MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Spring 2020

21 ML: How happy are kids when they’re in it? GD: I think we knew it was cool but we didn’t know how cool it was until we saw them in there, bouncing around going crazy. But also once the initial wave of excitement subsided then they started looking around and realized they were in the trees and could move around wherever they wanted to and it was all safe. And mom and dad could either be with them on the nets or in the viewing areas on the canopy floor. CL: Or you can just lie on the nets. You can just have a peaceful experience even with people jumping around. And you still have that feeling of weightlessness. You’re in the trees and you can just be there and enjoy that space. Melissa Kurtin, Social Media and Sponsorship Coordinator: Part of my role at Blue is to manage our GoPro Program, so last summer we gave one to our daycare kids and I was able to spend one day each week with the kids doing various activities across the resort—like a fun aunt to 20 kids. The day before Canopy Climb opened we arranged to bring the kids for a big surprise: They got the entire attraction to themselves for the morning. The smiles were cheek-to-cheek and the eyes were wide with magic. I had two three-year-olds, Nora and Cameron, and within five minutes this offensive team had overtaken my defense and I was ready to throw in the towel. We were running across the nets, playing in the treehouses, playing peek-a-boo through the windows but most importantly trying all of the exit chutes (or slides), and racing each other back up the stairs. Screams of laughter filled the air as we raced across the nets to get to the fastest chute, or “slide-slide” as they were referred to. The nets are tight and can bounce similar to a trampoline—but the longer net to the right of the staircase has the most bounce. The kids knew it and so did I. I spent the next 15 minutes with Cam and Nora sitting, giggling and being bounced all over the place while my cardio and legs went from “slightly tired” to “I just ran a marathon.” The hour is more than enough time for everyone to enjoy themselves. I can honestly say that everyone’s experience is different. As I was being run through the Olympic trials of toddlers, some of my coworkers and their little ones were lying in the small nets looking up at the sky and relaxing in nature. And afterward, nap time at Kids at Blue was the easiest it has ever been. “You can just have a peaceful experience even with people jumping around.” “You’re free to explore, bounce, roll around, jump, lie on the net, and explore the tree houses.” BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT