Green Mountain Adaptive Sports (GMAS) and the Adaptive Sports program of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) came together Jan 23-25, 2024 to host a multi-day clinic for eleven veterans at Stowe Mountain Resort.
GMAS and WWP’s Adaptive Sports programs both focus on working with other organizations to help people with disabilities and injuries get more access to sports. The collaboration between the two organizations resulted in lots of laughter and cheering on both sides. The two organizations came together in the best way – to honor and empower wounded warriors.
A veteran enjoys skiing in a bi-ski with an instructor from Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers. Photo credit: Emily Kokot, Stowe Mountain Resort
This was the second year that Wounded Warrior Project worked with GMAS to plan a multi-day clinic for a registered group of warriors with life-altering permanent injuries and adaptive needs to come to Stowe for three days of instruction in adaptive skiing, snowboarding, and rock climbing at Stowe Mountain Resort. Warriors were able to explore new skills utilizing adaptive equipment, including bi-skis, mono-skis, sliders, outriggers, and custom rock-climbing harnesses to meet the needs of individuals with a variety of injuries and abilities.
The conditions and temperatures were perfect and the team took advantage of everything the resort has to offer. Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers joined GMAS and Stowe Mountain Resort to provide coaching instruction on the snow, and the Stowe Rocks coaches put their recent adaptive climbing certifications funded by GMAS to work with the warriors at the climbing gym.
The climbing wall at Stowe Rocks provided for a fun challenge for the veterans. Photo credit: Emily Kokot, Stowe Mountain Resort.
GMAS board president Cynthia Needham said, “We’re thrilled to team up with Wounded Warrior Project again this year. We look forward to creating memories together for years to come in this annual event.”
GMAS wishes to thank all who have contributed to the success of this amazing event and more particularly:
- Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers for bringing your amazing instructors and adaptive equipment,
- Stowe Mountain Resort for providing coaches, free rental equipment, and use of the Alpine Lounge,
- Stowe Rocks and your incredibly qualified staff,
- Cathy Webster of Northeast Adaptive Athletic Association (NDAA) for always being there to lend a hand,
- And all the generous volunteers for carving time out of your busy schedule to support us in hosting this event. We could not have done without all of you!
A blind skier follows instruction from an instructor. Photo credit: Emily Kokot, Stowe Mountain Resort.
If you know of an organization that might be interested in partnering with Green Mountain Adaptive, reach out to us at info@greenmtnadaptive.org.
About Green Mountain Adaptive Sports
Green Mountain Adaptive Sports is a Vermont-based non-profit founded in 2010 on the belief that access to sports and recreational programs are a powerful means for people with disabilities to develop independence as well as physical and mental well-being. We focus on getting people out and having fun. The GMAS Mission is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities living in or visiting Vermont, by partnering with organizations to increase their access to sports and recreational activities.
About Wounded Warrior Project®
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more.