Goal Statement

Small Champions aims to provide financial assistance to Vail and Beaver Creek Ski & Snowboard Instructors who are currently teaching or interested in teaching adaptive lessons. This support is intended to increase participation in professional development opportunities, grow lesson capacity, improve instructional quality, and boost instructor retention.

Who

Any active, part-time or full-time ski or snowboard instructors working at the Vail or Beaver Creek Ski &  Snowboard Schools who either currently teach adaptive lessons or have interest in teaching adaptive lessons.

What

Small Champions will launch a merit-based scholarship program for the 2025–2026 season to support Vail and Beaver Creek Ski &Snowboard Instructors who are currently teaching or interested in teaching adaptive lessons. The scholarship is designed to offset personal expenses associated with participating in adaptive-specific, full-day education or credentialing events offered by recognized educational bodies (e.g., PSIA/AASI or similar).

A list of eligible events will be published each season as part of the scholarship application launch.

Award recipients will receive a stipend of $162.50 per day, calculated at a rate of $25.00/hour for 6.5 hours of instruction. Each individual may receive support for up to four full days per year, for a maximum annual award of $650.00.

In its 2025–2026 pilot year, Small Champions will allocate $6,500.00 to fund the program, with the goal of increasing both the funding pool and the number of award recipients in future seasons.

When/Where

Program Timeline and Administration

The Small Champions Adaptive Instructor Scholarship Program will officially launch in Fall 2025, providing time to:

• Develop a list of eligible adaptive education events (e.g., PSIA/AASI or similar)
• Finalize selection criteria
• Build a dedicated scholarship information and application page on smallchampions.org

Application Timeline

• Application period: From program launch through January 31, 2026 or until funding is exhausted
• Award notifications: Rolling basis or shortly after the application deadline (based on subcommittee decision)
• Scholarship disbursement: Upon submission of registration confirmation in an eligible event and a 2025–2026 season pay stub from Vail Resorts

Review& Selection Process

• A dedicated Scholarship Subcommittee will oversee both the development of selection criteria and the review
  and award process. This subcommittee will consist of:
  • Select paid staff members
  • Designated members of the Small Champions Board of Director
  • This ensures that scholarship decisions are aligned with the organization’s mission and reflect a balanced, informed perspective

Promotion

• This could be promoted using the bi-weekly newsletters published by the Vail and Beaver Ski & Snowboard
  Schools, as well as flyers posted in locker rooms

Why

The costs associated with professional development can be prohibitive for instructors, which impacts both the quality and quantity of the adaptive lessons for residents and individuals vacationing in our community.