WAITSBURG – Waitsburg fifth-graders are soliciting recipes from every student and staff member of Waitsburg schools, to be included in the first edition of the Waitsburg K-12 School Cookbook. All funds will be used toward the fifth grade ski program.

Waitsburg's ski program was initiated by retired teacher Pam Conover with the first trip to Ski Bluewood taking place in 2009. Since then, classes have raised funds through fun runs, selling pizza kits, running the basketball hoop shoot during varsity games, selling pizza slices during high school games, and more.

Fifth grade teacher Gabe Kiefel said his goal each year, is to raise enough money to pay for every student to participate in the ski program free of charge. Parent Lisa Morrow is helping to organize the cookbook, which they hope will become an ongoing fundraiser.

Ski Bluewood General Manager Kim Clark said Bluewood offers special rates to schools for multi-week lessons in order to create the culture of skiing from an early age.

"Skiing is part of a healthy lifestyle and it keeps their minds and bodies active. Studies show that if people don't start skiing at an early age, they seldom take it up later in life," Clark told The Times.

Kiefel said that all of his 23 fifth graders are participating in the program this year, and only two had skied before. He also said it's not always easy to learn a new life skill.

"The first day was fun. Some students struggled and some students excelled, but none of them quit, despite wanting to. I am proud of this group being willing to try something that is difficult, exhausting, and painful at times," Kiefel said.

If you have a student who hasn't submitted a recipe, they have until Fri., Feb. 18 to do so. Recipes will list the student or staff member's name. Categories include: Appetizers/Beverages, Soups/Salads, Breads/Rolls, Desserts, Vegetables, Main Dishes, Miscellaneous. Recipes should be submitted to Gabe Kiefel at the elementary school by Fri., Feb. 18.

Morrow estimates the cookbooks will be priced between $10 and $12 and customers will be able to preorder in the near future.