Local program gives underrepresented kids chance to skate on Olympic ice
Jul 24, 2024, 5:30 PM | Updated: 5:41 pm
KEARNS — A local program that started in 2017 is helping get kids involved in winter sports.
And not only that — they get to skate on the same ice as Olympians.
“They love it; we keep coming back. My youngest says ice skating is her favorite part of the day. She’s like, ‘I love that it’s cold inside and it’s hot outside,'” said Maria McCurdy, who has two daughters in the program this summer.
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It’s all part of a summer sports camp program through Kearns Rec Center and the Utah Olympic Oval, which gives kids a chance to stay active during the summer months at a discounted price – thanks to grants from donors.
“We want to reach out to the kids that are underrepresented and give them opportunities that they might not normally have,” said Jennifer Howland, Utah Olympic Oval community outreach coordinator.
Program growing in popularity
Howland said the program’s popularity has only grown over the years.
“We started with only 750 kids signing up, and now we’re up to 3,300,” she said.
As part of the program, kids ages 5 to 10 participate in activities like swimming in the morning, and then go over to the Oval in the afternoon to skate.
“It’s awesome for them to come to the Oval every day — like an Olympic venue. They’ve skated on the same ice as Olympians and maybe the Olympians will skate here again one day, and that’s really cool for them,” McCurdy said.
Like those Olympians, these young skaters are learning persistence.
“It’s good for all the kids to bond and learn stuff together,” said Cari Young, whose daughter has been doing the camp for several years.
Recently, the kids even had the chance to show their parents what they’ve practiced, performing choreographed routines on the ice.
“I think it’s really important when they’re younger, like as they’re learning something to be able to showcase because it’s kind of like, ‘Look what I’ve been doing.’ And it’s really a confident booster for the kids,” Young said.
Howland, a figure skater herself, hopes the program instills in these kids a love of the ice.
“We make sure they know that they have opportunities to continue their skating,” she said.
The program runs June through August. You can find more information on UtahOlympicLegacy.org or on the Kearns Rec Center website.