Shining Stars Programs
Aspen Winter Games: March 2025
The Aspen Winter Games Program is an 8 day adaptive snowboard and ski recreation program held every year for over 250 participants, including children, their medical team, instructors, and volunteers. Children living with cancer or another life-threatening illness are taken to the slopes in Aspen and given everything they need to ski or ride, including lift tickets, gear, lodging, meals, transportation, and one-on-one adaptive lessons. Kids also enjoy dance parties, movie nights, swimming, campfires, snowmobiling, crafts, an epic talent show, and games.
The emphasis of the week is on empowering each child and giving them a sense of hope, by pushing them to accomplish things on the mountain that they never thought possible. Activities also bond children with one another, giving them life-long relationships through which they gain strength and support for the journey ahead. Each child learns to focus on all that they can do, rather than their limitations.
Aspen Summer Adventure
Not your average summer camp - A dynamic, week-long program for children ages 8-14 facing cancer or another life-threatening illness. The program is designed to foster new relationships between participants, while giving them challenging and unique experiences. Activities include outdoor education, rafting, arts & crafts, fishing, horseback riding, cooking lessons, sports, and more!
Participants leave the program with a growing belief in themselves and their ability to accomplish great things despite their challenges. They also gain new, life-long friendships with kids who know exactly what they are going through.
Grand County Family Adventure: July 28 - August 1, 2024
A 5-day summertime adventure offered to the children we serve and their entire immediate family. The program forges strong bonds within families, while introducing them to a much needed network of other families who face similar challenges, creating lasting relationships.
Families are given the chance to escape their troubles and enjoy a week together in the beauty of the High Rockies region of Colorado. Activities include boating, hiking, rafting, fishing, a day at Winter Park Resort, roller skating, games, and much more. This program has become one of our largest, as we cater to 150+ children and family members from across the country.
Shining Stars All-Stars: Ongoing, Year-round
The mission of SS All-Stars is to transform the lives of pediatric cancer survivors as they transition into adulthood through mentorship, education and outdoor adventure. The program gives these young adults the tools and support to lead successful adult lives, despite the unique emotional, social, physical, and psychological challenges they face as a result of their cancer. This is accomplished through overnight, retreat style programs, education workshops, single day events, and a mentorship program.
Single Day Family Events: Ongoing, Year-round
Throughout the year, the Foundation hosts single day events which all Shining Stars and their families are invited to. Activities have included days at the zoo, professional sporting events, a holiday party, toy drive, concerts, theater productions, dragonboat rides, a Monster Truck Show, and more!
These events help to foster a support network among families, while also giving them a day out to just have fun and enjoy one another away from the hospital and stresses of their daily lives.
Kids Helping Kids
These programs engage high school, middle school, and elementary students from throughout Colorado as volunteers with the Shining Stars Foundation in a variety of projects and leadership roles. The targeted volunteer activities give students the opportunity to learn the importance of philanthropy and make a difference in their communities. In addition, presentations are given in local schools to promote an understanding and acceptance of children who have cancer or another life-threatening illness. Presentations are provided free to schools. Click here to learn more.
The Aspen Student Volunteer Program
Tom Hills began the Aspen Student Volunteer program with a handful of his former students. The program has since grown to a wide network of student volunteers who are involved with a number of Shining Stars Foundation events and programs, including the Aspen Winter Games, Aspen Summer Adventure, and Holiday Toy Drive.
