Volunteer

Join the crew here at MHS and find yourself in the midst of a very friendly group who all love sports, the outdoors and helping people do their best.

More than 380 dedicated individuals provide instruction, encouragement and fun for our participants every year. The smiles and satisfaction at the end of the day are priceless.

Winter Volunteer Opportunities:

• Instructor: Alpine and nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and alpine racing.  Instructors are paired with participants to teach and improve skills in their chosen snow sport.
• Outreach: Make presentations to schools, service organizations and disability organizations. Help promote MHS throughout New England.
• Equipment: Help set up, maintain and repair skis and adaptive equipment.
• Office: Assist staff in filing, data entry, mailings or with the reception desk.
• Photography:  Digital and print photography on-snow and in the ski center to capture the essence of MHS.
• Snowmobile driver: Transport participants who are unable to use a ski lift, along with their instructors.
• Videography: On-snow videotaping during participant lessons and volunteer trainings to record progress and provide feedback for learning.
• Internships: On–snow or off, a variety of opportunities exist for college students in the winter.
• Junior Volunteers: six week program for 16 & 17  year olds.

Summer Volunteer Opportunities:

• Instructor: Teach and assist participants in cycling, paddling or golf.
• Photography: Digital and print photography of all summer activities.
• Internships: A variety of opportunities exist for college students in the summer.

 

Winter Volunteers

If you are passionate about skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing, volunteer with MHS and pass on your love of sports.  Volunteer instructors help participants learn and improve their skills on the slopes and trails.

Winter Volunteer Instructor Requirements:

• Must be 18 years or older
• Be an intermediate or better skier or rider
• Provide your own equipment
• Attend pre-season trainings in November or December
• Volunteer 10 days between January and March

All winter on-snow volunteers are given a lift pass to use on the day they volunteer and all volunteers get a complimentary one-day pass for every day they volunteer.

 

Junior Volunteers

• Maine Handicapped Skiing Junior Volunteer Application

The Junior Volunteer program introduces 16 and 17 year olds to adaptive skiing and snowboarding and prepares them to step in as adult instructors when they turn 18. In the 6-week program, junior volunteers are introduced to:

• adaptive teaching techniques
• adaptive equipment usage
• disability etiquette

Lift tickets are provided by Sunday River. Clinics are led by MHS and experienced volunteer instructors. As an added bonus, the program can cover community service requirements for mos high schools.

Junior Volunteer requirements:

• Must be 16 before program begins
• Must provide own equipment
• Must have parent’s signature
• Must be intermediate or better skier or rider
• Must commit to attending the full 6-week program

Summer Volunteers

If golf, paddling or cycling are your summer passions, volunteer with MHS and put your skills to good use helping participants learn to enjoy the sports you love. The summer program is very laid back and relaxing. Lessons are held in locations in southern Maine with friendly people and sometimes even a hot dog or s’more thrown in for good measure.

Summer Volunteer Instructor Requirements:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Cycling-must have own bicycle and helmet
• Golf-have a basic knowledge of the sport
• Paddling-know basic strokes and safety skills
• Photography-provide your own camera

A variety of Volunteer training is offered each summer to refresh instructors

Internships

• Maine Handicapped Skiing Internship Application

Maine Handicapped Skiing welcomes interns to play an integral role in empowering people with physical disabilities. MHS offers the possibility of hands-on internships in both winter and summer programs as well as in program management. An internship with MHS is sure to be a rewarding experience. 

Internships are developed and approved by MHS staff and the intern's college or university supervisor. The length of an internship may vary according to the needs of MHS and the intern.  Common internships include five days per week for one month or one to three days per week for the winter or summer term.

Questions about volunteering:
Judy Sullivan, Program Director and Volunteer Coordinator
800-639-7770 or 207-824-2440

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