801.484.4128

Open For Adventure

Frequently Asked Questions

We know that with so much to offer, there are many questions. Here are some answers.

Participant Questions

  1. What does Splore stand for and what does the organization do?
  2. Who does Splore serve?
  3. What types of outdoor adventure programming does Splore offer?
  4. How much do the activities cost?
  5. How do I sign up for an activity and who do I contact to get more information?
  6. How many participants can attend a Splore activity?
  7. Do I need to bring my own gear for Splore trips?
  8. Is there an age requirement to go on a Splore activity?
  9. Are meals provided during Splore trips?
  10. Where do the Splore outdoor activities take place?
  11. Does Splore provide transportation to activity locations?
  12. What is the level of difficulty of rapids on Splore river rafting trips?
  13. Will there be a licensed river guide and/or volunteers on my rafting boat?
  14. If I have a disability, how will I get on and off the boat?
  15. Where do we sleep during the river rafting trips?
  16. Will there be a private restroom facility available during rafting trips?
  17. I have medication that needs to be kept cold. What can Splore do for me?
  18. What does Splore do for individuals who can't stay in the heat for long periods of time?
  19. Does Splore offer or arrange for care providers for clents who need them?
  20. I have a disability, can I bring my friends and family along who do not have a disability?

Volunteer Questions

  1. How do I find out about Splore volunteer opportunities?
  2. What type of experience do I need to volunteer with Splore?
  3. Does Splore provide training for its volunteers?
  4. How many volunteers can participate on a Splore activity?
  5. Is there a cost for Agency staff to attend a Splore activity with an Agency's clients?
  6. Is there a cost for Splore volunteer guides or Splore volunteer care providers?
  7. If I volunteer on a Splore river rafting trip, do I need to provide my own transportation? What do I need to bring?
  8. Even if I don't have a disability or a specialized need, can I participate in a Splore trip anyway?

Partner and Donor Questions

  1. What kind of donations does Splore need?
  2. How will my donation be used?
  3. Who do I contact about making a donation/Do you accept online donations?
  4. How can I donate online?
  5. Is Splore a 501(c)3 organization?

Participant Answers

  1. Since our founding in 1977, Splore has been a leader in providing outdoor recreation and education adventures for people of all abilities, especially children and adults with a wide range of disabilities and specialized needs. Originally, SPLORE stood for Special Populations Learning Outdoor Recreation and Education. More recently, the goal of Splore is to involve people of all abilities. So in 2005, the phrase "Special Populations" was no longer considered to be an appropriate description. Now the organization name is no longer an acronym and is simply known as "Splore". Back.
  2. Splore serves individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities and special needs. Past Splore participants have included children as young as 5 years to adults as old as 90 years with a wide range of specialized needs including individuals with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities, as well as family members, friends, and care providers. Splore also serves at-risk youth, individuals with financial hardships, as well as people with a variety of other challenging circumstances. Back.
  3. During the summer months, Splore offers single and multi-day river rafting trips, half day canoeing and rock climbing programs, horse programs, overnight camping, day camps, and overnight camps. Winter programs include cross country ski and snowshoeing lessons, and overnight yurt trips. Back.
  4. You can find our program rates by clicking here. Scholarships are available to those in need. Back.
  5. Contact the Splore office at (801) 484-4128 or email info@splore.org with questions or to reserve a trip. Once a trip has been booked through the Splore office, secure online program payments can be made by clicking here. Back.
  6. For Salt Lake programs (Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Nordic Ski and Snowshoe), the minimum number of participants to book a lesson is 8 and the maximum is 16. For Moab programs, the minimum of participants to book a trip is normally 8, and the maximum depends of the river section - which varies from 25 to much larger. You may also be able to add on to existing trips in certain situations.Back.
  7. For overnight rafting trips, participants must bring their own toiletries, a change of clothes and personal belongings, including: a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, water bottle, and tent (if desired). All other equipment is provided. If participants do not own some of these camping items, they are available to rent through Splore. Splore provides all the necessary equipment for the canoeing and rock climbing programs.Back.
  8. Splore requires participants to be at least 5 years old and 50 pounds minimum in order to participate.Back.
  9. Splore provides all meals for river rafting trips starting with a light breakfast on the first day through lunch on the final day. Splore takes great pride in providing meals on our rafting trips including such favorites as dutch oven lasagna. The canoeing and rock climbing programs, which run for three hours during weekday mornings and afternoons, do not include a meal. Back.
  10. Canoeing: Single day trips take place on the Jordan River or a local reservoir, and multi day trips take place through Labyrinth Canyon on the Green River. Rock climbing: Single day lessons in the morning or afternoon hours take place at indoor climbing walls in Salt Lake City and at various locations in both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons near Salt Lake City. River Rafting: Overnight trips take place on various stretches of the Colorado and Green Rivers. Details about the location, duration, and specific activities of each trip can be found on our calendar. Back.
  11. If program participants cannot make their own arrangements, transportation may be available upon request by calling the Splore office at (801) 484-4128. Back.
  12. The level of difficulty of rapids depends on the trip. Most Splore river rafting trips run through gentle sections of water, with most rapids ranging from Class I to Class II. The gentle nature of these rapids is such that most trips are appropriate for children and individuals of all ability levels. Splore rafting trips on Cataract Canyon and Westwater Canyon include Class III and Class IV rapids. Back.
  13. All Splore river guides are trained and licensed per Utah State Parks regulations. These individuals have experience on numerous rafting trips, as well as training in First Aid and CPR. The number of volunteers on each rafting boat depends on the number of participants and their ability levels. In addition to the river guide, boats carrying participants with demanding physical disabilities often have one volunteer for every participant.Back.
  14. Splore staff assists individuals with transfers as needed. Transfers can be done by 2 people with interlocked arms or through a multi-person sling set up. All transfers are done through consultation with the participant to insure that it is done safely and comfortably. Back.
  15. Participants sleep on the sandy banks of the river either under the stars or in a tent depending on the desires of the participant. Back.
  16. Splore understands the importance of providing restroom facilities during its trips, particularly for those with various physical disabilities. A special restroom facility, nick-named "the groover" is set up on each trip. The groover is a fully accessible toilet with rails around each side and is housed in a privacy tent. Back.
  17. This is a familiar situation for Splore. Medication that needs to be kept cold is stored between artificial ice packs, and placed inside an ice chest. Back.
  18. Splore will attach an umbrella to your chair in the boat to keep the sun off you. Volunteers will also make sure participants are staying hydrated and are using adequate amounts of sunscreen. Participants are encouraged to take a swim in the river when conditions allow. Back.
  19. In most cases, Splore can arrange for qualified volunteer care providers. Please check with Splore well in advance of your trip to submit your request. And yes, family members or friends are encouraged to attend a trip as care providers. The family member or friend pays the same rate as the disabled participant.Back.
  20. Anybody regardless of their ability level is welcome on Splore trips. We also encourage friends and family to participate in Splore activities. Back.

Volunteer Answers

  1. Splore volunteer opportunities are explained on the Web site on the Volunteer page and are listed in the Calendar. Volunteer opportunities may include helping with outdoor programs, assisting a person with a disability as a careprovider, helping coordinate and carry out fund-raising events, and other opportunities as needed. To become certified as a program volunteer, all program volunteers must attend a training related to their program. Also be aware that as of January 2005, all new program/careprovider volunteers need to provide a background report before working with Splore clients. Contact Splore at (801) 484-4128 or e-mail info@splore.org to find out more about volunteer opportunities, or for information on how obtain a background report. Back.
  2. Minimal experience is needed to volunteer with Splore, and Splore volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds. However, volunteers with expertise in any of Splore's related outdoor programs are welcome, and can help orient volunteers with less experience. Individuals with extensive experience in rock climbing, and those with a Utah river guide license are particularly needed.Back.
  3. Training is required for volunteers in each of the Splore outdoor programs. Training sessions typically take place in April and May for the summer programs, and in December for the winter programs. There is no fee for for canoeing, climbing or skiing volunteer training. A small fee is assessed for the rafting volunteer training weekend. For more information about volunteer training and training session dates, check out the Calender. Back.
  4. That depends on the program - some have lots of space and some have very little. Volunteers should look at the calendar. Each date has a note about the number of volunteers needed and/or if the main volunteer slots have already been filled. Check the Calendar as soon as possible to add your name to the trips you'd like by calling Splore at (801)484-4128. Even if the spots have been filled, volunteers may want to consider joining the activity as a paying participant on trips where there is still space available - check with the Splore office for availability and the cost if you're still interested. The most important thing for volunteers to remember is to look at the calendar to get a feel for the trips, and then call Splore to inquire about specific days / trips / opportunities / costs and to get more information. Back.
  5. Agency staff and care providers pay the same rate as the client. Back.
  6. There is no cost to Splore volunteers for Salt Lake Programs. For Moab Programs, there is no cost for volunteer guides, and there is only a small fee for general support volunteers and volunteer care providers to help cover the costs of meals. Back.
  7. Splore volunteers are expected to provide their own transportation to the Moab area for river rafting trips. If volunteers cannot find their own ride, they should contact the Splore office to see if other transportation arrangements can be made. Rafting volunteers are expected to bring all their own personal belongings, including toiletries, a change of clothes, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, water bottle, and tent (if desired). If volunteers do not own these items, they are available to borrow from Splore. All meals are provided on trips. Back.
  8. Yes. Since Splore does not discriminate against any individual or group, any person who wishes to participate in a Splore trip may do so. Family members and friends of those with disabilities often participate on Splore trips. Back.

Partner and Donor Answers

  1. As a non-profit organization, Splore utilizes a variety of donations to fund its programs. Donation types range from cash and cars, to merchandise and gear, to stocks and securities. Contact us for questions about donations, how we can pick up your donation, etc. If you would like your donation to go towards a certain program or client, let us know and we will make sure it gets there. Call us 801-484-4128. . Back.
  2. Splore uses donations in three main ways. First, cash and check donations are placed in the Splore scholarship fund to help cover program fees for participants with low incomes. Second, gear and merchandise donations from sponsors are used as prizes and auction items at Splore fund-raising events, as well as for participants going on Splore adventures. And third, donations dealing with cars, real estate and other merchandise are sold to raise money for Splore programming. Back.
  3. Contact Splore's Executive Director Janine Donald at 801.484.4128, or e-mail Splore at info@splore.org.Back.
  4. For on line donations click here and it will take you to a secure site to make your donation.Back.
  5. Yes, Splore is a 501(c)3 organization. Back.