United States Adaptive Recreation Center

The United States Adaptive Recreation Center was founded in 1983 (as California Handicapped Skiers) to ensure that access to skiing is available to people with all types of disabilities.

The USARC believes people are empowered when they undertake and succeed at challenging outdoor recreation. In 1989, the USARC established the first full-time on-site adaptive ski school in Southern California at Bear Mountain Resort. Adaptive watersports and summer camping programs were added in 1993, and continue to evolve today.

The USARC works with schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and park and recreation departments to serve children and adults with all types of cognitive or physical disabilities. The USARC knows that, after learning new skills and redefining their abilities, participants are able to feel the freedom of recreating with their families and friends. These experiences often result in increased self-confidence and greater success in academic, professional and personal life challenges.

The USARC has earned a national and international reputation as a model program in adaptive outdoor recreation, and USARC personnel have served in training programs throughout the United States and the world.