Enjoy a Unique Experience and Develop Valuable Skills in Rocky Mountain National Park
Program Overview
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy is excited to announce the High School Leadership Conservation Corps will host two sessions in 2024. This unique program will provide incoming or currently enrolled high school students (ages 14-17) with an immersive experience in Rocky Mountain National Park. Youth will participate in conservation work experiences, front country and backcountry camping, and leadership development activities. The Conservancy hopes this experience will advance the understanding of the natural world, promote professional growth, and foster civic engagement in the next generation of public land stewards.
Program Values
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy – Leadership Corps is committed to sharing the following values with youth:
- Environmental Stewardship — Participants will develop an understanding of natural systems and an awareness of public land agencies by completing service work with current NPS, USFS, and RMC staff. Service work will be related to trail maintenance, habitat restoration, wildfire mitigation, and historic preservation.
- Personal Leadership — Participants will gain valuable leadership skills related to communication, teamwork and group management in field-based skills training sessions to foster individual growth.
- Outdoor Skills — Participants will become competent in the skills required to comfortably travel and camp in the outdoors through experiential learning opportunities while camping and engaging in programming focused on backcountry skills.
Program Details
The Leadership Corps is an immersive 11-day experience. Participants will camp in Rocky Mountain National Park, along with 4 days of backpacking in the Poudre Valley Wilderness. During the program, youth will complete service projects, participate in a variety of trainings, and camp in the backcountry. The experience will culminate with a picnic, and youth will be invited to reflect on their experience with Conservancy staff and their families.
The Conservancy will select up to 22 youth (incoming or currently enrolled high school students under the age of 18 for the summer) to participate in the program.
Participants will receive a $400 stipend upon successful completion of the program. Additionally, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy provides housing (camping), work clothing, boots, and gear for the experience.
PLEASE NOTE: This program is intended for Colorado Residents.
Information on the program can be found below:
Leadership Corps Announcement (English)
Leadership Corps Announcement (Spanish)
