Green Mountain Adaptive Sports is an incredible program designed to increase the independence and physical and mental well-being of people living with disabilities. They offer the following programs: skiing and riding, swimming, paddle boarding, indoor rock-climbing, kayaking, and movement. Green Mountain Adaptive Sports mission “is to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities living in or visiting Vermont by sponsoring participation in adaptive sports and recreational programs”. For more information click here.
ONTA Studio offers martial arts for children and adults of all ages. The owners, Zach Stevens and Lauren Ballard, have extensive experience working with children of all abilities. They chose to open Over Nine Thousand Academy as a place where both kids and adults could come to learn rare Taoist practices as well as integrated martial arts, fitness, and self-defense in a fun, playful, and supportive environment.
Shelburne Craft School offers after school programs, summer programs, and workshops throughout the year. They do a fantastic job at including all abilities in their studio. They have a table top pottery wheel for individuals to use and offer headphones for children who are sensitive to noise. It’s definitely a fun place to go and be creative!
Smugglers Notch adaptive program provides therapeutic recreation for children and adults of all abilities. Their ski program comes highly recommended by many families!
Experiences are tailored to meet the needs and goals of each individual. Some campers/students may require two counselors/instructors, while others may be appropriately paired with one counselor.
We also offer an inclusion program with our ski and snowboard programs for children. This gives a child with special needs the opportunity to socialize with his/her peers while still maintaining the support he/she needs through the adaptive program.
There is no age limit for the program. Half and full day lessons are available. Our highly trained instructors will evaluate each individual’s needs and goals and determine their equipment requirements. Smugglers’ adaptive program maintains an inventory of adaptive equipment including mono-skis, bi-skis and a slider. Snowboarding is also available.
Bart Adaptive Sports Center provides people with disabilities and their families the opportunity to enjoy outdoor sports in southern Vermont. They offer instruction in skiing, snowboarding, cycling, kayaking and golf as well as a summer camp environment at Lake Shaftesbury State Park.
Located in Williston, Vermont, Catamount Outdoor Family Center offers
20 miles of year round recreational trails for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, cross-country skiing, sledding and more. One trail that stands out is our “Carriage Path,” a 3-mile, heavily wooded trail with beautiful trees and loads of nature.
The Carriage Path is a wonderful trail appropriate for enjoyment by disabled persons. What sets it apart from traditional trails is its’ generous width, gradual ups and downs, and the surface is smooth allowing safe access for wheelchairs and 3 wheeled bikes. This same trail can be enjoyed by sit-skiers during the winter months.
Catamount also has a sit-sled which allows children and/or adults to sit while someone pushes them through trails and/or go sledding down a hill.
Offers weekly classes and summer camps. Allows children to express themselves in an artistic way. The staff are amazing at accommodating kids who have special needs. One of the best summer camps my child has attended.
Kindermusik offers music classes for children ages birth through 5. Kindermusik is a national program that uses the power and joy of music-making to help children learn and grow during the years most critical to brain development. Since 1978, Kindermusik has helped millions of children around the world build a strong foundation for a lifetime love of learning.
Rachel Smith offers classes in South Burlington and comes highly recommended by a couple of parents who have young children with special needs. Parents have said that Rachel does a wonderful job at making sure their children are incorporated into her class, engaged in the music, and have a positive experience.
“Donkey Day” camp provides children with the opportunity to engage with animals, do farm chores, and have a lot of fun. This was by far the best summer camp in the area!
Shelburne Farms is not only a great place to visit for a day, they offer some great camps throughout the year! They do a remarkable job working with ALL kids, regardless of their differences. From the animals, hands on activities, and their delicious bakery; it is definitely a place you want to visit.
Shelburne Farms also has an adaptive stroller to access their grounds!
Shelburne Museum is a wonderful place for the entire family. They have wonderful buildings to explore, beautiful paths to walk, and a wonderful marry-go-round. Every week Shelburne Museum offers a creative art activity for children of all ages. Shelburne Museum does a great job at including ALL children in their activities and facilities. The staff at Shelburne Museum are wonderful and remember they have an adaptive stroller you can access!
Offers a few weeks of camp throughout the summer. They have made several accommodations to assist special needs children who are attending the camp. The staff is very patient and engaging. The camps provide a fairly calm environment with lots of creativity.
Special Olympics Vermont offers year round sports training and competition opportunities in 13 Olympic-type sports for individuals ages 8+. In 2016, the sports seasons were reorganized into four distinct seasons culminating in four statewide competitions: Winter Games, Summer Games, Fall Games, and Holiday Games.
This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to participate in sports, make friends, and have fun!
The Special Olympics Young Athletes program is an innovative sports play program for children with and without disabilities ages 2 through 7, designed to provide opportunities for young children to be active, have fun, and learn foundational sports skills. The program supports physical, cognitive and social development — skills important on and off the sports field. It also offers families connections to local Special Olympics Programs. There is no cost for your family for participating. The program offers 1 hour classes that meet for 6-8 weeks throughout the year.
Stowe Rocks is an indoor rock climbing facility that has both auto-belay courses for kids to climb as well as 8 manual belay sections. The staff that is on site to help is incredible. They are patient, friendly, and great at encouraging kids to climb and take chances!
$26.00 for kids 12 and under to climb for 2 hours.
If your child is not up to climbing they can always take the gondola up to the top of Mt. Mansfield.
Definitely a fun place to visit!
Annie Cooper has been teaching children to swim for years. Her enthusiasm, patience, and encouragement helps children enjoy the water. Swim lessons in Shelburne are held in a therapeutic (very warm) pool which can be ideal for children with disabilities. Swim lessons offered in Shelburne and Essex.
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports works with children and adults with all types of disabilities. It offers numerous programs (skiing, cycling, tennis, hiking, etc). Their ski programs are run at Bolton, Sugarbush, and Pico. The ski program is amazing!
One parent says, “Thank you to VT Adaptive and the compassionate skiing volunteers for supporting my daughter Sophie in an activity that she truly loves! No longer watching her siblings from the lodge, now all she talks about is going to “top of the mountain”. We can’t wait for the snow to fly in our house!”
Wildflowers is a multi-sensory play space for children. This amazing place offers 6 week classes and open studio for children to explore the four areas of learning: tinkering, sensory play, paint exploration, and dream weaving. The studio is open to children of all ages and allows children to use their creativity in a calm and inviting environment.