Ignite Adaptive Sports is hosting volunteer information meetings for its 2016 season, focusing on providing integrated snow sport opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The organization, founded in 1975, offers various roles including instructors, equipment technicians, and client services, with a commitment to professional training and certification for volunteers. The typical teaching season runs from December 31 to March 26, with volunteering providing rewarding experiences and benefits such as complimentary skiing and professional development.

1. Ignite Adaptive Sports
Ignite Your Spirit!
New Volunteer Information Meeting
2016 Season
JCC Boulder
Saturday, October 24, 10 am
Wednesday, October 28, 7 pm
Tuesday November 5 7PM
Carol Nickell
Executive Director
John Humbrecht
Snowsports Director
Annette Kissinger
Patty Sharp
Michelle Smither
Presenters

2. Welcome!!!!!
Overview of Ignite Adaptive Sports
Volunteer Opportunities
Ignite Season
Volunteer Benefits
Next Steps

3. Overview of Ignite Adaptive Sports
Our Mission
To provide integrated snow sport opportunities for people
with disabilities that will foster independence through the
acquisition of lifetime skills
Our History
Founded in 1975 as an independent non profit
organization with 7 instructors and 10 students
Today
170 volunteers support 1100 lessons for 200 students
Majority of our students are from the Front Range

4. Who does Ignite serve?
Groups and individual students
Any individual who is unable to participate in a traditional
ski school lesson
Cognitive and Developmental Disabilities
Boulder County Expand & Ft. Collins Program
Special Olympic Athletes and events
Local grade school students on class ski days
Physical Disabilities
Colorado Center for the Blind
Disabled Veterans
Cheyenne and Denver's VA Medical Centers

5. How is Ignite funded?
Eldora Mountain Resort – our most generous sponsor
Lift Tickets for students and instructors
Season Pass for Volunteers who Instruct 12 or more days
Donors, Grants and Other Fundraising Activities, including
Generous donations from individuals, corporations and foundations
Special Events

6. Volunteer Opportunities with Ignite
Snow Sports Instructor
Client Services
Equipment Technician
Additional Leadership Opportunities for Returning Volunteers
include:
Supervisor
Scheduler
Equipment manager
Management positions
Other Activities:
Fundraising and grant writing
Community awareness
Facilities maintenance
Board of Directors
“Junior” Program:
High School students over the age of 16 may volunteer with parental permission

7. Volunteer Opportunities with Ignite
Alpine Instructor
2 track (traditional stand up)
3/4 Track
Slider
Bi/Mono (returning instructors only)
Solid Blue Run Skier
You must have your own equipment
including helmet

8. Volunteer Opportunities with Ignite
Snowboard Instructor
Tethers
Snow Wing
Out-riggers
Solid Blue Run Rider
You must have your own equipment
including helmet

9. Volunteer Opportunities with Ignite
Nordic and Snowshoe Instructor
Classic Skiing
Nordic Slider
Nordic Sit Ski
Snowshoe
Solid Blue Run Nordic Skier
You must have your own equipment

10. Volunteer Opportunities with Ignite
Equipment Technicians
Prepare equipment for lessons and
ensure it is returned properly
Assist in equipment maintenance,
tuning, etc.
Binding training and certification
required

11. Volunteer Opportunities with Ignite
Client Services
Check in students and volunteers on
lesson days
Perform financial record keeping and other
similar activities
Strong computer skills and attention to
detail required
Ability to operate effectively in a sometimes
loud and chaotic environment

12. Ignite 2016 Season
Instructor Classroom Training:
Curriculum specifically developed for New Volunteers
1.5 days…various dates in November (check calendar)
Training DVD's for various disciplines
Clinics held at Boulder JCC and our Eldora Facility
Instructor On Snow Training:
Teaching progression for Alpine, Nordic and Snowboard
Two On Snow Clinics required.
Elective Clinics
Weekend days in December
Be prepared to spend the entire day outside
For all training at Eldora – bring your lunch!!!

13. Ignite 2016 Season
Client Services Training: Dates to be determined
Lecture session
Live hands-on workshop in the training data base
If you have a laptop, please bring it with you
Equipment Training: November 2015
Held at our equipment facility at Eldora
Check our calendar
“Junior” Volunteer Training : November 14
Specialized classroom and on-snow training developed
specifically for our high school students

14. Ignite 2016 Season
13 Week Teaching Season: Thurs, December
31st – Sunday, March 269
Typical Student Days (not exclusive):
Thursdays: Independents, Veterans
Friday: Visually impaired, Veterans, Autism,
Independents
Saturday/Sunday: Cognitive and development
disabilities, Veterans, Autism, Independents
Monday – Wednesday: By special request and
instructor availability

15. Benefits of Volunteering with Ignite
We Provide Training
Adaptive training developed and led by certified and
skilled professionals
On snow clinics led by some of the best instructors in
Colorado to improve your OWN skills
We Help You With Professional Certification
Classroom and on snow clinics designed to help you
obtain PSIA or AASI certification
Ignite reimburses exam fees upon successful completion
of AASI/PSIA certification exam

16. Additional Volunteer Benefits
Complimentary Skiing
Current year Season Pass provided for instructing 12
or more days.
Rewarding Experience
Share what you love!
Make a difference....change someone's life...
Picnics, appreciation breakfasts, year-end ski party
Volunteer with fun people

17. Next Steps
Now
5 minute break
If you are interested in Volunteering with Ignite
Get an Interview
Ask Questions

18. Volunteer Code of Conduct
Respect for Others
Ensure a Positive
Experience
Act Professionally and Take
Responsibility for My Actions
Health and Safety Comes
First
Ignite Adaptive Sports is committed to the highest ideals of
providing adaptive snow sports opportunities to those with
disabilities. Ignite expects all volunteers to observe the
following code:

19. Where is Ignite at Eldora?

20. Where is Ignite at Eldora?

21. It’s January….Teaching Days
Arrive by 9 am
Sign in
Get credit for the day!!!
Call if running late
Attend Morning Staff
Meeting
Get Ready for the Day
Check out jacket
Get prepared to go and
store gear in cubby
Your Student:
Supervisor will confirm
teaching assignment
Meet lead instructor
Review student file

22. Student Files
Confidentiality
Contents of Student File
Student application
DSUSA insurance waiver and media release
Equipment form
Student evaluation forms
Return student file to admin box when not in use

23. Your Student Arrives!
Ensure your student has checked in
Greet Student, Family, etc.
Prepare to Head Outside
Bathroom
Lift Ticket
Proper Clothing
Equipment and Helmet
Things to Watch For on the Hill
Cold/Overheating
Frostbite
Elevation Sickness
Lesson Times
10 am – noon
1 pm – 3 pm

24. After the Lesson
Bring student back to Ignite facility
Assist student in returning equipment
Hand-off student to caregiver or family member if
disability/age warrants
Child
Cognitive/Development Disability
You are not required/expected to:
Provide support in bathroom
Prepare student’s lunch
Eat with the student

25. After the Lesson
Complete student lesson evaluation and return file
Legible
Suggestions for next steps, effective teaching tips, etc.
Check jacket back in return to closet
Help clean up!
If you want to ski/ride after your shift, please:
Remove all your gear from the building
You may be locked out!

26. Getting on Board
Required Paper Forms – Please complete today!
Background Check Authorization
DSUSA Insurance Waiver and Media Release
On Line Activities
Create a Staff Account
Complete Volunteer Profile
Complete Volunteer Schedule
New Volunteers Pay $25 Background check fee.

27. Create a Staff Account

31. Clinics and Training
Register in Advance!
Sign In when you arrive
You complete: Post-Clinic Evaluation Form
Instructor completes: Participant Evaluation Form
Ignite Teaching Levels
Shadow
Buddy
Lead

34. Scheduling
***Commitment***
Complete your schedule as soon as possible
Register for both morning and afternoon sessions on your
volunteer days
Contact scheduler directly if you need to change your
schedule. 303-506-8007 or
scheduler@igniteadaptivesports.org
Last minute cancellations
Call the Ignite facility as soon as possible.
E-mail or call the scheduler

35. “My Schedule”
• Register for AM and/or PM
• Click “I am finished with my schedule” when complete
• You cannot remove yourself 8 days prior to the lesson. In this
case you must contact the scheduler.

36. Questions ??
Ignite Your Spirit!!