Role Descriptions

Equestrian

New Process for Equestrian Volunteers:

• Onboard Training – 90 minutes – REQUIRED for Leader OR Sidewalker
• Sidewalker Training – 90 minutes
  • Sidewalker Shadow – follows Sidewalker Training, REQUIRED for Lesson Sidewalker Shifts
• Leader Training – 90 minutes
  • Leader Shadow – follows Leader Training, REQUIRED for Lesson Leader Shift

EQUESTRIAN ONBOARD TRAINING

This training is required for Equestrian Lesson Volunteers. You must attend and complete this training before becoming an Equestrian Lesson Sidewalker or Leader. This training will cover topics including but not limited to:

• Equestrian Program Overview
• Equestrian Lesson Volunteer Expectations, Duties & Responsibilities
• How to support our participants
• What to expect during Equestrian Lesson Shifts

This training will be the "classroom" portion of our trainings. Following this, volunteers should attend either Sidewalker Training, Leader Training, or both. These will include the “hands-on” portion of training. You may attend multiple training sessions on the same day. New Sidewalkers and New Leaders will attend a shadow shift to complete their training.

EQUESTRIAN LEADER TRAINING

This training is required for Equestrian Lesson Leaders. You MUST complete Equestrian Onboard Training before attending this training. This training will cover topics including but not limited to:

• Catching and Haltering a horse in a pasture or stall
• Handling and Leading a horse at the walk and trot (jog) for lessons
• Leading a horse through mounting platform/ramp to assist with participant mounts

This training is the “hands-on” portion of becoming a lesson leader. Volunteers must demonstrate proficiency in the skills covered in order to be considered as leaders for lessons. Additional coaching may be required, at the discretion of the training and teaching staff.

EQUESTRIAN LEADER SHADOW

Leader shadow shifts are required for all New Equestrian Leaders. You must have attended both Equestrian Onboard Training AND Equestrian Leader Training prior to attending a Leader Shadow shift. You must complete at least one shadow shift before signing up for a Lesson Leader shift. The purpose of the shadow shift is to give new volunteers the opportunity to observe a lesson from prep to finish, without being fully responsible for all duties. Shadow shifts are your chance to ask questions and see the flow. You may attend multiple shadow shifts.

EQUESTRIAN LESSON SIDEWALKER TRAINING DESCRIPTION

This training is required for Equestrian Lesson Sidewalkers. You MUST complete Equestrian Onboard Training before attending this training. This training will cover topics including but not limited to:

• Grooming and Tacking a horse for lessons
• Practice walking and trotting (jogging) along with a horse
• How to support participants during mounts and riding portion of lessons
• Demonstrate an emergency (unplanned) dismount of participant

This training is the “hands-on” portion of becoming a lesson sidewalker. Volunteers must demonstrate proficiency in the skills covered in order to be considered as sidewalkers for lessons. Additional coaching may be required, at the discretion of the training and teaching staff.

EQUESTRIAN SIDEWALKER SHADOW

Sidewalker shadow shifts are required for all New Equestrian Sidewalkers. You must have attended both Equestrian Onboard Training AND Equestrian Sidewalker Training prior to attending a Sidewalker Shadow shift. You must complete at least one shadow shift before signing up for a Lesson Sidewalker shift. The purpose of the shadow shift is to give new volunteers the opportunity to observe a lesson from prep to finish, without being fully responsible for all duties. Shadow shifts are your chance to ask questions and see the flow. You may attend multiple shadow shifts.

Camps and Community Education

Camps Activity Facilitator - Camps Activities Facilitators assist our in facilitating a specific activity for NAC camps programming during the summer months. In order to volunteer as an activity facilitator, you must have a specific skill or knowledge to share with the NAC. Volunteers work with the Camps and Community Education department to determine appropriate activities, logistics, and scheduling.

Camps Assistant - Camps Assistants assist our Camp Counselors in facilitating camps programming during the summer months. Volunteers assist campers of all abilities to learn new things, socialize with others their age and enjoy being in the outdoors. You will help our campers have fun, develop relationships and be safe. Prior to volunteering as a Camps Assistant, you must complete a Camps Assistant Training.

Recreation and Adventure

Archery Assistant - Archery Assistant help our recreation instructors to facilitate archery programs at the NAC Archery Range. Volunteers coach participants, assist with range setup and tear down, select equipment for participants, and maintain safety on the range.
Prior to volunteering as an Archery Assistant, you must complete Archery Assistant Training.

Challenge Course Assistant - Challenge Course Assistants assist recreation instructors with facilitating high and low ropes programs at the National Ability Center challenge course.  Volunteers help fit participants with harness and helmets, belay participants, help with course facilitation and guidance, and assist in maintaining a   safe course.
Prior to volunteering as a Challenge Course Assistant, you must have completed a Challenge Course Assistant training and a yearly belay check off.

Cycling Assistant - Cycling Assistants help our recreation staff facilitate cycling programs on paved roads and trails. Volunteers help with equipment fitting, cycling instruction, encouragement, and safety while riding.  
Prior to volunteering as a Cycling Assistant, you must complete a Cycling and Mountain Bike Assistant training.

Fat Tire Biking Assistant - Fat Tire Biking Assistants help our recreation staff facilitate fat tire bike programs on groomed winter trails in Round Valley. Volunteers assist with equipment fitting, fat tire bike instruction, safety, encouragment, and ensuring a fun time. Prior to volunteering as a Fat Tire Bike Assistant, you must complete a Fat Tire Bike Assistant training.

Indoor Climbing Assistant - Indoor Climbing Assistant assist our recreation instructors with facilitating our indoor climbing programs.  Volunteers belay participants, assist with wall set up, and coach participants during climbing. Prior to volunteering with the indoor climbing program, you must have completed indoor climbing training as well as completed a belay check off in the past year.

Mountain Bike Assistant - Mountain Biking Assistants help our recreation staff facilitate mountain biking programs on trails around Round Valley and other locations. Volunteers help with equipment fitting, mountain biking instruction, encouragement, and safety while riding.   Prior to volunteering as a Mountain Biking Assistant, you must complete a Mountain Biking Assistant training.

Nordic Skiing Assistant - Nordic Ski Assistants assist our recreation instructors in facilitating Nordic and Cross Country Skiing programs. Volunteers assist in equipment fitting, participant encouragement, skiing demonstration, and management of adaptive equipment during the program. Prior to volunteering with the Nordic Ski Program, volunteers must compete the Nordic Ski Assistant volunteer training.

Paddle Sports Assistant - Paddle Sports Assistant assist our recreation instructors with facilitating our Paddle Sports programs. Volunteers will help to facilitate lessons at the Jordanelle and assist participants in learning to use a stand up paddle board, kayak, canoe, etc. Prior to volunteering with the Paddle Sports program, you must have completed Paddle Sports training.

Snowshoeing Assistant - Snowshoeing Assistants assist recreation instructors to facilitate Snowshoeing programs. Volunteers help fit equipment, manage the group, and support while snowshoeing. Prior to volunteering as a Snowshoeing Assistant, you must have completed at least one other program specific training at the National Ability Center.  The NAC does not offer a   snowshoeing specific training for volunteers.

  Watersports Assistants - support our recreation instructors with facilitating our Watersports programs. Volunteers will help to facilitate lessons at the Jordanelle and assist participants in learning to adaptive water ski. Watersports volunteers will be assisting as spotters and side skiers for adaptive water skiers.
Prior to volunteering with the Watersports program, you must have completed a Watersports training.

Ski and Snowboard

Ski and Snowboard Assistant - Ski and Snowboard Assistants assist the instructor in providing a safe and fun lesson! Assistants help the instructor with transfers, lift loading and unloading, on hill safety, modeling skills, and interactions with the participant. Prior to volunteering as a Ski and Snowboard Assistant, you must complete a Ski and Snowboard Assistant training. 

Ski and Snowboard Peer Partner - Peer Partners are youth between the ages of 12 and 16. Peers must be intermediate to advanced skiers or snowboarders. If accepted into the program, Peer Volunteers are paired with a youth participant with a cognitive disability for each of their weekly session lessons. Peer Partner roles and responsibilities include: modeling good behavior and safe skiing, getting to know the participant, encouraging independence in the participant, and having fun! Peer partners must apply to become a Ski and Snowboard Peer Partner. After getting accepted into the peer partner program, peer partners must attend a training before they can begin volunteering. The Ski & Snowboard Volunteer Coordinator will schedule peer volunteers on a training and send them notification via email. Peers will not be able to sign up for training themselves online but the coordinator will take their availability into account! Training takes place at the NAC Mountain Center at Park City Mountain Resort both on snow and indoors. Peers should arrive ready to ski in the appropriate clothing and with their gear ready. A day pass to Park City Mountain Resort is provided to any volunteers who do not already have a pass.
Please note that NAC does not provide ski or snowboard rentals.

Ski and Snowboard Mountain Guide - Mountain Guides ski one-on-one with a participant, showing them around the mountain on terrain appropriate to the participant's skill level. Guides do not provide instruction. Prior to volunteering, Mountain Guides must have completed Ski & Snowboard Assistant Training and Mountain Guide Training.

Ski and Snowboard Visual Impairment Guide - Visual Impairment Guides ski one-on-one with a participant who has a visual impairment or is blind. Volunteers help their participant to navigate the mountain safely. Visual Impairment Guides do not provide instruction. Prior to volunteering as a Visual Impairment Guide, you must have completed Ski & Snowboard Assistant Volunteer Training and Visual Impairment Guide Training and have been checked off to guide by the NAC clinician.

Southern Utah

Whitewater Rafting Crew - Crew help the guides conduct a successful and fun trip. They assist with transfers, cooking meals, and interact with the participants. Assistants may also be asked to help with prepping or putting away gear and equipment at our base in Moab. - Must have gone through NAC Crew Training or NAC Desolation Guide Training. -Must have Food Handlers Permit

Whitewater Rafting Guide - Guides will be rowing or paddle guiding their own raft with participants on sections they are checked off on. Guide’s help assist with transfers, cooking meals, and interaction with the participants. Guides may be asked to help with prepping or putting away gear and equipment at our base in Moab. Time Commitment: 1 to 6 days. We ask that guide volunteers commit to helping with either rigging (the night before the 1st day of the trip) or derigging (the afternoon of the last day of the trip) at our boathouse in Moab.
Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Desolation Guide Training OR verifiable class III boating experience 
• CPR
• First Aid
• River log – up to date (within 30 days)
• Utah State Food Handlers

*Guide Assistants follow the same check out procedure as our staffed guides.

**All guide volunteers must volunteer on 1 Fisher Tower daily or overnight before volunteering for a larger/longer trip. This is called your “First Descent”.