Applications open
Winter volunteers
Teach in the adaptive ski and snowboard program at Big Bear Mountain Resort, and help with fundraising events like the annual Ski‑a‑thon.
Apply for winter
Volunteer
Feel the freedom you give others.
USARC's reputation is the work of the people who show up — on the snow, on the water, and behind the scenes. Training is provided, and expertise in adaptive sports is not what gets you in the door.
Why it matters
Adaptive instructors are the heart of the program.
At the start of each summer and winter, volunteer adaptive instructors attend thorough, practical training clinics with the professional staff — and can join the daily morning clinic on any day they volunteer.
Without volunteer adaptive instructors, USARC would reach only a fraction of the people who come looking for this.
Three ways in
Pick the season that suits you.
Applications open and close with the seasons. Where one is closed, the sign‑up for the next opening is the place to start.
Opens in April
Summer volunteers
July and August on Big Bear Lake, in every capacity from programming to special events. Expertise in water sports is not necessary — the work is done as a team. Summer applications open in April.
Single day
Desert Days volunteers
Desert Days is a one‑day off‑road event out in Johnson Valley. It needs helping hands for the day rather than a season‑long commitment.
Desert Days applicationWhat is asked of you
The commitment, plainly.
Everything here applies before you work with a participant. None of it is a surprise later.
Winter
- A free three‑day on‑snow training before you start
- Teach at least six midweek days across the season
- An intermediate skier or snowboarder, comfortable on all green terrain
- A background check
Summer
- A one‑day training session, held in June
- Six program days — one overnight session and four single‑day sessions
- No particular skills or experience — USARC trains you
- A background check
Both seasons: adaptive instructors must be older than 16. You are welcome to sign up for more than the minimum, and many people do.
Training
You will not be sent out unprepared.
Every adaptive instructor is trained in adaptive equipment, disability awareness, and how USARC runs a lesson.
Winter clinic
- Dryland orientation
- Disability awareness
- On‑mountain training
Summer clinic
- Adaptive cycling training
- On‑water training
On the day
What a summer session actually looks like.
Duties vary by the hour and by who needs what. A day might include any of this.
- Helping on the dock
- Aboard a sailboat
- Water‑ski boat
- Kayak
- Fishing boat
- Jumping off jet skis
- Transfers from wheelchairs to boats and back
- Setting up tents
- Making s'mores
Get started
Winter applications are open now.
Summer applications open in April. Apply for winter, or ask about Desert Days if a single day suits you better.