How to sled when it's 93 degrees

Kids from New Heights Christian Church went sledding last month. But, since it was 93 degrees, they had to use something beside snow sleds.

The answer for them and other sledders was to use a block of ice-with a piece of old carpet to keep their bottoms warm.

The kids-and some adults-were participating in Ice Grass Sledding at Sioux Passage Park in north St. Louis County.

The fun event was sponsored by the St. Louis County Parks Department. It's a neat change-of-pace during August, when winter fun chances in St. Louis are pretty scarce.

David Vogan (left) and Ryan Dufoe

Ten-year-olds David Vogan and Ryan Dufoe said sledding was "fun and hard work."

Of course, the fun part involved sliding down a steep grassy slope that was set aside solely for the sledders. But, even the sliding involved some work in the beginning.

Participants in the ice grass sledding each got a block of ice from a refrigerated truck at the top of the hill. The ice was hard and almost dry when it first came out of the truck.

That meant, at first, the ice stuck to the grass, rather than sliding over it.

But, Ryan said, "Once the ice started to melt, the water made the block slide better." He said he made about five trips down the slope.

Once on the bottom, then the more work started. That's because they had to carry the block of ice and their carpet square back up the hill.

David had a good answer. "My dad helped carry the ice back up to the top," he said.

Another member of the church group was 13-year-old Caitlyn Dunsford.

She said she slid down the hill "a lot of times." And, she didn't even use a carpet square to cushion the ride. She said she didn't get too cold without the cushion of the carpet square. "It actually helped to cool me a little bit," she added.

She and other sliders also took the tumbles when he slipped off the block of ice or they got going too fast. "But, I didn't get hurt," Caitlyn said.

Caitlyn Dunsford with Kyle Dunsford (left) and Daniel Burns

Her younger brother, 8-year-old Kyle, and their cousin, 8-year-old Daniel Burns, also were in the sledding party.

They also had some trouble getting the block of ice to slide in the beginning. But, Kyle said, "After awhile, the ice got used to going on the grass," he said.

The two boys said they made six or seven runs down the grassy hill.

Daniel said, "I fell off the ice and banged my arm." But, he said he wasn't hurt bad. After his half-a-dozen trips down the slope, he said, "I got too hot."

That's where the refreshments came in-and another use of ice.

The Parks Department had a sno-cone vendor at the top of the hill. Also, the chaperones for the church group brought along cool drinks and snacks for the kids.

Most of the sledders used just one block of ice. Some tried to use two but partway down the hill, usually one block went one way and the other went another. Besides, lugging two blocks of ice up the hill was that much more work.

Some sliders would lay down on their bellies for the ride down the hill. But, for most, it turned out better if they were sitting up.

Ryan Dufoe said sitting up helped him control the ice better. Whenever he found himself going too fast or off-course, he would put down his feet "to slow down so I wouldn't slip off the ice."

Vanessa Limbrick was the adult leader of the New Heights group. The trip was one of the special summer outings for kids 5 to 15. The new church now holds worship services in the Bridgeton Community Center.

But, the congregation is building a new church at the intersection of St. Charles Rock Road, Natural Bridge Road and I-270 in north St. Louis County.

Among other outings for the kids were to Mad Mud Mania and the City Museum. Mud Mania is a big draw in July because kids get to wallow around in a sea of mud.

That's also a St. Louis County Parks event. Kids are urged to wear very old clothes because most clothes get too dirty to wash clean again.

For more about fun events in St. Louis County parks, visit www.stlouisco.com/parks.