The Thin Mint Snowshoe Shuffle, held by the Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes, Upper Peninsula region, gave attendees of all ages a chance to snowshoe and explore the area’s rich iron industry heritage.

“In Girl Scouting, we like to promote getting outdoors, experiencing new things out in nature and any outdoor activity. So this time of year, snowshoeing is a great activity and it’s something we can do with friends and family,” said Les Bek, fund development manager for Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes, Upper Peninsula region.

The Thin Mint Snowshoe Shuffle, now in its third year, attracted an estimated 100 attendees, with about 90 snowshoers, organizers said. Snowshoers of all ages and experience levels were in attendance. Snowshoes of all styles, colors and sizes were available at the event for any attendee who needed a pair.

“Having snowshoes available onsite gives people a chance to do the activity for the first time,” Bek said, noting she hopes snowshoeing can become a regular pastime for some who hadn’t had the opportunity to try it before.

Katie, Adley and Kenley Marks and their dog, Blue Marks, enjoy snowshoing on the Michigan Iron Industry Musuem’s 1/3 mile Geology Trail at Saturday’s Thin Mint Snowshoe Shuffle.

Some snowshoers said it was their first time, while others had enjoyed the activity for years. However, a common theme emerged across all ages and experience levels — many said snowshoeing was their favorite part of the event, noting how the 10-degree weather, light snowfall and lack of wind made trail conditions ideal.

Attendees were welcome to take the museum’s 1/3-mile Geology Trail, stopping to view the scenery and interpretive signs at their leisure, as well as a historian-guided snowshoe tour down to the site of the Carp River Forge.

“This event, … it’s a way for people to take advantage of experiencing the museum and the trails in a different way,” said Troy Henderson, DNR historian at the museum. “It’s a good way to highlight that we’re open all year round and experience the history.”

Henderson shared the history of the Carp River Forge with snowshoers and invited them to imagine the lives of the people who lived and worked at the forge in the 1840s.

“This museum is at a historic site, the Carp River Forge site, which is on the museum grounds, so it’s a way for people to actually walk down to the historic forge site and kind of experience winter the way that the people who were here in the 1840s did,” Henderson said.

Snowshoes of all shapes, sizes and types are arranged in the snowbank for attendees to chose from. Snowshoes were provided courtsey of Wilderness Sports.

Inside the museum, hot chocolate, a nutritious yogurt-parfait bar, a scavenger hunt, multiple raffles and prize drawings were offered. Attendees also had the option to explore the museum’s many exhibits, spin a wheel for a healthy prize and gather around a special indoor “campfire.”

In addition to providing healthy snacks, games and prizes, Michigan State University-Extension also offered informational materials that gave tips on eating healthy and staying active during the cold winter months.

“We provide nutrition education in a lot of places, such as classrooms in the schools, adult nutrition groups at different agencies,” said Lynn Krahn of MSU-Extension.

MSU-Extension offers a a wide variety of programming in the area pertaining to eating healthfully on a budget, including an online course as well as in-person cooking classes for adults. For more information on programs offered by MSU-Extension, as well as information on availability and eligibility criteria for particular programs, visit msue.anr.msu.edu/county/info/marquette, or call 906-475-5731.

While this was MSU-Extension’s first year at the Thin Mint Snowshoe Shuffle, it seemed a natural match with the goal of the event: stay healthy, active and engaged with the community during the long, cold winter months.

“You play outside and you learn about your community,” Bek said.

Cecilia Brown can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is cbrown@miningjournal.net.