Mike Smith Joins MWSC as Community Development Coach

Caribou, ME – The Maine Winter Sports Center is excited to announce that Mapleton native Mike Smith will be joining their staff as a Community Development Coach.  Smith comes to the MWSC staff with a range of outdoor and leadership experiences, and having grown up in the County, he already has a strong connection with the communities of Northern Maine.

“We are thrilled to have someone with Mike’s extensive outdoor skills and experiences join our staff,” said Eileen Carey, Vice President of MWSC. “Our success depends on having coaches who are committed to promoting healthy, active lifestyles throughout the communities of Aroostook County.  Mike’s expertise and his desire to share that with others make him a perfect fit for the job.”

Mike is a 2003 graduate of the University of Maine, Orono.  Upon graduating he became a registered Maine Guide and has worked as a sea kayak guide along the coast of Maine, as a whitewater kayak guide in Central America, and a cross-country ski coach and telemark ski instructor in Aroostook County.  For the last two years Mike worked at MOJO, Presque Isle’s bike and ski shop, at which he implemented a variety of programs such as community ski nights, ski and bike maintenance clinics, and beginner mountain bike rides.  He has also assisted the University of Maine in Presque Isle with paddling and mountaineering programs, and most recently worked with the Nordic Heritage Sports Club as director of the annual Fat Tire Mountain Bike Festival.

Mike is excited to continue sharing his love for the outdoors in his new capacity as Community Development Coach with the MWSC. “I have been fortunate enough to have incredible adventures in my life, and I’ve been equally fortunate to have a home as special as northern Maine,” said Smith, “I’m excited to share my love for both through my work with Maine Winter Sports Center.”

As a Community Development Coach, Mike will be a resource for communities looking to establish or build upon existing ski and outdoor recreation programs.  His duties will range from coordinating the Healthy Hometown Ski Program and Healthy Hometown Ski Trailers, to running ski leader education clinics and helping communities develop youth and community outdoor programs.  He will also be involved in coaching MWSC youth and development teams.