as we take the time to create the best and most dynamic crews possible for 2010!

Interested in Crew Leading? To learn about all of the VYCC’s Crew Leading opportunities, please read through our Crew Leading website page!

DATES and FAST FACTS
Wilderness and Roving Corps Members: (Session 1 June 19 – July 18; Session 2 July 31 – August 29) Corps Members work on small crews and camp outside for 4 weeks. Must be 16 – 24 years old. If you are NOT a Vermont resident, you must be 18 years old.

Leadership Development Corps Members: (June 19 – August 29, with an unpaid vacation from July 25 – 30) Our Leadership Development Crew focuses on building leadership skills while performing quality conservation work. This year we will have both all-female and co-ed crews. Must be 18 – 24 years old.

LEAP Corps Members: (Session 1 June 19 – July 18; Session 2 July 31 – August 29) LEAP is our Conservation Crew for individuals with visual impairments. To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Abigail Mendenhall at 802.434.3969 x138 or abigail.mendenhall@vycc.org

Community Corps Members: (June 21 – August 9) Live at home and commute to work. Must be 16 – 24 years old. NOTE: We are still determining where our Community Crews will be. Please check back for locations.

Park Corps Members: (May 20 – September 10) Live and work in a Vermont State Park. AmeriCorps position. Must be 18 – 24 years old and have a High School diploma.

Between our year-round School Program and the upcoming Summer Field Season, we are busily preparing for what’s sure to be a great 2010, full of priority conservation work, outdoor education, and tons of laughter & fun. The funds raised from our Online Holiday Auction will help provide more employment opportunities to Vermont’s youth, as well as continue our important conservation work throughout the state.

Thank you again for supporting the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps!

Delivery & Pick-up Instructions:

All gift certificates will be mailed to the winning bidders. For larger items, please stop by the West Monitor Barn in Richmond, Vermont to pick up your auction item(s).

If you are unable to pick up your item or have questions, please contact Kristin Smith at the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps at kristin.smith@vycc.org or (802) 434-3969 x122. Shipping & Handling will be paid by the winning bidders.

Click here for directions to the West Monitor Barn.

GREAT DEALS!

Killington Season Pass

Oraganic Cotton Sheet sets

Organic Cotton Duvet Cover with Two Shams

Bonnie Acker Paintings

Jay Peak Season Passes

Gift Certificate to Shelburne Camping

Canoe

One-of-a-kind Stone Necklace

…and more!

Thank you to everybody who has supported the VYCC and participated in the Online Auction over the last two weeks! We had a ton of fun hosting the auction and hope you had a great time perusing all the donated items!

Information about picking up an auction item that you won can be found at the Auction’s website.

Visit our Online Holiday Auction at www.vycc.cmarket.comfor all of your holiday shopping needs! Every dollar you spend at the Online Auction supports the VYCC’s efforts to provide meaningful jobs to Vermont’s young folks and to complete priority conservation work all over the state.

Great Deals! Great Gifts!

We received a large donation of Organic Cotton linens from our partnerships with Seventh Generation and ReSOURCE. These luxury linens are being sold on our auction at a great price. Proceeds raised from these items will be split between ReSOURCE and the VYCC. You can support two local conservation nonprofits with one purchase! Check them out by going to the HOME category on our auction site.