A participant takes a deep breath and steps off the ledge with tremendous apprehension, repels down a fifty foot rock wall, and has just conquered his fear of heights. A participant is beaming with self-confidence because she just climbed a very difficult route up a fifty foot climbing tower. A participant has a grin from ear to ear after carving a perfect snowboard turn at the Wisp Resort.
You can make these experiences happen for more Garrett County children and enjoy music by Jim n’ I at the Ridgeview Valley Bluegrass Benefit Concert on Saturday, August 29, 2009 located in Ridgeview Valley, Deep Creek Lake’s newest planned community. Tickets are for sale in advance by calling 301-387-4040 or 240-321-5010 or stopping by the Ridgeview Valley Preview Center located at 912 Gravelly Run Road, McHenry. Ticket cost is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students 13-21 and children under 12 are free. The concert begins at 7:00pm, but come early and bring a picnic or purchase a scrumptious sandwich from Jearbryo’s who will be onsite and open at 6:00pm. This concert is outside under the stars so bring a blanket or a chair. In case of rain the concert will be moved inside of the Barn at Ridgeview Valley.
Organized and hosted by Ridgeview Valley, the event benefits the TAY (Transition Age Youth) program, a youth development program providing outdoor adventure programming for Garrett County 8th graders. TAY’s mission is to develop economically and socially responsible young leaders through meaningful outdoor adventure sports experiences and mentoring. The program operates as a partnership of Adventuresports Institute of Garrett College, the Garrett County Board of Education, and Garrett County Health Department’s Core Service Agency. Garrett College Adventure Sports program professional staff plan and deliver the adventure programming while college students who are Adventure Sport program majors act as mentors building unique bonds with TAY participants. “We want to help these kids find their passion with outdoor programming and use this enthusiasm to encourage them to stay in school and know that they can be successful in life,” stated Scott Richardson, TAY Coordinator.
Funding for a program like TAY is always a challenge in tough economic times. “We are grateful for the support given by local service organizations, businesses, and private citizen groups,” noted Richardson, “and one such activity is being hosted by Rosie Versteegen and Paula Thomas at Ridgeview Valley.”
If you would like to learn more about or help support the TAY program, contact Scott Richardson 301-387-3323 or email at scott.richardson@garrettcollege.edu.
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