Snowboarding, sharing sport with others is teen’s passion

A free ski pass to Schweitzer and the opportunity to spend at least one day each weekend snowboarding. There is not much more a 13-year-old boy could ask for.

As part of the group Boarders for Christ, seventh-grade Canfield student Damian Williams spends his weekends with fellow church members teaching kids who have been affected by drug abuse how to snowboard.

“I’ve been doing it for about three years,” said Damian. “(We help) whoever needs support.”

He is sponsored by Kreed, the maker of ski goggles, and is passionate about the sport he shares with others.

A member of Friends Church in Hayden, Damian explains that many of the kids with whom he boards are from families whose parents have been involved in drugs. He said it offers the kids a time to get away, have some fun and adds normalcy to their lives.

But not all kids with whom the group skis are affected by drugs, some may just want to learn more about the church and hang out with kids who share the same values.

Damian said the missionary groups at his church help hook up the youth with the snowboarders.

“We have a 24/7 group at our church as well as a lot of missionaries,” said Damian.

In addition to snowboarding, Damian enjoys football. He is currently playing junior tackle football and likes to play defensive tackle and defensive end.

“I’m also going to play on the Canfield basketball team this year,” said Damian, who adds that he prefers to play point guard as he does not feel he is a very good shooter.

An avid reader, Damian also enjoys reading about sports as well as playing them. He recently finished the book “Night Hoops,” which he highly recommends.

Damian, unlike many kids his age, admits that he likes school. He says it allows him to spend time with his friends, and he credits his teachers with making school fun.

In his social studies class, his teacher Mr. Medved, helps the students learn by encouraging them to read the paper and report regularly on a current event.

“We do a current event each week,” said Damian. He adds that although he really enjoys social studies, science is his favorite subject.

“In classes like math, there is only one answer,” said Damian. “But in science there can be a bunch of different answers.”

The oldest of three, Damian said one of his favorite pastimes is hunting with his grandpa, his dad and mom. A graduate of the hunting safety class, Damian hopes to get an elk this year.

“It (the class) was really fun, especially when they let you shoot the 22s,” said Damian, adding that the class teaches several important safety tips that you would not otherwise know about if you did not enroll in the course.

Damian is active with his church youth group which meets once a week. The group does a little bit of Bible study and then does an outdoor activity. Each summer he and his friends from youth group also attend a church camp at Twin Lakes.

“I’ve been doing that for about five years,” said Damian.

Damian said if anyone his age is interested in learning more about God and meeting new people, they should attend a youth group.

As far as the Boarding for Christ goes, he said there is just not a better experience than snowboarding on the mountain and knowing you are helping others at the same time.

“I love the feeling you get when you are up there,” said Damian.