Near McHenry in Garrett County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Deep Creek Lake Lions Give Sight-Challenged Students the Adventure of a Lifetime
Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 12, 2025
1. Deep Creek Lake Lions Give Sight-Challenged Students the Adventure of a Lifetime Marker
A Gentle Hand - The Blind Skier Program at Wisp Resort, sponsored and organized each year by the Deep Creek Lions Club and several auxiliary volunteers, proves again and again to be a true "win-win" for all involved. In operation since 1976, the program allows sight-challenged teenagers from the Maryland School for the Blind in Baltimore to spend two days on the ski slopes at Wisp, guided by willing local young people from both Northern and Southern high schools, along with several adult volunteers. While the downhill experience is certainly the highlight of the trip, the "collateral benefits" are many, for students and volunteers alike. See feature story on this page. In the photos above, taken by Barbara Law, two local high school students gently guide a very brave sight-challenged skier onto the ski lift, under the watchful eye of the lift operator.
Everyday Tasks Require A New Perspective when a sight-challenged person is taking the plunge down a mountainside on skis. All the volunteers seemed to agree that this is a courageous, cheerful bunch, ready to take on the risks and difficulties without hesitation. In
this page online
Getting To Know Each Other - Another valuable aspect of the Blind Skier Program is the experiences of both the sight-challenged teen, and his or her teenage guides. The opportunity to simply "hang out" with sighted peers is something that the MSB students don't often have, and the chance to assist and befriend peers with such challenges is new for the local students as well. In the photo above, volunteers Seth Holler and Michael McEwen chat with their MSB student Dean.
Ways To Get Down The Hill - The MSB students have several options in ways to ski down the hillside at Wisp. The usual way is with a bamboo pole, pictured above, with the "bold guides" on the ends, and the sight-challenged student in the middle. This requires all to ski without poles, which is sometimes a trick experience skiers who are very used to having them. In the photo below, the blind skier is tethered. This is for a more advanced student, as well as advanced guide. Finally, when all things are a "go," a blind student can even
Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 12, 2025
2. Deep Creek Lake Lions Give Sight-Challenged Students the Adventure of a Lifetime Marker
Marker is in the center, third from the left.
The Morning Chefs - Members of the Deep Creek Lions Club rise and shine early on mornings of the Blind Skier Program, as they like to prepare authentic "country breakfasts" for the young people about to tackle Marsh Mountain on skis. Pictured from left are Scott Stamm, Doug McClive, and Rick Schiff. The Lions keep everyone well fed and happy throughout the three excursions of the yearly program, not only fixing breakfasts, but providing lunch and dinner each day as well. Major discounts are provided to the Lions by the Wisp cafeteria, along with other contributors, each season.
Other Components Of The Blind Skier Program are perhaps not as obvious, but certainly valuable. The young participants are encouraged to join with Lions Club members and other volunteers for meals together, and then are encouraged to stand up and speak about their experiences. In the photo above, from left, are Scott Stamm and Pete Versteegen having a laugh with skier Tim Jones. In the photos above, young Donald talks with the crowd about his wonderful day, during which he said he liked to see if he could beat his guides off the chairlift. All the young students are supported in their efforts by longtime volunteer Tom Wenzel, shown at right. He is possibly the students' number one fan, and has also organized a summer program for them in Garrett County. See story.
Erected by The Deep Creek Lake Lions Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1976.
Location. 39° 34.392′ N, 79° 20.123′ W. Marker is near McHenry, Maryland, in Garrett County. It can be reached from Bumble Bee Road 1.3 miles north of Mosser Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Deep Creek Lions Club Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1249 Bumble Bee Road, Mc Henry MD 21541, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Western Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Blind Campers Given the Joy of Outdoors Fun With the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club (here, next to this marker); It takes a community... to build a community park (here, next to this marker); Doing Good at Deep Creek Lake (a few steps from this marker); Deep Creek Lake (a few steps from this marker); Meshach Browning surveys a mountain sunset (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Meshach Browning Trail System (about 300 feet away); Life in Western Maryland during the Pioneer Era (about 300 feet away); Mary Browning and her Tree of Life (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McHenry.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 18, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
