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Show FOR KIDS-SAKE Dont “Fun” Out Let Stress Your Kids by Tony Onofrietti Avalanche of Politics. . . equipment. Continued from page 8 of forecast that you the don’t have a fight on your hands,” Judd said. Avalanche forecasters must spend 1994-95 During the ski season, beginning the inoperable, Wyatt said, because special batteries to operate the mountain-top years in the canyon learning the art and science of avalanche forecasting. equipment were not forthcoming. Hale’s title of avalanche a joke, Judd said, other examples coordinator is “Bill Hale is not an avalanche forecaster. Never has been. Never will be. You can’t forecast avalanches from the cab of a truck,” Judd said. As many as 10,000 vehicles travel Little Cottonwood Canyon on a busy day. Judd maintains that a tragedy of large proportion is waiting to happen. “One avalanche can back up an entire line of cars. A subsequent series of slides could bury hundreds of cars and people. It isn’t a question of “if” but “when” it will happen,” Judd Like Lev and Judd before said. him, Wyatt quit because he believed he was in an impossible situation — all the responsibility of predicting avalanches but none of the authority to close the highway. “I have no confidence in the level of safety in the canyon,” Wyatt wrote in his letter of resignation. The letter has been posted in the Alta Post Office. Wwe said that not only were forecasters pressured by Hale but they were also left without proper of UDOT avalanche forecast weather station was Wyatt said there are numerous of a lack of proper resources. The operation, he said, is running on a shoestring. Wyatt and the only other experienced forecaster left in UDOT’s Little Cottonwood Canyon operation, Paul Cohee, spent last winter in the canyon on call 24-hours-aday, seven-days-a-week. “For the most part, we kept quiet and tried to work within the system. But nothing seemed to change. Things didn’t get any better,” Wyatt said. One avalanche expert independent of UDOT who wished not to be identified said that UDOT’s canyon avalanche safety program is flawed because the forecasters don’t have any authority to close the road. The same forecaster said Hale is not a skier, nor does he dig snow pits to analyze snow layers, as trained avalanche forecasters do. “No one has ever seen Hale without his cowboy boots on. He stays in his truck and second-guesses the forecasters. And, he is a real control freak.” — reported by Christopher Smart PAGE 16 judgement of game officials? ¢ Did I have fun and did I contribute to my child’s enjoyment of the activity? Remember, help your children to have a positive experience in recreation and physical activities. Keep sports in perspective and use it as an opportunity for all family members to grow and have fun together. Tony Onofrietti serves as Recreation Coordinator for the Park City Leisure Services Department and is a former collegiate sports administrator. He holds a Master of Science degree in Recreation and Leisure from the University of Utah and is recognized as a Certified Recreational Sports Specialist (CRSS). ma 649-4561 te 1270 lronhorse Drive © Fark City Next to Park City Glass a eae OPEN 7 DAYS when they feel their skills are being tested because they become. stressed over their chances of success or failure. Motivate children by developing a healthy attitude toward the playing of the game, the value of persistent practice and conditioning, and the challenge of always trying one’s best. Develop appropriate responses to winning and losing by celebrating individual achievements, supporting the positive attributes of the child’s contribution to the team, focusing on areas of improvement in themselves and others, and congratulating good sportsmanship and fair play. Seta suggests that parents directly influence how positive and successful an experience children have in sports by being actively involved and supportive. Dr. LeaAnn Tyson, assistant professor of physical education, says parents should ask themselves the following questions to better judge their performance as a role. model while their children participate in an activity: ¢ Did I ask my child what sports or programs he or she enjoys? e Did I enroll my child in something I liked? e Did I gather information on the program to assist my child in selecting appropriate instruction and competition levels? ¢ Did I support my child’s efforts by focusing on his or her individual performance rather than the outcome? e Did I reinforce and encourage my child or did I set additional expectations? ¢ Did I help my child improve by practicing fundamentals or did I leave all instruction up to the coach? e Did I acknowledge outstanding play of opponents and support the ee Park City’s Only Organic Grocery Store Homemade Vegetarian Sandwiches and Soup e Vitamins ¢ Herbs e Cold and Flu Remedies ¢ Frozen and Refrigerated Organic Products @ Organic Produce ® Holistic Books and Magazines e Body Care * Environmentally Friendly Products s residents of Utah, we are extremely fortunate to have convenient access to diverse topographical regions and quality parks systems, which offer an abundance of recreational opportunities. Families that recognize these opportunities and actively participate in positive leisure experiences greatly influence their children in making healthy lifestyle choices. Children should be encouraged by parents to venture into and explore as many different physical activities as the child finds enjoyable. Parents should allow their children to choose from a broad variety of individual and team sport programs and support their efforts in each activity. Beyond physical and athletic development, these activities provide an excellent opportunity for parents to become more involved in building and nurturing the child’s confidence and self-esteem. Initially, parents should identify the reasons a child chooses a particular activity — then match that interest with the appropriate level of participation. Too often, children who just want to have fun and enjoy playing with their friends are placed in a highly competitive environment, which causes self-doubt, stress and can lead to negative selfimage. On the other hand, children who have developed an appropriate attitude to competition, may be placed in an instructional or recreational league that does not satisfy his needs. T: ensure a positive experience, parents must focus on the child’s motivations and interests in an activity, rather than the parent’s desires. There are many youth sports programs and organizations in the area that allow children to participate at a variety of skill levels. Before a child begins, parents should research whether the program emphasis is on participation or competition: How much playing time does each child get? Is it based on skills? What are the number of practices offered? If a child misses a practice, will the child still get to play? What is the philosophy of sportsmanship in the program? Are the players individual efforts recognized regardless of the team? How would the child’s body size and composition effect his participation or risk of injury? Are there opportunities for parental involvement in the program as a coach, official, instructor or team volunteer? Parents should be positive role models for children in sport by recognizing and emphasizing individual effort and performance in physical activity, not the outcome. Children often avoid new activities |