Fort Bragg youth hone ice skating skills

By Tina Ray
Paraglide

	Photo by Tina Ray/Paraglide Students get guidance from Liz Egetoe, skate director at Cleland Ice Rink, during an Experience, Develop, Grow and Excel activity at the rink June 9. EDGE! provides afterschool enrichment excursions for children in partnership with Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Child, Youth and School Services.

Not only does Lisa Richardson work as a program assistant with the Experience, Develop, Grow and Excel program, the Army spouse and mother of two often enrolls her children in afterschool activities.

Richardson’s son, Curtis, 12, enjoyed an ice skating session at Cleland Ice Rink Wednesday. The session was part of excursions that include bowling, fishing, canoeing and clay and target shooting during the month of June.

EDGE! works to enhance children’s fitness, life and adventure skills, among others, while giving them an upperhand over other likeminded competitors.

Participants in the program are provided with transportation to Cleland Ice Rink, Smith Lake and Clay Target Center where activities take place, said Deanna Lampley, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation partnership specialist. They are also given snacks, drinks and the necessary equipment needed for participation.

Curtis said he learned how to glide and swivel across the rink without getting hurt.
He said he appreciates the fact that his parents enroll in him various programs.

“It shows that they care,” he said.

The preteen plans to keep busy. His mother said it is a way to keep them out of the house during the summer.

Nancy Soto also spent a portion of June 9, watching her daughter, Veronica, skate around Cleland Ice Rink.

“It’s (EDGE!) is a wonderful program and I can tell that it gets the child, especially military children, the chance to excel in a different way — in extracurricular activities. They get a chance to be with other peers that are military children.”

Veronica, 11, said her favorite part of skating was learning to skate backwards and how to fall without getting hurt.

“I learned that if you go forward when you fall, it will help to keep your balance straight,” she said.

The upper body steers and controls what the feet do, said Liz Egetoe, skate director.

Egetoe and Alie Voyce, assistant skate director, helped the children learn the fundamentals of skating.

The children seemed to enjoy their fit EDGE! trip to the rink.

Veronica said she is interested in taking another class.

“I would like to learn another class so that I’ll have more knowledge,” she said.

Cleland Ice Rink offers year-round skating, not only for exercise, but also as affordable Family activity, according to the FMWR website at www.fortbraggmwr.com/cleland.php#learntoskate.

The rink offers open skating, group and private lessons, as well as figure skating clubs, parties and private ice rental.

There is a focus on safety at the rink. The use of cell phones, cameras and electronic gadgets are not permitted on the ice, reinforcing safety awareness for the Families of servicemembers, civilians and Soldiers.

For current and future information about the EDGE! program, visit its website at www.fortbraggmwr.com/edge.php.

Participants must be in grades 1 to 12 and have a valid CYSS card to register.
Registration can be done at CYSS, fourth floor of the Soldier Support Center, at Tolson Youth Activities Center or online at https://webtrac.mwr.army.mil/.

Lampley encourages enrollment in the program, citing its benefit for children in improving skills.
“It’s a win-win situation for them,” she said.

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