The KBF’s first-ever ski camp was a weekend to remember with unbelievable views, lots of laughs, and a world-class group of participants and instructors. Through a partnership between Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports and the Kelly Brush Foundation, ten lucky participants got to leave tracks all over Mt Ellen, meet new friends and reconnect with old ones, and even test out their ski racing skills.

Program Director, Greg Durso, shared his thoughts from the camp:

“It was a blast to put on our first KBF adaptive ski camp and even better to do it with our close friends over at Vermont Adaptive. With ten participants, we took over Mt. Ellen at Sugarbush for an amazing three days of camp. We had excellent instruction and most importantly we got to ski together and learn from each other. We don’t get much of an opportunity to have this many adaptive skiers together so when we do there is nothing better.”

Why are weekends like this so important? Because it brings people together. Being on the mountain, sharing the joy of shredding down the fresh powder, gives campers the chance to be a part of the community. It provides shared experiences and opens the door to new friendships being formed. It provides the opportunity for individuals to share their stories and be in a room of people just like them. Plus, it provides a unique opportunity for participants to grow their skills, both learning from incredible instructors and their peers.

As a part of the KBF’s initiative to provide more meaningful support for people with SCI, the ski camp (like our mountain bike camp) was another perfect example of how we can foster these opportunities. Going forward the KBF plans to take these learnings from local camps and continue to expand them across the country.

 

Photo Credit: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur