Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, a nationally recognized non profit organization that provides recreational sports to people with disabilities, selected Kaitlyn Fowle to receive the 2022 Kellen Sams Memorial Leadership Award. 

“This year’s award is unlike any other,” said Norm Staunton, director of operations at Vermont Adaptive. “Kaitlyn is not a volunteer, staff, or intern at Vermont Adaptive. In that sense, she is an unusual nominee for the award. She has donated her time to teach multiple courses, training, and certifications for Vermont Adaptive, at no charge and all passion.”

Kaitlyn Fowle can be easily recognized at Bolton Valley, as she works as the Patrol Director and ensures that Vermont Adaptive is included in all of the ski resort events. She has co-organized training, made time available to her staff to attend Vermont Adaptive training, has attended Vermont Adaptive training herself, and has pursued trainer status in new course offerings at the organization’s request. Fowle is a trainer for the National Ski Patrol, American Heart Association, Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (wilderness medicine), American Canoe Association, Stop the Bleed, and others. She is also a professional caliber alpine skier, sea kayaker, stand up paddleboarder, tele skier, and high angle rescuer.

Kellen Sams was a great outdoor spirit, teacher and avid adventurer. But most importantly, he was a compassionate friend to all he met. Tragically, despite preparedness, the highest safety measures, and years of training and experience, Kellen lost his life in an avalanche in February of 2010 while backcountry skiing the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. 

In honor of Sams’ commitment to outdoor experiential education of the highest quality, the Kellen Sams Memorial Leadership Award was established. The purpose of the award is to further Sams’ legacy by providing recognition for those Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports’ staff, volunteers and interns who show the greatest commitment to professional development and leadership within the organization.

Sams committed his life to further outdoor and experiential education for all regardless of their abilities. His adventures included work experiences with Outward Bound, a summer chasing rattlesnakes and black bears off the Appalachian Trail, and honing his gentle teaching skills at the adaptive ski program at Crested Butte Resort in Colorado. He was proud to have completed New Hampshire’s “Presi Traverse” in a day. Through all these experiences and his desire to strive for the best in his personal and professional life, he demonstrated his competence as an outdoor educator and his dedication as a friend.

To learn more about Kellen Sams and the scholarship and leadership programs at Vermont Adaptive, visit www.vermontadaptive.org/get-involved/kellensams/ 

Photo Above: (l. to r.) Norm Staunton, director of operations; Molly Tobin, part-time program coordinator; Kaitlyn Fowle, Kellen Sams Leadership Award recipient 2022