SPY Team is the youth division of Willamette Pass Ski Patrol. Members of the Willamette Pass SPY Team learn how to assist in caring for injured skiers, make mountain recreation safer and more fun, help with patroller and candidate training, be a respected part of the industry, earn service hours to meet school requirements, and have fun.
In 2001, Dave and Kay Lee Brown approached the Willamette Pass Ski Patrol (WPSP), the Willamette Pass Resort, and Camp Fire USA to sponsor a Teens-in-Action Junior Ski Patrol for high school students who were 14 – 18 years old. Camp Fire USA believes in the importance of developing leadership skills and empowering youth to affect change in the communities it serves. Teens-In-Action, Camp Fire USA’s teen service-learning program is based on the idea that teens are the key to the future and are making a difference in communities nationwide. Teens-In-Action empowers teens to speak out and stand up in their communities. The youth patrol was named the SPYteam (Ski Patrol Youth).
The SPYteam program mission evolved to meet the needs of the members, WPSP, and the Willamette Pass Resort. SPYteam youth became fundamental members of the WPSP operations. Along with the SPYteam service and leadership opportunities, many members expressed an interest in gaining the advanced skills necessary to become adult patrollers. In 2010, the SPYteam was accepted as a model for the National Ski Patrol Jr. Ski Patrol program. To comply with NSP guidelines, age requirements were changed to 15–17 years old. The SPYteam affiliation was changed from Camp Fire USA to the National Ski Patrol.
The Willamette Pass Ski Patrol and the Willamette Pass Resort wholly support the SPYteam program.
As a SPYteam Patroller, you will:
- develop skills and knowledge to become familiar with the tasks and responsibilities that ski area management may require;
- learn how to assist in caring for injured skiers and riders, making mountain recreation safer and more fun;
- help with patroller and candidate patroller training;
- earn service hours to meet school community service requirements;
- be a respected part of the industry;
- and have fun.
GOALS AND PURPOSES
- Provide service to the skiing/boarding community.
- Provide services to the WPSP.
- Increase knowledge and develop leadership skills for youth members.
- Prepare youth members to qualify as adult ski patrollers.
For more information, contact our SPY Team Coordinator.
To apply, fill out the SPY application form.
National Ski PATROL SPYteam Patrol Manual pdf
To learn more about the different ski patrol jobs at Willamette Pass, visit our join page.
