The Pre-Adaptive Coach (PAC) program gives youth aged 14-18 the ability to actively participate in the New England Disabled Sports program. PAC members are given the training, responsibility, and opportunity to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others by sharing the joy of snowsports with the disabled. The PAC also gives these teenagers a peer group for social activities both on and off the slopes.

PAC members attend specially designed training covering all aspects of adaptive skiing including disability awareness, equipment use and maintenance, teaching techniques, and skiing and riding. This training gives PAC members the skills they need to teach skiing and riding to disabled and able bodied students.

PAC members are given many responsibilities to assist in the operation of the New England Disabled Sports program and Loon Mountain. Some of these responsibilities include preparing and maintaining equipment, assisting coaches, providing customer service, and exhibiting teamwork. PAC members are recognized for the fulfillment of these responsibilities.

PAC members spend the majority of their time actively assisting coaches with adaptive lessons. This allows them to apply the equipment, teaching, and adaptive snowsports skills they learned in training. Eventually, PAC members can take a lead coach role in teaching adaptive lessons.

The PAC Program provides team and personal goals and rewards for achieving them. Team goals include Customer Service Goals, Commitment Goals and Performance Goals. PAC members are also encouraged to achieve personal goals such as PAC Certifications, PSIA/AASI Certifications, and personal improvement goals. Most PAC members far exceed their goals without even realizing it.

The PAC program also gives teenagers a group of friends with similar interests, to socialize with on and off the slopes. Most PAC members build lasting friendships and visit each other throughout the year.

For more information on the PAC program, please contact Fred Law.

Check out our website at http://wmass-pac.org.