In search of volunteers for Northland Adaptive Recreation programs

Northland Adaptive Recreation is looking for volunteers to help with their summer adaptive recreation programs and there is a wide range of activities to choose from. You must be at least 16 years old to volunteer.

These activities are not possible without volunteers. If interested, please contact Northland Adaptive Recreation at InfoNAR@mdfoundation.org

Beach/Kayak Clean Up Day: Wednesday, May 21, Volunteers needed:  5-10
*Time commitment: You can volunteer for one hour, or the whole time (10:00 am – 2:00 pm).
UMD Boat Shed on Park Point  We need your help to get our kayak center ready for the summer! Mother nature makes a nice mess every winter with sand and debris washed up from the lake. Tasks will include general kayak clean up and maintenance, clearing the boardwalk/removing sand and debris. A strong back, shovel, and work gloves helpful.

Fishing Tournament: Saturday, May 31, Volunteers needed: 25
Held at Island Lake, this relaxing day on the water fishing is designed for youth (with parent) and adults with disabilities. No angling experience necessary to volunteer, ability to take a picture with a cell phone, and tell a good fish story might come in handy! Volunteer needs include boat guides, pontoon drivers, dock helpers, registration table greeters, and onshore helpers. This day on the water fishing is part of the larger 2025 Never Surrender, KOLAR ALS Fishing Tournament to benefit the lives of those living with ALS.

Adaptive Mountain Biking, Saturday, July 19, Volunteers needed: 10
Held at Spirit Mountain, this day of providing adaptive mountain biking experiences for people with disabilities from around our community is part of the larger Bike Duluth Festival Home | Bike Fest Duluth (bikeduluthfestival.com). Mountain bike experience is required, and you need to provide all your own equipment. Individual lessons and small group rides generally happen throughout the day. Volunteer for a 4-hour block of time in the morning, afternoon, early evening or the join the fun for the entire day of fun and camaraderie!

27th Annual Shoot for Fun: Saturday, Sept. 6,
Volunteers needed: 125   GROUP & INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Held at the beautiful Old Vermilion Trail Hunting Preserve & Sporting Clays, this unique fundraising event is the largest recreational sporting clay event in Minnesota – drawing over 500 participants and 125 volunteers – and raising over $200,000 for Northland Adaptive Recreation programs. We are asking for your help today in bringing on new business sponsorship possibilities and/or soliciting donated items for our raffle and prize tent. The day of the event (Sept. 6th) is a social, casual, and of course – FUN – way to volunteer, groups are welcome. Volunteers can “press” a button to help run sporting clay stations, collect raffle ticket sales in the prize tent, support customer parking and/or help with setting up or taking down tables and chairs. All meals are included, and volunteers receive an event t-shirt. Shooting experience is not necessary, minimum age 16 years old.
 
2025 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - Summer Program Volunteer Opportunities

Cycling: Wednesdays, June 4 – July 30 (8 classes, no program July 2)
Time commitment: we ask volunteers to commit to a minimum of 6 of the 8 program classes.
Volunteers needed: 12-15
Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30pm, Munger Trail at Riverside Park, 55 Cato Ave. Volunteers help youth and adults with disabilities learn cycling skills and build strength, explore bike trails in Duluth, and enjoy the outdoors in a safe and encouraging environment. Volunteers should have cycling experience and enjoy working with people in an outdoor, fun, and social community.
Volunteer Orientation will be on Wed, May 28 at 6:00pm.

Project Odyssey Camp: week of June 17 – 20
Northland Adaptive Recreation will be continuing our partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) this summer by hosting their Project Odyssey camp for veterans with various disabilities. We will welcome a group of 10 service men and women, plus WWP staff to provide a multitude of on-water experiences from sailing with Duluth Superior Sailing Association, Sea Kayaking, Dragon Boating, and a pontoon Harbor Cruise Tour. If you have interest in assisting with any of those activities, please contact Mark Hanna, info in signature line at bottom of Email. Morning activities generally are from 10am – 12 noon and afternoon activities are generally from 2:00-4:00pm Tuesday – Thursday.

Golf: Mondays, June 23 – July 28, (6 classes)
Volunteers needed: 6-7
Mondays, 1:00-2:30pm, Enger Park Golf Course. This program is lesson-based, where volunteers are paired with a participant and offer individual lessons catered to the abilities and experience level of the participant. Volunteers are trained on how to use adaptive equipment and how to adapt lessons to different abilities. Volunteers help students set and reach goals and celebrate their successes. This is a fun and educational program that allows you to share your love of the game and help others learn the joy of golf! Volunteer Orientation: Monday, June 16, 12:00-1:00pm

Rowing: Wednesdays, July 30 – August 20, (4 classes)
Volunteers needed: 3–6
Wednesdays, 6:00- 8:00pm, Duluth Rowing Club. Volunteers assist with basic rowing instruction to participants led by professionals with the Duluth Rowing Club. Basic rowing experience required. Volunteer Orientation: Wednesday, July 11, 6:00-8:00pm

Dragon Boating: Tuesdays, July 22 – August 12, (4 classes)
Volunteers needed: 5–8
Tuesdays,6:00-8:00pm, Barker’s Island Marina. Volunteers assist with basic paddling instruction with participants led by experienced volunteers with a local Dragon Boat Club. Basic Dragon Boat paddling experience preferred. Volunteer Orientation: Tuesday, July 15, 6:00-8:00pm

Kayak Sea Caves Adventure: Wednesday, August 6
Volunteers needed:  7-8
7:30 am–5:30pm, a full-day adventure! Volunteers assist with basic tandem sea kayak instruction to participants on this full day Sea Caves kayak adventure led by professional guides on the south shore of Lake Superior. Kayak trip experience required or volunteer in the Thursday evening regular kayak program. This is a don’t miss opportunity!

Adventure Twin Ports Kayaking: Thursdays, August 14 – Aug 28 (3 classes)
Volunteers needed:  7-8
Tuesdays 6:00–8:00pm, explore and paddle from different accessible kayak entry points around the Twin Ports. Volunteers assist with basic tandem sea kayak instruction to participants each week at different accessible kayak boat launches around Duluth and Superior. Kayak trip experience preferred or volunteer in the Thursday evening recreational kayak program.

Yoga – Summer Session: 2 options to choose from
Weeks of June 9 – July 21 (6 classes)
Volunteers needed: 3-5
Help adults living with a disability experience the benefits of yoga by practicing mind-body concepts and practical exercises. Classes are led by certified adaptive yoga instructors. Volunteers help participants experience a variety of yoga poses by adapting the poses to the participant’s abilities. No experience necessary, basic understanding of yoga concepts is helpful. Volunteers commit to one lesson per week.

• Mondays, 10:30-12:00 am, Peace Church, 1111 N 11th Ave E
• Wednesdays, 5:00-6:30 pm, College of St. Scholastica Health Science Center