Volunteers needed to help teach disabled skiers

In January, Maine Handicapped Skiing will begin its 30th winter season of offering adaptive skiing and snowboarding lessons at Sunday River to people with physical disabilities.

The nonprofit organization currently serves more than 400 children and adults from throughout Maine, New England and beyond. To answer the growing demand, MHS will expand and increase its program offerings at various Alpine and Nordic resorts this winter and is looking for additional volunteer instructors.

Alpine skiers, snowboarders and Nordic skiers who are intermediate or advanced are trained in adaptive techniques, equipment and instruction, and work assisting with individuals with broad-ranging disabilities. Lift tickets are provided at no cost by the host resorts to volunteers and participants.

Volunteers must provide their own equipment and are asked to commit to three days of preseason training, most of which occurs in November and December.

To learn more, go to www.skimhs.org or call 824-2440.

Grant deadline Dec. 1 for Teens to Trails program

Teens To Trails is offering grants for high school outing clubs. Established in 2008, the program exists to help start new outing clubs. The grants, around $500 each, help teenagers engage in outdoor pursuits and help clubs buy outdoor gear, travel to remote destinations for camping or hiking trips, and take courses in outdoor survival.

Applications are due Dec. 1. For more information, go to www.teenstotrails.org.