Outdoor Enthusiasts living in Northwest Montana are needed as Volunteers to help with Adaptive Athletes.

DREAM Adaptive Recreation is an affiliate chapter of Disabled Sports USA, the organizational body of the USA Paralympic Program. DREAM relies heavily on volunteers. It is a volunteer driven, program based organization. DREAM is growing; therefore the need for volunteers is growing too. The benefits of volunteering are endless: reduce stress, find friends, reach out to the community, learn new skills, and even advancing careers.

DREAM provides services to amputees, paraplegics, quadriplegics, sensory impaired, those with spinal cord injuries, brain trauma, cerebral palsy, MS, MD, autism, Down’s syndrome, and other physical or cognitive challenges. During the 2015-2016 Ski Season at Whitefish Mountain Resort, DREAM provided over 1300 adaptive lessons catering to local schools, veterans, as well as destination skiers of all abilities. The Winter Alpine Programs is available to anyone with these challenges ranging in the ages from 5-95.

As ski season is approaching, DREAM is looking for volunteers for their winter program. DREAM is holding two Volunteer Recruitment nights this fall. The first is at Kalispell Brewing Company on October 25th from 5-8 pm during a benefit pint night. The second date is set for November 10th at the Montana Tap House in Whitefish also from 5-8pm. Interested volunteers as well as returning volunteers are encouraged to attend so that paperwork can be completed and schedules as well as trainings can be discussed. All Volunteers are required to go through Dry Land and On Snow training so that DREAM can provide the best experience possible. Safety is one the major concerns. With lessons available in all abilities Athletes are paired with Volunteers who best meet their needs and goals. Volunteers are required to fill out a Volunteer Application which can be found on their website at www.dreamadaptive.org.

Randy Carpspecken a highly valued DREAM volunteer states, “Working with kids and adults in an active & spectacular environment is active & spectacular volunteering. Time spent out-of-doors on the slopes of our winter-wonderland mountain exercising mind and body is healthy for participants and volunteers alike. Relationships that develop with participants can be highly rewarding.” If you have questions or are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact DREAM Adaptive Recreation at 406-862-1817 or email info@dreamadaptive.the-data.com.

“Building Confidence and Encouraging Independence, One Activity at a Time.”