The 2024 winter camp celebrates its 20th anniversary of bringing disabled veterans and their families the gift of winter outdoor recreation.
Newry, ME – Maine Adaptive has hosted Veterans No Boundaries (VNB) Winter Ski Camp, a four-day winter sports retreat at Sunday River Ski Resort that is open to military veterans and active duty personnel with disabilities for 20 years. With one of the longest tenures of any veterans’ winter sports camps in the USA, family members and caregivers are offered opportunities to alpine ski, snowboard, Nordic ski, and snowshoe, on January 19-22, 2024. Court sports, craft activities, and evening entertainment are also scheduled. All activities, lodging, accommodations, and meals are provided free of charge, made possible by sponsor donations and Maine Adaptive. Participants are free to choose activities based on their own interests and energy levels throughout the weekend. The program attracts veterans from throughout the USA, who are simply asked to provide their own transportation to Maine.
Veterans No Boundaries, a program of Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation, started as a specialty program to offer veterans hands on opportunities to try new sports. With both a winter and summer program, veterans and their families are treated to four days of recreation, camaraderie, lodging, meals, and all necessary equipment at no charge. Staff and volunteers work with each veteran to provide adaptive equipment allowing them to try or once again enjoy on and off mountain sports.
“It is incredibly humbling to volunteer for Veterans No Boundaries,” observed Joanne McMahon, Volunteer and Co-chair for 16 years of the Veterans No Boundaries program. “We are thanked for what we do, but the camp is really us thanking them and their families for all they have done,” she said. Referring to the Maine Adaptive programs, McMahon added poignantly, “One participant told us this was the first time I have been able to sleep and not be afraid.”
Fellow Co-chair of Veterans No boundaries and 39-year volunteer with Maine Adaptive, Kathy Kroll, shared an inspiring story from a former Winter Camp.
“One memorable veteran, that I had the privilege to ski with was a Medal of Honor nominee from Fort Drum. He was dealing with post traumatic stress disorder and physical injuries from his combat tour in Afghanistan. I remembered he told me that he didn’t “ feel athletic anymore”. He had spent the entire first day on the beginner slope utilizing outriggers for balance. It was clear he didn’t need that adaptive equipment on his second day and with patience and trust he starting skiing using ski poles. As we progressed through the day, Tyler was challenged on steeper terrain and he met every challenge. By the end of the day he was the lead guide for a visually impaired volunteer. I still have that picture today of a proud soldier wearing a guide bib, who trusted us enough to believe in himself.”
“The family aspect of Veterans No Boundaries Winter Camp is especially important,” said Amy Bannon, Managing Director – Advancement for Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation. “The camp allows both the veterans and their families to take home amazing memories together. It often jump-starts the beginning of a lifetime of skiing or snowboarding together as a family,” she finished.
Veterans No Boundaries Winter Camp is open to veterans of all ages with permanent disabilities including PTSD. While space is filling up, Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation is still taking applications. Those interested can apply online.
Winter Ski Camp is generously supported by Move United, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Patriot Riders, and Sunday River Ski Resort.