A Life-Changing Experience: Inside the Adaptive Sports Center Internship
“If I could go back and choose all over again,” says 2025 Winter Intern Lillie Eldridge, “I would still pick this internship because it’s helped me grow a lot.”
At the Adaptive Sports Center (ASC) in Crested Butte, Colorado, interns gain hands-on experience in adaptive sports, working directly with individuals of all abilities. The internship offers a unique opportunity to develop instructional skills, enhance professional knowledge, and immerse yourself in a close-knit community dedicated to making outdoor adventures accessible to all. For 2025 Winter Intern Brayden Saunders, joining the ASC felt like a natural fit. “I grew up doing similar work, and it’s always been part of my family’s values and lifestyle,” he shares. “When I found out about a place where I could really build on that knowledge, I wanted to dive in headfirst.” Lillie, on the other hand, discovered the opportunity through her advisor at Clemson University. “I’ve always loved recreational therapy, and getting hands-on experience in adaptive sports felt like an amazing chance to combine my passions,” she explains. “I decided it was the perfect time to try something new, help people, and see a different part of the country.”
At the ASC, interns don’t just assist—they actively become instructors through hard work and training. The program ensures that each intern earns official instructor certifications, enabling them to lead adaptive skiing and snowboarding lessons. “Our biggest task,” Lillie says, “is helping with adaptive ski and snowboard lessons. Now that we’re getting certified, we’re even helping to teach.” A key part of each lesson, as 2025 Winter Intern Emma Sueppel explains, is the APIE process: Assess, Plan, Implement, and Evaluate. “We use this method every day, especially when writing notes on each participant,” she says. Remarkably, neither Lillie, Emma, nor Brayden had ever skied before joining ASC. Thanks to an intensive onboarding program, they not only learned to ski but also gained the skills to teach others. Beyond instructing, interns contribute to the behind-the-scenes operations of a nonprofit, assisting with scheduling, registrations, airport shuttles, grocery shopping, and equipment organization. These responsibilities provide a well-rounded understanding of what it takes to run an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities through outdoor recreation.
Interning at the ASC isn’t just about building technical skills—it’s about learning to adapt and connect with others. “One of the biggest things we’ve learned,” Brayden says, “is how to be flexible instructors, adapting lessons to meet the needs of each individual while making the experience fun and engaging.” For Lillie, the experience has deepened her understanding of disabilities and how to communicate effectively with participants of all ages. “I’ve learned how to motivate people and explain concepts in different ways—what clicks for one person might not for another,” she reflects. Emma emphasizes the importance of adaptability and flexibility, skills that are valuable both professionally and personally. “This internship has solidified my passion for adaptive sports and working in a community setting with individuals with disabilities,” she says.
Many of the ASC’s full-time employees started as interns and found the experience so rewarding that they made it their lifelong career. Of course, moving to a new place comes with challenges. For Lillie, homesickness was one of the toughest parts. “But it’s also been one of the most rewarding things—getting to step outside my comfort zone and grow from new experiences,” she says. Brayden encourages anyone considering the internship to take the leap. “If you’re worried about moving away, don’t let that stop you. Living somewhere new teaches you things you never imagined you’d learn.” Emma adds, “everyone here is super welcoming.” For those passionate about adaptive sports, outdoor recreation, or making a meaningful impact, an internship at the Adaptive Sports Center is more than just a job—it’s an experience that shapes futures and changes lives.
