A Conversation with Kelly Starr, Executive Director of Adaptive Sports Partners, a CMF Kids Partner
Tell us all about Adaptive Sports Partners!
Adaptive Sports Partners’ mission is to empower individuals with disabilities in the North Country of New Hampshire and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont by building
community, confidence, and skills through sport, recreation, and adventure. Our vision is to create a community where everyone can experience and excel at these activities, regardless of their abilities.
We serve athletes of all ages with a wide range of disabilities, including physical, developmental, emotional and behavioral disabilities. Our programs are designed to meet the diverse needs of our athletes—some may require adaptive equipment, some specialized instruction, and some both. We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate in and benefit from our adaptive sports programs, fostering inclusion and growth for all members of our community.
In your opinion, why is accessible recreation so important?
Accessible recreation is especially important in the North Country, where recreation is a way of life. We live in a beautiful area with numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, which naturally lead to socialization and a strong sense of community. For individuals with disabilities, being at the ski resort or trailheads with peers, and developing biking skills alongside friends, is vital not only for physical and mental well-being but also for social integration. Accessible recreation ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can participate in these essential aspects of life in our region.
It allows individuals with disabilities to enjoy the same recreational opportunities as their peers, fostering confidence, skill development, and a sense of belonging. By breaking down barriers to participation, accessible recreation helps build a more inclusive community where everyone can share in the joy of outdoor activities and the connections they create.
Describe your partnership with CMF Kids.
Describe your partnership with CMF Kids.
CMF Kids provided funding to Adaptive Sports Partners to support wrap-around services for their partner schools, ensuring that every student with a disability has access to year-round adaptive sports programs. This funding removed financial barriers, making the program free of cost for all students in partner schools. It also facilitated the purchase of a new truck, enabling Adaptive Sports Partners to travel throughout the North Country region and bring adaptive sports programming directly to schools.
Adaptive Sports Partners then provided specialized year-round adaptive sports programs, offering push-in services to schools that included hiking, biking, disc golf, and other activities based on student interest. Additionally, we offered programming at our partner locations, including adaptive skiing and snowboarding at Cannon Mountain.
What impact have you seen so far through this CMF Kids project?
Through our partnership with CMF Kids, we’ve already seen significant successes and are anticipating even more in the future. One particularly heartwarming success involved a student with cerebral palsy (CP) who was able to try an adaptive bike tailored to his needs. The joy he experienced each time he participated in biking was palpable, and his school physical therapist was thrilled to see how therapeutic the bike was for muscles and joints that typically don’t get much use.
Looking ahead, we are excited to partner with Littleton schools in the coming school year. Some students in this district have behavioral disabilities, which often prevent them from participating in large group activities with their classmates. We’re looking forward to providing these students with access to the same kinds of activities their peers enjoy, ensuring that they too can experience the benefits and joy of recreation.
What would you say to a Crotched Mountain Foundation supporter about the type of impact their gift is having?
To a Crotched Mountain donor, I would say that their generous contributions are making a profound impact on the lives of children with disabilities throughout the North Country. Thanks to the funding from CMF Kids, children who otherwise wouldn’t have access to the specialized recreational equipment and teaching styles they need are now experiencing the joy of learning to bike, going on hikes, learning to ski, and so much more. These opportunities are not just about recreation; they are about building confidence, fostering independence, and creating a community for kids with disabilities within their school and amongst their peers. Your support is truly life-changing, enabling these children to participate fully in the activities they love and enriching and empowering their lives in meaningful ways.