Nov. 4, 2025
For Steve Kerstein, volunteering with The Bart Center (which is now a part of Vermont Adaptive) began with a simple conversation at a local Stratton Mountain Resort gathering—and quickly became one of the most rewarding chapters of his life.
After a successful career in global consulting and years spent raising a skiing family at Stratton, Steve was ready to give back. Inspired by his wife, a retired pediatric cardiologist, and his children—both in careers focused on child wellbeing—Steve found his calling with adaptive sports. “It was time for Dad to get with the program,” he says with a smile. “And I just fell in love with it.”
Since joining what was then Bart Adaptive Sports Center in 2018, Steve has become a steady and compassionate presence on the snow. He didn’t come into the role with teaching experience—just a willingness to learn and connect. “I knew a fair amount about skiing, but not much about teaching. I just gave it a shot.”
His very first season, Steve was paired with a young girl who had previously struggled in her lessons. “Nobody had a good time that first day,” he remembers. “But for whatever reason, she and I just hit it off. She told her parents she had a good time and wanted to come back. And that was it—we stuck together for years.” That student eventually became an independent skier, able to ski any trail on the mountain.
“Other than raising my own family, this is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done,” Steve says. “I don’t know who gets more out of it—the student, the parent, or the volunteer. It’s a win all the way around.”
He emphasizes how much it matters to simply be positive. “A lot of the kids we work with don’t get much encouragement in their day-to-day lives,” he says. “I make sure they feel like someone’s rooting for them, every step of the way. That’s the biggest reward—when you see them smile, when they feel proud.”
For Steve, volunteering is simple. “If you can be a part of something that helps someone find joy, independence, and confidence—that’s everything.”
This Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, we invite you to be part of The Things We Share—the laughter on a powder day, the courage to try something new, the freedom to explore without barriers.
When you give your time, talent and treasure this season, you’re not just supporting a lesson—you’re sharing the opportunity for someone to belong, thrive, and play. Come volunteer with us this winter and save the date for #GivingTuesday on Dec. 2, 2025.