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Local private schools work to support education with fun

MATT JAMES, Of the Record staff
A scene from last years Soaring Wings Education Foundation fundraiser. Scott Sine/Park Record.
2School-Fundraisers

At this time of year, most Parkites fall into two categories those who want the winter to continue, and those who hope the snow will cease, giving way to spring.

Fittingly, this weekend will offer fundraisers for both groups those who want to go to the beach, and those happy to ski while they can. And for those unable to choose, compromise is possible; one event begins after the other ends.

A Park City Mountain treasure hunt

Saturday afternoon will start with Park City Academy’s All Mountain Treasure Hunt at Park City Mountain Resort, and after that event the Soaring Wings Education Foundation will hold its annual fundraiser, this year with a beach party theme.

The All Mountain Treasure Hunt will start the day, challenging its participants to a scavenger hunt at Park City Mountain.

Event chair Karen Marriott said the hunt was inspired by little treasure hunts she’d organize for her kids each summer but this event will be a bit larger. Starting at noon, competitors will receive a "Clue Passport" that will direct them to nine checkpoints around the resort. At each checkpoint, the treasure hunters will punch their passports with a specially shaped hole punch; the team that finds the checkpoints fastest wins.

The search will last from 12:30-4 p.m., and the top three finishers will receive prizes.

Marriott also noted that, at one of the checkpoints, there will be a treasure chest which will contain numbered coins good for a variety of prizes, offering slower teams like those with children a chance to win prizes.

All of the checkpoints will be accessible by blue or green runs.

"We wanted to do something that was fun for the community," said Marriott.

At the same time, she noted, the event offers an alternative to typical dinner-and-silent-auction events.

"It’s something different," she said.

The event should be good for all ages of participants. Prizes include two season passes to Park City Mountain Resort. At the event, after the treasure hunt finish at 4 p.m., there will also be a drawing for a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle.

Tickets for the drawing are $50. Tickets to participate in the treasure hunt are $150 for a team of two and include lunch for the participants and a ticket for the car raffle. Proceeds from the event go to Park City Academy’s Financial Aid programs.

Marriott said the academy awards between $150,000 and $175,000 to students in need each year.

"This is our big fundraiser for the year," she noted.

While the treasure hunt is in its first year, Marriott said the event might return in the future.

"If we get a good turnout, we’ll do it again," she said.

Soaring Wings hits the beach

After the event at Park City Mountain the Soaring Wings Education Foundation will hold its event Beach Party from 7-10 p.m. at the Kimball Art Center.

"It’s the ninth annual fundraiser for the Soaring Wings Education Foundation," said Beth Sears, the event’s organizer.

While the fundraiser ran with a "Casino Night" in 2004 and 2005, Sears said the education foundation decided to switch themes for 2006. So a tropical, beach atmosphere will dominate. The event will still include Atlantic City-style blackjack and craps tables, along with carnival games and a silent auction. Done to Your Taste will provide the catering.

"Probably the highlight is, we’re bringing in a Beach Boys cover band, the Beach Toys," said Sears.

The group, she said, will travel to Park City from Los Angeles for the fundraiser.

Among the silent auction items are fly fishing and golfing outings. Tickets to the event are $60.

The Soaring Wings Education Foundation is a group of parents, teachers and students from the Soaring Wings Montessori School dedicated to raising money and organizing enrichment programs.

The education foundation plans to use the money to help pay for scholarship programs for youth, continuing education for Soaring Wings Montessori School teachers and contributions to the Children’s Planet Fund, a collection charitable organizations chosen by the students at Soaring Wings Montessori School.

Sears said the "Beach Party," should include more than just the schools’ parents and teachers though. Rather, the event should draw a wide-ranging crowd.

"Anybody who’s interested in helping out with education in Park City," she said, "also, anybody who would like the beach."

To buy tickets for Park City Academy’s All Mountain Treasure Hunt, or to find more information, visit http://www.parkcityhunt.com. For more information about Soaring Wings Education Foundation’s Beach Party, or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.soaringwings.org or call 655-0414.

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