Needs From: Head of the Lakes United Way

Help adults living with a disability experience the benefits of yoga by practicing mind-body concepts and practical exercises. Volunteers help participants experience a variety of yoga poses by adapting the poses to the participant’s abilities. All classes are taught by certified adaptive yoga instructors through True North Adaptive Yoga, a partnership with Northland Adaptive Recreation, Miller Dwan Foundation, and the College of St. Scholastica. Each class also includes an intentional social/community focus to foster relationships and fun.

“The fact that if I am not able to do one limb, someone is there ready to help me with it! It is unbelievable!” – Dawn Hiller, Adaptive Yoga participant

Responsibilities:

Assist by providing light hands-on touch and gentle adjustments to participants to enhance their self-awareness and mind-body connection Assist with transferring participants to the floor as needed, training provided. Participants will be in a chair, on the floor or some combination of both   Assist with focus on breath work, while experiencing different yoga poses Assist with set-up, take-down, and use of yoga props such as blankets, blocks and belts to support different bodies and enhance the experience of the yoga postures

Locations/Days: offered this fall in two, 6 week sessions:

Mondays (9/23/24-10/28/24), 10:30 am-12:00 pm,  Peace Church, 1111 N 11th Ave EWednesdays (9/25/24- 10/30/24), 5:00-6:30 pm, College of St. Scholastica Health Science Center

Benefits:

Gain experience working with adults with disabilities using light hands-on touch and verbal instruction Feel good knowing you are helping people improve their physical and mental well-being through yoga practice and socialization Meet other volunteers and become a part of the yoga community

 

Adapted swimming lessons are led by a certified YMCA swimming instructor, with volunteers working one-on-one with children to help improve their swimming skills, learn water safety, and have a fun, social experience with their peers and other volunteers. No teaching experience is needed, you should be a confident swimmer and enjoy working with children. Volunteers are provided a tech t-shirt to wear while in the pool.

Responsibilities:

Work one-on-one with students to help them learn basic swimming skills; lesson plan and direction is provided by certified YMCA instructor Encourage swimmers to improve endurance and learn through repetition of lessons Review goals and accomplishments with swimmers at the end of each lesson Promote independence in and out of the water Promote safety, FUN, and learning! 

Benefits:

Gain experience working and communicating with youth with autism and disabilities Feel good knowing you are helping youth learn an important life skill Northland Adaptive Recreation tech t-shirts are provided to all volunteers to wear during lessons

Training: Training is usually held the week prior to the first lesson (5:15-6:15pm)

Qualifications:

Swimming experience and confidence in the water Enjoying working with youth, desire to teach swimming to youth with disabilities, positive, calm, and patient demeanor Minimum age 16

Time Commitment: Minimum of one 6 - week session. Thursdays (day of week may be subject to change), 5:15 – 6:00 pm (suited up and ready to greet kids by 5:15, lesson is from 5:30-6:00pm). Offered in Spring and Fall.

A volunteer opportunity for your active winter lifestyle Volunteer with Northland Adaptive Recreation Adaptive Ski & Snowboard

If you’re a winter enthusiast (or an aspiring one), you can make a huge difference in someone’s life and have a blast as an adaptive Ski or Snowboard volunteer.

You don’t need to be an expert, just willing to make new friends and help others. You’ll have fun, embrace winter, and help someone who has a disability discover (or re-discover) the exciting world of snow sports - an activity they probably never dreamed they could do.

Since 1979, Northland Adaptive RecreationSki & Snowboard has been bringing outdoor, people-loving individuals together to volunteer and make the slopes available to everyone.

Northland Adaptive Recreation is seeking skiers and snowboarders to join our team of over 300 northland volunteers and make the most of the winter months! We also have positions off the slopes including check-in and equipment assistants. You will receive training on adaptive equipment and techniques for teaching skiers and boarders with disabilities. No prior teaching experience necessary. New volunteers start out as Assistant Instructors and are paired with experienced volunteer instructors, with a typical ratio of 2-3 volunteers per student. Our participants range from 6 to 60+ years of age. You will receive complimentary lift tickets while volunteering, however you do need to provide your own equipment and helmet. Starting age to volunteer is 16 years old.

You’ll have fun, make new friends, and introduce someone with a disability to the exciting world of snow sports. Come join our fun group of people and get outside this winter!

Program runs January – early March

Spirit Mountain, Duluth*:  Sundays 1:30-4pm, Tuesdays 5:30-8pm, or Thursdays 5:30-8pm Giants Ridge, Biwabik:  Sundays 10:00am-12:00n and/or 12:00n-2:00pm

*volunteers pick the weekly lesson day that works best in their schedule

 Volunteer Trainings & Dates: Volunteer Kickoff: Thursday, Oct. 10, 6:00-8:00 pm at Hoops Brewery, Duluth - optional but recommended! New Volunteer Orientation (Dryland): Thursday, November 14, 5:30-8:30pm at Spirit Mountain On the Hill Training: Spirit Mt, Dec. 14 & 15 (9-4 pm both days) or Giants Ridge* Jan. 11 & 12 (9-4 pm both days)

*only Giants Ridge volunteers attend the training at Giants Ridge

Interested? Don't delay!

New Volunteer Orientation is Thursday, November 14 at Spirit Mountain

A volunteer opportunity for your active winter lifestyle Volunteer with Northland Adaptive Recreation Adaptive Ski & Snowboard

“When Kevin would mention to family and friends that he was skiing, their reaction was pure amazement...which Kevin would always follow up with amazement in his voice, "I have THREE volunteers!" – Parent of adaptive ski participant

If you’re a winter enthusiast (or an aspiring one), you can make a huge difference in someone’s life and have a blast as an adaptive Ski or Snowboard volunteer.

You don’t need to be an expert, just willing to make new friends and help others. You’ll have fun, embrace winter, and help someone who has a disability discover (or re-discover) the exciting world of snow sports - an activity they probably never dreamed they could do.

Since 1979, Northland Adaptive Recreation Ski & Snowboard has been bringing outdoor, people-loving individuals together to volunteer and make the slopes available to everyone.

Northland Adaptive Recreation is seeking skiers and snowboarders to join our team of over 100 northland volunteers and make the most of the winter months! We also have positions off the slopes including check-in and equipment assistants. You will receive training on adaptive equipment and techniques for teaching skiers and boarders with disabilities. No prior teaching experience necessary. New volunteers start out as Assistant Instructors and are paired with experienced volunteer instructors, with a typical ratio of 2-3 volunteers per student. Our participants range from 6 to 60+ years of age. You will receive complimentary lift tickets while volunteering, however you do need to provide your own equipment and helmet. Starting age to volunteer is 16 years old.

You’ll have fun, make new friends, and introduce someone with a disability to the exciting world of snow sports. Come join our fun group of people and get outside this winter!

Program runs Jan – March

Spirit Mountain, Duluth:  Sundays 1:30-4pm, Tuesdays 5:30-8pm, or Thursdays 5:30-8pm Giants Ridge, Biwabik:  Sundays 10:00am-12:00n and/or 12:00n-2:00pm

*volunteers pick the weekly lesson day that works best in their schedule

 Volunteer Trainings (required): New Volunteer Orientation (Dryland): Thursday, November 14, 5:30-8:30pm at Spirit Mountain On the Hill Training: Spirit Mt, Dec. 14 & 15 (9-4 pm both days) or Giants Ridge, Jan 11 & 12 (9-4 pm both days) Interested? Don't delay!

New Volunteer Orientation is Thursday, November 14 at Spirit Mountain

Join our team of Northland volunteers who help deliver exciting and fun recreation programs for youth and adults with physical disabilities, vision loss and youth on the autism spectrum. Opportunities throughout the year.

Adaptive Archery Volunteer (6-8 wks/session, offered Spring and Fall)

Sept 19 - Oct 31, 2022

Mondays, 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Chalstrom’s Indoor Archery Center on Rice Lake Road. Volunteers work one-on-one or in small groups with youth and adult participants to assist/teach the fundamentals of archery and range safety. Basic archery experience preferred, but not required. Volunteer orientation is on Monday, Sept. 19, week prior to program start, 5:30pm.

Benefits:

Feel good knowing you are helping people get out and play, and live life to the fullest! Connect with the Twin Ports and Northland community, make new friends. Learn new skills and gain experience while working with youth, adults, and other volunteers of all abilities in a casual, active, and social environment. Build your resume - applicable to individuals who are going into a wide variety of fields including Psychology, Health Care, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Exercise Science, Outdoor Recreation, Nursing, and more. Allina Health is one of the largest health care systems in the Midwest.

“The cycling class has been a wonderful activity for Taeghen. She was really nervous about riding a bike, but she has loved it! Her confidence has grown by leaps and bounds and she really looks forward to riding with the group. She likes Steve so much and his kindness and patience has been a 10+! Thank you all so much!!  - Colleen Miller, parent

Objectives: Help people of all ages with disabilities learn cycling skills and build strength, explore bike trails in Duluth, and enjoy the outdoors in a safe and encouraging environment. Volunteers should have cycling experience and enjoy working with people in an outdoor and social community.

Responsibilities:

Encourage and support participants while enjoying a bike ride Dress appropriately for outdoor physical activity (layers, close-toed shoes, etc.) Assist with setting up participants with bikes and promote equipment safety Promote independent bike riding and help participants learn the benefits of fresh air and exercise!

Benefits:

Gain experience working and bonding with people of all ages with disabilities Enjoy the outdoors and the sport of cycling on a weekly basis Participate in a fun and social community while getting some light exercise

Training: on-site Adaptive Cycling training one week prior to program start date. 

Qualifications:

Enjoy cycling, the outdoors, and fostering a positive and social community Ability to encourage and interact with participants and volunteers in a patient and positive manner Ideally provide your own bike or roller blades, a few bikes are available to borrow

Time Commitment: Wednesdays, May 17 - July 26, 6:00-7:30 PM. Volunteers are asked to commit to 6-7 of the 10 sessions.

Northland Adaptive Recreation is seeking active, outdoor, people-loving individuals to volunteer and give back.

Join our team of 300+ volunteers who help deliver exciting and fun sports and recreation programs for youth and adults with physical disabilities and cognitive disabilities. You'll get to volunteer while being active in an activity you love, meet other like-minded individuals, and best of all, you'll help individuals discover (or re-discover) abilities they may have never known they had.

Our programs are all delivered by volunteers who are led by staff, and include:

Ski & SnowboardCurling Archery Cycling KayakingDragon Boating SailingRowing YogaYouth swimming lessons Special events, and more!

Don't miss this fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity!