Originally founded by liver recipient and WTGF Honorary Secretary Liz Schick, TACKERS has been running ski camps for young transplant children from around the world since 2001.
In 2021, TACKERS was officially handed over to the World Transplant Games Federation.
As part of our new youth program Transplant Next, the Federation will continue to run TACKERS Ski Camps in the future, and also aims to extend this to summer camps in different locations around the world.
TACKERS is an all-inclusive ski camp for transplanted children, offering them a unique opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded children who have been through similar experiences to themselves. The Camp aims to develop confidence and independence, while making new friends from around the world. It also exposes children to a new world of fun and adventure in a safe space. Many of these children have grown into young adults and returned to now participate as volunteers.
The only requirement to participate is being a transplanted child. It requires no prior experience of skiing. Some children are absolute beginners and just come for the experience, while others may have a prior level of skiing ability. The camp provides accommodation, meals, ski equipment rental, ski passes, ski clothing and is managed by a group of experienced councillors, nurses and volunteers.
Every day begins with ski lessons, designed for different levels – beginner, intermediate or advanced. In the afternoons, children are invited to participate in a variety of activities from workshops to tobogganing, paragliding, and dog-sleighing, to promenades with snowshoes and other surprises. As the sun sets on the Swiss Alps, children are entertained with lively theme evenings, discos and karaoke. A snow party is held on the final evening to mark the end of the camp, which includes an array of competitions. You don’t have to be the fastest or the best, even the skier or snowboarder that comes down on their bottom wins a prize!
Every child who has attended has highlighted these camps as one of the best experiences in their lives.
Read some stories from past TACKERS participants here
A parents’ perspective
Bradley’s Story
Baebhen’s Story
Cynthia’s Story
Watch the below video to learn more about TACKERS and watch the official handover to the WTGF