Enjoy a Unique Experience and Develop Valuable Skills in Rocky Mountain National Park
2026 High School Leadership Corps (HSLC) Member/Mentor applications are now OPEN! Interviews are expected to start in early March, with decisions being made on a rolling basis.
HSLC Crew MEMBER Job Description – Apply Here
HSLC Crew MENTOR Job Description (intended for returners only) – Apply Here
Summer 2026 Session Dates:
- June 16 – June 26
- July 14 – July 24
- July 30 – August 4 (Returners ONLY)
Program Overview
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy is excited to announce the High School Leadership Corps (HSLC) will host three session in 2026. This unique program will provide 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.
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, RMC, and nonprofit staff. Service work will be related to trail maintenance, habitat restoration, wildfire mitigation, and/or 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.
Our goal is to create inclusive opportunities for youth to engage in public lands stewardship, build community, gain real-world skills, and discover their potential as leaders.
Program Details
The HSLC 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 27 youth (Currently enrolled High School students between the ages of 14-17) 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)
Returning members are encouraged to consider serving as an HSLC Mentor.
The Conservancy will also select up to 4 returning youth (currently enrolled high school students between the ages of 14-17) to serve as mentors to their crews. Crew mentors work along the HSLC staff team to support the incoming crew members by sharing their experience and serving as a peer-leader to the crew. These individuals will receive additional leadership training and opportunities during the session.
Mentors will receive a $600 stipend upon successful completion of the program. Additionally, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy provides housing (camping), work clothing, boots, and gear for the experience.
