Skip to main content

Accessibility menu

Skip to main content Skip to footer

Mentor information

A page within Center on Disability Health and Adapted Physical Activity

Center on Disability Health and Adapted Physical Activity: Living well with disability through an active and healthy lifestyle.
A girl snowshoes with two Mentors at Myrick Park.
A boy and his Mentor pause from playing at the park.

The Physical Activity Mentoring Program for Persons with Disabilities offers university students a meaningful service opportunity. Mentors are students from any area of study who are interested in obtaining experiences with children or adults with disabilities. Knowledge in or previous experiences working with persons with disabilities is not required. Mentors do not need to be skilled in sports or physical activities to be successful in the program.   

Mentoring Requirements

A minimum of two hours a week for 8 consecutive weeks, although many mentors continue longer. Carry a cell phone while in the program. Have fun, be reliable, and provide a valuable friendship to your mentee.           

What types of physical activity can be done in the program?

Physical activities are planned to meet the interests and needs of the mentee. They depend on age, interest, goals and ability of each mentee. Activities can take place on campus at the Eagle REC center, Mitchell Hall, the YMCA and off-campus at parks, trails, pools, skating, bowling or other sites.    

Take a look at the website for more ideas! Resources for Mentoring 

Transportation: 

Parents/Guardians are responsible for transportation to physical activity sites. Mentors may NOT transport mentees in any program activity. Insurance regulations do not permit this. Mentors may travel a maximum of 10 miles to meet mentees for activities. Mentors can meet mentees in their homes or physical activity sites. Mentors and mentees can walk or bike to activity sites. 

What are group wellness/physical activity outings?

Physical Activity outings provide an opportunity for mentors and mentees to meet for a group activity. Past outings include hiking, sledding, rock wall/ropes course, fishing, swimming, and bowling. Outings are planned by the program staff and are usually scheduled on weekends. Parents are encouraged to attend.

Application Materials & Forms

Every Mentor must complete and submit a mentor application. Each applicant must pass a criminal background check.  It the mentor is neither first aid or CPR certified, we will provide a few instructional video's. Please email us at mentorprogram@uwlax.edu for information about first aid and CPR training. Each applicant must also attend a training session with the program coordinators.