Client
Answers
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1.
What does SPLORE stand for and what does the organization
do?
SPLORE originally stood for Special Populations Learning
Outdoor Recreation and Education. More recently, the goal
of SPLORE is to involve "people of all
abilities" in all programming and 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".
A non-profit organization founded in 1979, SPLORE is a
leader in providing outdoor recreational adventures for
people of all abilities, especially children and adults
with a wide range of disabilities and specialized needs.
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2.
Whom does SPLORE seek to serve?
The aim of SPLORE is to serve individuals of all abilities,
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. SPLORE also serves at-risk youth and those
with financial hardships, as well as a variety of other
circumstances.
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3.
What types of outdoor adventure programming does SPLORE
offer?
During the summer months, SPLORE offers single and multi
day river rafting trips, and half day canoeing and rock
climbing programs. Past winter programs have included
cross country ski lessons and dog sledding trips.
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4.
How much do the programs cost?
The cost of SPLORE programs is determined by a three-level
sliding fee scale based on household income. In order
to provide activities at the lowest possible costs, individuals
who fall into certain income brackets can qualify for
a SPLORE scholarship, which generally covers up to 70
percent of SPLORE program costs. Nearly all SPLORE participants
receive some sort of a SPLORE scholarship.
To find out if you qualify for a scholarship, fill out
and submit a Scholarship
Application, and either fax or email back to
SPLORE. To find out about general program fees, with or
without a scholarship, contact Susie at 801.484.4128 or
by email at susans@splore.org.
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5.
How do I sign up for an outdoor activity with SPLORE and
who do I contact to get more information? Do you offer
online reservations?
Contact the SPLORE office at (801) 484-4128 or email to
splorestaff@splore.org
with questions or to reserve a trip. SPLORE is not currently
set up with an online reservation system. However, once
a trip has been booked through the SPLORE office, secure
online program payments can be made by clicking here.
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6.
How many clients can attend a SPLORE activity? Is there
a minimum or maximum number of clients for each program?
For Northern Utah programs, Rock Climbing and Canoeing,
the minimum number of participants to book a lesson is
7 and the maximum is 12 to 16. For Southern Utah programs,
Rafting and Canoeing, the minimum of participants to book
a trip is normally 12, 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. The above numbers include all agency staff
and volunteers that participate on the trip.
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7.
Do I need to bring my own gear for SPLORE trips or will
they provide it?
For overnight rafting trips, participants must bring their
own toiletries, a change of clothes and personal belongings,
including: a sleeping bag, tent (if desired), sleeping
pad and a water bottle. 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.
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8.
How do I keep my belongings from getting wet on a river
rafting trip?
SPLORE provides dry bags to all participants on river
rafting trips. These uniquely designed bags will keep
your belongings from getting wet.
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9.
Are meals provided during SPLORE trips?
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
gourmet 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.
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10.
Where do the SPLORE outdoor activities take place?
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 in various locations in both Big and
Little Cottonwood Canyons near Salt Lake City.
Dog Sledding: Overnight trips take place in Jackson, Wyoming.
River Rafting: Overnight trips take place on various stretches
of the Colorado, Green, and Yampa Rivers.
Details about the location, duration, and specific activities
of each trip can be found on the Web site, by clicking
on Programs and then clicking on each individual program.
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11.
Does SPLORE provide transportation to activity locations?
If program participants cannot make their own arrangements,
transportation may be available upon request by calling
the SPLORE office at (801) 484-4128.
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12.
What is the level of difficulty of rapids on SPLORE river
rafting trips?
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.
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13.
Will there be a licensed river guide and/or volunteers
on my rafting boat?
Every SPLORE rafting boat will have at least one trained
and licensed river guide. 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.
Boats carrying participants with demanding physical disabilities
often have one volunteer for every participant, in addition
to the river guide.
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14.
If I have a disability, how will I get on and off the
boat?
SPLORE staff will assist 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.
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15.
Where do we sleep during the river rafting trips?
Participants will sleep on the sandy banks of the river
either in a tent or under the stars based on the desires
of the participant.
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16.
Will there be a private restroom facility available during
rafting trips?
Yes. 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. It
is housed in a privacy tent.
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17.
I have medication that needs to be kept cold. What can
SPLORE do for me?
This is a situation SPLORE often deals with. Medication
that needs to be kept cold is stored between artificial
ice packs, and then placed inside an ice chest to keep
cool.
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18.
What does SPLORE do for individuals who can't stay in
the heat for long periods of time?
SPLORE will attach
an umbrella to your chair in the boat to keep the
sun off you. Volunteers will also make sure participants
are drinking enough water and have applied adequate amounts
of sunscreen. Participants are also encouraged to take
a swim in the river when conditions warrant.
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19.
Do the boats ever flip during rafting trips? If so, what
do I do?
Boats flip very rarely on SPLORE trips. However, due to
the inherent nature of river rafting, boat flips can happen.
SPLORE river guides and volunteers provide a river safety
talk about what to do in case a boat flips. In addition,
licensed river guides and volunteers undergo special training
about what to do when a boat flips.
On the rare occasion that a boat has flipped in the past,
guides and volunteers usually have the boat flipped right
side up and the participants back inside the raft within
minutes. Participants should stay calm during these occurrences
and promptly follow the directions of the guides and volunteers.
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20.
I Have a disability, can I bring my friends and family
along who do not have a disability?
Yes. Anybody regardless of their ability level is welcome
on SPLORE trips. We encourage friends and family to accompany
you on your trip.
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21.
Does SPLORE offer or arrange for care providers for clents
who need them? Can a family member or friend be a care
provider?
Yes, SPLORE can arrange for qualified volunteer care providers
in most cases. Please check with SPLORE well in advance
of your trip to submit your request. And yes, family members
or friends can also attend a trip as care providers. The
family member or friend pays the same rate as the disabled
participant.
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22.
Is there an age requirement to go on a SPLORE activity?
SPLORE requires participants to be at least 5 years old
and 50 pounds minimum in order to participate.
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Donor Answers
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1.
What
kind of donations does SPLORE need?
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 stocks and securities.
For a full explanation of each donation type, click on
the Contribute/Events
link on the SPLORE Web site.
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2.
How will my donation be used?
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, merchandise donations from sponsors
are used as prizes and auction items at SPLORE fund-raising
events. And third, donations dealing with cars, real estate
and other merchandise are sold to raise money for SPLORE
programming.
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3.
Who do I contact about making a donation? Do you accept
on line donations?
Contact SPLORE executive director John Librett at 801.484.4128
x 5, or e-mail SPLORE at donations@splore.org.
For on line donations click
here and it will take you to a secure site
to make your donation.
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4.
What percentage of your budget is administrative costs
or overhead?
In 2006, SPLORE budget equaled 4% in administrative, 19%
in fundraising (events and general) and 77% in general
programming.
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5. Is SPLORE a 501(c)3 organization?
Yes.
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6.
What percentage of the budget is derived from Federal
or local funding sources?
Currently none.
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Volunteer Answers
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1.
How do I find out about SPLORE volunteer opportunities?
Who do I contact to get involved?
SPLORE volunteer opportunities are explained on the Web
site under the Volunteer
link 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. Please note that all
program volunteers must attend training
which usually occurs in May to become qualified as a program
volunteer.
Also be aware that as of January 2005, all new program/careprovider
volunteers will need to provide a background report before
working with SPLORE clients.
Contact SPLORE at (801) 484-4128 or e-mail volunteer@splore.org
to find out more about volunteer opportunities, or for
information on how obtain a background report.
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2.
What type of experience do I need to volunteer with SPLORE?
No experience is usually 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 especially 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.
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3. Does SPLORE provide training for its volunteers?
Yes. Training is provided and 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, click on the "Volunteer
Training" link on the Volunteer page.
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4.
How many volunteers can participate on a SPLORE activity?
That depends on the program - some have lots of space
and some have very little. Volunteers should look at the
master 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. 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 master 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.
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5.
Is there a cost for Agency staff / Agency care providers
to attend a SPLORE activity with an Agency's clients?
Agency staff
/ Agency care providers pay the same rate as
the client.
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6.
Is there a cost for SPLORE volunteer guides / swampers,
SPLORE general support volunteers, or SPLORE volunteer
care providers?
There is no cost to SPLORE volunteers for Northern Utah
Programs, Rock Climbing and Canoeing. For Southern Utah
Programs, Rafting and Canoeing, if you are one of the
volunteers who have signed up as a necessary volunteer
for a particular trip, there no cost for volunteer guides
/ swampers, and there is a only a small fee for general
support volunteers and volunteer care providers to help
cover the costs of meals. If all the volunteer spots have
been filled, you may still attend as a paying participant
if space is available. Please contact the SPLORE office
for volunteer fees for a particular trip, or to sign up
as a paying participant.
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7.
If I volunteer on a SPLORE river rafting trip, do I need
to provide my own transportation? What do I need to bring?
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, tent (if desired), sleeping pad
and a water bottle. If volunteers do not own these items,
they are available to borrow from SPLORE. All meals are
provided on trips.
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8.
Even if I don't have a disability or a specialized need,
can I participate in a SPLORE trip anyway?
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.
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