Helping us provide adaptive climbing opportunities
Helping us provide adaptive climbing opportunities
Volunteering with CACS
Canadian Adaptive counts on passionate and engaged volunteers. From admin to climbing we rely on individuals with diverse skillsets. We have found that the most effective combination of healthcare and technical climbing knowledge allows us to offer engaging climbing sessions.
We typically bring together people who work in health care with competent and experienced climbers, sometimes people who have both, to make sure everyone feels encouraged, safe and that the level of challenge is just right. We strive to have program ratios of 3 volunteers per 1 client.
Volunteer Roles
We have developed two primary roles for our climbing programs; ground crew and wall crew. These roles work together to ensure that the climbing experience is authentic, unique and inclusive, and safe.
The Ground Crew are either our newest volunteers, or most likely those who have a profession in health care: rehab, nursing, therapy, etc. The ground crew has knowledge of human mechanics and movement, allowing us to ensure that we can problem solve adaptive solutions for each of our clients. In addition these people can help in mitigating any injuries, help with warming up, stretching, and cooling down. Most importantly, these volunteers build trust and help in navigating fear.
The Wall Crew are either volunteers who’ve been with us a little longer or are skilled climbers. Their role is to support our clients on the wall, with coaching, and with supporting the journey both up the climb, and back down to the ground.
Our ratios for programs aim for a minimum of 3-1 to ensure that there are plenty of folks to give encouragement, spot problems and keep safety front of mind.
Ground Crew
Helps fit and equip climbers with the necessary gear, gives assistance to participants from the ground in the form of coaching and belay. These folks are often times Rec climbers and healthcare professionals who are passionate about helping you get the most out of your climbing experience.
Rigging Crew
This role is the most important during our climbing programs. These people are either our employees, board members, or highly qualified volunteers.
These are the people with the big picture in mind, ensuring all climbing systems are safe, and that everyone involved in the climbing experience is supported and kept safe.
We ensure that anyone doing this role is trained according to our standard, which meets and exceeds industry standard.
Admin/Media/Fundraising
If you have a particular expertise that could support our administrative functions, media, and fundraising, and you think you’ve got some time to share, we’d love to hear from us. We are a small team, and there are only so many hours in a day.
If you love what we are doing and want to contribute to the strategic priorities that we’ve set, please reach out.
Ground Crew
Helps fit and equip climbers with the necessary gear, gives assistance to participants from the ground in the form of coaching and belay. These folks are often times Rec climbers and healthcare professionals who are passionate about helping you get the most out of your climbing experience.
Wall Crew
You will often see these folks climbing alongside you or in our counterbalance chair where they can take photos of your ascent, help with wayfinding and hold selection, and giving encouragement as you progress up the climb.
Rigging Crew
Our vetted and highly trained riggers are the folks who set up the systems we use and ensure that it provides a safe climb. These folks are climbing professionals who work at height and know the ropes. We work with ACMG guides, Climbing Gym Staff, and experienced climbers who are familiar with the technical details of our system and program.
Admin/Media/Fundraising
We get amazing help with all things not climbing from folks who believe in what we do and want to help grow adaptive climbing to its full potential. From web designers, social media influencers, event planners, grant application gurus, photographers, film makers. Some of whom climb and some who just love what we do.
How to get involved
Interested in helping with CACS as a Volunteer?
We have a great survey that lets us know how your awesome skills can help us become even better.
Come out and view an upcoming event and have a chat with one of our other volunteers. Just fill out the contact form and one of our program coordinators will get in touch with you to let you know about our next event.
As a registered NFP we rely on donations (in kind/ monetary): federal, provincial and private grants, as well as event funds. If you love what we do but can’t spare the time, consider a donation.
Why get involved
Everyone’s motivation is different and the reasons to volunteer are numerous, but here is what we think it is all about.
I think CACS’s vision is spot on. As long as a climber who is open to creativity and flexibility, there’s a way to get them on the wall (or on rock) and achieve their own personal climbing goals. As the program continues to grow, it will be exciting to see the shift in mindset from the community; from “there’s no way I could ever climb”, to “let’s find a way to make it happen”.
“I enjoy both the physical and mental challenges of climbing, as well as the comradery and friendships I developed through being a part of the CACS. I encourage people to step outside their comfort zones and work to overcome their unique personal challenges.”
“Through CACS, I’ve rediscovered a whole new way to appreciate and love this sport. You get to be around some incredible folks that are strong and committed to pushing their comfort zone, irrespective of their physical abilities. That’s the kind of stoke and passion I want to surround myself with and be inspired by, and CACS gives me an opportunity to experience that.”
“I got involved with CACS because of previous involvement with adaptive skiing (CADS). as a new climber, I wanted to know what might be for this sport as well, and was lucky to find Brent and CACS. My favourite thing about adaptive climbing is the attitude that anyone can get on the rock and give it a go, because the pleasure of the outdoors is and should be accessible to everyone, you just need to figure out how.”
“One of the reasons that originally drew me towards volunteering is the creativity and dedication that is involved in making the sport of climbing accessible to all abilities. An enormous amount of time and effort is placed into the organization by the programming team and volunteers, which is evidently driven by their compassion for others and love for the sport. ”