“Thanks to our Play It Forward grant, we’re better able to continue our athlete summer camp and youth development opportunities – from mountain bike camps in Nederland to ski camps at Mt. Hood,” says Executive Director Matt Tomasko. “With our growing reliance on scholarship support, we’re also able to further assist youth in need.”
Indeed, EMSC is currently providing modified youth summer mountain bike camps, in accordance with state health guidelines, to promote the health and wellness of young riders.
According to Matt, Play It Forward funding is also helping to stabilize EMSC staffing needs to provide improved communications, consistency, and conditioning opportunities. “At a time when access to community youth recreation camps has greatly diminished due to COVID-19 protocols, our transition from safer indoors to approved outdoor activities has been highly positive and successful,” he says.
“Support for our programming provides a valuable outlet for young riders who love the mountains, and for families returning to work during this time.”
He adds, “From screen time to activity time on bikes and skis builds character, confidence, and teamwork among mountain community kids – as well as a healthy, lifelong passion for adventure and the outdoors.”
Matt further notes a silver lining to COVID-19 modifications: “Restrictions to smaller groups have provided improved coach-to-athlete ratios. We’re seeing skills development and retention rapidly increase over a shorter period of time with the additional, individual-based instruction and coaching.
“Our coaches are passionate about working with the athletes, despite modifications and reductions. Parents, members, and athletes all greatly value and appreciate the opportunity to safely come together and work toward common goals in the outdoors.”
National Estate Planning Awareness Week is coming up from October 19 through 25. This comes on the heels of August’s Make-A-Will Month. A reminder to “make a will” is good advice, of course, but a thoughtful estate plan usually involves much more than a single document. And if charitable giving is important to you, making […]
Every year, we honor local community members making an impact across Boulder County through our Community Leadership Awards. These individuals embody leadership in all its forms, including exceptional volunteerism, advocacy on behalf of immigrants, gifts of time, treasure, and talent, and tenacious nonprofit leadership. Please join us in congratulating this year’s Community Leadership Award recipients: • Pat Shoemaker Volunteer Award: Ann Morales • Nino Gallo Leadership […]
A Public Affair on KGNU: Local Elections with Boulder County Clerk & Recorder Molly Fitzpatrick
This month, on KGNU’s A Public Affair with Community Foundation Boulder County, Carey is joined in KGNU’s new studio by Boulder County Clerk & Recorder, Molly Fitzpatrick. Together they talk about local elections, the Clerk & Recorder’s role in running Boulder County’s elections, and how the process works. They also discuss ways community members can […]
Community Foundation Boulder County and Boulder County Arts Alliance open Request for Proposals (RFP) for Boulder B-Sides Project
Pop-up art program will activate vacant storefronts and unexpected spaces during the 2027 Sundance Film Festival Download the full press release here >> BOULDER, Colo., Sept 18, 2026 – Community Foundation Boulder County, in partnership with Boulder County Arts Alliance and the City of Boulder, is inviting local artists and arts organizations to apply for […]
For the past five years, Nepali Jatra has been creating opportunities for people across Boulder County to experience, celebrate, and connect through Nepali arts and culture. Through music, dance, food, art, traditions, and other forms of artistic expression, Nepali Jatra celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Nepal while creating space for the broader community to learn and participate. At […]
