b'a mbaSSadorP roGramBy Ken Hepburn What does a VAST Safety Ambassador Team Member do?The 2016-2017 snowmobile ridingTalks to visitors about where to ride, conditions and best places to stay, season was an experience that opened my eyes to a whole newpark, eat or gas-upperspective on the beautiful State ofSometimes rides with visitors or others that want someone to go with Vermont. After I purchased a couplethemof used snowmobiles, I reached outRides our trails making sure trails are well marked and letting clubs know to a former co-worker whom I knew was involved with the Barre Townif hazards are present or signs missingThunder Chickens snowmobile club. Helps law enforcement at safety checks or accidents by securing trail I knew hed be able to guide me witharea, helping to help coordinate first responders to get them to a scenethe next steps so that I would beIn general is helpful and committed to keeping Vermont the best ready to hit the Vermont snowmobile trails.Little did I know that the VASTsnowmobile destination in the NortheastTMA sticker was the key to accessingTo find out more about our team and this program go to VTVAST.orga remarkable Vermont Winteror contact Cindy Locke at cindy@vtvast.org, 802-229-0005 x11Wonderland.In 2018-2019, I decided the best way to give back to the snowmobile community was to become a VAST ambassador! Id already been an ambassador at Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports for six plus years. Little did I know being an ambassador would enlighten other aspects of my life.I did not realize the constant vigilance it takes to be a VAST ambassador. Yes, challenges do exist, such as stopping my snowmobile group to help others and going out of my way when I see a concern related to the trail itself. Little did I know how much the ambassador program wouldand weather conditions and howteaching, and lets go out and have open doors to meeting new people,many people are with them. Are theysome fun! providing direction, and helpingcomfortable, and if not, what are theHere are just a few things a safety with the extensive trail system whiletop three priorities that I should focusambassador needs to be aware of: providing a positive experience foron as a safety ambassador for them?weather, wind, ice, trail, technical all involved. It takes energy and focusMost of the time, I was on theIssues, population, location, gas to make sure the conditions are safesnowmobile, making sure trails werestation, food, different direction of for all snowmobile riders. It is justup to par, signs were visible, andtrails, signs, visibility, junctions, another way for me to be of service!conditions were acceptable for allvehicle location, condition of sled, One of the best reasons for being anriders. This was the easy part; thecondition of person, time of day, ambassador is that I learn so muchharder aspect of being an ambassadorrocks, trees and so on. Within less from others! I am no expert and domeant making sure the trails are OKthan 5 minutes after I encounter not pretend to be, but I do offer myselfwhile driving in my car from onesomeone who might need help on the and what Ive learned to the nextsection of central Vermont to another!trail, these are the questions that I ask rider. I am not out there to enforceFor instance, there were many timesmyself. the law but do take note and reportwhen I would get out of my vehicleAs an ambassador, my job is not to on issues related to it. That is the onlyand make sure, after the snowplowspolice, even if riders dont have a way the snowmobile community as acame through, that the snowbanksvalid VAST sticker or registration. whole will grow to be safer and betterwerent blocking snowmobile accessThats for law enforcement officers. each season.to the VAST trails. Other times, itMy job is to do all else I can to make Based on my experience, the bestmeant flagging a fallen tree andsure riders are safe and the trails are way to be a VAST ambassador is tonotifying the club that a chainsawsafe for them to ride. My job is about immediately put myself into anotherswas needed. An ambassador doessafety and fun! shoes. I try to determine what is theirwhatever it takes to make sure the physical and emotional condition,trails are safe. I learned that safetyUntil December 16, 2019, let the snow not to mention their skill set, sledis priority one. Then add a littlegods shine down on us!6 |Vermont Association of Snow Travelers'