Champlain Adaptive Mounted Program

at Good Hope Farm Growing to fit the need P.O. Box 27, South Hero, VT 05486 E-Mail CHAMP 802-233-4893 802-372-4087 Barn . Home About Us Contact Us How You Can Help Volunteer Instructors Program Calendar Download Forms News Annual Trail Ride Riders . CHAMP is proud to be one of two NARHA Premier Accredited Centers in Vermont North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, . CHAMP is supported by Franklin-Grand Isle United Way: . Directions to CHAMP at Good Hope Farm Take 89 to Exit 17 (9.4 miles north of Burlington) exit West (to Champlain Islands), merge on to US2 for 7.1 miles turn left onto Landon Rd (towards Allenholm Farms) at 0.7 mile turn left onto E. Shore Rd (portions unpaved) for 0.5 mile to CHAMP at Good Hope Farm on your left.	CHAMPLAIN ADAPTIVE MOUNTED PROGRAM Since 1987 CHAMP has been volunteer driven, non-profit organization located in South Hero, Vermont, providing a therapeutic horseback riding program for children and adults with a wide range of physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Our riders arrive on foot, with canes or crutches and in wheel chairs. Once on a horse they are empowered in ways no other activity can provide. On April 1, 2008 CHAMP became the leasor of Good Hope Farm. We have begun a major expansion of our program which will include a friendly relaxed barn with excellent 24-hour care for your horse, on-site trainers, a wide range of lessons for able-bodied children and adults and more flexible programs for our special riders including a new sibling riding program. Watch this site and your mail for news about the new CHAMP at Good Hope Farm. Scroll down and click on the links at the left for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------- Julie Horrigan & Carol Melcher, co-founders ------------------------------------------------------------- Growing to fit the needs: NCFCU - Being a CHAMP again! NorthCountry Federal Credit Union just announced that they will repeat their generous triple donation program for their depositors. Any donation to CHAMP by a member/depositor of NCFCU will be tripled by them. If you are a member and donate $1 CHAMP will receive $3. If we raise the $5,000 limit as we did last year, NCFCU will give us another check for $15,000. We thank the depositors of NorthCountry Federal Credit Union who donated $5,000 to CHAMP in 2007 and the bank for tripling it for a total donation of $15,000. To add to that they produced and presented a public service announcement for CHAMP. Thanks to Julie Longfellow who promoted us inside the bank, Shaun Danforth who created the PSA and Josh Bloomberg who got it on the air. Then NCFCU topped it all off with the proceeds of its holiday Beanie Baby sales. We at CHAMP are grateful for this much needed push forward. Reach out to NCFCU at www.northcountry.org or 800-660-3258. Announcing a New Program Riding Creates! VSA Arts of Vermont and CHAMP, an adaptive horse back riding program, invite youth and children in grades K-12 to a combined horse back riding and arts program July 28 - 31, from 1:00 to 4:00pm. at Good Hope Farm in South Hero. Explore the sounds, the sights, the feel of riding and relating with horses in an inclusive group that celebrates the abilities of all through exciting uses of art materials in the barn. Imagine painting with baling twine and old grooming brushes! Working in teams, you will learn horse safety, grooming, tacking, as well as riding skills, games on horseback and more. We will connect the experience of riding and being with the horses with art activities that encourage self expression and creativity! See what new connections riding and art create in your life! There will be time for each participant to ride and create each day, as well as a snack break. $150 fee, includes both riding and art. Spaces are limited. For more information and to sign up please e-mail VSA Arts of Vermont or call 802-655-7735 or email CHAMP or call 802-372-4087. Chittenden Bank and CHAMP We are grateful to the Chittenden Bank for a recent grant of $60,000 to be paid out over the next five years. Jan Marinelli, Director of Community Relations, visited a recent session to present us with the first installment. She had chance to see a long time CHAMP rider and a family friend riding. It was a thrilling moment for all of us at CHAMP. The picture will be posted soon. Check them out at www.chittenden.com 2007 Trail Ride Tops All Records Both Mother Nature and the riders made this year's Trail Ride a huge success. Although the day started out rainy, 42 riders and phantom riders showed up. Just as the ride began, the sun came out and the rest of the day was beautiful. The best part for us is that the riders raised over $13,000, an all-time record. Thanks to all who are listed on the Trail Ride page. Get ready for the 2008 ride on September 13 and helps us break the fundraising record. Help us help Kyle and other children and adults with special needs in the Champlain Valley. Hands On As parents of Kyle, a child with a disability, it is often times challenging to find an activity that is both safe and suitable for our son. CHAMP has certainly met and exceeded both criteria. Kyle enjoys every minute of his CHAMP experience. CHAMP has allowed Kyle to feel a sense of independence, while at the same time being part of the CHAMP family. Kyle has made much progress over the past few years and we are happy with the sense of enjoyment he gets during the course of his riding lesson. We have been very pleased with the entire CHAMP staff for the dedication, commitment and hard work that is required to make the CHAMP program a success. We asked Kyle what he enjoys most about CHAMP and horseback riding. His reply was that he likes riding backwards, running (trotting) and playing “red light, green light.” Robert and Susan
---------------------------- Website hosting courtesy of SOVERNET^tm VERMONT's SOVEREIGN CONNECTION ---------------------------- Web site revised by Bob Essman. 050808 ----------------------------	VOLUNTEER Now! Alex riding Magic The CHAMP Program needs you Join us, you'll be richer for it! Let us know when you're available. FMI: Jean - 802-372-4087 or Bob - 802-878-1290 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAMP Dates Go to Calendar for details	Get Ready! Get Set! Save these CHAMP 2008 dates, More information will follow on each event. CHAMP's Spring Session • Volunteers Needed Wednesdays April 30 - June 4 Saturdays May 3 - June 14 (no class on May 24 Memorial Day Weekend) June 21 - Celebrate CHAMP! Join us as we honor our past and celebrate our future! Look for your invitation. --------------------------------------------- New! Riding Camps This Summer in South Hero New! for all able-bodied riders ages 6-14 Beginner Riders Day Camp July 14 - 17 • 9.00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. • Ages 6 to 13 Learn horseback riding, play games on horseback and have fun $280.00 Intermediate Riding Day Camp August 4 - 7 • 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. • Ages 7 to 14 Previous riding experience needed. Riding skills instruction, games and horse related activities. $280.00 End of Summer Riding Camp August 11 - 14th • 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. • Ages 6 to 14 No prior riding experience required Fun games on horseback and riding skills building. $280.00 • • • Riding Creates! July 28-31 • 1.00 to 4.00 p.m. • Ages 5 to 18 For all riders including those with special needs, A combined riding and art experience in collaboration with Vermont Special Arts $150.00 • • • Adaptive Mounted Camp July 7 - 10 • 1.00 to 4.00 p.m. • For special needs riders Learn grooming, tacking and riding skills and have fun with peers. $120.00 • For more information and sign up call Jean Desranleau 802-372-4087 --------------------------------------------- September 13 - The CHAMP Annual Trail Ride • Riders & Volunteers Needed CHAMP's Fall Session • Volunteers Needed Wednesdays September 17 - October 22 Saturdays September 20 - October 25 October 29-November 1 - NARHA National Conference, Hartford CT.