When Kris and Corey Frey’s son Ben, who has Down syndrome, started private ski lessons, they never imagined it would lead to a full-blown adaptive sports community. But what began as a way for Ben to enjoy the mountains has grown into something much bigger: a movement that’s helping kids with disabilities build confidence, learn new skills, and create community.
After discussing possibilities with the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD), Kris and Corey began The Shredders, a ski and outdoor adventure group for kids with Down Syndrome on the Front Range. This summer, the NSCD is hosting two week-long camps for the group for the first time. The camps will focus on warm-weather sports: archery, rock climbing, mountain biking, and more. The camps will be held at the NSCD’s Adaptive Program Center at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, and 30+ participants are expected to join for the camps.
The real mission behind The Shredders isn’t just outdoor activity. It’s community. Through The Shredders, the Frey family has built meaningful relationships with other families in the Down Syndrome community, combining their love for sports with creating an accessible space for kids. Another key part of the program is encouraging kids to try new things and face their challenges head-on.
“It comes down to relationships and supporting one another,” shares Kris. “One of our themes is always ‘to the highest mountain.’ Everybody has a mountain they’re trying to work toward,” shares Kris.
Matt Peterson, Program Manager for the NSCD, says, “The biggest goal of the camp is that community piece. Creating these lifelong bonding experiences, but also to learn some new sports.”
The NSCD has been around for over 55 years, providing world-class adaptive recreation in Colorado. With programs ranging from alpine skiing to whitewater rafting, paddleboarding, archery, biking, and more, NSCD serves people with physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional diagnoses.
Kris says that without the help of NSCD’s volunteer and staff members, The Shredders wouldn’t be where they are today. “[They’re] what makes these programs go, and we’re so thankful for them.”
The NSCD is committed to relieving financial burdens for its participants. Last year, the organization awarded $15,000 in financial aid scholarships to individuals and an additional $75,000 in discounted programs and scholarships for schools and military programs.
Programs like The Shredders show what’s possible when families, organizations, and communities come together around a shared goal. With support from the NSCD, kids with disabilities aren’t just learning new skills; they’re finding a place where they belong. And for families like the Freys, it’s a chance to build something that lasts beyond the ski season.
Learn more about the National Sports Center for the Disabled at nscd.org
Camp start dates: Tues. June 17 and Tues. July 8
