Vermont’s community sunscreen program, as part of the Skin Cancer Taskforce, which first launched in 2018 in 18 Vermont State Parks and 8 municipal locations continues to gain momentum with additional community park and recreation sites scheduled for free sunscreen dispenser stations, thanks to the collaborative efforts of VTAAC, Dartmouth Cancer Center, UVM Cancer Center and IMPACT Melanoma, the nation’s leading non-profit dedicated to melanoma prevention and early detection. In 2023, 12 parks and recreation sites across the state were chosen to receive a free sunscreen dispenser and in 2024, the program continued to expand. 16 new sites were selected to receive a free sunscreen dispenser, along with all 12 local health offices throughout the state.

Vermont has the nation’s third-highest incidence rate of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Vermont also has the highest rate of melanoma in New England. According to the Vermont Department of Health, exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or tanning beds is a major risk factor for developing melanoma. 

The purpose of these free sunscreen stations is two-fold: to provide easy access to SPF 30 sunscreen as well as remind Vermont residents and visitors that sun protection is critical to their optimal health and sun safety is in their hands — quite literally. 

Scroll down for a map of the free sunscreen sites across the state, sun safety communications resources, and program evaluation details.

2025 Sun Safety Social Media Toolkit For Sunscreen Dispenser Recipients

Download the toolkit for access the following:

  • Toolkit Guide (explains the content of the toolkit & provides sample sun safety social media messaging)
  • 6 Tips to Reduce Skin Cancer (downloadable social media images)
  • Sun Safety for Kids (downloadable social media images)
  • Four images of the sunscreen dispenser (to use in promotional materials)

Let us know if you use this toolkit on social media or in the press by emailing Hanna Snyder, Coalition Coordinator, at coordinator@vtaac.org.

Want More Sun Safety Resources?

Map of Free Sunscreen Dispensers in Vermont

Snapshot of Free Sunscreen Dispenser Map

Full Sunscreen Dispenser Recipient List

CountyRecipient YearSite NameOrganization Name 
Addison2023Town of Bristol Recreation FieldTown of Bristol Recreation Department
Bennington2023Lake ParanParan Recreations INC
Bennington2024Arlington Lions Club PavilionArlington Lions Club
Caledonia2023Powers Park Village Improvement Society, Inc.
Chittenden2024Milton Family Park, Cathedral Square Elm PlaceCathedral Square Elm Place
Franklin2023St Albans Drop-In CenterSpectrum Youth and Family Services
Franklin2023Hard’ack Recreation AreaSt Albans Recreation 
Franklin2023St. Albans Town Bay ParkTown of St. Albans
Franklin2024Enosburgh Public LibraryEnosburgh Public Library
Franklin2024Highgate Parks and Recreation Sports ArenaHighgate Parks and Recreation
Franklin2024Swanton Public LibrarySwanton Public Library
Grand Isle2024Camp Ta-Kum-Ta PoolCamp Ta-Kum-Ta
Lamoille2024Lamoille Center for Integrated ServicesCapstone Community Action, Inc
Lamoille2024Lamoille Family CenterLamoille Family Center
Orange2024Creative Spirits Children’s CenterCreative Spirits Children’s Center
Orleans2024Barton Community Giving GardenBarton Community Giving Garden
Orleans2024City of Newport Prouty Beach CampgroundCity of Newport
Orleans2024North Country Hospital – The Wellness CenterThe Wellness Center (NCH)
Orleans2024Craftsbury Outdoor CenterCraftsbury Outdoor Center
Rutland2023White Memorial Park & PoolCity of Rutland Recreation and Parks
Rutland2023Northwood PoolRutland Town Recreation
Rutland2023Crystal BeachTown of Castleton
Washington2023Barre City Rotary Park – Municipal Swimming PoolCity of Barre, Vermont
Washington2024Green Mountain Community FitnessGreen Mountain United Way
Windham 2023Retreat FarmRetreat Farm, LTD
Windham 2023Living Memorial ParkTown of Brattleboro Rec & Parks
Windham 2024Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family DevelopmentWinston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development
Windsor 2024Edgar May Health and Recreation CenterEdgar May Health and Recreation Center

Sunscreen Dispensers from Selected Sites

2024 Program Evaluation

To understand the implementation and effectiveness of the program, a survey was sent to all past sunscreen dispenser recipients. The sunscreen dispensers were well received and convenient. Modeling the application of the sunscreen by site staff, such as lifeguards, encouraged the use of the dispensers and sun safety behavior by community members.

2024 Site Survey Results Brief can be found here.

2023 Site Survey Results Brief can be found here.

For more information on sun safety, visit healthvermont.gov/summer-safety-tips