Our mission is to transform lives through year-round recreational and social programs for children and their families challenged with pediatric cancer or another life-threatening illness. We provide programs that help these children move past just trying to survive, to thriving and truly living again. We serve not only the child, but the entire immediate family, including siblings and parents.
Annually, we provide 70+ outdoor, social, and recreational experiences, including adaptive skiing, hiking, snowmobiling, rafting, biking, cooking, swimming, climbing, sailing, and so much more.
The Shining Stars Foundation is currently one of few nonprofits nationally providing long-term, year-round care for children and their families through recreational programming at any stage in their cancer battle, including treatment, relapse, or remission.
All services are provided at no cost to the family.
Aspen Winter Games: March 2024
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, music lessons, movie nights, swimming, campfires, snowmobiling, yoga, crafts, 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.
2023 winter games video
Aspen Summer Adventure June 2023
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 rock climbing, rappelling, outdoor education, team building activities, rafting, therapeutic arts & crafts, sailing, horseback riding, hiking, challenge courses, 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.
2018 summer adventure video
Grand County Family Adventure: July 30 – August 3 2023
A 5-day summertime adventure offered to the children we serve and their entire immediate families. 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, horseback riding, fishing, a day at Winter Park Resort, zip lining, games, and much more. This program has become one of our largest, as we cater to 250+ children and family members from across the country.
family adventure video
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.
view program photos
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, 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.
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.
Administrative Office:
PO Box 2790
Winter Park, Colorado 80482
24 County Rd. 524
Tabernash, Colorado 80478
(mail can only be received at our PO Box)
970-726-8009
Event Office:
PO Box 1308
Aspen, Colorado 81612
970-925-7827
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