This past weekend, I attended the Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR) Winter Veterans No Boundaries (VNB) program held at Sunday River. Twenty-five veterans and their families came from around the country, mostly from New England, to enjoy a wide range of winter indoor and outdoor activities. Participants arrived on Thursday, were fitted for ski equipment, and settled into their Sunday River resort hotel. Friday was all about downhill skiing. From first-time skiers, including veterans and family members from places like Florida and Texas, to more experienced skiers, each participant was paired with a volunteer ski instructor. Beginners received hands-on instruction, while more advanced skiers were accompanied on the slopes. This year, I wasn’t assigned to a specific veteran but instead skied with another volunteer to “roam” the mountain in case assistance was needed. Maine Adaptive has some of the most state-of-the-art adaptive ski equipment available. For those with disabilities that have issues with balance while standing, there are ski bikes. For others, there are “bucket” skies (mono-skis). Visually impaired or blind skiers are also fully supported by trained instructors who guide them down the slopes. One of those instructors is himself visually impaired. You might have seen him recently on “207.” With his own guide, he brings a unique and powerful perspective to teaching visually impaired skiers. Saturday featured “off-the-mountain” activities, including outdoor options like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, as well as indoor activities such as laser rifle shooting, bocce ball, board games, and other fun events. Participants returned to the mountain on Sunday and Monday morning. Maine Adaptive also hosts a summer VNB program in August at Fernwood Cove on Island Pond, in Harrison. If any of this interests you, visit www.maineadaptive.org. Maine Adaptive is open seven days a week, twelve months a year, for all people, veterans and non-veterans, with disabilities, and all programs are free.

Kieve Wavus Education is hosting its annual Vietnam Veterans Retreat March 5–8 at its Nobleboro facility on Lake Damariscotta. This retreat is open to any Vietnam veteran and their significant other. Accommodations are in the recently renovated Kennedy Center, featuring hotel-style single rooms with lake views and a warm gathering space with a large fireplace. Some participants enjoy outdoor adventures, while others prefer indoor activities and reconnecting with fellow veterans. Spouses and partners share in the camaraderie as well. To register, visit www.kwe.org/events/veterans.

Another excellent opportunity is the VAST (Veteran Adaptive Sports Training) program at Pineland Farms. This free program runs year-round. Learn more at www.pinelandfarms.org/vast.

Outward Bound also offers free programs for veterans nationwide, including here in Maine. Visit www.outwardbound.org, select “Programs,” and search for “Veterans.”

A couple of other programs that some of our local veterans have participated in are “House in the Woods” (www.houseinthewoods.org), a retreat focusing on outdoor wilderness activities; and “Project Healing Waters” (www.projecthealingwaters.org) which is all about fly fishing.

There are many other programs available, but these are the ones I know best and wanted to share.

So, while you are snowbound at home, check these out!