The Mahtomedi Community Education Nordic Ski Club, open to students in grades 6-12, recently finished its first-ever season, thanks to the initiative of two community members, Kelly Roberts Lane and Kelly Unger. Their inspiration? According to Kelly Roberts Lane, it was all about “friends, fun, and learning an outdoor activity that could be carried through a lifetime.”
Kelly Roberts Lane, a Mahtomedi alumna and physical therapist, is passionate about getting people of all ages and abilities active. Kelly Unger shares this enthusiasm as a Mountain Biking Team coach and Special Education Paraprofessional at Mahtomedi Middle School. They met through their children’s athletic activities and bonded over a shared love of Nordic Skiing, envisioning a club where they could introduce students to the sport in a fun, low-pressure environment.
While competitive Nordic Ski Racing is offered at Mahtomedi High School, Nordic Ski Club provides the first recreational opportunity for the sport. The group has been especially popular with our middle schoolers, filling a gap for more after-school opportunities for that age group–a need identified in last year’s community needs assessment.
Parent feedback highlighted the instructors’ upbeat energy, expertise, and adaptability in engaging students despite unpredictable weather. One parent shared, “My son was so glad to be part of learning Nordic…He enjoyed getting outdoors after school, bonding with friends in nature, and the great attitudes of his coaches who encouraged students to learn something new and have fun while doing it.”
Both leaders were thrilled to see students step out of their comfort zone and improve significantly. Kelly Roberts Lane highlighted the value of Community Education, saying, “It has the unique opportunity to include everyone. It can be a place to try new things and to simply hang out with friends.” Mahtomedi Community Education is proud to have community members like Kelly Roberts Lane and Kelly Unger share their leadership and serve as advisors of our Nordic Club. They help us make a positive impact on our community!