The Young Adult Patroller (YAP) Program is an innovative and fun-filled program for men and women ages 15-18 who are still in high school. The purpose of this program is to educate and develop those young adults with an interest in the ski industry and ski patrolling by providing an atmosphere that encourages fun, physical fitness, leadership, injury prevention, health and safety education, and personal growth.

YAP’s are registered members of National Ski Patrol and are held to the same standards as full, adult patrollers. Time commitments vary based on individual mountain requirements, but YAP’s are fully involved in day to day mountain operations including opening procedures, trail maintenance, emergency care, etc. In order to learn and master the many aspects of ski patrolling, YAP’s must dedicate lots of time to practice, studying, and skiing.

By participating in the YAP Program, students will train in Outdoor Emergency Care, Skiing/Snowboarding Skills, Toboggan Handling, Mountain Travel and Rescue, and other disciplines practiced by all ski patrollers across the country. In addition to working and training with full patrollers at their mountain and the SNY region, YAP’s have the opportunity to participate in many training events throughout the year exclusive to YAP’s within the region. The culmination of training with other YAP’s across the SNY region comes with participation and competition at the Eastern Division Young Adult Patroller Seminar every year.

Ask any YAP, past or present, and they will certainly tell you that participating in this program was one of the highlights of their teenage years. The skills and leadership abilities gained in this program aid all former students in succeeding in future careers whether they go on to become a full-time ski patroller, teacher, or businessperson. Finally, any YAP from Southern New York will be able to tell you the importance of rule number 1…HAVE FUN! Participating in this program will provide you with friends for a lifetime and good memories you will never forget!

For more information or to join the YAP program, speak to the Ski Patrol Director at your local mountain. You can also email the SNY Region YAP Advisor Steve Reich at coachreich70@gmail.com for more information.

Please refer to the region calendar for upcoming YAP Events.

To view the Eastern Division Young Adult Patroller Program site, click this link:
http://nspeast.weebly.com/yap

To view pictures from the SNY YAP OEC Clinic at Mt Peter on 1/11/14, click this link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/122625604@N05/sets/72157643615885544/

To view pictures from the SNY YAP Overnight Clinic at Belleayre on 2/23-24, click this link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/122625604@N05/sets/72157643616291835/

To view pictures from the Eastern Division YAP Seminar at Sugarloaf, 3/14-17, click the following links:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/122625604@N05/sets/72157643673439645/
https://plus.google.com/photos/109964741770244799073/albums/5995452466094952049?authkey=COK9mvjCwfyHSA