office volunteers

The Challenge Aspen office is inundated with participants, family members, buddies, ski & snowboard instructors, Adaptive Assistants, and people from the community looking for information on our programs. Office volunteers help keep everything running smoothly. From answering telephones to assisting with data management, participant files, and mailings, these critical volunteers make the office environment a fun place for everyone to be.  Special projects are available for volunteers interested in helping with bigger assignments. Regular needs include winter weekends, scheduled meeting days, and special events.

Shifts run 8AM to 12:30 and 12:30 to 5PM.

special events

Challenge Aspen is all about special events.  From our Vince Gill Amy Grant Charity Classic golf tournament to our John Denver concert series tribute, you can always find something big going on with us!  Volunteers are needed to help with event information & registration areas, food and beverage service, decoration set up, and generally just being an ambassador for our organization.  Find out how you can have fun being a volunteer at our next big event.  

internships-winter

Challenge Aspen hires a number of interns during the winter ski season to serve as the foundation of our ski buddy staff. Attending intensive training at the beginning of the season, interns work full time assisting participants on and off the ski slopes. Trained in all disciplines of adaptive skiing, our interns are encouraged to participate with our Apprentice Pro program that helps them through the process of becoming a PSIA certified adaptive ski instructor. In addition to serving as ski buddies, interns also assist with a variety of equipment and administrative duties. Interns are provided complimentary housing and a monthly stipend for the duration of their stay from late November through April.  

internships-summer

During the busy summer months, Challenge Aspen hires interns who serve as primary leaders for locals’ programming, including white water rafting, horseback riding, cycling, and rock climbing. Summer interns also assist lead instructors during open enrollment camps and private groups, including Music & Dance Camp, Outdoor Adventure Camp and the Exceptional Artists Studio. In addition to serving as one-on-one buddies and program leaders, interns also assist with a variety of equipment and administrative duties. Interns are provided complimentary housing and a monthly stipend for the duration of their stay from mid June through mid August. 

apprentice pro program

Challenge Aspen encourages volunteer ski buddies, Adaptive Assistants and Interns to participate in our Apprentice Pro program, which takes aspiring PSIA ski & snowboard instructors through the application and examination process. All applicants receiving certification are reimbursed 50% of their exam fees – all who receive certification and commit to returning the following year as an adaptive ski instructor for Challenge Aspen, receive 100% reimbursement. There are a limited number of Apprentice Pro positions for the 2006-2007 season.

mentorship program

Challenge Aspen encourages elementary through high school-aged  students to learn more about people with disabilities and the adaptive programs that enable them to enjoy recreational and cultural opportunities. We work with local students throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond, with a variety of workshops that promote general disability awareness and demonstrate the use of adaptive equipment. Challenge Aspen also has week-long junior internship programs with Harpath Hall School in Nashville and Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale. High school students are encouraged to get training as a ski buddy and volunteer with us throughout the year.

If you are available and interested in helping out in any way, please call Sally O'Keefe at 970.923.0578 ext 209 or volunteer@challengeaspen.com