As unbelievable as it seems, the end of the
snowmobile season is closing in on us. What have you done to promote
snowmobiling this year?
Has your club or state association invited new people
to participate? That means more than simply inviting them – that means
including them when they walk through the door. Remember – they are new
and may not know other people, they may not how your club/association
works, etc. Make them feel included.
When you have new members do you invited them to
participate on committees and in upcoming activities? People like to
feel ownership – and inclusion and involvement help them feel like
members making a difference.
Remember – Everyone has competition for their free
time. That means people have to choose between their son’s soccer game
and the snowmobile meeting or simply spending free time with their
family. Make their time spent with you meaningful.
Are you doing anything to attract families? Are you
including the kids in your plans?
Do you know that kids are 6 times more likely to do
something electronically than to go outdoors?
Kids are future – we need to start to focus on
getting them involved. Conventional wisdom also says we need to focus
on the grandparents – who are more likely to take their grandchildren
outdoors than their parents.
Do you know that today’s kids are forecast to have
a shorter lifespan because of their inactivity?
Do you know that kids love the snow and ice – it’s
their parents that are most often reluctant to spend winter time
outdoors with them?
The U.S. Forest Service, as well as many of the other
agencies realize the challenge we have before us. The Forest Service
has made $500,000 in grant money available to non-profit groups in their
program More Kids in the Woods. Do you have any programs/events that
might be eligible?
Have you taken a friend snowmobiling? Or a family?
Have you invited a local election official snowmobiling?
Do you know that the most influential people in recreation decisions are
county commissioners? Invite one of your county commissioners to go
riding with you. It may help them in future decisions they have to make
on motorized recreation issues.
It’s not too late – make plans now. It will be a
rewarding experience. I just talked with a gentleman who took a couple
out snowmobiling – they had so much fun they went on to buy
snowmobiles. It was something they had always considered, but had never
done and had never been invited to do.
Yes, it’s February – but there’s still several weeks
to enjoy snowmobiling. Make it a family experience. Take your kids.
Take your grandkids. If you don’t have kids and grandkids – take your
nieces, nephews, or neighbor kids. It’s up to us to get them outdoors.
Across The Country