Equipping Swimmers For Success In The Northeast Kingdom
April 28, 2020
The story of KTA Mini Grant Recipients: Northeast Kingdom Aquatics
It all started with a vision and two passionate individuals that had the drive to build a community youth USA Swim team. Coach Ted Chitambar and Coach Julie Tower-Pierce put their heads together and went to the drawing board, dedicating countless hours into developing Northeast Kingdom Aquatics that currently practices at Northern Vermont University pool. The first years started out small, but the experience that was had by swimmers and their families was profoundly positive. This attracted other parents and community members to become involved with helping foster the growth of this team. For the last two years swim parents Sarah Jewell Foster and Karri Willy along with many other supportive team members began to network and help manage. This year the team doubled in size from 30 to 60 participants from ages 6-18. They have grown into more skilled, confident swimmers and are competing in USA Swim meets all over Vermont.
Just as the 2019-2020 season was about to begin, it was learned that the Kingdom Trail Association (KTA) was offering a Mini Grant Program to our community. This turned out to be at the exact right time. The college learned that their lane lines were unsafe for use and had been pulled from the pool. A few weeks from the first practice, the team was faced with this huge safety issue. It was decided that the team would apply for the grant in hopes that they could be replaced. Thus, plans for the project “Equipping Swimmers for Success” was born. KTA kindly awarded enough money to cover the lane lines and they were in the pool a short time after the first practice.
The project “Equipping Swimmers for Success”, has successfully met all goals and objectives defined in the grant application. The lane lines gave a safe environment for swimmers and the season got off to a great start. As mentioned above, the team's growth this year was substantial which meant a need for more equipment. The team’s kick boards, pull buoys and fins were subpar. Due to the incredibly generous donation which covered the lane lines entirely, it allowed other fundraising monies to go to the purchase of this equipment. The biggest fundraiser for the team is the annual Swim-a-thon. The lane lines made it possible for more swimmers to be in the pool at one time and the team raised over $2500.00 making this the most successful fundraising event yet.
Throughout the course of this season, all swimmers improved on their skill dramatically and the participation in statewide USA Swim meet competitions was more than ever before. Many swimmers improved on personal times and there were even several swimmers to qualify for both the Regionals and Silvers meets. The swimmers increased skill, technique and confidence were all observed over the course of the season. The sportsmanship and healthy friendships that developed were also some of the highlights noted by many spectators and parents.
The team hosted the annual Swim Your Heart Out Home Fun Meet with the participation of three local teams from both Vermont and New Hampshire. This turned out to be a huge success, especially because there were plenty of lanes designated with beautiful new lines! The project has also provided community members with more opportunity for lap swimming during open swim. NVU Athletics Director, Chris Gilmore has shared a lot of positive feedback from their regular swimmers! It is the hope that the team will continue to grow and even work together with other local programs like Power’s Park. This could help to possibly extend the season in the future.
“Equipping Swimmers for Success” has provided the tools necessary for many years of continued growth. On behalf of Northeast Kingdom Aquatics, thank you KTA! As Coach Julie Tower-Pierce would say, “It takes a community to grow a swim team.”
EAST BURKE, VT – October 27, 2025 – Kingdom Trails, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of recreational trails in the Northeast Kingdom, today announced it has received a monumental gift of $100,000 from Bear Den Partners, the owners of Burke Mountain, and Kingdom Trails’ single largest private landowner. This unprecedented corporate donation is the largest in Kingdom Trails’ history and signifies a powerful commitment to the economic vitality and future of recreation in the Northeast Kingdom. The $100,000 investment comes as both organizations continue to expand their collaborative efforts to enhance outdoor tourism and provide world-class experiences for visitors and local community members alike. This funding will be immediately directed toward critical trail maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable trail development projects across the network, allowing Kingdom Trails to build important new connections and keep the trails in top shape. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity and vision demonstrated by the leadership at Burke Mountain,” said Georgia Gould, Interim Executive Director of Kingdom Trails. “This is more than just a donation; it’s an unprecedented investment in the future health of our trails, our organization, and the entire Northeast Kingdom community. This investment ensures we can not only maintain the current quality of the Kingdom Trails experience but also pursue long-term sustainability and innovative projects.” The gift came during an evening of music and celebration of Kingdom Trails’ Landowners hosted by Bear Den Partners at the Burke Mountain Hotel. The event brought together the landowners, community members, and friends who make Kingdom Trails possible. The evening featured a powerful joint performance by national touring artists Adam Gardner of Guster and Stephen Kellogg, whose music captured the warmth, connection, and spirit that define the Northeast Kingdom. The relationship between Burke Mountain and Kingdom Trails has been instrumental in positioning the region as a premier mountain biking and outdoor destination. Burke Mountain’s contribution emphasizes a shared goal of drawing visitors to the region while ensuring responsible stewardship of the natural resources. “Burke Mountain is a proud neighbor and partner to Kingdom Trails,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Bear Den Partners. “We understand that the trails are a critical driver of our local economy and an important amenity for our guests. Making this $100,000 commitment was a clear decision—it ensures the longevity of this incredible network and helps secure the Northeast Kingdom’s reputation as a top-tier outdoor destination for generations to come.” The organizations encourage the public and corporate partners to view this as an inspiration for collective responsibility in protecting and preserving the trails that define Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom experience. Kingdom Trails extends its sincere gratitude to Bear Den Partners for their integral support of this investment and their dedication to the future of the trails. About Kingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of a 100+ mile network of non-motorized multi-use trails in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Utilizing a land-use agreement model with 106 private landowners, Kingdom Trails provides recreational access that promotes healthy lifestyles, economic vitality, and sustainable use of resources. About Burke Mountain Located in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Burke Mountain Resort is an independent, four-season destination owned by Bear Den Partners. Burke delivers 178 acres of world-class skiing and riding in the winter, and lift-served mountain biking and hiking in the summer. Burke’s bike park is adjacent to the world-renowned Kingdom Trails network, a mecca for mountain bikers. Year-round, Burke and the Burke Mountain Hotel host events and activities that reflect the culture and community of Vermont: down-to-earth, uncorporate and driven by the spirit of the mountain and the people who ride it. For more information, visit SkiBurke.com or follow on all major social platforms including Instagram , Facebook and YouTube .
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