March 13, 2020

Dear Vermont Adaptive Friends,

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that all Vermont Adaptive programs are suspended for the remainder of the 2019-2020 winter season, effective at the end of the day today, Friday, March 13. If you have reservations anytime from Saturday, March 14 through the rest of the winter season, program coordinators will be in touch if they haven’t reached you already.

No new reservations for future programs will be accepted at this time. Program spaces will be closed for the winter season and all programs from Saturday, March 14 and on are suspended.

As you know, we have been monitoring the ongoing health situation related to Coronavirus/COVID-19. With the World Health Organization declaring a Pandemic, the Vermont Adaptive Board of Directors, along with myself, the staff, and many leaders in our community know suspending programs for the remainder of the winter season is the prudent, safe and only decision to make at this time.

Our first priority is to protect our Vermont Adaptive community, which includes many older folks as well as those with chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems. The health and safety of our participants, volunteers, staff, and community at large here at Vermont Adaptive is the only aspect that is important right now.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as information has been unfolding rapidly. We will continue to monitor the situation and update you all as necessary when information is available from the CDC and the state of Vermont.

Please remember – YOU are the reason we do what we do here at Vermont Adaptive on a year-round basis.

All of us at Vermont Adaptive sincerely wish our community the best in health. Program coordinators, directors, and I are all available by phone or email to answer any questions you may have regarding reservations, future programs or special events. Be on the lookout for emails and social media posts with updates plus other stories and information to keep you in the spirit of sport until programming can resume.

Kind Regards,

Erin Fernandez
Executive Director

Specific Information for Participants:

• All lessons and programs are suspended for the remainder of the season, beginning March 14.

• Program space at each location will be open until 4 p.m. Sunday for participants to collect any personal items or to return Vermont Adaptive items like borrowed equipment, etc. Again, there will be NO lessons or programs beginning tomorrow, March 14.

• For the remainder of the season, if you visit our mountain resort partners, you will be doing so at your own risk and will need to use each resort’s public spaces, lodges and facilities. Program space will not be available for any individuals to use as a “homebase” if they choose to visit the resort. Participants should not schedule lessons directly with volunteers.

• Vermont Adaptive equipment will not be available for participant use under any circumstances.

Specific Information for Volunteers:

• All lessons and programs are suspended for the remainder of the season, beginning March 14.

• Program space at each location will be open until 4 p.m. Sunday for volunteers to collect any personal items or to return Vermont Adaptive items like borrowed equipment, etc. Again, there will be NO lessons or programs beginning tomorrow, March 14. Beginning Monday, March 16, program staff will be working remotely and the program spaces will be closed for the remainder of the winter season.

• If you choose to visit our mountain resort partners any time during the remainder of the season, you will be doing so at your own risk and will need to use each resort’s public spaces, lodges and facilities.

• Program space will not be available for any individuals to use as a “homebase” if they choose to visit the resort.

• Volunteers should not schedule lessons directly with participants. Failure to follow this may result in suspension or termination from participating in the future.

• Vermont Adaptive equipment will not be available for participant or volunteer use under any circumstances.

• We are working through details with our resort partners regarding tickets for the remainder of the season and will follow up with you when we have specific details about that. Sugarbush volunteers can pick up their RFID cards from Felicia this weekend.