Although it still feels like summer, The Nightmare has returned to the Challenge Mountain Lodge with spooky adventures for the whole family every Friday and Saturday in October.  Check out the spooky video for a preview of your family adventure: 
September Summer Fun -- 
Biking and Fishing!

A beautiful September day on Deer Lake

Our extended summer in September was a great opportunity for adaptive biking and fishing in northern Michigan.  Fall programs are in full swing with Charlevoix and Emmet county special education students participating in adaptive biking, equine therapy and the ropes challenge course. 
 
Char-Em students enjoying bike ride on Little Traverse Wheelway

Dan, how big was that fish that got away?
Recreation is the SPIRIT of LIFE
 
SPIRIT Day Camp friends enjoy a ride on the CM pontoon boat in July.

For 34 years, SPIRIT Day Camp has been providing access to community recreation, cultural, and educational experiences in an inclusive environment for children and adults with developmental disabilities.  SPIRIT Day Camp emphasizes the importance of building relationships between individuals with and without physical and mental challenges in our Northern Michigan communities.  This year, 84 campers and 20 counselors participated in SPIRIT Day Camp July 10-14 and July 17-21. 

"Moosin" around during a summer day of fun at SPIRIT Day Camp.

Recreational activities included a trip to Mackinaw City to experience the Heritage Park and Historic Mill Creek.  Another day was a trip to Charlevoix for a tour of Castle Farms and a visit to Raven Hill Discovery Center. Then later in the week to Petoskey for a Concert in the Park and a round of putt-putt golf.  And finally to Harbor Springs  for a visit to the Boyne Highlands Adventure Center and an afternoon with the Young Americans.   SPIRIT Day Camp activities vary each year, but one thing remains the same:
 
Enjoying recreation, life and leisure in northern Michigan while building relationships with friends new and old.

Want to join in the fun as a camper or counselor?  Contact Linda Armstrong  linda@challengemtn.org for more information about SPIRIT Day Camp.
SPIRIT Day Camp -- The Journey
SPIRIT Day Camp -- The Journey
Summer was
HOT, but 
September was SIZZLIN'
at the Challenge Mountain Resale Store

This summer, the Resale Store experienced record-setting sales over $30,000 each month in June, July and August.  September sales were even hotter -- reaching $36,000 -- double the sales volume in Sept. 2015 at the former store location.  
 
This tremendous growth and success is much more than just simply remarkable -- every volunteer and staff person who gives their time and energy to the Challenge Mountain Resale Store goes above and beyond to do their part in support of the CM mission.  

Challenge Mountain can not say THANK YOU enough to all our volunteers who make Great Things Happen Together at Challenge Mountain.  

Thank you Challenge Mountain Resale Store volunteers!

Because of the gift of time, talent and resources from our volunteers, donors and shoppers...

...CM has more funding available for programming and general operations compared to the previous year. 

...More individuals living with disabilities and their families will be connected with life-enhancing recreational opportunities like adaptive skiing, biking, sailing, kayaking, equine therapy and ropes challenge course activities.

...Challenge Mountain is in a strong and stable long-term financial position to provide individuals living with disabilities the opportunities to experience recreation and leisure, and in doing so realize their personal value, strengths and abilities.


On behalf of all of us, thank you for supporting all the Great Things that Happen Together at Challenge Mountain and for  making a difference in the lives of so many individuals and families.   

Looking for something to do this winter to stay active?  Volunteering at the CM Resale Store is fun, fulfilling and flexible.  If you are interested, contact Staci at 231-582-6966 and come join the fun!  The Resale Store is open Mon-Sat from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm. 


You can  purchase your own Challenge Mountain logo wear at 
www.challengemtn.org/logo-wear/.  This link takes you to the Challenge Mountain store at Land's End where our logo is automatically available when you select an item and add it to your cart.  
A SPECIAL THANK YOU... 

to Michigan Barefoot Memories and the Charlevoix County Community Foundation for the photography capturing all the Great Things That Happen Together at Challenge Mountain.  

Photographer Kim Mettler spent an entire year capturing the many magical moments and images of Challenge Mountain participants experiencing adaptive recreation throughout northern Michigan.  Support for this photography initiative was provided through a grant from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation.  

Thank you for helping Challenge Mountain tell our story through the happy, smiling faces of all those who come to Challenge Mountain to enjoy life and adventure.

 
MICHIGAN BAREFOOT MEMORIES
COMMERCIAL + LIFESTYLE + FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY by Kim Mettler
313.617.3623
MIbarefootmemories.com
Challenge Mountain | 231.582.1186 | director@challengemtn.org | challengemtn.org