Living where the winters are long and cold, one is wise to enjoy outdoor winter sports as getting outside, enjoying the sun and doing some exercise is not only fun, but it makes the life more manageable when the temperatures drop. While I’ve enjoyed skiing nearly all of my life, I guess when I think of vacation, I think of getting away from the snow - not jumping in.

Last month, we were invited to Smuggler’s Notch for a vacation with all 4 boys, hubby and my mom. It was a long journey to get there, but what a pleasant surprise when we arrived.

Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont is nestled in the heart of Vermont's Green Mountains. The  quaint year-round mountainside resort village has little restaurants and shops. Of course, the main attraction is the award-winning ski (and snowboard) programs at the resort. There’s plenty to do and see. Smugglers' Notch is over the hill from Stowe and only 30 miles east of the Burlington International Airport. Smugglers' Notch Resort covers more than 1,000 acres of accessible terrain, with over 300 acres marked and patrolled.

Programs
Our boys are 9, 6, 3 and 1 and they all took advantage of something the resort offered. The 9, 6 and 3 year-olds enjoyed the ski program and the 1 year-old used the childcare center called Treasures. Treasures is for the younger children and is run extremely well. Very organized and clean. I felt great at drop off and knew he was well taken care of. In fact, on the last day, I dropped off the 3 year old as well. The ski program was great for the older kids, they had a wonderful time and learned a great deal. The 3 year old too learned a lot and enjoyed himself, but it was a little more confusing at drop off and if he was my first child, dropping him off would have been more concerning. There were a lot of people and it seemed confusing. The location for the drop off seemed to work fine, but wasn’t a place that seemed as kid-oriented as say, Treasures. He appeared happy to be there - but less attention appeared paid to him than at Treasures. I really loved Treasures and I think he did as well. In fact, he made a friend that he cried about having to leave. The instructors I met were great. They took time to explain my children’s progress and to explain the tracking system they use where you can see exactly how fast they went and where they skied from your computer. We really liked that! I would definitely use the ski program, they kept the boys interested and they learned a lot.

Accommodations / Food
The lodging is nice, we stayed in a 3 bedroom condo. It was fully stocked with appliances - everything you would need for cooking as well as a washer/dryer. Since the food onsite is expensive, this kitchen was put to good use. So if you go, plan on cooking in to save money. There’s a grocery store on property as well as one a few miles down the road. We brought what we could and bought anything else we needed when we arrived.

Fully-equipped condominium-style accommodations ranging in size from studios to five-bedroom townhouses. New luxury three-bedroom/two-bath condos called The Eagles have been built in the North Hill area. The Eagles feature an aquatics and activity center with an indoor children's water playground, heated lap pool, hot tubs and exercise room.

There really is loads to do. The resort is basically is little village with everything you might need not far away.  Several restaurants, lounges, evening entertainment for families and adults, shopping, rental and repair shops, indoor swimming pool, spa, FunZone indoor family center, sleigh riding, grocery, deli, child care center, teen center, nordic center, crafts, massage, and welcome reception.

Year-Round Activities
In the summer and winter, Smugg’s has an all-day camp for the kids.  In the evening older kids can hang out in teen lounge. The idea that parents can relax and spend time having fun while the kids are safely enjoying age-appropriate activities is very appealing.

Smugglers Notch is a great place to take the family skiing, snowboarding, sledding and skating. (It is also fabulous in the summer with multiple heated outdoor swimming pools and water slides for all ages and abilities.) There’s lots to do: hiking, swimming, horseback riding, tennis, and sight-seeing year-round, resort pools in summer, fishing, miniature golf, biking, hiking, evening entertainment and in the fall breathtaking views of fall foliage.

The resort is consistently and justifiably rated as one of the top family destinations in the nation. If you’re a big skier, you’ll be pleased to know that Smugg’s offers The Black Hole, the only triple black diamond trail in the East. Won’t see me on that! I wound up on a single diamond a few times and well...not as much fun with the moguls for me.

My thoughts

Our condo was spacious, clean and conveniently located - right near the pool (which we took full advantage of). Equipment rental was easy with a helpful and attentive staff.

We were also near the Nordic Ski Center, so my mom and I enjoyed an amazing night show shoeing adventure in the Notch. It was a great experience for us, peaceful, not terribly challenging and we met nice people. The guide was fantastic. My mother also took x-country skiing lessons and she enjoyed then tremendously - even considering renting a pair to finish out the winter.  Unfortunately, we had one day with terrible weather - the power was out for 4 hours, so we never had time to use the outdoor ice rink, where I was planning to give my kids skating lessons.

The resort runs shuttles which you can call to take you around. Unfortunately, I had a bad experience with trying to get a shuttle from the Highlands lift. It was at the end of the ski day and after 4 calls, I finally had to flag security to take me back to the condo. Having said that, every other occasion we calls for a shuttle was quick and easy. So I may have just had bad luck.

The skiing at Smuggler's is really nice. I enjoyed Sterling and Madonna. I even learned a few tips from a group lesson, which is a great idea to do every few years - even for experienced skiers. Of course, East coast skiing tends to be a bit icy, but that’s kind of part of the territory.  We did get some good snow, which helped, but there still was a layer of ice under everything.  My only issue with skiing is that the chair lifts at Smugglers' are only doubles. They’re sooo slow. This is apparently a mixed blessing as everyone tells you, that this limits how many people are on the mountain -- and tends to keep away the day trippers. The downside is you can get pretty cold riding up.

Smuggs is a wonderful vacation for the whole family and the staff is absolutely wonderful. I would definitely return in winter and would like to visit in summer. For boys, with so many choices, it’s perfect.

Rating:

Kid Rated: 5 stars

Parent Rated: 4.1 stars

Both kids and parents rate food, activity options, staff, room, cleanliness, staff and more. All reviews have the potential to earn a maximum of 5 stars. If you would like Raising Boys World to review your property, contact us via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Video to come soon.

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What I want to share with all of you is a true story that will demonstrate what happens when:

•    What happens when both parents hate each other, more then they love their kid’s?

In order to help my son heal from a nasty divorce and understand why his father couldn’t be closer to him, I gave my son and my three other children, the only thing I had left – the truth. I've document this experience with lawyers, doctors and the courts while examining the effects of my life choices had on all my children.

I hope so many fathers and families, will learn from my mistakes and realize the importance of God, Self, Family and Child to improve and maintain a quality of life to avoid a painful and shallow existence.

I think the only way to show you some of the Hell my kids endured is to share their words with you. As I began to write and document the truth each day from April 2009 through October 2009 more pain and anguish continued to be unveiled.

Excerpt from page 29 from my oldest child Marie..

Dear Dad,                                           
I thought I would write you this letter because I woke up this morning with the strangest thing on my mind. I have not thought about this in at least twelve years, and come to think about it, I do not think I have ever mentioned it to you before. In 1996, when I was fourteen, we went on that FABULOUS (sarcasm) vacation, where we toured Ohio in a motor home/RV thing. Pretty much the vacation from hell!
I had always wanted to follow Nono and you and work at MRM and then eventually run the place. Going to work with either Nono or you were by far some of my most favorite childhood memories.
Camille and I, were talking about me going to work for you, and I told her that I was going to run MRM one day! She said, “No, Nick is going to take over the business.” This was in 1996. Nick was five. I told her that working at MRM was pretty much all that I had ever wanted to do, that my grandfather’s firstborn had followed in his footsteps and was now running the company, so I (being the firstborn) wanted to do the same. Well! She then told me “Nick is Dad’s firstborn also, and he has just as much rights as you to run that company and will be given the opportunity to do so.” That crushed me. Jimmy and I always felt replaced by “Dad’s Do-Over family.” Now my fourteen-year-old ambitions are being threatened by my five-year-old brother? Nick was not even your firstborn son! Looking back, it is easy to see how the impact of that conversation affected my feelings of security in your family. It never felt like a blended family to me, more like a weekend family.
Love, Marie

Excerpt from page 139 from my oldest son Jimmy

Dear Dad,    
As far as 1991 goes, I cannot really pull many distinct memories. Other than first grade, nothing about the year stands out. Nick was born. Moreover, was my affliction toward him and your new family? I remember when you moved to Colorado. You have often told me that you felt as though you were abandoning us again, but if anything, I felt like you were saving me. You were taking the worst part of my life (Camille) and moving her 2,000 miles away. I could not have thought of a better idea myself. The setback was that now when I would see you it came with a long flight and a longer visit, completely on her turf.
We talked today about how you always made us as kids feel like you were trying to “save” us from the alcoholism we lived in at home. However, in reality the alcoholism was far less demanding than the circus our weekends were. Mom was our sanctuary. I never felt inadequate, unwanted, or burdensome.
Your son Jimmy

Excerpt from page 112 from my second son Nick..

Dad,                                                 7/19/2008

So I wish this letter was filled with warm and happy thoughts, but it won’t be. Dad, I’ve struck out; my emotional clock has reached 0. I’m in that magical little place you oh so vividly described once upon a time, you know, the one where you don’t want to live but you don’t want to die. I’ve been here before, and sad to say I’m back. I’m cutting …bad. The amount of cuts on my arm is my second- best/worst. Whichever way you wanna swing it. It’s at thirty-two. My number was fifty-seven, I think, but nobody knew about that. I’ve reached my peak and I don’t know what to do. I’m filled with pain, fear, loneliness, a sense of abandonment, and again more pain.
I’m a wreck and I actually think I’m dying. I don’t think I’ve ever been close. Not even at my lowest was I where I am today. My heart is bleeding and I don’t have the whatever is necessary to stop it. I might bleed to death.
Sincerely,

Your son

Excerpt form page 131 two emails’ between my fourth child the baby Sara

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Yo Girlie

Next time tell your mom you want to live with your dad, and thank her for letting that be an option for you, and you are ready, how soon can you go?? My guess is she will change her attitude. If not, come on home to your dad!
Love ya. Dad

P.S. She won’t hear any of this from me!!

Dad

Ya I think I’m gonna do that cuz I’m really sick of all of the crap she’s constantly throwing at me! I can only take so much! Ugh. Oh well, only 2 1/2 more years. Thanks for letting me vent. Love you, Sara

Today, this trauma still continues however there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Tony Rassini is the author of the book, Dad, It’s Time to Tell the Truth!, in which he reveals the truth of his past to help his son cope with the aftermath of his parents’ ugly divorce; it’s a memoir that is candid, thorough and at times shocking. Rassini currently lives in Hartland, Michigan. You may visit his website for more information at http://www.4familyandchild.com/.

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Do students feel that they need guidance for college and careers?  Yes, they do, and a number of studies show a consensus by students on this issue.  For example, a 2007 study by the University of Texas held that 89% of students felt that education planning was important, and 61% said that it was very important.  In a 2009 study sponsored by the Gates Foundation, 71% of graduates and 68% of those who did not finish college said that having good guidance about colleges, majors, and careers was a key issue.  Yet in the same study, a majority of these same students ranked their high school guidance counselors “fair to poor” on the criteria of helping them to explore careers, deciding on the right school, and in helping with the application process.  In fact, only 13% of students rated their high school counselors as “excellent” on these issues.  The report asserts a concerning fact:  Many young Americans, especially those that don’t graduate, barely go through any college selection process at all. 

On the issue of college preparedness, the students in the Gates-sponsored study also highlighted the importance of academic skills needed to succeed.  Of the students surveyed, 79% of graduates and 73% of those who did not graduate said that learning good academic skills was very important prior to college.  Yet what would some factors be that would signify a student who was under-prepared for college?  The National Survey on Student Engagement, 2009, shed some light on this issue.  In a look at more than 10,000 students, they found some basic facts about those that might not be ready for the rigors of higher education.  Out of those they considered to be under-prepared for college, 65% were first generation students, but 46% of those not ready for college had college educated parents, which is typically a correlate of higher education success.  Under-prepared students were less engaged in academics, and were significantly less satisfied with their college than highly prepared students, which then makes them less likely to return the following year.  The report added that first-generation and under-prepared students might have had limited relevant experiences to support their transition to college, and may need more explicit directions about what they must do to succeed. 

Since college graduation rates are lowest for young men in the U.S., boys who are planning on attending college may need extra help around the issues of college & career planning, as well as active transitional supports.  Because the statistics show such a poor outlook, appropriate planning and support may ultimately make the difference between a boy’s college success and failure.

Jeffrey Ludovici, M.A., is operates Student Strategy 101®, a college planning and support program based in Pittsburgh, Pa.  For more information, please visit him at studentstrategy101.com or at his College Strategy Blog.

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Young men in the United States are less likely than young women to complete a college degree, according to the U.S. Department of Education.  In it’s most recent annual report, the Condition of Education, 2009, the department highlighted graduation rates for young men and women after four, five, and six years of attendance.  Here are the hard numbers:

On average, only 36% of American college students completed a bachelor’s degree within four years, with 58% taking six years to finish the four-year credential.  That is, if they’re not among the estimated 42% or more students that drop or fail out.

Boys fare the worst in college:  Only about 31% of young men in across the U.S. finish college in four years, with 54% taking six years to complete a four-year degree.  Male students at private, non-profit colleges have the highest graduation rates, with 46% finishing on time and 62% earning a degree after six years.  Young men at state colleges take the longest, with only 24% finishing after four years and 52% taking six years to earn a bachelor‘s degree. 

However, graduation rates for both genders of American students are low, especially in comparison to other countries.  The U.S. currently ranks 15th out of 29 developed nations in college graduation rates, so college concerns exist for both genders.  While girls do have overall higher graduation rates than boys, only 40% on average finish in four years and 60% take six years to earn a bachelor’s degree.  Young women at public colleges had the lowest graduation rates at 34% after 4 years and 58% within six years.  Girls at private, non-profit colleges had the highest U.S. graduation rates measured:  54% graduate within 4 years and 67% finishing after six years.

Jeffrey Ludovici, M.A., is operates Student Strategy 101®, a college planning and support program based in Pittsburgh, Pa.  For more information, please visit him at studentstrategy101.com or at his College Strategy Blog.

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Every class has victims and victimizers.  The teasers and physical bullies have as serious problems as do the scapegoats. What I suggest
deals simultaneously with all their problems.

First step is changing the mindset of “boys will be boys” that excuses destructive behavior. The same with “girls love to tease” as
if both are natural and can’t be changed. It’s true that humans of any age will take out their frustrations on one another, if allowed. War
has been a sad reality and commentary on what has been accepted throughout history.

Second, is to admit that there IS a strong human propensity for physical and emotional abuse. This leads to explaining to the class that it is “normal” to have aggressive thoughts and feelings. This is to ease any guilt that they have while experiencing them.

However, four is when I say that “acting” on these thoughts and feelings by physically or verbally hurting anyone will not be tolerated! My goal is to make the classroom safe for everyone. We will be discussing appropriate consequences when someone violates a classmate.

Before we do, I ask each child to tell (or write about it) to one person s/he trusts about at least one incident where a parent, family member, teacher, or peer has hurt her/his feelings. When they share this aloud with the class, they begin to see that this is all too common. When they know about each other’s pain, they learn to be and show more empathy. Instead of attacking, they seek out and offer support to the one who is hurting.

I have each student each morning write on a card (or some way to show the feeling) how s/he is feeling when s/he comes in.  Anyone can see if a student is happy, sad, frustrated, or angry. For most when they know the other is vulnerable and open as are they, they respect their mood. Since this doesn’t occur immediately (and never does with a few) there needs to be an agreed upon set of choices, of consequences for any violation. The choices are discussed with the class. Nothing becomes law unless everyone agrees with each consequence.  By empowering them they become more responsible and more willing to accept the consequence that they choose.

For those few who continue to violate others the consequences become more severe and with proper documentation they can eventually be referred to a person or agency that can better deal with the severity, the antisocial nature of her/his behavior. This works at any age, but it takes time, thought, and sometimes courage to follow through to do the right thing. It’s worth the effort.

This approach also can be done in the home.

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Skiing and snowboarding trips are a great family getaway, but downhill sports are intense and requires a little extra attention to ensure your little human's saftey on the slopes.   Having the right equipment and being well-prepared will make the sport more enjoyable for kids, and let the parents have a more relaxed time.

Equipment:
Finding both the correct equipment and fit is essential to your child's enjoyment as well as his safety.  With so many styles, it can become overwhelming, so always turn to a professional in a pro-shop for guidance.  Plus, (not to undermine your coolness level) if your son is in love with a cool-looking equipment that might not be the best fit for him, he might be more willing to change his mind and listen to the seasoned snowboarder/skier at the shop and look at other recommended options. 

For little skiers, it is important to have a proper boot fitting.  Kids have flatter feet than adults, making it harder to size them for boots, so it's a good idea to have an expert help you find the right ones.  For little snowboarders, usually height and riding style(stance, left-handed, right handed) is taken into account so your helping expert should be asking your kid these questions. 

A helmet will keep your kid protected and warm.  It should rest just above the eyebrows so the forehead is also protected, and the straps should be snug under the chin.  Goggles are always a good idea - it will protect the eyes and reduce the glare off the snow, making it easier to see. 

Attire:
Layering is the best way to stay dry and warm.  The first layer should be a "breathable" or "wicking" fabric that can pull moisture away from the skin to keep it dry.  Don't use cotton as a first layer since it can soak up moisture and get very cold.  It's a good idea to layer only with clothing made specifically for winter sports because they are covered by a waterproof shell which can also help keep the skin dry. 

Other Prep Work:
The solar glare off the snow can cause serious sunburns, especially with children because they have more sensitive skin.  Use skin and lip protection in a high SPF.  Having lotion on hand and applying it throughout the day will also help reduce painful windburns.

Skiing and snowboarding are intense sports, so make sure you all have a hearty, healthy meal before hitting the slopes.  People often underestimate how much you sweat because you are in the cold, so remind your little ones to hydrate regularly.

If your kid is new to the sport, you should take advantage of the lessons available at the slopes.  You may be a seasoned skier or snowboarder, but a ski or snowboard instructor is uniquely qualified so they will definitely cover all the bases on safety and responsibility.  Raising awareness for safety and responsibility codes to your little one, will make it safer for them, as well as other skiers and snowboarders, on the slope.

Just a reminder, cell phone often don't work very well on trails.  If you have an older kid who wants to separate from you, make sure he has a map and watch and that you have a meeting spot at a specific time.  Some families invest in a two-way radio.

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