SOS Outreach Launches Mountain Biking Programs

To kick off the 2010 summer, SOS Outreach participants took to the trail on Vail Mountain Wednesday. Twenty youth from Denver were out on mountain bikes for the first SOS Outreach mountain biking programs. SOS will offer mountain biking program throughout the summer at Vail and Keystone mountains.

Vail Resorts and Vail Sports hosted SOS kids at Vail Mountain and provided lift tickets and full suspension bike rentals. The program day incorporated the SOS core value curriculum to promote positive decision-making.

SOS has expanded from snowboarding to new sports that give students year round and multi-year opportunities. This summer SOS branched out to Stand Up Paddle boarding in addition to wilderness trips, climbing, hiking and mountain biking.

Over 5,000 SOS students nationally snowboard or ski in the Vail Valley-based charity’s winter programs and enroll in summer outdoor programs. In 2009, SOS provided 18,500 program days in eleven states nationally. Since 2007, the organization has increased participants 75% with only a 25% increase in expenditures. Sports are the vehicle to increase self-confidence and passion. SOS Outreach participants also volunteer throughout the community.

The programs above would not be possible without the support of the community through events like the Dusty Boot Colorado-Eagle River Ride. The July 24 ride is the largest fundraiser of the year for SOS Outreach. Arn Menconi, Executive Director of SOS Outreach highlighted that, “Everyone who joins on July 24^th helps us make a difference in the lives of youth.”

Registration for the 2010 River Ride is available online at www.vailvelo.com. Included with registration is an event jersey, first class aid station support, breakfast at the start/finish and post party meal at the Beaver Creek Dusty Boot.