MLSM - Every year the Toronto Gay Ski & Snowboard Club (TGSC) sponsors a ski day for the Get Out program at SOY Toronto (Supporting Our Youth).  Supporting Our Youth (SOY) is an exciting, dynamic community development program of the Sherbourne Health Centre in Toronto, designed to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered youth in Toronto through with a wide variety of different programs and services.
Throughout the year TGSC does a number of different fundraising initiatives to cover the costs of taking all the youth out for a day of skiing or snowboarding on the slopes. Â This year 22 participants from SOY took part in the day.
The generous support of Mount St Louis Moonstone, the home club of TGSC, has allowed the day to grow and become even more enjoyable for everyone.
It's always a challenge for those not used to the skiing lifestyle to drag themselves out that early in the morning, so the day starts in the multipurpose room at the Sherbourne Health Centre where participates help prep and enjoy a light breakfast. Â Many don't have suitable ski attire, so members of TGSC over the years have donated jackets and snowpants. Â New donations are always welcomed, so if you have some previously loved outer-wear, hold onto it until our next drive next winter.
This is perhaps the most rewarding part of the day as a TGSC volunteer, as this is the time where you get to meet youth. Â This is furthered once everyone climbs on the bus, and the approximately 1.5 hour drive to MSLM starts. Â Taking advantage of the time on the bus to chat with and connect with the youth brings a whole different level of reward to the volunteer experience.
[pullquote align="full" cite="Adam Ben - Manager LGBTQ Community Programs, Sherbourne Health Centre" link="" color="" class="" size=""]"The TGSC Ski Day is a very valuable part of the SOY Get Out program as it really allows the youth to connect with other LGBTQ communities, and integreate with older mentors and role models"[/pullquote]
Upon arrival at the hill, other TGSC volunteers who have already been at the hill, meet the bus and start distributing all the lift tickets and lesson vouchers.
Every participant is offered the opportunity of a lesson, and the staff at MSLM always give a little extra attention to our group on this day, really helping to give everyone a fun day on the slopes.
Snowboarding is fun, so every year a good number of the participants select to try out snowboarding. As everyone who has ever tried it will attest, skiing is easier to learn, snowboarding easier to master. Â So as everyone comes in for lunch it's always fun to see the looks of both excitement and exhaustion after having spent most of the last hour on their ass.
In the afternoon, TGSC volunteers head out on the slopes with all the SOY participants to cheer them on and help them learn, and enjoy their day on the slopes. "The things I remember the most are the conversations on the ski lifts", Adam remarks.
The season in Ontario is wrapping up early this year, as SOY Ski Day was their second last operating day. Â The conditions at the resort were actually still in very good condition, albeit a little low levels. Â But with the complete lack of snow off the slopes, people just don't seem to be in the skiing mindset anymore, as the weather continues to warm. Â For a Saturday, the resort was VERY quiet, which was amazing as participants were able to ski directly to the lifts and get more runs in.
The day wraps up back at the lodge as everyone returns their gear. Â After posing for a full group photo, the group re-boards the bus for the ride back home, which is much much quieter as everyone passes out asleep after a hard day on the slopes.
Another amazing and rewarding SOY Ski Day.