How to Volunteer for Adaptive Wilderness Adventures

As you many know “Adaptive Wilderness Adventures” (AWA) means anything outside of our regular daily Adaptive Adventures – from a day of rock climbing to a 5 day self supported backcountry TrailRider trip.

Volunteer Information

For our “Single day/Mellow” adventures we are looking for volunteers who:

are easy going like to have fun but are reliable when called on for a task
are eager to help and able to take initiative
are able to self monitor for fatigue, thirst, hunger, and any discomforts and make their needs know if necessary BUT ALSO understand that not all concerns need to be verbalized
thrive on a team environment
are not afraid to be the strongest and the weakest (mentally and physically) person in the group at times
are comfortable not knowing the plan especially when there isn’t one AND adapting with plans that change
have a contagious laugh and fun personality
can assist and have knowledge providing personal care
love to make dreams come true
are able to follow the Trip Leaders direction
enjoy the journey as much (or more than) the destination

For our “Multiday/Intense” adventures we are looking for volunteers who:

If you are interested in the more intense AWA trips Please read through the following for what we are looking for and please be honest with yourself about your physical, emotional and social capacities, these trips can often create discomfort and stress. Don’t get us wrong – these trips are intensely rewarding and amazing but it is extremely important for all interested in embarking on the trips to be honest about all aspects of their personality, abilities and capacities in these realms. Read on for what we mean.

thrive on early mornings and late nights
are happy to be stripped of all worldly possessions and creature comforts
Can stay positive even if circumstances may not be
are easy going and fun to be around
function well under pressure and when tired
are able to self monitor for fatigue, thirst, hunger, and any discomforts and make their needs know if necessary BUT ALSO understand that not all concerns need to be verbalized
thrive on a team environment
are not afraid to be the strongest and the weakest (mentally and physically) person in the group at times
are comfortable not knowing the plan especially when there isn’t one AND adapting with plans that change
are back country chef masterminds
are back country medicine gurus
are Tarpologists and shelter experts in very sudden weather changes
have a contagious laugh and fun personality
can assist and have knowledge providing personal care
love to make dreams come true
and are adaptive, flexible and willing to volunteer for painful, awkward, vulnerable and abusive assignments
are able to follow the Trip Leaders direction
enjoy the journey as much (or more than) the destination

Here are some examples of Intense trips and additional skills we look for in volunteers:

MULTIDAY ROCK CLIMBING

multi day adaptive rock climbing adventures

Trip-Specific Qualification (Not necessary but appreciated, mandatory training regardless)

have rock climbing experience
are comfortable climbing in dynamic conditions and on diverse terrain and able assist with climbers with disabilities and/or TrailRider depending on terrain.

MULTIDAY PADDLE

Multiday self supported paddling trip

Trip-Specific Qualification (Not necessary but appreciated, mandatory training regardless)

experience piloting a tandem kayak on ocean/unpredictable waters for extended periods
are comfortable in, and traveling through, dynamic conditions and diverse terrain while piloting a tandem kayak

MULTIDAY HIKE

Self supported multiday hiking trip

Trip-Specific Qualification (Not necessary but appreciated, mandatory training regardless)

have experience in operating a TrailRider (font, back, or harness) in remote wilderness terrain
are comfortable in and traveling through dynamic conditions and diverse terrain while carrying expedition style packs (50lbs give or take 10 lbs) and are still able assist with the TrailRider

MULTIDAY CYCLE

Self supported multiday cycling trip

Trip-Specific Qualification (Not necessary but appreciated, mandatory training regardless)

experience piloting a tandem bicycle for long periods
are comfortable in, and traveling through, dynamic conditions and diverse terrain while piloting a tandem bicycle