Cardrona hosts first SOS Outreach weekend

Youth workers from Alexandra teamed up with staff of Snow Sports New Zealand and the Wellington Boys & Girls Institute to successfully launch SOS (Snowboard Outreach Society) Outreach New Zealand at Cardrona Alpine Resort last weekend.

Twelve Alexandra children aged 11-13, were the first SOS Outreach participants outside the United States to be introduced to the curriculum.

The programme uses winter and summer outdoor adventure sports as a medium to instil five core values: courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom and compassion.

Snow Sports NZ chief executive Ross Palmer said the weekend was "a total success".

Mr Palmer was involved in the programme, founded in 1993, since its early days in the US.

Most of the children had never had an opportunity to be on snow before, so it was a very rewarding experience for everyone, he said.

David Clegg of the Wellington Boys & Girls Institute is part of the SOS Outreach team and has recruited additional Otago volunteers.

Eric Schusser, head of Dunstan High School's Outdoor Education Department and Alexandra youth worker Roger Williams of the Alexandra Combined Christian Youth Trust are also involved in identifying programme participants, Snow Sports New Zealand coaching director Adam Dooney and Constable Jacqui Lambeth, Otago Rural Police youth aid officer, are also involved.

It is hoped to develop the programme throughout New Zealand.

A North Island group begins at Turoa later this month.

Also helping the programme was Cardrona Alpine Ski Resort, which provided participants with complimentary snowboard gear, clothing and lift tickets.

Central Motorways Ltd of Alexandra provided transport, the Albert Town Lodge and Rotary Club of Alexandra helped with accommodation and Central Otago REAP helped with additional costs.