December 28, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Debra McGhan, 907-376-2898

Mat-Su Health Foundation Grant Helps Expand Be Snow Smart in the Mat-Su Valley

The North America Outdoor Institute is proud to announce the award of a $4,000 grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation to expand  Be Snow Smart, a free multimedia avalanche awareness program, in the Mat-Su Valley this winter. This presentation is designed to captivate young people 9 to 18-years old and teach them practical avalanche awareness and outdoor safety skills they will want to learn.

Alaska currently ranks number one in the nation for avalanche deaths per capita and Hatcher’s Pass, the Valley’s back yard, has been the scene of multiple fatalities in the past decade. Many could have been prevented if the victims knew and applied a few important safety tips. Be Snow Smart is NAOI’s effort to help arm others with critical, life-saving skills needed to safely recreate in the mountains.

Be Snow Smart features outdoor celebrities, incredible video, real-life stories, practical tips and hands-on activities that help increase awareness about the potential dangers of winter travel. Now the Mat-Su Health Foundation is joining NAOI to ensure more residents in the Mat-Su have the opportunity to experience this outdoor safety and avalanche awareness education program.

Jared Schumacher, a teacher at Academy Charter School in Palmer, hosted a presentation at his school in November 2006 and said the Be Snow Smart safety education program was just what he’d been looking for.

“Our kids play in the Pass all the time. This stay safe stuff is what they need to learn,” said Schumacher. “This program was incredible.  It gave our students an excellent introduction that I’m convinced will start changing future attitudes and behaviors when it comes to recreating in the mountains.”

The lessons taught are important for all ages. “We encourage kids to go home and talk with their parents about what they learned,” said spokesman Dean Cummings. “I tell them, the next time you load up the sled on the truck and head for Hatcher’s Pass, pay attention to some simple, easy to identify clues. Ask yourself, ‘has it been snowing or raining recently? Is there snow on the car? If so, pick it up and see if you can make a snowball. If it’s powder light and won’t stick at all, you need to know that because when you tilt that snow to 38 degrees, it’s likely to avalanche. All it takes is a trigger, and that could be you on a snowboard.”

Be Snow Smart is made possible by the Mat-Su Health Foundation, the State of Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources Snow TRAC grant, the Elihu Foundation, Dean Cummings’ H2O Guides, U Rock Enterprises and many more generous sponsors. Additional support is provided by BAART (Backcountry Avalanche Awareness Response Team,) Snow Dynamics and the Alaska Avalanche Center.

To view our current schedule or learn how you can sign up your school or organization, visit our website at www.besnowsmart.org, email us at info@naoiak.org or contact Debra McGhan, 907-376-2898.

Debra McGhan
NAOI President
907-376-2898 or 954-729-4098
"Make everyday your best day...not your last - Learn to Be Snow Smart"