Our Team

The WAS Volunteer Team

Winter

The diversity of our all volunteer staff of instructors is part of the strength of our program.  We invite intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders to join our instruction team.  You must have your own indemnifiable equipment.  We require three days of pre- season training in addition to nine full days of volunteer instruction.

Besides the pre-season training, clinics will be offered throughout the season for instructors to refine their skills and they are expected to attend a minimum of four clinics. WAS strongly encourages, and subsidizes, the instructor certification process. To date, over 75 WAS snow sport instructors have been certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America/American Association of Snowboard Instructors. We are extremely proud of these successes.

Our instructor to student ratio is a minimum of one to one, and often other instructors work as assistants to the lead instructor on beginner lessons.  First year instructors are not assigned the lead instructor position on a beginner lesson.  Instructors work with students to teach them alpine snow sports or improve their skills while adhering to our motto of SAFETY, FUN and LEARNING!

Our junior instructors are at the heart of our adaptive snow sport program. The minimum age for a junior instructor is 14.

If you are able to commit the amount of time required and would like to join our team, please call us at 434-325-2007 or contact us .

*UPDATE* 3/19/12 :

If you would like to become a snowsports instructor, we will be recruiting for a limited number of positions from September 1 through November 1.  Please fill out an online application during that time period.   To join our volunteer instructor crew you must:

• Have your own skis or snowboard
• Skiers need to provide a binding release check each season
• Have intermediate level or above skiing/riding skills
• Attend three days of preseason training
• Volunteer nine full days during the season (Dec 17 through March 10)

The first mandatory training date for all new recruits will be at Wintergreen Resort on November 3.  The second and third weekends of December will be dedicated to training on snow.  We are most in need of instructors who can volunteer during the week.

Summer

At the conclusion of the 2009 summer boating season, WAS had 40 volunteer kayaking and canoeing instructors on staff. Of these, 13 are American Canoe Association certified river kayak instructors. An additional 19 volunteers  had received training through the American Canoe Association Adaptive Paddling Workshop and 24 are trained in swift water rescue, wilderness first aid, wilderness rescue and CPR.

Intermediate to advanced kayakers and canoeists are invited to join our summer staff. Paddlers must have their own equipment. As our program is still in its early years, exact training requirements and commitments are still being developed.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Extra hands are often needed for our special events, the Wounded Warriors Winter Sports  Weekend, the Wounded Warrior Golf Events, and the Mardi Gras Celebration.  You need not undergo special training or give us a minimum number of days to be a Special Events Volunteer.  If you would like to be a part of our organization as a volunteer, contact us.

The WAS Team Board of Directors

As a non profit 501(c)3 corporation, WAS is governed by a 16 person Board of Directors.  The current officers of the board are:

Cliff Zapf-President

Tom Brown-Vice President

Jim Garrison-Treasurer

Carrie Brown-Secretary

Tom Brown- Interim Executive Director

Other Board Members are:
Rick Souder, Andy Stamp,  David Kessmann, John Maine, Barbara Rios, Jay Roberts, Samuel Shaver, Eloise Strand, Scott Wiggins and Chris Ziegler