By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

At Shawnee Peak, wintertime fun on the mountain still rules the day.

There is an opportunity to ski for free plus help others to be able to play outdoors. It is volunteering for the local adaptive ski program. 

As winter winds down, there is a need for volunteers to help the people with disabilities who participate in the Shawnee Peak Adaptive Program (SPAP).

Volunteers are definitely desired to help wrap up the remaining few weeks of the program, according to organizer and long-time volunteer Glenn Yale. 

In fact, during an open house called Adaptive Instructor Discovery Days, would-be volunteers are invited to shadow current volunteers as they help disabled individuals participate in winter sports, Yale said. That will take place during the first week of March, he said. Discovery Days is coming up March 2, March 3 and March 4, from 9 a.m. to noon. 

“The SPAP is a program for school children with special needs and people living in group homes. There are group-home programs like Momentum or the Progress Center, where kids go to school. They come to our facility,” Yale said.

Also, disabled individuals who do not attend school or live in a group home can register for a session, he said. Essentially, the SPAP is open to adults with disabilities, too. 

This winter, COVID-19 put a damper on the adaptive program — reducing the numbers of both participants and volunteers.

“During Covid and at present the SPAP has operated at a reduced number of school and home-group participants and a reduced number of days,” Yale said. “We are currently at less than 40 participants this 2022 season. We have also experienced a reduced number of volunteer coaches.” 

It is hopeful that will change by the time the snow falls next winter.

“Looking ahead, we expect an increased number of participants next season and along with that comes the need for more volunteer/coaches,” Yale said. 

“We would like to make a ‘Call for Volunteer/Coaches.’ Anyone interested should contact me and plan to come spend a day enjoying a variety of snow sports with some very special individuals, participants and coaches,” Yale said. 

Yale’s cell number is 207-693-1126. His E-mail address is GlennYale@hotmail.com

The SPAP will skip school vacation week, which is the week that begins Feb. 20. 

“The final week of operation will be that week ending March 4. It is possible the SPAP will extend one additional week, depending on snow conditions,” Yale said.  

“We would like those prospective volunteers to visit the program during that week,” he said. “Volunteers have always been needed. This is a good opportunity to meet some incredible people with a variety of special needs, mostly cognitive and physical disabilities.”

Learning how to volunteer shouldn’t be too daunting. Most of the action takes place one the magic carpet, which is about 100 yards long. 

“Come on up and shadow a current volunteer and learn what we do,” he said. “When the program is over, you have the rest of the day to ski the mountain.”

Anyone who is interested in grabbing a pair of skis and learning how to volunteer for the Shawnee Peak Adaptive Program (SPAP) can contact Glenn Yale: 207-693-1126 or GlennYale@hotmail.com