The KBF is best known for our grants and camps, but so much happens behind the scenes. We wanted to share an inside look at what we’ve been up to these last two months. The team has traveled nationwide from conferences to clinics, expos to camps, spreading the word about the KBF. These are all the other ways we support our mission to make active lifestyles possible for people with spinal cord injuries.

Here is a map of some of the places we’ve gone:

Detailed overview of each location:

  • At the Move United Education Conference in Arizona, presented alongside friends from Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports and Vermont Mountain Bike Association on ⁠adaptive mountain biking accessibility in Vermont.
  • In Vernal, Utah at the Mountain West Trails Conference, Greg presented about adaptive trail experience to 400 attendees, then joined Wasatch Adaptive Sports, National Ability Center, Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports, and TRAILS to lead 30 conference attendees on an adaptive mountain biking session.⁠
  • Spreading the stoke with new adaptive riders (including a KBF grantee!) and the TRAILS team in Salt Lake City, Utah⁠.
  • In Bend, OR together with Oregon Adaptive Sports providing 20 campers with the unique opportunity to ski in the morning and mountain bike in the afternoon at our Turns & Berms Camp⁠.
  • In LA, Edie and Dianne attended the Triumph Foundation’s Sports Festival. The KBF was a sponsor and partner of the festival, a massive 200+ people open house with tons of different to try sports.
  • In Marin County California, getting the pieces in place for the 3rd Annual Kelly Brush Ride: Bay Area!  We’re so excited to be partnering with Mayor Urban Carmel and the city of Mill Valley to host an event in the heart of Mill Valley that celebrates the mission of the KBF and the city’s commitment to accessible recreation for all its residents and visitors.
  • At Empower SCI in Missoula, MT, Bruce and Dianne learned from peer mentors in a supportive, inclusive environment designed to foster independence, goal achievement, and confidence through shared experiences. The Active Project was invited to film their adaptive sports sessions, which included cycling, fishing, paddling, yoga, and Zumba, showcasing the incredible quad-specific adaptations available.
  • At Ability360 in Phoneix, AZ filming swimming, rugby, boccia, and curling to add to the Active Project platform.
  • In NYC visiting Mount Sinai and the Fencer’s Club to share information on the Active Project with hospital workers and film fencing to add to the platform.
  • In Albuquerque, New Mexico with GoUnlimited to film hunting, shooting, and fishing for the Active Project platform.
  • At Abilities Expo NYC and Chicago, we spread the word about the Active Project and other KBF programs, built relationships with partner organizations, and gained insights into how to better serve our community.
  • Kelly, Edie, Amy, and Sarah attended Elevate Women’s Mountain Bike Camp in Burke, Vermont for a weekend of mountain biking on Kingdom Trails and Burke Mountain.
  • Just recently, the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab came East from Chicago with their mountain bike program regulars to explore our simultaneously rugged and accessible Vermont terrain. The group of adaptive mountain bikers got to try uphill climbs to flowing downhills and plenty of laps at the Killington Bike Park.
  • At a bunch of adaptive sports events to show support for athletes in our community like the Reno Rumble Sled Hockey Tournament in Reno, Nevada, the Cajun Classic Wheelchair Tournament in Baton Rouge, Louisana, and the Wildcat Invitational Wheelchair Basketball Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah.