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Each Sunday morning, instructors for the Bus Program meet
at the Winter Park Resort bus circle at 8:45 a.m. to welcome
Sunday Bus participants. The day is filled with teaching developmentally
disabled, visually impaired and/or blind skiers over gentle
terrain or through mogul fields. The highlight of this program
is the lasting friendships built between skiers and instructors.
This highly active program involves participants who have
learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, and/or
brain injuries. Instructors are presented with the challenge
of helping students become independent through decision-making
related to skiing/riding and safety on the hill. Instructors
should have creativity, patience, and the ability to teach
during the busy weekends. The Sunday Program is filled with
hugs, supportiveness, and miles of smiles.
The Monday Program is a group of diverse participants who
have developmental, physical, emotional, mental and/or learning
disabilities. This program strives to support its participants
by helping them achieve more than they thought possible, physically
and socially. Energetic, easy-going, versatile instructors
who have a desire to spread their enthusiasm for skiing are
needed.
The Tuesday Program goal is to have fun, fun, fun! Volunteer
instructor enjoyment and satisfaction is as important as the
fulfillment of student needs. Participants have mental health
issues and/or developmental disabilities, ranging from mild
to severe. Recreation and social skills learned through this
program provide students with increased self-esteem and the
ability to function more productively in their everyday lives.
If you are ready for a good dose of fun and challenge, join
the Tuesday Program.
The Wednesday Program provides a quality skiing experience
and social interaction for its clientele. Most participants
have developmental disabilities ranging from mild to severe.
Occasionally this program serves mental health clients. Instructors
for the Wednesday Program should have patience, flexibility,
and a sense of humor! A desire to acquire additional adapted
ski teaching skills is also needed. Personal gratification
and a new group of friends are just a few of the rewards for
joining the Wednesday team.
The Thursday Hearing Impaired (HI) program is filled with
fun loving, energetic children who are deaf, hard of hearing
and/or developmentally disabled. This program offers volunteers
the opportunity to interact with the hearing impaired community
while gaining new communication skills. Instructors should
be patient, flexible and ready to pass on their love of skiing
to a group of eager learners. Sign language is not a requirement
but is helpful.
Thursday Brain Injury (BI) Program is a small group of active
adults of all skiing levels. These participants have brain
injuries or multiple sclerosis, each with varying levels of
cognitive and physical abilities. Some students will require
physical assistance on and off the hill. The Thursday BI Program
sports a low-key environment and volunteers need to have a
relaxed attitude to match the pace of the participants. Instructors
should be ready to help the skiers enhance their physical
strength, balance, social etiquette, and communication skills.
The Friday Mental Health (MH) Program consists of kind-hearted
volunteers who instruct individuals coping with a variety
of mental health issues and developmental disabilities. Some
of these include schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder,
emotional disorders, sexual abuse, and substance abuse. Instructors
assist with children and adults and should be flexible with
last minute changes. After training you should be knowledgeable
about behavioral issues, medications and their side effects.
The Friday MH Program volunteers form lasting friendships
and participate in many social gatherings.
The Friday Physically Disabled (PD) Program is a joyful experience
involving youngsters with various physical disabilities. Children
in this program gain physical strength and balance while having
fun skiing on beginner terrain. Friday instructors should
be fun loving, creative, and have the physical stamina necessary
to assist these students throughout the day. This program
is home to Ski Pals, a junior volunteer program. Why not be
a mentor for a budding volunteer?
The Saturday Program is a high energy program. Saturday instructors
should be flexible with last minute changes and ready to face
the challenge of working with high-spirited individuals who
have a developmental disability, physical disability, brain
injury, and/or diabetes. Instructors may be paired with more
than one student to explore the great terrain while working
on their skiing technique. The Saturday Program group regularly
celebrates participant graduation with festive lunch parties.
The Saturday Program at Sol Vista is a low key but fun way to help adults who have developmental disabilities learn new recreation skills as well as to learn more about independence and making good decisions.
Join Special Olympic athletes at Sol Vista Resort. The teaching
terrain offers a great place to instruct. This group is full
of energy and a love for skiing. Volunteers instructing the
athletes will need to travel to Copper Mountain for 3 days
to assist with the state meet.
Participants come to the Sit Ski Program with various disabilities
and require either a mono or bi-ski. This program is extremely
physically challenging for the instructor. The training clinics
will help you acquire the knowledge for proper evaluation,
fitting, and teaching techniques. The Sit Ski Program offers
the unique opportunity to instruct different individuals each
day, team teach, and learn from other instructors. The day
is challenging but worth every rewarding moment. Sit ski volunteers
have lots of challenges but get lots of smiles. Advanced/intermediate
skiing skills are required to join the sit ski team.
The Nordic Program provides a relaxed atmosphere that takes
you away from the crowds, to the beautiful Ranch Creek Valley
at Devil's Thumb Resort, and allows you to get to know your
fellow volunteers. Students will either ski on waxless cross-country
skis or Nordic sit skis or they will walk on lightweight snowshoes.
Participants have developmental disabilities, visual impairments,
spinal cord injuries, and/or mental health issues. This year,
there will be a few treks into the woods for overnight adventures!
These overnight treks will be optional. Instructors must provide
their own equipment and should have advanced cross-country
skills. Aerobic fitness is a must for Nordic volunteers, as
some groups are very energetic and can ski 15 kilometers in
90 minutes!
This program is perfect for those with changing or flexible
work schedules. You will have the opportunity to work with
adults and/or children, with various disabilities, who come
from out of the state or country for a consecutive day ski
vacation. Interacting with these participants and their group
leaders is very rewarding and educational. You may teach one
or multiple days in a row if you wish. You will choose your
teaching days in December after the groups have made their
winter reservations. Must participate at the Black Diamond
Level or Double Black Diamond Level.
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Home
Volunteers
Sunday
Bus Program 
Tuesday
Program
Thursday
Brain Injury Program 
Saturday
Program
Nordic
Program