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Be
a volunteer care provider - a rewarding helping opportunity!
Many participants on overnight SPLORE trips require the
assistance of care providers. Most often, care providers
are the staff of the particular group who have booked
the trip. But throughout the season, overnight "open
enrollment" trips are offered to disabled individuals
who may not have a care provider available to assist them
on a trip.
 SPLORE
volunteeers have the opportunity to participate on overnight
trips as volunteer care providers for
those individuals with special needs who are unable to
bring a care provider with them. A volunteer care provider
may have previous experience such as a nurse or therapist,
but prior experience is not
required - the desire and ability to help others are the
most important qualifications. Care providers play an
integral role in helping SPLORE provide accessible services.
Their support enhances community involvement and client
participation and ensures that participants with disabilities
have unsurpassed outdoor experiences. Care providers help
participants feel safe, supported and encouraged in SPLORE’s
life-enhancing experiences.
Some SPLORE multiday rafting trips are considered to be
"Special Population" trips, and any volunteer
who would like to join one of these trips must
assist as a care provider for a participant with special
needs. Such trips include Cataract Canyon on the Colorado
River, the Gates of Lodore on the Green River, and some
other designated river sections. |
Some
examples of the kind of participants who may need the
assistance of a care provider and the type of care that
may be required includes:
- Clients with sight impairment
- assist as a guide
- Clients with hearing impairment
- assist as an sign language interpreter
- Clients with cognitive impairment
- assist with keeping the participant focused and
involved in activities
- Clients with physical impairment
- possibly assist with dressing, feeding, personal
hygiene, and bathroom needs
No two participants are the same and the level of assistance
varies with each individual. |
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Volunteering as a care provider can
be a very rewarding experience, and participants
especially appreciate the help that volunteers can
provide to make their trip more accessible and enjoyable,
but volunteer care providers are not expected to
provide assistance beyond their level of ability
or comfort. |
SPLORE's goal is to arrange the most ideal care provider
so that both parties know what to expect and will experience
the best trip possible.
The most important qualifications in volunteering as a
care provider is
your desire and ability to help and support disabled participants
with what ever the needs are without either party feeling
awkward or uncomfortable. Be kind and caring, patient
and accepting!
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| If
you'd like to volunteer as a care provider for a person
with a disability, please call Susie at 801.484.4128,
or by e-mail at susans@splore.org.
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