Our Mission
The Bart J. Ruggiere Adaptive Sports Center provides people with disabilities and their families the opportunity to enjoy outdoor sports. We provide individuals the opportunity participate regardless of their cognitive or physical challenges. The program is available to children and adults throughout the Northeast, and we use the latest in adaptive equipment and teaching methods.
Bart Adaptive Sports was named after Bart J. Ruggiere, a young man whose life was taken from us on September 11th during the World Trade Center attacks. Bart loved to ski at Bromley with his family and friends for nearly 20 years. Together they formed a foundation in Bart’s name to help support people with special needs through an adaptive sports program at Bromley Mountain. Their initial generosity has been one of the main catalysts for our success.
Bart Adaptive Sports was named after Bart J. Ruggiere, a young man whose life was taken from us on September 11th during the World Trade Center attacks. Bart loved to ski at Bromley with his family and friends for nearly 20 years. Together they formed a foundation in Bart’s name to help support people with special needs through an adaptive sports program at Bromley Mountain. Their initial generosity has been one of the main catalysts for our success.
Our History
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The adaptive ski program that is now the Bart Adaptive Sports Center was originally established in 1999 under the auspices of the Bromley Ski School. The program had a core of four volunteers that received their certifications in teaching skiing to people with disabilities. In 2002, the adaptive program moved its operations to the Bromley Outing Club and became the Bart J. Ruggiere Adaptive Sports Center. In 2005, the Center became its own entity, became a chapter member of Move United Sports, and separated from the B.O.C. To this day, many of the early instructors still work with the organization.
In 1999, the adaptive program helped 4-6 students per year and operated only on weekends and holidays. At that time, most of the program’s clients had cognitive disabilities. Today, Bart Adaptive Sports programs deliver 500+ winter lessons and 75+ summer experiences to people with cognitive and / or physical disabilities at Bromley and Stratton Mountains as well as in Manchester, Vermont. The center has three staff members and relies heavily on its trained volunteers to make Bart Adaptive Sports the desired destination for people with disabilities to participate in outdoor sports in New England. |
Sponsors
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Tom & Lori Corcoran
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Glenn N. Howatt Foundation
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Caruso Family
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The Mount Laurel Foundation
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