Why do we need snowmobile clubs???
- Thread starter MOTOSKI
- Start date
This shows the problem
There was another thread that was complaining about some legislation, and the ineffectiveness of the clubs was brought up. This question shows we need to do a better job explaining the clubs to the new people. If these young guys (and girls) don't know what a club does, why would they ever join? When we started, the clubs were as much about the comaraderie as getting the trails done. Now with social networking, and sites like this, you never have to go to the backroom of a bar of VFW to discuss the sport we love. I believe we need to get through to these kids on their level somehow, not ours.
There was another thread that was complaining about some legislation, and the ineffectiveness of the clubs was brought up. This question shows we need to do a better job explaining the clubs to the new people. If these young guys (and girls) don't know what a club does, why would they ever join? When we started, the clubs were as much about the comaraderie as getting the trails done. Now with social networking, and sites like this, you never have to go to the backroom of a bar of VFW to discuss the sport we love. I believe we need to get through to these kids on their level somehow, not ours.
most young guys just assume the trails were always there.when I was a kid my grandparents club had 7 people in it when it started.I remember going out in the summer allot of weekends making trails in the woods where there were no trails.as the sport caught on the club grew and more help came.but now allot of the original trails that were built when I was a kid are gone and diverted to ditches.in the area I live in now we just lost a corn field no big deal you say just a corn field.but that corn field hooks up to a park so according to the park system only existing trails can be used and if you lose a entrance or exit you lose the right to use the park and the trail cant be rerouted.so now back to ditch riding unless we can get this guy to change his mind before the season is over. if not done this season the park is lost for ever.and not just the the one trail thorough the park but all trails through the park that intersect the trail in ?.so do you think the dnr gives a crap about that no guys have to go to this persons house bring him out to dinner buy him drinks trying to get him to let us use it .few reasons why but when a sign says stay on trail it is for a reason and when your sled goes close to someone's house late at night prob not a great idea to start drag racing .the clubs do allot of work but also have allot of fun.ever been to hay days?most of that money goes in to clubs for building bridges culverts grooming ext.I bet more money comes from the snobarons than the DNR in MN
As a distant observer in da Arizona desert, I have to say:
1. MOTOSKI: Thanks for asking! (No, really!)
2. Everyone else: Thanks to you all for your positive, non-judgmental, helpful attitude.
Y'all sound like a buncha good hearted Yoopers! That is something that makes this site so unique! {smile}
Special thanks to scott_l, fredster, JD, and others for providing such detailed information.
I think such a thorough clarification was long overdue. Well done!
1. MOTOSKI: Thanks for asking! (No, really!)
2. Everyone else: Thanks to you all for your positive, non-judgmental, helpful attitude.
Y'all sound like a buncha good hearted Yoopers! That is something that makes this site so unique! {smile}
Special thanks to scott_l, fredster, JD, and others for providing such detailed information.
So ya thought it was just grooming, signage, and some trail clearing activity, eh?
I think such a thorough clarification was long overdue. Well done!
Moto, you don't even have to join a club if you don't want to,but if you have the time just find a club and go to a meeting and ask questions.There are no dumb questions if you really want answers. But without clubs snowmobiling has you know it would not be the same. I've been in a club along time and made lots of good friends over the years. I've been in areas that I would have never seen. I've coached little league and even played a couple years of ball with my oldest son, but when it comes down to talking about great times, it usually comes back to snowmobile stories. Without the trails and clubs are stories might not have happened.
81indycenturion
Member
I hope everybody can read these excellent posts. I'm glad I finally joined a club; I wish I would have done it sooner.
WOW I was just called a "Yooper"' by some one living in Arizona
LOL that is great, just made my day! I wish I was a true "Yooper" but my home is in the north metro of the twin cites (MN). Those that carry the true "Yooper" name should carry it with pride!
We had our club meeting last night and picked up a new member........I am going to guess this gentleman is in his late 60s to early 70s.........his reason for stopping by last night....."looking for new friends to ride with".
Clubs are for all ages.......we need young people to join today so they/we (Ya my age still starts with a 3) can learn from the seasoned veterans and keep the sport going as they become unable to help!
below is a link to the MNUSA site that list the majority of the clubs in the State. If you are not a member of a local club already find the one closest to your house and stop in for the next meeting. I only know of one club in the state that does not except new members.
http://mnsnowmobiler.org/index.php?pageid=92
ride on!
luvthetrails
New member
Thanks for all the info! And I appreciate all that you guys do!! We belong to 2 clubs in Wis. and I wish I could do more than the membership and donations. I try to thank the groomer drivers that I know and give a good friendly wave or a thumbs up when we meet one on the trail. Maybe next year we can make it up for trail brushing weekend!
THANKS SO MUCH!!!!
THANKS SO MUCH!!!!
sledheadprox2
Member
Everybody that belongs two a club know how much work
goes into the trail system.
The dnr is there just two over see every thing and make
sure all the trails and new proposed trails are right, I kow theres more but keep
it simple.
They do very little signing or grooming its all up too
club members.
Another grip i always hear is trail pass.
Here in mn it $35 and it goes straight too the clubs.
We had a club funded trail for 5 years, we did signing and
grooming and did not get paid for it.
It took 3 year just too get the right rout then get all the land owners.
This was all done by are club, and not the dnr.
This year it was brought in too grant n aid and now we are being funded for it.
This would not have happened with out the trail permit.
The dnr said they had extra $ so they brought in proposed trails that clubs
have been working on.
All the club member that are posting Know how much work WE do for the trails.
Think Snow!!!
goes into the trail system.
The dnr is there just two over see every thing and make
sure all the trails and new proposed trails are right, I kow theres more but keep
it simple.
They do very little signing or grooming its all up too
club members.
Another grip i always hear is trail pass.
Here in mn it $35 and it goes straight too the clubs.
We had a club funded trail for 5 years, we did signing and
grooming and did not get paid for it.
It took 3 year just too get the right rout then get all the land owners.
This was all done by are club, and not the dnr.
This year it was brought in too grant n aid and now we are being funded for it.
This would not have happened with out the trail permit.
The dnr said they had extra $ so they brought in proposed trails that clubs
have been working on.
All the club member that are posting Know how much work WE do for the trails.
Think Snow!!!
michaeladams
New member
thats like asking,why do we need air,why do we need beer?the answer is,so we can survive
all right moto what gives with the ? just got done reading your other posts and it looks like you know the answer why else would you be asking for picks of a drag?looks like you have been ridding for some time now.just to put it out there for guys who may not know and afraid to ask is why I am thinking you asked.or maybe you just thought buying a groomer drag would be a good thing to have hanging around the garage
polarisrider1
New member
Makes sense to me. If moto was a young fella He wouldn;'t even know what a Motoski was. Lurker.
Sno-Bandit Gary
New member
I have belonged to our club for many years. I helped out with what ever I could when I was up for the weekend or had a few days off. I retired last year and moved up to our place as a "full timer". I never realized how much time and effort went into running a club until being up here all of the time. My hats go off to all of the individuals who have dedicated their time in the past to get our sport to the level it is now. scott_1 said it well...it's time for the next generation to step up to learn the in's and outs of keeping our sport alive. My wife and I do as much as we can to support our club. She helped run our annual chili dump. She and I started a web site for our club to bring us into the new millennium and conect with our new generation. I work on maintenance of our groomer brush trails and run the groomer during the season along with a great group of people that are fun to work with. We help plan fund raising events for our club as well. It takes a tremendous amount of Volunteer hours to keep things alive. If you love and enjoy snowmobiling as much as we do, join a club, get involved.... because when it's not snowing and you can't ride your sled, you will be with a great group of people that share your passion. I look at it this way..If I can't ride now, I'm getting things ready to ride the next time.
Gary
www.RomeSnoBandits.com
Gary
www.RomeSnoBandits.com
jim_golding
New member
At first I was alittle taken back by the question and decided not to post for a while to see where the thread went. After reading all the posts I am glad the question was asked. In my younger years (teenager) I just thought that the trails "happened". After moving to northeast WI I joined a snowmobile club and got involved. There is a lot more work than one thinks and that has been stated in this thread. With snowmobiling it is a passion for most people as it is for my whole family. My whole family is involved in the club. We brush trails, mark are own section of trials, fundraisers, etc. This year I have taken on the role of secretary for the club which is a lot of work - meeting minutes, newsletters, event coordination, membership renewals, etc. My only regret is I wish I had more time to help out more. I have only been able to help out grooming a few times but I wish I could do it more. My younger son tonight did NOT ask if we could go riding this weekend with the new snow, he asked if he could go grooming with me or another club member!! This is just what the clubs need are younger members who have passion about the sport.
polarisrider1
New member
Thank you Jim! keep it alive.
trailblazer
New member
This has got to be one of the most positive threads I've read in a while. I'm very active in our club also. I have 2 boys 11-6 that help me mark trails, brush the trails, and they fight over who get to ride in the groomer. I also have a neice and nephew that love to get involved too. Hopefully we can pass the torch someday.