STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Children are invited to take advantage of the warming weather to take part in the festive Nordic Cup.

The Papoose Club and Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation will host the annual Nordic Cup at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Quigley Nordic Park.

The free family-friendly event is open to children ages 13 and under as the Nordic equivalent to the long-running Kindercup on Dollar Mountain.

It will include age-specific races with a playful obstacle course adding to the fun. There’ll be complimentary refreshments and a chance to win prizes. Costumes are encouraged to add to the festivities.

Sign up online at https://www.papooseclub.org/nordic-cup. In-person registration is available from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on race day.

The race has been held since 2006 in partnership with Blaine County Recreation District. The Kindercup, meanwhile, will take place for the 67th time on Sunday, March 2, at Dollar Mountain.

The races are meant to foster community and youth development.

Founded in 1954, the primary purpose of the Papoose club is to promote and assist educational, cultural and athletic growth for the children of the Wood River Valley. The Papoose Club also supports local organizations supporting youth financially via its two major fundraisers—the Papoose Club Holiday Bazaar and the Wagon Days Pancake Breakfast.

At its January meeting, for instance, the club awarded $8,000 to:

The Wood River High School Art Department for materials and storage cupboards

Idaho Mavericks Baseball for travel expenses to a tournament

Wood River Middle School Best Buddies Program for program materials

NAMI’s Young and Well High School Program to support mental well-being.

To learn more, contact Krista Gehrke at president@papooseclub.org.