2018 World T.E.A.M. Annual Review 2018 World T.E.A.M. Annual Review | Page 25

The smile of an athlete with disabilities who has successfully completed a stage of World T.E.A.M.’s Adventure Team Challenge New York is undeniably inspiring. the organization’s Adventure Team Challenge Colorado. Participating teams successfully complete each segment before continuing to the next. Dedicated volunteers from the partner companies help in the management of the program, along with assisting each stage. Each June, young adaptive athletes from The Center for Discovery in Harris, New York join with experienced athlete coaches for an exceptional outdoor experience. These coaches assist and guide the teams through challenging outdoor activities ranging from cycling to water sports to a high mountain climb. Coaches also monitor the safety of the athletes. “The Adventure Team Challenge in upstate New York is one of American Portfolios’ flagship community events, in which its staff members and affiliated investment professionals look forward to being a part of each and every year,” said Lon Dolber. Coordinated for World T.E.A.M. by American Portfolios Financial Services’ CEO Lon Dolber and The Center for Discovery’s Vice President for Development Richard Humleker, the New York program is modeled after The transformative experiences of the young adaptive athletes encourage further activity in outdoor sports, along with building appreciation of how the outdoor environment can encourage and inspire. New experiences at the TEAM > INDIVIDUAL Challenge for the adaptive include paddling boats on a mountain lake and pedaling bicycles and tricycles along trails. For most, an ascent of the Catskills’ highest peak, Slide Mountain, is an unforgettable experience that tests endurance and climbing skills. Following its inaugural run in 2010, the Adventure Team Challenge New York has welcomed more than 180 athletes with developmental disabilities. For the 2018 program, Challenge stages were hosted at The Center for Discovery’s headquarters in Harris, and at the Frost Valley YMCA Camp in the Catskill Mountains. In addition to ongoing support from American Portfolios and The Center for Discovery, the Carrus Institute provides assistance for the participating athletes. 17