History

1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009

Founded by a group of physically challenged individuals in 1999, Adaptive Adventures saw a need to increase awareness and participation in disabled sports and recreation for people of all ages. We have a steadfast vision to one day meet the needs of the entire family. Adaptive Adventures is driven by our belief in "freedom through mobility" and our core values include affordability, independence and leadership. Adaptive Adventures plays an active role in the community as a contributor and as a benefactor and current events have allowed us to focus on paving the way for recently injured soldiers with disabilities to realize a better quality of life.

wheelchair, disabled=

1999
 
 Aug 1999 Adaptive Adventures Incorporated as Colorado Nonprofit
 Nov 1999 Joined DSUSA as Chapter
 Dec 1999 501c3 approved
  Received $20,000 start up grant (Francis Finlay Foundation)
2000
 
 July 2000 Hired first employee - ED Joel Berman
 Sep 2000 First Annual Greg Reilly Memorial Golf Gathering
  Adaptive Adventures gives 1000th participant lesson
  Adaptive Adventures Experience Newsletter is published
 Dec 2000 Instructors teach skiing to Columbine victims - Breckenridge
  Annual revenues exceed $100,000
2001
 
 June 2001 Broad Reach Adaptive Sailing Program formed in CO
  Presented First Handcycle National Championship
 Dec 2001 Named "Distinguished Sponsor" at Hartford Ski Spectacular
2002
 
 March 2002 Purchased share of accessible houseboat on Lake Powell
  Partnered with INT League to form first adaptive wakeboard opportunities in Colorado
 Oct 2002 AA becomes PSIA Certified Ski School
 Nov 2002 Hired two additional staff - Matt and Ian
 Dec 2002 Annual lesson days exceed 2000
  Volunteer corps exceed 100 individuals
2003
 
 Feb 2003 First Annual Vail All Mountain Camp
  Received $35,000 for kids programs from Peter Forsberg Charity - A.S.K. (Adaptive Sports For Kids) program formed
 March 2003 AA becomes official nonprofit business partner of US Handcycle Federation
 June 2003 Created adaptive cycling component for CO Jr. Wheelchair sports camp
 Aug 2003 First Annual Stars of Tomorrow youth sports camp - CO
 Oct 2003 AA opens Chicago area branch office in Wilmette, IL
 Dec 2003 Annual revenues exceed $200,000
  AA starts working with recently injured soldiers - from DSRP
2004  
 Late 2004 Hired Becky Archibald as Office Manager
 Feb 2004 AA receives all assets of Disabled Sports USA - Rocky Mountain - Rafting Program
 March 2004 First Annual Discover Ability Youth ski camp
  Received Permanent IRS 501c3 status
 June 2004 First annual Camp Trek Youth sports camp - IL
2005
 
 Feb 2005 AA web site linked to over 300 other sites
 April 2005 AA named Invacare / Top End national Test Center partner
 June 2005 Program Director Matt Feeney named CO Ski Country USA - Disabled Athlete of the Year
  Rocky Mountain Omnium TV show airs on Altitude Network
  Volunteer corps exceeds 200 individuals
 Dec 2005 AA awarded ACA Sr. State Championships for RMO in CO
  Annual revenues exceed $300,000
2006  
 May 2006 Artie Guerrero joins the Adaptive Adventures Team to promote Education and Outreach programs
  Annual Vectra Bank Adaptive Adventures Steamboat All Mountain Camp - biggest winter event to date created and coordinated by Adaptive Adventures. It featured 14 wounded warriors, more than 32 disabled athletes, and nearly 80 people, including instructors, family members and volunteers
  Adaptive Adventures leads wakeboard clinics and competition in Inaugural Extremity Games - Orlando, FL
2007  
  Adaptive Adventures Team members Matt Schallmoser and Matt Feeney finish 1st and 3rd respectively in Extremity Games wakeboarding national competition. ED Joel Berman placed 2nd in the kayak races
  Adaptive Adventures Water-ski and Wakeboard Team travels to NY to work with Wounded Warrior group and the Adaptive Sports Foundation
  Adaptive Adventures partners with the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois to create Beyond Boundaries. This multi-day multi-sport camping experience birngs in teams of new spinal cord injury patients from the top five rehabilitation hospitals in the Chicago area as well as Hines, VA
  Adaptive Adventures in partnership with Telluride Adaptive Sports offers first veterans and wounded warriors trip to Lake Powell, UT
 Nov 2007 Mau Thompson is hired full-time as ASK program coordinator and Head Alpine Ski Coach. Mau has a decade of experience as the head development race coach at the National Sports Center for the Disabled, and founded our sister organization in Japan, Adaptive World, in 2002
  Annual Revenues exceed $400,000
  Mau Thompson joins Adaptive Adventures
  Adaptive Adventures integrates Wounded Military personnel into annual SnoFest Military Ski weekend in Keystone, CO
2008  
  New partnership and fundraiser with Brunswick in Denver, CO
  Partnership with Wounded Warrior Project in brining a group of wounded warriors for sports and recreation in Chicago and to be VIP's at the 50th Anniversary of the Chicago Air and Water Show
  Annual Revenues exceed $500,000
  Adaptive Adventures Staff, Joel Berman and Matt Feeney, finish 1st and 2nd respectively in kayaking and wakeboarding at Extremity Games III
  Matt Feeney wins Hal O'Leary award (see winter 08-09) newsletter for details
  Team Mau is added to ASK program
2009  
  Adaptive Adventures partners with Challenge Aspen in whitewater rafting program
  Adaptive Adventures merges Chicago cycling program with Great Lakes Adaptive Sports (GLASA)
  AA and GLASA form Great Lakes Adaptive Cycling Club
  Stars of Tomorrow Youth Ski camps expand to Steamboat Springs CO and Camelback, PA