Kids Have Fun While Learning At Dodge Ridge

Dodge Ridge is combining education and fun this season with the introduction of its Children's Interpretive Program.

The program, which is aimed at kids from ages 4 through 12, is designed to create a lifelong love of not only skiing and snowboarding, but also the neighboring bio-region and forests; the program's instructors are trained in natural history and mountain animal life.

Five mascots -- each representing an important quality of on-mountain activities -- have been introduced to help educate and inspire the kids who take part in the Children's Program: There's "Snowy" the female flying squirrel who represents fun flying in the air and landing in control; there's "Buddy" the blue jay who represents the Dodge Ridge's terrain parks; there's "Emmy" the bald eagle who represents safety and smart-style riding; there's "River" the female raccoon who represents family and learning on the mountain; and then there's "Cinnamon" the coyote who represents mountain exploration.

The Children's Interpretive Program has other features it will develop, including skiing mascots, children only trails, gullies and alleys and a "kids only" trail map.

Dodge Ridge also offers a snow-play program for children ages 3-5. This program attempts to cultivate a love of the snow through play in a no-pressure, fun atmosphere.