The Adaptive Sports Center Internship Program

Thank you for your interest in our internship program at the Adaptive Sports Center in CrestedButte, Colorado. The Adaptive Sports Center has been providing outdoor adventure programmingfor people with special needs since 1987. The Adaptive Sports Center offers internships tostudents studying:♦ Recreation♦ Outdoor Education & Adventure♦ Recreation for Special Populations♦ Program Administration & Management♦ Therapeutic Recreation♦ Psychology, Sociology and Physical EducationIf you are interested in an internship with our program, please send us the enclosed applicationalong with a cover letter and current resume. We also ask that you address the followingquestions either in your cover letter or on an attached sheet:♦ Please explain why you would like to intern at the Adaptive Sports Center.♦ Please clarify what you would like the main focus of your internship to be.♦ Summarize your experience with disabled populations.♦ Please give us some insight into your outdoor experience, skills and instructing/teachingexperience.♦ Please describe your alpine skiing ability (skiing ability is not pivotal for your application;we have had many non-skiers complete very successful internships and they became greatskiers in the process!)The winter internship begins in December and ends in mid-April and the summer internshipbegins in late May and runs through early October. We require a season-long commitment. TheAdaptive Sports Center offers housing to interns along with a season ski pass (in the winter) and amodest monthly stipend. The application deadline is September 5 Th for winter interns andFebruary 25 th for summer interns.Please review the enclosed information to decide if ASC’s internship program will suit yourneeds. I look forward to hearing from you. Please contact our office at 970-349-5075 ex 110 orcread@adaptivesports.org with any questions.Sincerely,Chris Read, CTRSProgram DirectorAdaptive Sports CenterP.O. Box 1639 Crested Butte, CO 81224www.adaptivesports.org

ooked with lessons and will remain busy through the season. Programming activities includealpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowshoe tours, backcountry hut trips, snowmobiling, ice climbing,dog sledding and more.In the OfficePre-season preparation begins in October and becomes more intensive as the season approaches.During this time we are busy scheduling lessons, arranging clinics, orienting volunteers, andscheduling events for the season. In the office there are ongoing projects such as puttingproposals together, writing program literature, updating forms, following up on informationrequests and conducting outreach. During the season, daily office operations are maintained toassure a smooth running program.FundraisingOne of our major fundraising events, ASC’s Silent Auction, takes place in late February. Muchof the season is spent soliciting donations and making contacts as well as organizing the eventitself. Staff, interns and volunteers help out to make this event a success.Your internship will include but is not limited to the following experiences:‣ Attending training clinics addressing all adaptive disciplines: Mono-ski, Bi-Ski, 3-Track,4-Track, Visual, Cognitive & Social Impairments‣ Assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating clients and activities for a wide rangeof abilities and backgrounds‣ Shadowing ski lessons and winter activities of all disciplines‣ Assisting lead instructors on ski lessons and winter activities‣ Instructing ski lessons and winter activities‣ Leading and assisting with outdoor recreation and adventure activities‣ Planning, assisting, overseeing and chaperoning group and community programming‣ Driving ASC vehicles‣ Maintaining and gaining technical experience with the different pieces of adaptiveequipment‣ Participating in PSIA adaptive teacher preparation clinics and exams to earn PSIAcertification in adaptive skiing‣ Participating in CBMR ski school & PSIA clinics‣ Creating an intern project to be determined from your interests and the needs of the ASC‣ Assisting with administrative duties and program office duties‣ Gaining experience with the administrative aspects of fundraising‣ Complete college/university assignments as agreed

‣ Complete intern project as agreed‣ Maintain ASC Staff and Intern professional protocols and expectationsInterns will:‣ Need to provide their own ski equipment (ASC may be able to assist; call for details)‣ Agree to perform their internship from December1- 10 th through April 10 th (startingbefore December 10 th is better for training, however this often interferes with finals. ASCstaff training starts November 20th)‣ Agree to intern housing rental terms, deposit ($600), payment of utilities & moving outrequirements‣ Need to have a clear driving record, no violations in the last 3 yearsSummer Internship Basic Job DescriptionLocationThe ASC is located in the small mountain town of Mt. Crested Butte; at the end of the road, so tospeak. The ski area boasts some of the steepest maintained terrain in the country and is knownfor its extreme in-bounds skiing, but the resort also offers superb intermediate and beginnerterrain.The town of Crested Butte is the hub of the upper valley and contains most of the shops,restaurants, pubs, and services. Mt. Crested Butte is three miles from town and contains theresort, large hotels and condos, as well as restaurants and shops. Gunnison is the center of thecounty and contains all major services, large grocery stores, the hospital, the airport, etc.Residents of the area typically live in the town of Crested Butte, the town of Mt. Crested Butte,the residential area of CB South (located 7 miles south of CB), or Gunnison (26 miles south ofCB). Many residents of the valley use the free Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte shuttle system allwinter and seldom have to dig their cars out of the snow.The ASC (elevation 9300 feet) is located on Mt. Crested Butte and is surrounded by the Slate andEast River Valleys, Gunnison National Forest and four wilderness areas. The area is a mecca foroutdoor activities and presents the ideal environment for the mountain lifestyle. Summertimetemperature highs average in the 70’s with lows averaging in 30’s.Housing & MailHousing is provided by the ASC. The owner of the residence will dictate the terms of the lease.Interns may be asked to provide the ASC with a refundable security deposit on the residence.Interns are responsible for their own mailing address. In Crested Butte all U.S. mail is deliveredto the local post office into P.O. Boxes in the town of Crested Butte. A P.O. Box can be obtainedonce the intern arrives in town. Many interns in the past have shared P.O. Boxes. All non-U.S.mail (i.e. UPS) is mailed to physical addresses.StaffThe Adaptive Sports Center has a core staff of about 20 seasonal instructors and 8 administrativestaff. Our instructors are highly qualified and experienced individuals, some of who have been

‣ Complete college/university assignments as agreed‣ Complete intern project as agreed‣ Maintain ASC Staff and Intern professional protocols and expectationsInterns will:‣ Need to provide their own equipment (ASC may be able to assist; call for details)‣ Agree to perform their internship from May 26 th through October 6 th‣ Agree to intern housing rental terms, deposit ($600), payment of condo utilities & movingout requirements‣ Will need to have a clear driving record, no violations in the last 3 years

ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTERINTERNSHIP APPLICATION*Please include current resumeDate: I am applying for: __ Winter, Year__ or __ Summer, Year___ (ex: Winter, 2011)Name:Email:Current Mailing Address:Permanent Mailing Address:Home Phone:Cell Phone:Emergency Contact: Phone 1: Phone 2:Address:University:Location:Major &Emphasis:Advisor’s NameAdvisor’s Phone #Address:Office Hours:Desired start date ofinternshipHours required for completionAnticipated date ofgraduationHow long at University?Please explain your expectations of the internship:

Why The Adaptive Sports Center?Winter Outdoor Skills & Alpine Skiing and/or Snowboarding Ability:_ Beginner _Intermediate _AdvancedExplain:Summer Based Outdoor & Recreation Based Skills:Please List Your Outdoor and/or Recreation Based Certifications:Please indicate below your desired areas of focus during your internshipExample:InstructingGuiding/instructing and relatedpaperworkTherapeuticaspects anddocumentationFundraising/special eventsProgramdevelopment &administrationLogistics65% - Brief Explanation…Traveling clinicCoordinatingactivities

Intern’s Signature __________________________________Date ________________Advisor’s Signature _______________________________Date_____________________ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTERPROGRAM OVERVIEWThe Adaptive Sports Center’s mission is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by promoting &providing successful outdoor adventure activities and experiential education with the highest quality instructionand equipment available. The activities the Adaptive Sports Center (ASC) offers teach people with disabilitiesnew life skills, builds self-confidence, and empowers individuals to challenge themselves both mentally andphysically and allows them to experience success. The skills our clients learn while engaging in outdoorrecreation with the ASC carry over into their daily lives, offering them a higher level of comfort with theirabilities, increased body awareness and more options for physical activity.PROGRAM HISTORYThe ASC was founded in 1987 when President and Mrs. Carter gathered a group of local residents to form thePhysically Challenged Ski Program of Crested Butte. The program has since evolved into the year-round,nationally-recognized Adaptive Sports Center. With the support of volunteers, dedicated instructors, staff andthe local community, the ASC has thrived and grown from providing 30 alpine ski lessons during its firstwinter to providing over 3,600 lessons every year to more than 600 people. The ASC is a non-profit, 501(c)(3)organization. We are a chapter of Disabled Sports USA, a member school of the Professional Ski Instructors ofAmerica (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI), and a partner with U.S.Handcycling.SERVICES OFFEREDThe recreational opportunities provided by the ASC enable people with disabilities to experience the freedomand dynamic motion of outdoor sports. The ASC offers adaptive equipment and instruction in alpine andNordic skiing, snowboarding, ski biking, ice-climbing and snowshoeing in the winter. In the summer we offerdownhill mountain biking, handcycling, canoeing, multi-day river trips, hiking, camping, whitewater rafting,fishing and a ropes and challenge course on Mt. Crested Butte.CLIENTS SERVEDWe provide recreational instruction for people with physical disabilities such as multiple sclerosis, musculardystrophy, spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, amputations, traumatic brain injury, and visual and hearingimpairments. The program also provides services for individuals with cognitive-related disabilities such asDown syndrome, autism, ADD, ADHD, and other emotional and behavioral disorders, as well as at-risk youth.INSTRUCTORS AND GUIDESDuring the ski season, ASC employs 20 trained and certified instructors, including one PSIA adaptiveinstructor trainer, four PSIA Level III instructors, six PSIA Level II instructors, and one Certified TherapeuticRecreation Specialist. Many of our instructors have been teaching here for years and are the principle reasonclients return each season. During the summer season, we employ five guides. Every year, our summer andwinter instructors update their skills through adaptive clinics offered in-house and through PSIA, and byobtaining and maintaining current certifications in CPR/First Aid, whitewater raft guiding, canoeing, swiftwater rescue, and/or outdoor emergency medicine (Wilderness First Responder). Our instructors share apassion for the mountains and are dedicated to helping people of all abilities safely learn and enjoy outdoorrecreation sports.

The Adaptive Sports Center Internship Program"Interning with the ASC was a truly fulfilling and rewarding experience. I feel veryfortunate to have had the opportunity to work with and meet wonderful people. Theknowledge and confidence I have taken from this internship will benefit me greatly inthe future.”-Liz Dukes, Special Events Intern, Florida State University"The ASC is one of the finest programs of which I am currently aware for people withspecial needs. The magic you work in people's lives is possible because of the supportyou have built over the years. The combination of empowering programs,commitment, professionalism, and location—right in the middle of heaven—positionyou to achieve your wildest dreams.”-Nancy Eagan, Summer Program Intern, San Francisco State University"My internship with your program far surpassed my expectations. Teaching adaptiveskiing is a great way to build on my two passions, skiing and working with people withspecial needs. Participating in adaptive sports is a wonderful opportunity for manypeople, and participants benefit from the experience in many ways.”-Kate Saltstein, Winter Program Intern, Middlebury College"Working with the Adaptive Sports Center was a great experience for me. It has beenthe kind of learning I love, learning by doing. The ASC staff offered a very friendlyworking environment it felt like family. I learned a lot about working with disabledpopulations, and the various methods used to enhance their experiences. The ASCopened the door to my future.”-Tobias Bartschinski, Winter/Summer Intern, Evangelische DusbildangsstattenUniversity- Darmstadt, Germany