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Photos courtesy of Eagle Mount Billings
Eagle Mount Billings: Creating Joy, Belonging, and Possibility for Every Participant
Eagle Mount’s began with the dream that people with disabilities should have the same opportunities for joy, adventure, and play as anyone else. In 1982, General Robert C. Mathis and his wife, Greta, helped bring that dream to life in Montana. What began as a small ski program quickly grew, driven by volunteers who believed recreation should be accessible to everyone. Families in Billings were so committed that they traveled to Bozeman for five years before creating Eagle Mount Billings in 1988. Today, the organization serves more than 700 participants annually, ages 3 to 94.
Many people join Eagle Mount inspired by the idea of enhancing the lives of those with disabilities. What they find is a community built on connection. Whether it’s skiing, cycling, climbing, or gathering for social groups, Eagle Mount creates spaces where people feel valued, supported, and included. Their approach is trauma-informed and strengths-centered, honoring each person’s voice and lived experience.
Summer Day Camps are a beloved part of this work. Each week is filled with activities that spark creativity and connection for children and young adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. Youth volunteers, some as young as twelve, help foster friendships and confidence, making camp a place where both campers and volunteers grow.
Eagle Mount’s adaptive ski program makes Red Lodge Mountain accessible to participants of all abilities. Day camps build independence and friendships while Field Trips for All, with Billings Public Schools, provides inclusive outings for over 400 students yearly. Last year , Eagle Mount delivered over 22,000 hours of programming rooted in compassion and connection.
These experiences also support families. Knowing their loved one is safe and engaged offers caregivers essential moments of rest. Eagle Mount strengthens families by creating environments that offer not only recreation but also relief, belonging, and stability.
Their culture is grounded in empathy and shared humanity. Volunteers, donors, families, and staff create a community where small wins matter, and inclusion is a daily practice. Their most well-known program, adaptive skiing, continues to grow because of its lasting impact. One young man who uses a wheelchair described skiing with the wind on his face as what he imagined running might feel like. It’s a perfect picture of what Eagle Mount exists to offer.
Powerful moments unfold across their programs. On one outing, a student experiencing sensory overload found calm and connection through gentle support. Another child, recently placed in foster care, lit up when he recognized Eagle Mount’s Program Director from a previous school, a moment that brought comfort during transition. Through cooking classes, staff learned more about the realities their students face, including food insecurity and crowded living conditions . These small interactions reflect the heart of Eagle Mount: simple experiences with profound impact.
This impact is echoed in the words of Ruthie’s mom, who shared how Eagle Mount finally gave her daughter a place to belong without having to fight for inclusion. Ruthie made friends of all abilities, found joy in new activities, and discovered a community that celebrated her . For her family, Eagle Mount offered peace, trust, and connection, which was “truly life changing.”
Looking ahead, Eagle Mount Billings is preparing for another year of adaptive recreation, serving more than 700 participants. Their goal remains the same: everyone who could benefit from Eagle Mount should know they have a place here. They’re expanding volunteer training, deepening trauma-informed practices, and strengthening the supportive environments participants depend on.
Their three community events will return in 2026: Cycle to Soar at the Billings Family YMCA, the Happy Caddy Cup Golf Benefit, and Eagle Fest.
Eagle Mount invites the community to get involved through their Go. Give. Serve. Share. Campaign, visit a program, support their year-end match, volunteer, or help spread the word. Together, we can help build a Billings where joy is shared, and everyone has a place to belong. To learn more or get involved, visit eaglemountbillings.org.
