History & Annual Report

1984-1985: Project STRIDE skiing program begins at Ichabod Crane School District, Valatie NY.

1987: Organization formed called “Expect a Miracle” as a DBA

1987-1994: Ski program begins at Maple Ski Ridge in Schenectady

1989: Project STRIDE students participate in Empire State Games for the physically challenged; First Camp STRIDE trip at Moreau Lake State Park; First bowling program starts in East Greenbush, NY

1990: First Annual Masquerade Ball at the Albany Country Club which raised $4,200! 

1991: STRIDE incorporates and receives non-profit designation

1992: First Challenger Little League program begins in NY

1994: Ski program moves from Maple Ridge to Jiminy Peak, MA with 12 volunteers

1995: First annual “Great Race” at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort

1997: Sailing program starts at Camp Chingacook in Lake George, NY

1998: Swimming program started in Albany, NY

1999: First Whitewater rafting trip with Whitewater Challengers in North Creek, NY

2000: Catamount Snowsports and Brodie Mountain programs begin

2001: David H. Clark Memorial Fund established

2003: First Annual Teen Dance in Colonie, NY; Sailing starts at New York Sailing School in New Rochelle, NY; Snowshoeing program begins at Pineridge XC, NY

2004: First Annual Golf Tournament held at Winding Brook Country Club; STRIDE office established to Eames Plaza in Rensselaer NY 

2005: Ski Sundown program begins; First Annual Wounded Warrior Snowsports Event held

2006: First Annual Capital District “Learn to Ride” Bike Clinic starts at HVCC

2007: Mary Ellen Whitney resigns teaching to work full-time as the CEO for STRIDE

2008: Golf program begins at Route Fore Golf; First Annual Wounded Warrior Camping Retreat

2009: STRIDE becomes a Paralympic Sport Club; Capital District Sled Warriors established; STRIDE Swimming “Stingrays” compete in NY Special Olympics; First STRIDE Dance program, run by teens at Isabella School of Dance

2010: STRIDE celebrates 25 years!

2011: SCORE Camp acquired, 86 acres leased in Chatham NY

2012: Archery range built at SCORE

2014: Yoga program established

2015: Wounded Warrior and youth athlete scuba diving certification; Bowling teams compete at NY Special Olympics

2017: STRIDE purchases property for new headquarters in West Sand Lake NY

2018: Major construction begins for SHARE Center with a Capital Campaign

2019: SHARE Center officially opens as a Community Fitness Education Center

2020: Pandemic hits the world in March. Indoor programs close; Kayak, Hiking and family snowshoe and camping retreats are a response to pandemic. 

2021: Expanded and creative versions of outdoor programs and new virtual programs due to pandemic. Re-opening of some indoor programs later in the year with focus on fitness programs in the SHARE Center. Turnover of staff due to pandemic.

2022- 23: Expanded programs in the SHARE center; numbers begin to increase again.

2023-24 – Working on it!