Disabled Warrior Retreats
The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center and our subsidiary, the Keystone Adaptive Center, host a series of events, camps, lessons and activities over the course of the year for recently wounded military personnel and veterans, and their families. Wounded warriors come from all over the United States and are provided private lessons with certified instructors, some of whom are also wounded warriors. A number of these camps are designed for the wounded warrior who wants to pursue competitive skiing or snowboarding, perhaps with an eye on a medal in the next Paralympics! Other camps offer an outdoor retreat for disabled warriors and their families.
During these events, a close bond is formed between each disabled veteran. Airman 1st Class Kevin Krogh attended the Ski/Ride Camp at SnoFest last year and states, “We’re all here for each other. There are a lot of people who have the same injuries as me, so we can support each other. We keep our hopes up. We tell each other never to give up . . . There’s a lot of support out there, but it’s most important to not give up on yourself.”
The BOEC would like to thank our generous sponsors for enabling these events to take place. Dan and Torrey Shannon and their three sons attended the Soldier Spring Ski Week. ” . . . all of us have been really impressed with how we’ve been welcomed,” says Torrey. “And that’s what’s important for the country: the actions we do to take care of each other.”
Visit http://vimeo.com/39869635 to view one of many wounded warrior experiences at the BOEC!
See Disabled Warrior Program Schedule
Winter Offerings
Ongoing Ski or Snowboard Lessons: Individual lessons, tailored from the novice to the expert. Lessons include instruction, equipment, lift ticket, a travel stipend and lunch. 14 day advance reservations are required.
Hartford Ski Spectacular: The BOEC serves as the host chapter of Disabled Sports USA to help produce this weeklong event devoted to ski and ride instruction, novice to expert, and a series of races. The Wounded Warrior Project is heavily involved with the Spectacular and many of the participants are veterans. View information on the 22nd Annual Hartford Ski Spectacular , Breckenridge, CO.
Adaptive Ski and Ride Camp at Snofest: Hosted by Keystone Adaptive Center and Adaptive Adventures, three days of skiing or snowboarding for recently wounded military and veterans, and a guest. Full scholarship is available to those who qualify.
Mono-ski Camp: This is a five-day camp to introduce and refine monoski skills, with a focus on racing technique. This camp is open to all monskiers but we invite and sponsor vets through funding from US Paralympics.
Arizona Ski-able Camp: Each year, the BOEC staff head to Sunrise Park Ski Resort in Arizona for an adaptive ski and ride camp. This year we are pleased to offer this opportunity to veterans and military personnel. Camp will focus on novice technique and introducing participants to the joys of skiing and riding.
Ski Camp for Blind Athletes: In partnership with the US Association for Blind Athletes (USABA), this is a 3-day camp designed to develop competitive alpine and nordic ski skills for the blind athlete. This camp is open to all blind athletes but we hold and sponsor some slots for wounded warriors through funding from US Paralympics.
Wounded Warrior Family Ski Week: Hosted by Wounded Warrior Family Adventures, this event is an all-expense paid week of skiing and/or snowboarding for wounded veterans and their families, as well as red-carpet lodging, meals and other activities. Airfare, transportation, lodging, equipment, private instruction, family oriented activities are all included. Ski lessons are provided by the BOEC’s Adaptive Ski and Ride School. Read the Wounded Warrior Family Ski Week Summit Daily article Healing Wounded Soldiers on the Slopes. For more details on this exciting program,visit their website, www.woundedwarriorsfamilyskiweek.org.
Summer Offerings
Heroic Families Weekend Retreat: A great adventure in Breckenridge, Colorado for you and your family. The BOEC will provide lodging in their Scott Griffith Lodge, which is a large family style cabin. From there we offer classic adventures such as hiking, rock climbing, rafting, and the ropes course for day activities. In the evening some time to reconnect with your family with games, camp fires, canoeing and relaxation time in the Rocky mountains. Please apply here for Wounded Warrior Program.
Heroic Families River Trip: Hosted by the BOEC, a multi-day classic river trip down the San Juan River canyon in SE Utah, one of the premier canyons in the western US, for wounded veterans and their families. Guided by BOEC river staff, transportation during the trip, meals, equipment are all provided at no cost to participants due to the support of our generous donors. Please apply here for Wounded Warrior Program.
Heroic Families Colorado River Trip: Come spend 2 nights on the Colorado River in scenic Ruby and Horse Thief canyons of in SW Colorado and Utah. Invited on this program are wounded warriors andone friend or special guest. This trip will include all travel from Denver or Grand Junction, meals, and 24hr staffing, specialty equipment and a fun relaxed atmosphere. Travel will be in canoes, inflatable kayaks, and support raft. Please apply here for Wounded Warrior Program .
