Gardner with BOEC staff and participants on the Ruby Horsethief & Westwater Heroic Military Family River trip.
From a competitive dancer in Florida to an adaptive ski instructor in Colorado, Gardner Popp, BOEC’s Volunteer/Program Coordinator, is well acquainted with change and adaptability. Originally from Tampa, Florida, Gardner started dancing at the age of three, competing with her dance team for about ten years, and continuing on with her high school and college teams. Throughout her years at the University of Florida, Gardner studied Health Education and Behavior specializing in Community Health Promotion. However, instead of pursuing a career in her field of study directly, she found her passion while volunteering for a local school in Gainesville that serves students with intellectual disabilities and an internship with an adaptive gymnastics gym. Halfway through that internship, she knew her passion was to work with people with a variety of ability levels, and this was only the beginning.
Upon completion of her Bachelor’s degree, she applied for and was accepted to the BOEC winter internship. Gardner recollects her move to Breckenridge, Colorado to join the BOEC. “I started with the BOEC as a winter intern in 2019. Both my passion for skiing and working with individuals of varying abilities grew immensely and I was hooked. Despite having my internship cut short due to the onset of COVID-19, and my following summer internship canceled, I came back as a full-time instructor for the 2020-2021 winter season.” Gardner hasn’t looked back, she has moved up from intern to instructor to volunteer/program coordinator quickly, embracing each role and dedicating her time and energy to each position she has held.
In her time with BOEC, Gardner has helped many individuals in both summer and winter seasons achieve activities they may never have thought possible. She shares an impactful anecdote,
“One specific memory that stands out above the rest is the three days I spent with Paul Gertin, a skier from Canada who has lost 99% of his vision. When first assigned to this lesson, I was intimidated by Paul’s extensive file of advanced skiing at many mountains, specifically at Breckenridge Ski Resort. Immediately after meeting Paul, he mentioned that he wanted his first day to be spent doing “warm-up” runs on Peak 10, which consists of mainly black diamond terrain. I knew then that these would be some of the most memorable days of my instructing career to date. The bond that Paul and I were able to create is indescribable. Over our time together, we built enough comfort and trust that we explored all five peaks together and even skied bowls under the Imperial chair. Paul was able to teach me so much on a personal and professional level and I will always remember this time as a milestone in my VI guiding.”
Paul Gertin with Gardner (left) and Ben Zemel, volunteer and family friend of Paul (right).
BOEC’s volunteer program is over 300 individuals strong and Gardner has not only skillfully managed the volunteers for the winter Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Program where the bulk of the volunteers give of their time, but has also worked with an increasing number of volunteers for the BOEC summer Wilderness Program. She coordinates volunteer training, scheduling, and the application process to ensure that participants and staff are well supported. In addition, she sends out communications to the volunteers to ensure that opportunities are posted and filled by volunteers with the right skills.
BOEC winter staff and interns in 2019
In her role as Volunteer/Program Coordinator, Gardner enjoys the opportunity to work closely with our dedicated team of volunteers and instructors, all of whom share a passion for making outdoor adventures accessible to all. After taking a step back from being hands-on with participants, she likes that this position allows her to remain deeply involved in programming year-round. In contrast, the most challenging part is finding the balance between being prepared for the busy times and staying adaptable when the action begins. The nature of seasonal programming and volunteer work is that there will always be last minute changes. These changes require clear communication with our volunteers and participants and flexibility to modify previous preparations.
If you are thinking about volunteering with BOEC, Gardner says,
“I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone to volunteer for the BOEC. Volunteering not only allows you to give back to the community but also broadens your perspective on what people are capable of. It’s a two-way street of learning and growth but ultimately, we learn so much more from these participants than we could ever teach them. Volunteering gives you an opportunity to witness the impact of your efforts firsthand and be a part of something bigger than yourself.”
The BOEC is special to Gardner, it embodies inclusivity and the transformative power of outdoor experiences. She describes BOEC as, “going beyond the conventional boundaries of what outdoor activities are perceived to be. It opens the door to individuals who often feel excluded in other areas of life and provides a sense of comfort, growth and community to them.” She enjoys being a part of an organization that constantly reminds and teaches her about having an open mind to what all people are capable of.
Celebrating Gardner’s birthday on a Brain Injury Alliance course.
As someone who loves the outdoors, Gardner sees one of the best aspects of the BOEC is that there are no limitations on who is served or provided outdoor experiences. She wishes more people knew and embodied the extent of this inclusive approach. Gardner shares,
“People are often so surprised to hear that an individual with quadriplegia or full vision loss can still participate in any of our activities. The BOEC is a great example of how inclusivity should be the norm, not the exception.”
Like many on the BOEC team, Gardner spends her free time outside as much as possible. In the summers, she enjoys trail running, biking, backpacking, and rafting. In the winter, she spends much of her time in ski boots, on days-off skiing in the backcountry or downhill at the resorts. Additionally, she loves to cook and dabble with a paintbrush every now and then.
We are so thankful that Gardner has not only become such a vital part of the Volunteer Program, but also for her incredible work with both the Ski and Wilderness Programs!
