The Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) are applicable for all Splore participants. A qualified person is one who can meet the EEC for participation in the trip activity. If an applicant is unable to meet certain criteria, we may be able to assist him or her with reasonable accommodation unless it alters the fundamental nature of the trip or compromises the health and safety of participants or guides.
General
In order to participate on a Splore trip, each individual must meet the following essential eligibility criteria. Participants must:
- Be 18 years or older, or be accompanied by an adult;
- Be able to manage all personal care (including eating and toileting) and mobility independently or with the assistance of a companion (friend or family member);
- Be able to breathe independently, not require medical devices to sustain breathing;
- Be able to effectively signal or notify guides or other trip participants of personal distress, injury or need for assistance;
- If taking prescription medications, be able to maintain proper dosage by medicating independently or with the assistance of a companion;
- Be able to travel in a physically demanding, remote backcountry environment for the uninterrupted period of the trip length, which can range from one to six days. Trip conditions may vary from cold (below 32 degrees F) to hot (above 90 degrees F) depending on trip location and season and may include, but are not limited to, rain, snow, hail, uninterrupted sun, wind. The remoteness is such that it may require at minimum an hour, but perhaps in excess of 2 days travel, to reach the nearest road and advanced medical care;
- Be able to move about the campsite independently or with the assistance of a companion, on trips that include overnight camping;
- Be able to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and be able to avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat-related illness, sunburn and frostbite; and
- Be able to wear all safety equipment correctly such as, but not limited to, helmet, harness, or personal flotation device.
Canoeing/Rafting
In order to participate on a Splore canoe or raft trip, each individual must meet the following additional essential eligibility criteria. Participants must be able to:
- Get in and out of a boat independently or with the assistance of a companion or guide;
- Independently turn from face down to face up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted personal flotation device (life jacket);
- Perceive, understand and respond to commands given by a guide independently or with the assistance of an interpreter;
- Exit a capsized boat, grab on to another boat or rope for rescue purposes and/or perform self rescue or cooperate with assisted rescue.; and
- Remain seated and balanced in a floating raft or canoe with the use of adaptive equipment, if necessary. Adaptive equipment cannot impede or lessen the effectiveness of the safety procedures or equipment. No one may be strapped or belted into a watercraft.
Snowshoe/Cross-country Ski
In order to participate on a Splore snowshoe or cross-country ski trip, each individual must meet the following additional essential eligibility criteria. Participants must be able to:
- Move on skis over flat to steep snow-covered terrain independently or with the assistance of a companion as required by the trip being participated in;
- Walk one to two miles on trail independently or with the assistance of a companion or with adaptive equipment.
Rock Climbing
In order to participate on a Splore rock climbing trip, each individual must meet the following additional essential eligibility criteria. Participants must be able to:
- Effectively communicate in a dialogue over a distance of up to 80 feet independently or with the assistance of a companion.
