The following are our most commonly asked questions. If you have not already done so, we also require you to take a read through our Volunteer Manual. This will help you familiarize yourself with our organisation and volunteering roles.
How can I prepare myself to volunteer with RMA?
Training is provided at the start of each season in order to prepare you for your volunteer role. Training is fun and informative. All volunteers must take part in training every 3 years, and it is optional the years in between.
I like to ski, can I just volunteer in the winter?
Yes. Volunteers can donate their time to RMA as little or as much as they want. We do not require a minimum amount of hours for volunteering. We have many volunteers who choose to volunteer one seasons but not the other. Volunteers who are interested in skiing or snowboarding may sign up as a Ski/Ride Buddy. Buddies are ski or snowboard volunteers who help our guests around the slopes of Sunshine Village. The guests may need help putting on ski gear, loading & unloading chair lifts, getting up when they fall, or guidance as to the best slopes to go on according to their needs. During the winter months, we also have many opportunities to help our sit skiers, which may require the use of multiple volunteers. To find out more about what we do in the winter, please click here…
What do I need to bring as a Ski/Ride Buddy?
If you are volunteering as a ski or snowboard buddy at Sunshine Village (or another resort), you will need to provide your own ski or snowboard equipment and a helmet. We also recommend you bring the following: warm layers, ski jacket & pants, lunch/snacks/drink. You will be provided with a lift ticket and information about collecting this ticket will be provided to you prior to your volunteer day.
Do you provide training?
Yes, we comprehensive training in November – March (Winter training Sessions), and June – July (Summer Training Sessions). Please login to Better Impact to learn our current volunteer training dates. Volunteers must take part in a training sessions prior to their first volunteer date (some exceptions apply). Training sessions must be completed every 3 years, and is optional in between.
Do you provide lunch?
Unfortunately, unless stated, we do not provide lunch for all day volunteer roles. We recommend bringing a packed lunch with you for roles that last over lunch time. Breaks are always provided during the lunch period.
Is there a minimum requirement for volunteering with RMA?
No, there is no minimum requirement for volunteering with us! We have individuals who volunteer for us very regularly and some who may volunteer once per year. Once you are signed up to volunteer, you will receive our bi monthly emails which will let you know about the latest volunteer opportunities. You can also check out your Opportunities Calendar in Better Impact and sign up for whatever you are interested in!
Do I have to buy a lift ticket for volunteering as a Ski Buddy?
No. If a lift ticket is required for your volunteer role and you do not have one, we will provide one for you. Once you have signed up for a volunteer role at a ski resort, please send us an email to let us know you require a lift ticket. Most of ski and snowboard volunteer roles are located at Sunshine Village. Volunteer lift tickets may be picked up at the ‘General Offices’, located up the stairs of the building to the left of the gondola. Likewise if you already have a seasons pass please let us know so we can offer lift tickets to those who don’t have access to a seasons pass.
I am learning to ski, can I volunteer?
For those interested in volunteering with our ski/snowboard programs, we generally require a strong blue runner level, in order to be able to volunteer in these positions. If you are not sure if you are a good enough skier or snowboarder, please get in touch and we can chat about your capabilities. While many of our guests may only be comfortable on Green Runs, we still require you to be a stronger ski/snowboarder just in case you ended up on a steeper slope.
I enjoy kayaking, is there a volunteer role for me?
In the summer, there are many different ways to volunteer, including kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, tennis, golf, frisbee golf, swimming, hiking, and more! Many of these roles will be part of our summer programs (multi week programs for kids and young adults) and our camps (1 or 2 activity based days for specific ages ranges), as well as lesson and experience requests from our guests. You can find out more about what we offer in the summer here…
I don’t have a car, can you give me a ride?
For volunteers who do not have a license or do not have a car, we would still love you to be involved. Unfortunately, due to new policies around COVID-19 we are unable to offer rides to any volunteers. We recommend visiting the RMA Volunteer Team Facebook page to see if there is another volunteer who is interested carpooling with you!
What is a Police Information Check?
A Police Information Check/Background Check/Police Certificate/Clearance is a copy of your criminal record or a statement that you do not have a criminal record. Police Information Checks are different in each country and territory and may also be called police clearance certificates, good conduct certificates, judicial record extracts or other names. For the purpose of volunteering for RMA, we simply require that you have this check done very 2 years. We are unable to accept any volunteers without a Police Background Check. To find out more about your rights in submitting a Police Check to us, please click here…
Please note that volunteers under the age of 18 years (Youth Volunteers) are not required to complete a Police Background Check. Youth volunteers are unable to volunteer without another adult staff member or volunteer present and they will only be able to sign up to volunteer on our lessons, programs and/or camps and not as ski/ride buddies.
If you are based in the Bow Valley, please request a letter from us in order to apply for a free Background Check. If you are based in Calgary, then you may apply directly online at www.policeinformationcheck.calgarypolice.ca. The cost for those applying in Calgary and surrounding areas is $15.
Do you still require a Vulnerable Sector Check if I haven’t lived here very long?
Yes. You should apply for a police clearance once you have signed up to volunteer with us. If you have moved from another province, you local police station may contact your past province/city to confirm your clearance. Or they may ask you to contact the police station in the area you previously lived. If you have moved from another country, and are unable to get a police check here, you may provide us with one from where you previously lived. If this is not possible, please contact us at volunteer@rockymountainadaptive.com. We require an updated clearance every 2 years that you volunteer for us. Once you apply to become a volunteer with us, you will need to request a letter in order to apply for your check.
What happens if I am injured while volunteering for RMA?
All volunteers who have registered with us and are signed up for a volunteer role are eligible to receive WCB (Workers Compensation Board) coverage if they are injured while actively volunteering for RMA. Volunteers are not covered on their way to or from a volunteer role. Coverage will vary depending on the activity and severity of the injury. If you are injured while volunteering for RMA, please let us know as soon as possible so we can document your injury. You will be required to complete an Incident Report Form within 24 hours of your injury.
Can I volunteer in an office role instead?
Yes! We also look for individuals who are keen to help in roles such as admin, event organisation, fundraisers, blogging, social media and more. If you are looking for a volunteer role that does not involve our outdoor sports, please check the volunteer calendar for the latest roles, or get in touch and let us know how you can help.
I have a question that hasn’t been answered here…
Please contact us and let us know any questions you may have. We will do our best to answer. There are probably other volunteers who are asking the same question, and we would like to add your questions to this list! Remember, once you have signed up as a volunteer, you will gain access to our Volunteer Manual, which contains a ton of useful information about volunteering with us.