SIS Ski Camps for Youth with Disabilities

The DSV Ski Patrol makes children's eyes light up! The SIS ski camps for youth with disabilities give children and teens with disabilities unforgettable days in the snow—filled with joy, adventure, and new opportunities.

Project Description

Twice a season, SIS invites children and teens ages 10 to 18 with intellectual or physical disabilities to a ten-day winter sports trip. The group stays at the Labenbachhof in Ruhpolding. Under the guidance of Martin Raab, participants enjoy a varied program tailored to their needs. In addition to cross-country skiing, the itinerary includes recreational activities such as evenings at mountain huts, torchlight hikes, and trips to the swimming pool. A special highlight of the first session is always a visit to the Biathlon World Cup, which takes place at the same time. You can tell that this volunteer work is close to the heart of ski patrol member Martin Raab by the sparkle in his eyes when he says, “This is an experience not just for the kids, but also for us—for me. What you get out of it is priceless.”

Objective

The main goal of the SIS ski camps for youth with disabilities is to give children and young people with disabilities a sense of normalcy and belonging through winter sports activities such as cross-country skiing. Through shared experiences in the snow, the camps aim to break down barriers, build self-confidence, and foster social connections. The camps offer participants the opportunity to experience unforgettable moments and discover new skills far away from their often challenging everyday lives.

Each group can accommodate approximately 40 participants, with applications coming in from about 30 schools and workshops in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse. The program is aimed at young people ages 10 to 18 with intellectual or physical disabilities who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. People with paraplegia can also actively participate; with the help of a cross-country sled, they can move forward. Blind participants are assigned a “personal guide” who leads them along the trail and alerts them to uneven terrain, curves, and slopes.

On-site organization and operation are handled by active and former DSV ski patrol members, both men and women. Their responsibilities range from advance preparation to direct supervision during the recreational activities. Approximately 15 supervisors are on duty per course. The exact number depends heavily on the children’s individual supervision needs. For example, blind participants require one-on-one supervision to navigate the cross-country ski trail.

Each year, the SIS ski camps for youth with disabilities cost approximately 60,000 €. The majority of these costs are covered by the Stiftung Sicherheit im Skisport. However, many private donors and companies also contribute generously year after year with earmarked donations to the ski camps. In addition to monetary donations, various companies also contribute in-kind donations to the ski camps.

To ensure that children and teenagers can continue to enjoy these unique experiences in the future, the Foundation for Safety in Skiing relies on donations. To ensure that children and teenagers can continue to enjoy these unique experiences in the future. By making a donation earmarked for the SIS ski camps for youth with disabilities, you can specifically support this project.

Please support this valuable project with your donation!

Our bank account information for your donations is:

Kreissparkasse München Starnberg Ebersberg

IBAN: DE14 7025 0150 0028 6107 23

BIC: BYLADEM1KMS

Reference: Ski Vacations for People with Disabilities