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. Last year, 12 parks and recreation sites across the state were chosen to receive a free sunscreen dispenser and this year, the program continues to expand with the addition of 16 new dispenser sites.
Vermont has the nation’s second-highest incidence rate of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. 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 full list of sunscreen sites, PR Toolkit, downloadable social media graphics & images, and program evaluation details.
Full Sunscreen Dispenser Recipient List
| County | Recipient Year | Site Name | Organization Name |
| Addison | 2023 | Town of Bristol Recreation Field | Town of Bristol Recreation Department |
| Bennington | 2023 | Lake Paran | Paran Recreations INC |
| Bennington | 2024 | Arlington Lions Club Pavilion | Arlington Lions Club |
| Caledonia | 2023 | Powers Park | Village Improvement Society, Inc. |
| Chittenden | 2024 | Milton Family Park, Cathedral Square Elm Place | Cathedral Square Elm Place |
| Franklin | 2023 | St Albans Drop-In Center | Spectrum Youth and Family Services |
| Franklin | 2023 | Hard’ack Recreation Area | St Albans Recreation |
| Franklin | 2023 | St. Albans Town Bay Park | Town of St. Albans |
| Franklin | 2024 | Enosburgh Public Library | Enosburgh Public Library |
| Franklin | 2024 | Highgate Parks and Recreation Sports Arena | Highgate Parks and Recreation |
| Franklin | 2024 | Swanton Public Library | Swanton Public Library |
| Grand Isle | 2024 | Camp Ta-Kum-Ta Pool | Camp Ta-Kum-Ta |
| Lamoille | 2024 | Lamoille Center for Integrated Services | Capstone Community Action, Inc |
| Lamoille | 2024 | Lamoille Family Center | Lamoille Family Center |
| Orange | 2024 | Creative Spirits Children’s Center | Creative Spirits Children’s Center |
| Orleans | 2024 | Barton Community Giving Garden | Barton Community Giving Garden |
| Orleans | 2024 | City of Newport Prouty Beach Campground | City of Newport |
| Orleans | 2024 | North Country Hospital – The Wellness Center | The Wellness Center (NCH) |
| Orleans | 2024 | Craftsbury Outdoor Center | Craftsbury Outdoor Center |
| Rutland | 2023 | White Memorial Park & Pool | City of Rutland Recreation and Parks |
| Rutland | 2023 | Northwood Pool | Rutland Town Recreation |
| Rutland | 2023 | Crystal Beach | Town of Castleton |
| Washington | 2023 | Barre City Rotary Park – Municipal Swimming Pool | City of Barre, Vermont |
| Washington | 2024 | Green Mountain Community Fitness | Green Mountain United Way |
| Windham | 2023 | Retreat Farm | Retreat Farm, LTD |
| Windham | 2023 | Living Memorial Park | Town of Brattleboro Rec & Parks |
| Windham | 2024 | Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development | Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development |
| Windsor | 2024 | Edgar May Health and Recreation Center | Edgar May Health and Recreation Center |
Sun Safety PR Toolkit For Sunscreen Dispenser Recipients!
Download this PR Toolkit for access the following:
- Press Release Toolkit Guide (explains the content in the toolkit and how to use the messaging and graphics)
- Site Specific Press Release Template (easily edit and use this template to share out to the media!)
- Sunscreen Dispenser Recipient ‘Badges’ (to add to your social media platforms)
- 6 Tips to Reduce Skin Cancer (downloadable social media images)
- Sun Safety for Kids (downloadable social media images)
- Two 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.
Downloadable Sun Safety Graphics & Messaging
Downloadable Graphics with Messaging
Click on images and right click to download.
Sun Safety for Kids
Post these images as a carousel on social media with the caption: “Just a few serious sunburns can increase your child’s risk for #skincancer later in life, but there are steps you can take to protect them. Visit Vermont Department of Health for more information.”
6 Tips for Sun Safety
Post these images as a carousel on social media with the caption: “Vermont has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the U.S. However, most skin cancers can be prevented. Follow these tips to be sun smart when playing and working outdoors. Visit Vermont Department of Health for more information.”
Sunscreen Dispensers from Selected 2023 Sites
2023 Program Evaluation
To understand the implementation and effectiveness of the program, a survey was sent to all 12 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.
Site Survey Results Brief can be found here.
