Volunteer Opportunities

Location: TBD

Description: Climbing volunteers will teach participants climbing techniques, rope management, and safety communication during adaptive climbing lessons. Volunteers will also set up, break down, and inventory equipment at the end of the day.

Requirements: No climbing experience is required; however, 1 day of training is required for all volunteers.

Location: Tahoe Donner's Alder Creek Adventure Center

Description: Volunteers will guide participants in a holistic adaptive equestrian experience, emphasizing horsemanship-skills, human-horse interaction, and in some cases, horse-riding.

Requirements: There are two equestrian volunteer roles - Horse Handlers and Sidewalkers. Horse handlers must know how to groom, tack, and catch a horse in pasture while demonstrating an aptitude for working with horses. Sidewalkers do not need to have extensive horse experience but must be comfortable walking and standing next to horses. All equestrian volunteers must be able to walk/jog in sand for up to two hours. 1 day of training is required for all volunteers.

Location: Various locations throughout the North Lake Tahoe area

Description: Volunteers will guide participants on accessible hikes in the Tahoe area. Some hikes will be followed by archery sessions at the same site as the hike. For archery days, hiking volunteers will stay after hiking, helping set up, supervise, and break down our portable archery range.

Requirements: 1 day of training is required for all volunteers.

Location: Obexer's Boat Company, in Homewood, CA

Description: Volunteers will rig, launch, and retrieve vessels, and instruct sailing to participants.

Requirements: There are two possible volunteer roles in the sailing program - lead and assistant instructors. Lead sailing instructors must have a current Level 1 Small Boat Instructor Certification from US Sailing or above, experience working with people with disabilities, as well as the ability to help transfer an adult participant. Assistant sailing instructors must possess strong sailing skills, including the ability to independently sail a small boat. All sailing instructors must have strong swimming skills and be comfortable in the water for extended periods of time. 1 day of training is required for this volunteer position.

Location: West End Beach on Donner Lake

Description: Volunteers will provide paddle sports instructions to our participants and their families, and chaperone tube and seadoo rides. Volunteers will also assist in the set up and tear down of the program, which includes hauling kayaks and paddle boards to and from the beach.

Requirements: All volunteers must have strong swimming skills and be comfortable in the water for extended periods of time. 1 day of training is required for all volunteers.

Do you own a boat and want to volunteer as one of our boat drivers? Contact [email protected] for more information.

Location: Wake Island Waterpark, in North Sacramento,

Description: Volunteers will fit participants into the proper gear and provide instruction in adaptive waterskiing learned through training, as well as assisting in the set up and tear down of the program.

Requirements: Prior waterski experience is not necessary; however, you must be a confident swimmer and comfortable in the water for long periods of time. 2 days of training are required for new volunteers.

Anyone over the age of 16.

Mandatory volunteer training takes place at the beginning of each program season. For snowsports, training starts in early December. For summer sports such as water skiing and paddling, training starts in May. Please check the volunteer job description for the program you are interested in for specific dates.

Training is mandatory for the safety and well-being of our participants and the experience we provide. Sometimes there is an option to find an alternate training date, but that is not guaranteed.

No! Volunteers all share a passion and commitment to increasing access to outdoor recreation for people with disabilities. You will learn the necessary skills at training.

The volunteer commitment varies based on the program. Snowsports volunteers must commit to 8 days through the winter season. Summer program volunteers must commit to 5 days through the summer season.

You will receive an email from the Volunteer Coordinator within a week of submitting your application.

No. All volunteers will complete a phone interview with a program staff member. The size of the volunteer team is limited, so if there is not space for a program during one season, you may be asked to join us the following season.

No. All volunteers must have their own, reliable transportation to arrive at each program location.

Yes! We are happy to sign off on all hours that you volunteer with the program.

Yes. Organized sport can be an environment at high risk for misconduct, including athlete physical and sexual abuse. Achieve Tahoe is committed to the safety of all those who participate in our programs. We have implemented a strong Sport Protection Policy to better protect our participants. Our Sport Protection Policy increases our community’s knowledge base, creates stronger detection and protection systems for our programs, and establishes barriers to entry for abusers. This policy is specific to all services provided directly through Achieve Tahoe, including special events, sports and outdoor recreation programs, and related activities.

In addition to the background check, volunteers are required to complete an online training course provided by US CENTER FOR SAFE SPORT. If you would like more information about these policies, click HERE.

Please email or call [email protected] or (530) 581-4161 x5.