PERU — The Bart Adaptive Sports Center has announced the launch of its full lineup of summer programs aimed at fostering outdoor adventure and physical empowerment for individuals with disabilities.A pioneer in adaptive sports, Bart Adaptive provides enriching experiences that transcend barriers, enabling athletes to build self-confidence and muscle strength while enjoying the great outdoors and harnessing the transformative power of outdoor recreation to empower individuals with disabilities to embrace their full potential, build resilience, and cultivate a sense of belonging within their communities.
This summer, Bart Adaptive invites individuals of all abilities to join in an array of activities tailored to accommodate diverse needs and preferences including cycling, hiking, swimming, racket sports, indoor climbing, mixed martial arts, and golf.
“Our summer programs epitomize our commitment to breaking down barriers and empowering individuals with disabilities to embrace the joys of year-round outdoor recreation,” said Robbin Gibson, Executive Director at The Bart Adaptive Sports Center. “We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the thrill of adventure, and our diverse range of activities reflects our dedication to making this vision a reality.”
At Bart Adaptive, volunteers play a pivotal role in supporting the center’s mission and creating memorable experiences for participants. The center is currently seeking individuals who are passionate about making a difference to join their team.
“Whether you have expertise in a specific sport or simply a desire to lend a helping hand, there are numerous opportunities to get involved and make a positive impact,” Gibson said.
For the summer programs in particular, Bart Adaptive has extended an “open invitation” to students interested in participating.
“Through active engagement in adaptive sports, students have the chance to broaden their horizons, develop athletic skills, and forge meaningful connections with other participants, our volunteers and the broader community,” Gibson said.

Published in Manchester Journal

​MANCHESTER – The Junior Instructional Snowsports Program (JISP) recently concluded its biggest season yet thanks to collaborations with schools and organizations throughout southern Vermont. Nearly 900 students participated in the program this year, joining a legacy that spans from the 1940s to now.

“It’s such a great identifier for the Vermont spirit that old guys like me are teaching little kids to ski,” said Ben Benedict, who has volunteered with the program since his children participated approximately 30 years ago. “We’re all out there together having a nice time in the sunshine. It’s just a great thing.”

“We have parents who participated in JISP when they were kids,” said Randi Lowe, Superintendent for the Bennington Rutland Supervisory Union. “It’s always been a valued experience for our families, for our kids. It’s been around for a long time.”

When Mike Healy, executive director of the Bromley Outing Club (BOC), was hired in 2021, approximately 400 students participated in JISP. In the 2023 season, enrollment grew by 30 percent according to Healy. This year, that number grew by another 27 percent.

One reason for that is successful fundraising, which allowed the BOC to grant twice as many scholarships this year compared to last. In partnership with Bromley Mountain Resort, the program also facilitates rental equipment for those who cannot afford it

“Our role is not just to recruit volunteers or run the program operationally, but to break down those hurdles,” Healy said. “Every student who wants to participate, we will do everything we can to make it happen.”

“It’s so fulfilling to see them go from zero to getting to the top of the mountain and being able to ski all the way down,” said Benedict, who volunteers with beginners. “It was a whole new world for most of them.”

With participating schools as far north as Wells and as far south as Pownal, however, not every student has transportation to facilitate their inclusion. Many communities organize ride shares, Healy said, but enhanced collaboration with the Bennington Rutland Supervisory Union (BRSU) has enabled many students to take the bus. Changes to the program’s start time – now an hour earlier – ensures that students who need to take the bus home are able to do so.

“It was a major coordination with the schools,” Healy said. “The end result has been absolutely incredible.”

Alongside a spike in student participation, Healy said that JISP saw a three-fold increase in volunteers thanks to an influx of teachers, assistants, and paraprofessionals joining the program.

Also contributing to JISP’s growth is a new stance from the BRSU, requiring participation in at least one of the many programs offered through JISP. Students who don’t thrive on the thrill of downhill skiing can also pursue cross country skiing through West River Sports, or participate through skating at Riley Rink.

“Our data really indicated that we have a lot of students going home who were missing out on the JISP experience,” Lowe said. “We adjusted how we operated this year, and now all of our kids are participating.”

The program’s moniker doesn’t necessarily fit anymore, joked Lowe, as organizations including Merck Forest, Greater Northshire Access Television (GNAT), the Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) now offer a wider range of ways to participate.

“It’s really expanded to have a wide range of activities and for the first time we have students and staff also going, so it’s really a relationship building experience,” Lowe said. “Everyone gets to go out and apply learning to a new space and develop skills in a different way.”

“We opened the door for a large amount of students to be able to participate that hadn’t previously,” Healy said. “I thought we had seen our biggest growth the year prior but, lo and behold, we found out that we could get more students outdoors.”

The Bart Adaptive Sports Center, which has enabled those with physical and cognitive disabilities to ski at Bromley and Stratton for more than 20 years, has also contributed to JISP’s recent growth.

“Our mission is to get more people with disabilities out enjoying the mountain and nature,” said Bart’s Executive Director Robbin Gibson.

“[Bart] sends professionals that have trained with the adaptive team on how to best facilitate and work with those students,” Healy said. “This has created a wonderful opportunity to help knock down barriers for students who had not been able to participate previously.”

This year, even the number of students participating through Bart doubled, rising from approximately 15 in 2023 to 31 in 2024. The addition of busing for BRSU students, plus the increased participation of aides and paraprofessionals, was transformative, according to Gibson.

“Because they came with their students, it enabled us to communicate with them better,” Gibson said. “That made it really more effective for us to actually make progress with the students, which was really exciting.”

“It is awesome to see kids with complex physical and developmental disabilities out there having the time of their lives,” Lowe said. “You just see a side of them that we don’t always see at school.”

For students at any ability level, the program provides a platform for personal and community growth.

“It allows students to showcase strengths and talents that we wouldn't necessarily see in school,” Lowe said. “That creates an opportunity for teachers and staff and students to see each other in a different light.”

“Even on frigid days, they’re delighted to be out there discovering how to ski,” Benedict observed. “They’re not inside at their computer or their phone, they’re outside doing the same things that kids have loved doing forever."

Thanks to the rapid increase in participants, JISP has become more diverse in all regards, Healy said. With a legacy spanning generations, that impact is significant.

“If you ask anyone who lived in the area during their developing years, it’s quite likely that they participated,” Healy said. “It’s a badge of honor when you run into these folks. They’re quite proud of it.”

“I used to do JISP when I was in elementary and high school,” said Heather LaPan. “My family couldn’t afford to pay for myself and my two sisters to go on the mountain, and JISP made it possible. I will never forget it.”

In response to a prompt from the Manchester Journal online, a number of past participants shared their memories from the program.

“We moved from New York to Manchester 1978 when I was in seventh grade,” wrote Roberta Brown White. “Thanks to JISP, I learned to ski and [now] ski every winter.”

“It's an amazing program for kids,” commented David Lewis. “It's honestly why I'm a Stratton snowboard coach now.”

With a historic year in the books, JISP’s community looks ahead to a future that promises to be as impactful as its past.

“There are many people who believe this is one of the important highlights of what our schools offer to students,” Lowe said. “It showcases what it means to be living in Vermont and what Vermont offers.”

PERU — The Bart Adaptive Sports Center provided 16 disabled veterans and their families the chance to ski and snowboard down Bromley Mountain over the weekend as part of the organization's 18th Wounded Military Heroes Weekend.
The weekend was made possible thanks to the dozens of volunteer instructors by the veterans’ side, accommodating to their specific needs or simply there to provide a lesson for newcomers. The annual event has become a date many veterans circle on their calendar to attend, while others like John Mangan were giving it a go for the first time.
Mangan – who split his 25 years of service between the U.S. Navy and Army – was afforded the opportunity to ski for the first time in more than a decade thanks to Bart. Knee and back injuries forced the Virginia resident to put down his skis in 2013. He, and his wife, finally picked them back up on Saturday.

“I cannot speak highly enough of [Bart Program Manager] Betsy Hurley and the center,” Mangan said. “The instructors have taken the time to get both me and my wife back on the mountain after years of not being on the mountain. Their time, patience, ability to work with me, work with my disabilities and get us down is outstanding.”
Hurley expressed her gratitude toward Bromley Mountain, who has worked in conjunction with Bart to give back to those that served.
Mangan appreciated the consideration Bart took to incorporate family members as part of the experience.
“This opportunity was great because they invited my spouse and gave her a great weekend and honored her, as well,” he explained. “For the sacrifices of the family members.”

Many took advantage of the two days of skiing, and are looking forward to returning to Bromley next January.
The Bart Center is a non-profit organization providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and other outdoor sports at Bromley and Stratton Mountains and various locations in southern Vermont, according to its Facebook page.
It’s namesake, Bart J. Ruggiere, was a beloved skier who frequented Bromley Mountain. Ruggiere was killed in the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11.
Hurley – who has spina bifida – was the inspiration behind the creation of the adaptive center. She won a bronze medal during the 2001 Special Olympics Winter Games competing in alpine skiing.
The center was created in 2002 in Ruggiere’s honor. For more information about the organization, visit bartadaptive.org.

Robbin Gibson to Succeed Joe Hurley as Executive Director of the Bart Adaptive Sports Center
Manchester, VT - July 24, 2023 — The Bart Adaptive Sports Center today announced that Robbin Gibson has been appointed Executive Director, effective September 1. Robbin joins Bart Adaptive from the Stratton Winter Sports Club, the organization that manages the mountain’s competitive alpine ski, freestyle, and snowboarding teams. She will succeed Joe Hurley, the founding Executive Director of Bart Adaptive, who is retiring this fall after 21 years of distinguished service.

Bart Adaptive provides nearly 600 lessons in year-round adaptive sports to children, adults, and veterans with disabilities at three mountains – Bromley, Stratton, and The Hermitage Club – and surrounding areas in Southern Vermont. A dedicated staff and 80 volunteers provide people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy outdoor sports, including skiing, snowboarding, cycling, golf, hiking, and martial arts. 

Robbin Gibson joined Stratton in 1998 as a coach, progressing to Program Administrator and Program Manager before assuming the Program Director role in 2017. She began her career as a ski instructor at Bromley and has held a PSIA Level 3 Certification in Alpine Skiing. In her role at Stratton, Robbin has been responsible for 300 athletes, 60 staff, and the financial management of the organization. Robbin and her family reside in Jamaica, VT.

“I am sincerely grateful to the Board of Directors for entrusting me with the role of Executive Director,” Mrs. Gibson said. “I thank Joe Hurley as his visionary leadership and tireless dedication have been instrumental in shaping the organization. I am honored to carry on this mission, build upon the foundation he laid, and take the program forward with pride and determination. My vision is to expand the reach of our programs, enhance accessibility, and empower individuals with disabilities to fulfill their potential. I am eager to collaborate with the staff, Board of Directors, volunteers, and broader community to develop innovative strategies, forge new partnerships, and secure the resources that will enable us to provide even more impactful services.”

Daniel Mon, President of the Bart Adaptive Board, commented on Robbin’s appointment: “Her leadership qualities, vast experience in winter sports, and passion for helping others stood out during a national search process,” Mon said. “We believe Robbin can build on Joe Hurley’s highly successful tenure as the founding Executive Director and bring our mission to even more athletes at Bromley, Stratton, and The Hermitage Club. We look forward to working with Robbin and celebrating Joe’s many accomplishments in the coming months. I would like to thank the staff, Board, volunteers, and our Advisory Board who have all been so generous with their time during this exhaustive search process.”

As Robbin moves into the world of adaptive sports and earns her certifications, Bart Adaptive will strengthen its on-snow instruction and training by retaining Augie Young as a part-time Director of Training, beginning in December.

Augie is a leading adaptive ski instructor who has served in multiple roles for PSIA, including as Alpine Examiner, Adaptive Examiner, and Head Coach of the Eastern Division’s Adaptive Educational Staff. He began his instructional career at Windham Mountain’s Adaptive Sports Foundation where he volunteered from 1993 until 2018. Augie holds PSIA Level 3 Certifications for both Alpine and Adaptive Skiing. He will help coordinate Bart Adaptive’s volunteer and staff training in addition to conducting lessons.

For more information on the Bart Adaptive Sports Center, please visit
www.bartadaptive.org or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

MANCHESTER — “The only limits that people have are limits they set themselves,” says Joe Hurley, Executive Director of Bart J. Ruggerie Adaptive Sports Center.
The Sports Center provides an opportunity for children, adults and veterans with physical and cognitive disabilities to enjoy outdoor sports, including skiing, snowboarding, golf, cycling and more. The center was created in honor of Ruggerie, a ski enthusiast who was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on New York City’s Twin Towers.
“A lot of times with adaptive [sports], there’s a saying that ‘If I can do this, I can do anything,” said Hurley.
“For them to be able to get on a bike and conquer three miles around, it may lead them to say, ‘Gee, if I went to work a couple times a week, I can do this because I can ride a bike. I can do this.”
The father and daughter duo — Betsy Hurley who was born and raised in Bennington, is an administrative assistant at the program — who lead the program arrive at Dana Thompson Park in the morning with a trailer filled with a variety of adaptive, hand and foot-powered cycles.
Kieran, a participant in the program, began attending the Adaptive Sports program seven years ago.
“When he started, he was riding back and forth in the parking lot,” said Joe Hurley. These days, he can do two entire laps around the Dana Thompson Park on a TerraTrike. With the help of volunteers, Kieran has also been able to participate in standup skiing, as well.
“One of our largest challenges is making sure we can get enough volunteers,” said Betsy Hurley.
Volunteers are a vital part of the program – the program currently has about 75 volunteers who are critical in providing supervision, lessons, and support to participants.
Another participant on Tuesday morning, Lydia, biked around on a standup mountain bicycle, with volunteer Hope following closely behind, both seeming to enjoy the silence and sunny morning at the park.

Participants come to the program for a variety of reasons, including for fun, strength-building, confidence and community.
“For some, it’s about the camaraderie of seeing the same people every week and seeing peers,” said Betsy Hurley.
“Some of them stay connected,” added Joe Hurley.

The Bart Adaptive Sports Center was born when Ruggerie’s family approached Joe Hurley about starting a program for people with disabilities to learn to ski at Bromley Mountain.
“His family wanted to make it so that people with disabilities had the same opportunity to ski, like Bart did at Bromley, after they saw me sitting inside waiting for my dad to finish up another lesson he was teaching,” said Betsy Hurley.
She has competed in many sports, including Alpine Skiing in The World Games in 2000 in Anchorage, Alaska, winning a bronze medal for the USA. She was inducted into the New England Wheelchair Hall of Fame in 2007.
The Bart Adaptive Sports Center’s current Summer Program meets on Tuesdays in Manchester and Thursday in Bennington from 10 a.m. to noon.
The 13th Annual No Limits Golf Tournament is Sept. 19 at the Stratton Mountain Golf Course.

For more information visit their website www.bartadaptive.org or reach out via email [email protected].

PERU — “I think sports heals a lot of things,” said Bart J. Ruggiere Adaptive Sports Center executive director Joe Hurley.

The sports center based on Bromley Mountain focuses on providing people with cognitive and physical disabilities the opportunity to participate in sports.

Individuals who never thought it would be possible to play sports are given the opportunity to do so through Bart Adaptive Sports Center.

“What it does is increase the opportunity for them to be able to do things that they never thought they could do,” Hurley said.

Those sports include snowboarding and skiing during the winter. Last year, the program was able to offer more than 500 adaptive ski and snowboarding lessons to those with disabilities.​