United States Adaptive Recreation Center (USARC)

The mission of the United States Adaptive Recreation Center (USARC) is to teach skills, through challenging outdoor therapeutic recreation programs, that in turn open doors of opportunity to persons with disabilities.  As evidenced in participant surveys, USARC programming improves self esteem, health and well being by enabling personal achievement, developing awareness of potential and increasing the ability to overcome limitations.  These processes result in the unearthing of hope, confidence and self-reliance by USARC participants, which are in turn applied to other aspects of their lives, be that personal, professional, scholastic or more.

A recent survey of outdoor therapeutic recreation programs affirmed the USARC's commitment to provide its services at a lower cost than any of its contemporaries, ensuring financial "access".

The survey reinforces how the USARC helps alleviate poverty in low income families by delivering its services for fees that are a fraction of what the services cost.  In other words, virtually every therapeutic recreation lesson provided includes some level of scholarship, and the USARC is proud of this achievement.

Very often, people with disabilities and their families face high medical and living costs, limited employment opportunities and medical and specialized equipment expenses. Being able to participate in outdoor recreation is a real thrill and provides a boost in self-esteem including ultimately, an improvement in quality of life.

USARC's primary goal is that no person with a disability is prohibited from participating based on their inability to pay.

USARC currently offers a vast array of outdoor recreation opportunities for persons with disabilities. In Spring and Summer months, instructional programs include kayaking, water skiing, personal watercraft, stand up paddleboarding, fishing, cycling, camping and sailing. These programs are offered at Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead on a regular basis.

In winter months, based in facilities donated by Starwood Resort Group, programs include snowboarding, snow shoeing and alpine skiing. These lessons are provided seven days a week between December 1 and March 31 each year.

USARC provides six different training opportunities for volunteers. The training is mandatory and delivers information about disabilities specific to outdoor pursuits, adaptive equipment, teaching strategies, program delivery, policies and procedures and safety training.

USARC conducts two annual fundraising events open to our communities. The Peak to Peak Bicycle ride is held each October and sports a five day, fully supported bike ride from Big Bear Lake to Mammoth. In March each year, our annual ski-a-thon is hosted by Bear Mountain Resort and like Peak to Peak, attracts participants, volunteers and the community as a whole.

USARC has a proven track record of sound fiscal management and program growth. We are proud of our fiscal responsibility during these challenging financial times as evidenced by our fundraising and administrative costs at 9% in our most recent 990. USARC charges a nominal fee to participants so that no person is prohibited from participating based on their inability to pay. The organization subsidizes 76% of the actual cost of each lesson through our annual membership drive, special events and foundations such as yours.

Recognized as a national leader in outdoor therapeutic recreation and education, we are happy to report our recent program accomplishments.

Our Executive Director was selected by the United States Olympic Committee to attend the Paralympics in Vancouver in 2010 and in 2009 we were named the National Winner of the OMC Foundation's “Take 'em Boating" Award that supports marine industry environmental and educational programs. In both 2004 and 1999, USARC was given a Merit Award from the California Park and Recreation Society and in 1997, The National Safe Boating Council awarded our organization the Boston Whaler Youth Program of Excellence Award for outstanding contributions to safer boating through education.

While our primary focus is therapeutic recreation program services to persons with disabilities in the Southwestern United States, USARC staff members are recognized as leaders in the therapeutic recreation industry and consult with recreation agencies, marinas, schools and ski resorts throughout the country and world. We have most recently sent staff to training and program implementation projects in Andorra, Scotland, Thailand, New York City, Spain, Austria, Italy, Korea and France.

British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI) - BASI has contracted USARC staff over the last fifteen years to assist with the development and implementation of their adaptive ski instructor education and certification programs. This includes the development of written training materials, the education of staff, the transporting of adaptive equipment and the administration of certification events. Staff has traveled to Scotland, France, Andorra and Italy for these events.

National Ability Center (NAC) - NAC has called upon the USARC staff for their international therapeutic recreation projects. This includes a diverse array of recreation skill content including ski instructor and disabled athlete training programs in Spain and Italy and cycling, tennis, basketball and archery programs in Thailand.

Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) - This group arranges trips for UK skiers with disabilities to USARC for skiing and winter recreation. Staff exchange programs are promoted and encouraged between USARC and DSUK staff members.

Special Olympics - The USARC is a training and competition venue for winter Special Olympics sports. Staff have been selected and volunteered to serve as alpine coaches for international Special Olympic

In the past year, USARC served a total of 816 unduplicated persons with disabilities with 2,141 outdoor therapeutic recreation lessons. Of the 816 persons, 37% are female, 45% are children aged 18 and under and 22% are from female headed households. 47% of all participants resides in households with extremely low, low and low-moderate income households.

37% of participants reside in Los Angeles County, 17% in Orange County, 14% in San Diego County, 18% in San Bernardino, 7% in Riverside and 7% from other Counties, States and Countries.

The ethnic origin of participants breaks down as follows: Caucasian 47%, Hispanic 23%, Asian 9%, Black African American 3%, Asian and White 3%, Other 1%, American Indian Alaska Native and White 1% and did not specify 13%.

USARC utilizes a talented cadre of 182 volunteers who travel from throughout Southern California to assist with programs. The volunteers reside in the following counties - Los Angeles 23%, Orange 20%, San Diego 5%, San Bernardino 43%, Riverside 5% and other counties, states and countries round out the total with 4%.

USARC faces an impending move of its' program office. Plans are underway for a new base development, replacing our current 400 square foot building with an expansive, full service Base Lodge. We look forward to working with funders and Resort owners for a smooth relocation.