The latest news for you

MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE

September 2018

Book Early and Save on Winter Private Lessons!

Receive 10% off all Private Lessons if booked by December 15th.

Skiers and riders age 5 and older with a disability can take lessons geared towards the individual’s strengths through our private one-on-one adaptive lessons.

Half Day Lesson (3 hours)*

Cost: $160.00

Time: 9am to 12pm OR 1pm to 4pm

Full Day Lesson (6 hours)*

Cost: $300.00

Time: 9:30am to 3:30pm

*The client’s equipment and lift ticket are included with the lesson. Reservations are required and advanced booking is preferred.

Changing Lives One Season at a Time

Thanks to our clients, volunteers, and donors, STARS was able to change a lot of lives this summer! We saw a 21% increase in total number of summer lessons provided, and we were able to provide 17 scholarships to individuals and an additional 22 scholarships to Veterans.

"Thank you so much for providing the scholarship for my son. The horse therapy program is amazing. My son was born deaf and diagnosed with autism at age 2.5. He does not speak yet. The STARS team was great with allowing his speech therapist to come with him and he made words and requests which was great. It was great to see him having fun and working so hard. We are very blessed to be involved with this great program and I hope we will be able to do it again next summer." - Jolene, client parent

Thank you to these generous donors who made our summer scholarships possible!

STARS Attracts New Talent

STARS welcomes Betsy Baur to a newly added position of Development Director and Mike Boone as Program Director.

Betsy is responsible for raising funds to support our annual operations, the STARS Ranch and other special projects. She also oversees STARS fundraising events. Prior to joining STARS, Betsy worked as a fundraiser for The Nature Conservancy in Montana and Colorado and in marketing and sales for Aspen and Vail.

As Program Director, Mike is responsible for the successful operation and delivery of all recreation programs offered at STARS. Though he is born and raised from Colorado, Mike came to STARS by way of Iowa where he served as the Director and founder of Adaptive Sports Iowa. Mike has been working within the recreation, sports, and adaptive sports industries for nearly 18 years prior to joining STARS. He holds a BA is Sports Administration and a Masters of Public Administration.

Volunteer, Change a Life

Volunteering for STARS has a positive impact on the lives of clients and families, as well as for the volunteer. You can help others and give back to the community while experiencing great reward and fun for yourself.

Winter volunteer needs are primarily on the hill teaching different ways to glide on the snow, with some opportunities available for off-snow support.

Ideal candidates have the experience, skill, passion, and time to commit to early season training and a minimum of 10 days as an instructor through the season. Benefits include earning transferable ski vouchers, food and merchandise discounts, appreciation parties, and being part of an amazing community of people here in Steamboat!

Volunteer registration opens October 8th! To get involved and learn more click here.

Craig-Sheckman Family Foundation awards $100,000 Challenge Grant for STARS Ranch

Michael and Sara Craig-Scheckman have awarded a $100,000 challenge grant through their family's Foundation, CSFF Discretionary Funds, to the STARS Ranch project. To meet this challenge, STARS must raise an additional $100,000 by December 14, 2018.

All new and increased gifts to The STARS Ranch campaign received or pledged by this date will count toward the challenge. To date, we have raised $4.9 million or 88% toward our $5.6 million goal for the Stars Ranch project.

“We see this challenge grant as an incredible incentive to donors who are interested in our work and the exciting STARS Ranch project. This means that gifts to the Ranch received between now and December 14 ^th will be doubled – a 100% return on a philanthropic investment,” said Julie Taulman Executive Director of STARS. “This generous challenge grant will make a significant impact in our fundraising for the remaining 12% needed to reach our goal.”

The Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation has generously supported STARS programs over the years for local youth as well as numerous youth related non-profits in Routt County.

“We are so grateful to the STARS board and staff for their programs which make our wonderful community more accessible and vibrant for everyone,’ said Sara Craig-Scheckman. “Michael and I are excited about the possibilities available for people with disabilities through the STARS Ranch. It will be a true community asset and we are excited to be a part of it.”

The Ranch will allow STARS to serve a variety of groups by providing accessible overnight accommodations while accessing outdoor recreation in Steamboat through STARS programs. Having a facility provide individuals with disabilities and their families hope and healing in a peaceful surrounding. Construction is underway at the Stars Ranch with a grand opening anticipated for early Fall 2019.

To help with the challenge grant for the STARS Ranch project, contact Betsy Baur at betsy@steamboatstars.com or (970) 870-1950 ext 106.

2018 Biking the Boat Raises Over $62,000!

Thank you for “Pedaling for a Purpose” and contributing to the overall success of this year's Biking the Boat charity ride! We broke all event records with over 200 riders and $62,000 raised. We want to thank our sponsors for making this event possible and all of you who rode, raised funds, donated and supported our efforts.

We hope you join us for next year's ride!

Youth Raised $2,000 for STARS!

Thank you to United Under the STARS committee that put together a barn dance for STARS and United Way. This group of high school kids raised over $2,000 for each organization.

Thanks to Maddie Craigen, Remy St. Pierre, McKinley Muhlbauer, and Prasamsha Sapkota for all their hard work on this event!