 |
|
Great Things Happen Together
at Challenge Mountain
|
|
The Heart & Soul of Challenge Mtn
Bill Aten, Board President
Our incredible volunteer workforce is the heart and soul of Challenge Mountain. D
uring the period November 2015 through June 2016, over seventy CM volunteers donated more than 933 hours of labor to resale store renovations and moving merchandise into the new location. On June 18, 2016, we
celebrated the grand opening of the new Resale Store location at 1100 Boyne Avenue in Boyne City. This
renovation project would not have been possible without the generous helping hands of our committed volunteer workforce.
The Challenge Mountain Board of Directors may never be able to thank our volunteers enough for their devotion to us, but we know that they support us because they share our vision to make Challenge Mountain a destination where all persons living with disabilities and their families have the opportunity to play, learn and enrich their lives. Check out
challengemtn.org for opportunities
to join us in Making Great Things Happen Together.
|
|
Great Merchandise and Great Prices for a Great Cause
Staci Payton, Resale Store Manager
Since the grand opening in our new resale store location, customers are enjoying the
pleasant shopping experience, variety of quality merchandise and great prices.
Our resale store volunteers and staff have been working hard and we are happy to report that store sales have increased 37% since the store opened in the new location. Like us on Facebook to hear about daily sales. We gratefully accept your
donated items during
store hours M-Sat. 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Proceeds from the Challenge Mountain
Resale Store help provide opportunities for individuals living with disabilities to experience life and adventure.
The success of the Challenge Mountain Resale Store would not be possible without our dedicated volunteers, customers and committed staff. Thank you to all who work so hard to support our mission to enrich lives and empower individuals living with disabilities.
|
|
Great Things Happen Together
Elizabeth Gertz Looze, Executive Director
Like an old fashion barn raising,
the community came together
to support Challenge Mountain in
building a solid, sustainable foundation for years to come.
The $215,000 in cash and in-kind contributions from foundations, individuals, businesses and community organizations represent
an investment in the long-term sustainability of the organization.
This commitment will allow Challenge Mountain to continue to enhance the lives of an increasing number of individuals living with disabilities through our year-round recreational programming.
This renovation project would not have been possible without the financial support of individuals, businesses and our community foundations, including
the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, and The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation.
Visit
challengemtn.org
to learn how you can make a difference by donating to Challenge Mountain.
|
|
Our Mission in Action
Linda Winn-Armstrong, Program Director
Our programs are our mission in action --
enriching lives and empowering individuals living with disabilities through year-round adaptive recreation. All programming is centered on having fun, making and sustaining friendships,
building confidence and independence and most importantly,
fostering positive and hopeful expectations for living life with a disability.
A bike ride along one of the trails in Charlevoix and Emmet counties is a recreational activity enjoyed by many in Northern Michigan, but opportunities to participate in recreational activities are not something that is readily available for those living with disabilities. Thanks to a recent donation of two adaptive tricycles from the AMBUC chapter in Grand Rapids,
Challenge Mountain participants have the opportunity to experience life and adventure on a bike ride.
Whether you are an adult living with disabilities seeking personal fulfillment or a first grade boy with autism discovering his ability to interact with the outside world through an equine therapy session, there is something for everyone at Challenge Mountain. Maybe you are a person who likes things a little more low key...don't worry we offer fishing, flower planting, quiet nature hikes, and a baseball game (or two)! We truly believe that
all people, regardless of ability, should have opportunities to experience life and adventure and in doing so realize their personal value, strengths and abilities.
Exploring the many beautiful lakes in our region is one of our favorite summer activities at Challenge Mountain. This year we kayaked across Lake Louise
and when we arrived on shore, we set up tents and enjoyed an overnight camping adventure! O
ur participants also experienced
sailing adventures on a 40ft sailboat!
Captain Lou and his first mate Donna scheduled six different sailing cruises on Lake Charlevoix where we learned the lingo, steered the sailboat, and hoisted the sails!
In addition to these great summer programs, we also offer
a week long day camp called SPIRIT Day Camp
. A day trip to Mackinac Island, festivals, Lumberjack show, touring the fort at Mackinaw City, putt putt golf, b
owling and laser tag
are just a few of the things we do during Spirit Day Camp. Challenge Mountain and Spirit Day Camp build relationships that last a lifetime and foster communities where differences are diminished, blurred and often erased.
This fall, in partnership with Northern Michigan Equine Therapy and Camp Daggett, we will once again be offering students enrolled in special education programs in Charlevoix and Emmet counties the opportunity to experience the healing therapy of horses and challenges
on the adventure course. Snowy days are just around the corner and w
e are excited about our upcoming winter sports season on the slopes at the Challenge Mountain Lodge. Watch your email and the program calendar on our website for the winter volunteer training session in mid-December and program schedule
starting in January.
A great big thank you to our volunteers, donors and participants for making summer and fall programs great!
|
|
Amazon Purchases Support Challenge Mountain
Donate a percentage of your Amazon purchase
to Challenge Mountain by shopping at AmazonSmile. On your first visit to smile.amazon.com, select Challenge Mountain to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. AmazonSmile will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation to Challenge Mountain, at no cost to you!
|
|
The Nightmare!
Halloween Family Fun at the last weekend of
The Nightmare
this Friday and Saturday in October from 7 - 10 pm at the Challenge Mountain Lodge. This is not your typical walk thru haunted house -- there are spooky adventures and activities for all ages. Kids 12 & under are $5 or 3/$10 and adults are $10. Check out
|
|
|
Challenge Mountain | 231.582.1186 | director@challengemtn.org | challengemtn.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
