Skaters Landing Buyer's Guides

Ice Skating for Everyone: Making a difference in the Lives of Underserved Youths

Posted by Marion Cepican on

Ice Skating for Everyone: Making a difference in the Lives of Underserved Youths

Ice Skating for Everyone: Making a difference in the Lives of Underserved Youths

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale once commented "To be successful is to be helpful, caring, constructive; to make everything and everyone you touch  a bit better."

Ice Skating for Everyone was born in 2019 through the efforts of Emily Kelting, a former professional figure skater, hockey player, and a skating instructor at the New Canaan Winter Club. She believes that children of all colors and income levels should have the opportunity to learn to skate, and she, plus so many generous volunteers, wanted to give back to a beloved sport that has taught so many life lessons.

Their mission is to bridge cultural and economic gaps in Fairfield County by providing free ice skating lessons to underserved children. Teen mentors benefit  by sharing their talents and forming friendships with the young skaters and their families. Professional instructors experience the joy of giving back to a sport they love.  It's a win-win-win!  

It also provides an answer to the question "What happens to skates at Skaters Landing Greenwich that are still in good condition and safely usable on the ice, that don't get sold?"  They are gladly donated and find a home with the skaters involved in Ice Skating for Everyone. Mark and the staff of Skaters Landing have always tried to give back to the community. Whether though synchronized skating teams, sponsorships, or active participation in groups like this which encourage the athleticism, creativity, and comradery of skating.

Most recently, Ice Skating for Everyone provided 15 weeks of free skating lessons and free equipment for 15 underserved 6-8 year old boys and girls from the Horizons Program at New Canaan Country School--who live in Stamford or Norwalk. 2022 graduates will be continuing with their lessons in other "Learn to Skate" and youth hockey programs, and a new group of 16 first and second graders will start 12 weeks of lessons to discover the joy of feeling wings beneath their feet! 

There is additional information in our blog post, The Ice Skating For Everyone Web Page https://www.iceskating4everyone.com/ or email info@iceskating4everyone.com

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REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Posted by Marion Cepican on

Having managed figure skating shops in both Chicago and Boston for well over thirty years, while raising 2 competitive skaters, I often found myself engaged in conversation with anxious parents, distracted, but curious young skaters whom I have lovingly renamed my snowflakes, and occasional situations that defied logic, basic understanding, and, infrequently, general civility. Whether underestimating abilities, or taking a coach's praise to excess, the issue becomes one of maintaining realistic expectations. Skating equipment, maintenance, skill awareness, and reasonable advancement, should not be a mystery. Parents and skaters need valid information and honesty to avoid unrealistic expectations and disappointment. That information is...

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