Page 24 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 124

24 Issue #124 May 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com

Intergenerational Volunteerism at the Summerstown

Trails

By Kevin Cooper by young minds, gleeful laughter, and forest family. Everyone likes being part Not all the volunteers in the
resilient spirits. This is intergenerational of a team, and we have a great team of program need to be accomplished
volunteerism at its best! volunteers.” skiers or snowshoers as there are
here is an exciting program many other roles in the program such
Toccurring at the Summerstown One of the excellent effects of The senior-aged volunteers are a as the distribution, collection, and
Trails! The School Hosting Program the program has been for inner-city dedicated capable group who share a
hosts mostly grade-school students on students to be out in nature. For love and respect for the outdoors and maintenance of equipment. Nor does
one need to be a senior to volunteer at
field trips to the trails, from schools some, it is their first time out of the a willingness to impart their time and the Trails – the more the merrier!
in the region, involving skiing and/ city of Cornwall. Liam Carson, a enthusiasm to the students. Indeed, the Donna Orwell, a program volunteer,
or snowshoeing. Every winter more former school program coordinator, exuberance displayed by the students is
than 1000 students, coming from stated, “The School Program offers heart-warming! writes, “Volunteering at the trails is
restorative. My grandchildren are
eighteen area schools, participate in the opportunity for a life-changing Dr. Jessica Roy, a physician and in Nova Scotia, so I don’t get to
the program offered by the FRIENDS experience by encouraging people to volunteer who works alongside participate in their lives more than a
OF THE SUMMERSTOWN TRAILS. have an active outdoor lifestyle.”
seniors’ states, “I often ask them what few times a year. Connecting with the
The Friends own all the necessary Glenna Redmond, volunteer, has made the most impact on their students at various ages, whether XC
equipment and the cost to participate is
reflects, “Children are genuine. They well-being. Amongst their answers, skiing or snowshoeing, lets me engage
minimal.
tell it like they see it and feel it. When common themes are being part of with youth and enjoy their energy
Several skilled and highly organized they say how beautiful the forest is, a community, being part of nature, and enthusiasm for winter sports, my
senior volunteers welcome the and I’m feeling that sentiment as well, having a sense of purpose, and being favourite activities.”
students to the trails and coordinate it just makes my heart smile. We are all physically active. I can see these pillars If you are interested in being a
and supervise the outings. How better smiling and happy to be introducing so closely defined in the volunteerism volunteer at the Summerstown Trails,
to feel alive than to breathe fresh air, and helping this younger generation at the Summerstown Trails. Their well- contact Lorraine Clarke at lorraine.
move our bodies, and be surrounded of new skiers and snowshoers to our being is better because of it.” clarke05@gmail.com.

South Branch Garage presents

“Game On” in South Glengarry

Meet our Athletes

Emerson Shoniker

Grade: 4

School: St. Peter Catholic School
May’s Game On athlete is Emerson Shoniker.
At one time he was into soccer and hockey,
but now he’s interested in golf. “I only played 
soccer for one year,” he explained. “I didn’t
really like it because it was always too hot 
to play, and it just got hotter when you went  

running around after the ball.” 

­
Emerson further explained that after giving soccer a try and not enjoying it
that much, he decided to take a stab at playing hockey. “I played in Char Lan
for the Rebels. I played forward. I liked skating and I was a good passer. I
liked it when the games weren’t too competitive and were just fun. But then
I got bored with hockey and that’s when I tried golf.”
Our young athlete takes golf lessons and goes to golf camp, and he enjoys
playing Par 3 at Archie’s. He is still considering whether he’d like to join a
league and play golf more competitively. Emerson shared that what he likes
about golf is that it’s calmer than other sports. “It isn’t so rough and there
Continue on page 44