Orientation & Training

All Vermont Adaptive volunteers must complete mandatory orientation and training for their approved sports after their application is complete and approved.

2022 Summer Volunteer Orientations/Training

Updated May 13, 2022

To be a volunteer, you must have:

Completed a *NEW* Volunteer Application since 11/01/21

1. Go to https://www.vermontadaptive.org/get-involved/
2. Any issues, contact Tom Alcorn ([email protected])

Completed and passed a Background Check since 11/01/21 (Vermont Adaptive pays)

1. Any issues, contact Tom Alcorn ([email protected])

Obtained or maintained “SafeSport Trained” status (VT Adaptive pays)

1. You can check your current status, do an annual refresher, or take additional training at https://safesporttrained.org/ 
2. Any issues, contact Tom Alcorn ([email protected])

Completed 1 of the following (coming soon):

1. “Full” 2022 Online Orientation (anyone who did not do it in the fall, edited for summer)
2. “Summer Update” Online Orientation (anyone who did the fall version)

Completed 1 Day (Am/Pm, 5 hrs +/-) of In-Person Training by completing one or more of the following:

1. 1. South Volunteer Orientation 
      1. June 4th in Southern Vermont
      2. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
      3. Bring your own lunch.
      4. Contact Tom Alcorn ([email protected]) to register and for specific location.
      5. Join us for a full day orientation and training specific to summer operations at our Pico/Rutland area locations. Topics may include policies and protocols, safety, emergency response, paperwork and procedures, facility operations, biking, paddling, and more.
   2. North/CentralVolunteer Orientation 
      1. June 11 at the Vermont Adaptive office at the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center.
      2. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
      3. Bring your own lunch.
      4. Contact Molly Tobin ([email protected]) to register.
      5. Join us for a full day orientation and training specific to summer operations at our Burlington and Sugarbush bases. Topics may include policies and protocols, safety, emergency response, paperwork and procedures, facility operations, biking, paddling, and more.
   3. Central/North Paddling Training
      1.  June 9th
      2. Location TBD – somewhere Central/North Vermont
      3. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
      4. Bring your own lunch, water, paddling gear
      5. Contact Norm Staunton ([email protected]) for details and location.
      6. Join us for a full day training specifically on adaptive paddling.  Topics will include safety, risk management, basic paddling skills and strokes, rescues, games, and adaptive techniques.  Please bring your own paddle-craft (canoe, kayak, sup) and appropriate gear. Loaner gear is available if pre-arranged. We will be in the water and getting wet so plan accordingly.
   4. South Paddling Training 
      1. July 23
      2. (location TBD, maybe Chittenden Reservoir)
      3. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
      4. Bring your own lunch, water, paddling gear
      5. Contact Norm Staunton ([email protected]) for details and to sign up.
      6. Join us for a full day training specifically on adaptive paddling.  Topics will include safety, risk management, basic paddling skills and strokes, rescues, games, and adaptive techniques.  Please bring your own paddle-craft (canoe, kayak, sup) and appropriate gear. Loaner gear is available if pre-arranged. We will be in the water and getting wet so plan accordingly.
   5. Mountain Bike Training at Killington 
      1. June 5 at Killington MTB Park (Snowshed Lodge)
      2. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
      3. Bring your own lunch, bike, helmet, pads/gloves, water, etc
      4. Contact Felicia Fowler ([email protected]) to register.
      5. Join us for a full day training specifically on adaptive mountain biking. Topics will include safety, risk management, basic bike handling skills, adaptive equipment and fit up, lift loading, games, and adaptive techniques.  Please bring your own bike and appropriate gear. Loaner gear is available if pre-arranged.  There will be opportunities to try out our fleet of adaptive mountain bikes and off-road handcycles.

Virtual Online Volunteer Training – Summer 2022

Our online orientation will be live late Spring, and all volunteers who have completed all of the steps to renew and reapply will have access to this training. Please make sure you do all the steps below – NEW and RETURNING volunteers – and once we have your completed application, we’ll send you the link to the training when it is available.

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Log your volunteer time so we can win money for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports

Reward Volunteers is a free easy way to record the time you spend volunteering in your local community. When you log time, and elect to share activity via Facebook you become eligible to win prizes like vacations, gift cards, gift baskets, and much more.  The more time logged and the more likes and comments a volunteer receives, the more chances to win one of the major prizes awarded each month.

When you log your time, you may end up helping us!  Each month a cash prize is awarded to a non-profit that has volunteers logging time on their behalf.  We are so thankful for the work of our volunteers and volunteers everywhere.  Make your time count double with cash prize for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports.

The program was developed by the farm families who own Cabot Creamery Co-operative.  Cabot farmers are often the first to volunteer in their local communities and they look to honor the important efforts of volunteers across the country.

So… what are you waiting for? Click through to start logging your time and inspiring others through your service!