The Community Kids Program is a much-needed, unduplicated program for Gunnison County youth with disabilities. This program engages local children with disabilities in outdoor recreation. By participating in successful outdoor activities the community kids incorporate physical activity into their daily lives, and they develop confidence and communication skills. The skills, self-confidence and empowerment gained while participating in these activities transfer into their daily lives and help them to become healthier, happier, and more productive students and individuals. The program introduces children with disabilities to new ways of being healthy and active. In the winter, kids get to participate in skiing and snowboarding. “ I think it’s an awesome program, it really helps them with their school work because it gives them more confidence to do their work and it motivates them to get their work done. — Seth, High School Educational Assistant ” Throughout the winter, each participant is partnered with an ASC instructor who becomes his or her mentor and friend throughout that season. The instructor becomes a positive role model, which ensures a successful experience. At the end of each season the ASC hosts a family day where each participant’s family is invited to join for inclusive activities, to share the student’s success and to help the family come up with ways to participate in recreation activity outside of the program. The Adaptive Sports Center’s Community Kids Program provides these children with unique opportunities to develop social and life skills that transfer directly to the classroom as well as in their everyday lives. As an additional benefit to the Gunnison Valley, The Community Kids Program alleviates the amount of adaptive accommodation that the Crested Butte and Gunnison recreation departments need to provide. The ongoing sustainability of the Community Kids program is critical to our community and its citizens. You can support the Community Kids program by donating to the ASC here. You can select or write-in where your gift should go. For other ways to support this program, please contact us.
