b'VAST NewsYOUTH KEEPA message from VAST Vice President Mark ReavesSNOWMOBILING STRONGbecame something much more, a network of friends who share a love for the outdoors, a willingness to lend a hand, and a sense of humor about frozen fingers and late-night trail work. Whether its grooming trails in the cold, meeting at the clubhouse to plan an event, Maggie is 13 years old and a memberor stopping to of the Ludlow Side Hill Cronchershelp a rider in Snowmobile Club. For the last coupleneed, the people of years, she has been active inIve met through volunteering for us and has helpedsnowmobiling out at the clubs golf tournamentremind me how fundraiser and our Glow-In event. Shestrong and is enthusiastic about helping and wegenerous this love having her and her family as partcommunity really is.of the team. By participating in trailThe Thunder work days and events, Maggie and herChickens and family give back to their sport, whichAs I sat down to write thisVAST have given sets a great example for us all. Maggiecolumn, I took a look back atme more than miles of well-even earned her safety certificatepast issues and realized thiskept trails. Theyve given me a after taking our in-person course lastyear feels different. For the firstsense of belonging. Ive found December. When asked how she gottime in two years, Im not writingmentors who taught me the started in snowmobiling and what sheabout major flood recoveryropes, volunteers whove turned loves about it, she responded with this: efforts. Ironically, weve justinto close friends, and younger I started snowmobiling three yearscome through one of the driestriders who bring new energy and ago here in Vermont. Im originallystretches in recorded history.enthusiasm every season. We from Long Island but live in VermontMother Nature sure has a sensecome from all walks of life, but now. My favorite part aboutof humor. once were out on the trail, were snowmobiling, besides the awesomeWith my main source ofall in it together, watching out views, is being able to go fast! I first gotinspiration gone, I found myselffor each other and sharing in the started with my best friend, Nevaeh, inwondering what I would writesimple joy of a great ride on a Ludlow on her backyard VAST trails.about this time. After a fair bitcrisp winter day.Then my parents bought us familyof procrastination and someAs the cold weather rolls in snowmobiles so now I go out with myhemming and hawing, I decidedagain, I find myself thankful mom and step dad. We have a lot ofa thank-you note was in order. Asnot just for the snow but for fun! we get closer to Thanksgiving,the people who make this sport Thank you, Maggie! Keep it up! it feels like the right momentwhat it is. The friendships, the Young people are essential to theto reflect on what my timeteamwork, the stories shared snowmobiling community, bringingvolunteering with the Thunderafter a long ride, thats what fresh energy, new ideas, and long- Chickens and VAST has givenkeeps me coming back year term sustainability to the sport. Theirme over the years. after year. So this Thanksgiving, involvement passes traditions forward,Over the years, snowmobilingheres to the trails we ride and strengthens volunteer efforts, andhas introduced me to somethe good folks who make the builds future leaders. Engaging youthtruly wonderful people. Whatjourney worth it.ensures trail stewardship, club vitality,started as a hobby quicklyMark Reaves,and a strong, connected community forVAST Vice Presidentgenerations to come.Early Winter 2025 | 5'