Small Champions, Inc

Small Champions provides sports and recreational opportunities for Eagle County youth with multiple disabilities. Your donation will help us continue to provide the programs, equipment, and instruction to the children we serve.

Comments from parents:

From Kayte, Jack’s mother

"Small Champions has been integral to Jack's confidence, independence, athleticism and social skills.  Jack has been able to access all the sports the Vail Valley has to offer including skiing, rock climbing, rafting, adventure ridge, horseback riding and bowling in a safe and supportive environment.  We are so incredibly grateful that he is able to ski at a world class resort, one on one, with an adaptive ski coach who truly has a passion for the lives they transform.  Small Champions staff and volunteers are among the kindest and most compassionate people on the planet.  We are profoundly fortunate Jack is able to benefit from this incredible organization."

From Sarah, Reese’s mom

"Small Champions has had a significant positive impact on Reese’s life. As a 7 year old with cerebral palsy, she doesn’t appear visibly "disabled" but has struggles physically to keep up with her peers in various sports and activities. Through Small Champions, she has found a place where she can feel a sense of belonging and has gained confidence in her abilities. She has received private ski lessons that allow her to learn at her own pace, has gone rock climbing, rode horses, and even learned how to ride a bike this summer! Small Champions has been  a welcoming community that celebrates all abilities. She has formed friendships with kids of all different backgrounds and challenges, which has taught her to appreciate and normalize differences in others. We are grateful to Small Champions and everyone who supports this incredible organization for helping Reese thrive!"

Comments from Coaches:

From Deb, ski instructor

"Small Champions' success is a reflection of the team that it assembles. The coaches, leaders, board members, parents, and participants all come to the table with the same dedication to empowerment and fun that is consummate to every Small Champs activity. As a coach for nearly 10 years I have been able to watch participants flourish. Starting with apprehension at their first SC Ski Day to boldly cruising through the finish line by the End-of-Season Race Day. The community that Small Champions offers the participants, the families, and the talented coaching team is the magic behind the success. I want to come to SC activities not just to be a driving force in building up a small champion's skills and confidence, but also because it is MY community of like-minded, caring and fun-seeking friends." 

Comments from Special Education Teachers:

" Small Champions is an incredible program that allows my students opportunities that they may not otherwise have, whether it is skiing on the mountain, rock climbing in the summer, or meeting with others families for events, such as bowling nights.   It allows unstructured time for students with disabilities to engage in fun and motivating activities.  Often times, my students with disabilities can be overwhelmed with the daily tasks and learning that happens at school, and Small Champions is a wonderful program for my students to look forward to on the weekends and in the summer.  Many of my students have formed close relationships with their Small Champion coaches, which can go beyond just the Small Champions get-togethers.  My students also come back to school and talk about their fun weekend skiing with their Small Champion coaches.
Elizabeth Koskinen
Special Education Teacher
June Creek Elementary