When I joined your program, I was lost. My grades were poor, and I was on the outs with my friends, family, and fraternity. But something about being outside and doing work with my hands got me back on track. By removing such modern amenities like tv and radio and vices such as alcohol I found myself again. I gained discipline and a will to succeed that I haven't had since my freshman year in high school. Thank you for accepting me this past summer when no one else would. You in a sense saved my life and for that I am eternally grateful.
2006 Corps member

Yes my name is JC Brixey I was with one of your crews working under Megan MacNicholson I believe in the 1999 season. I'm writing you because I was just browsing through some miscellaneous Colorado links and found yours. I wanted to write to say thank you for your program and everything it taught me 7 years ago. I believe I learned not only environmental knowledge but also many valuable people and networking skills, as well as picking up an appreciation for hard work and the results it brings. I believe your program is largely responsible for getting me where I am today. I am currently a certified jet engine technician and Sergeant in the USMC but have taken the more recent job in charge of security at the American Embassy in Canada. If you have any parents looking for a recommendation or anything like that feel free to give them my email. Thank you.

In 2003 I was 17, out of high school, and looking for a job. I found you guys and you offered me a mentor position with the corps. That was probably one of the greatest positions I have held in my life. I gained so much wilderness experience and felt so much more comfortable in the wilderness because of those times spent there. That was a Summer I will remember forever. In 2004 I hit the Appalachian Trail, and walked it from GA-ME. This past Summer I walked 1100 Miles on the Pacific Crest Trail (then ran out of money ... But this coming Summer I am planning to hike the CDT from Mexico to Canada... or Mexico to CO then MT to CO...whatever happens, I'm going to attempt hiking the whole trail. I look forward to hitting Steamboat Springs and when I do I'll stop by RMYC and thank you personally. But have a Happy New Years, and best of luck to you and the crews!
--Andrew Rivers

i had to leave the crew today. my ankle just isn't fitted for climbing crumbling mountains. so i spent the day shopping for gear here in Leadville, Colorado. majestic Massive slopes tower high above the highest city in America. up beyond that are the clouds. giants that have travelled a thousand miles just to see the mountain and me. if i'm blessed, they will shed a tear upon my face. journeying giants always have something to share right before they become a part, of the mountain and me.

if i can travel with the giants then maybe i too will share everything with the mountains. that part of us all that whispers with the giants. hearing their secret tales of where it all begins, and where it all ends. and that's really all that i can think that the mountains want. to hear of the tales. to know the far away places. to be where the giants have been. to have all of these things within a windy wet whisper-distance is the humble possession of a mountain. for that brief moment when i sat with the mountain, in a place where even the trees dare not, i was able to feel that wind, or rather the wind felt me. it took my sweat, blood and tears. the giants took what i thought was mine and dashed it upon the mountain. and then those giants laid upon that mountain a blanket. while that blanket brought calm to everyone and everything that ever was and is, it also brought the mountain down. it would seem that while giants enjoy getting close whenever they can, they prefer to be alone.

peace and love,
dan Livingston
2006 Mentor

First off, I just wanted to say that RMYC was one of the most significant experiences I ever had. I will never forget the people that I met, the skills I learned, the kids I worked with, and the places I was able to visit. Being a part of the CYC was really fun as we tried to invigorate the program with increased productivity and raise the professional esteem of the program by producing a quality of work that project sponsors had not seen before. I really feel like all four of us really made a difference there. Here is a quick update on some of the things I did after leaving
Ryan Malarky
2002 Mentor

Conservation Corps crew members had this to say about their experiences:

"RMYC pulled me into my life when I was ready to toss it aside. For this I am forever grateful."

"I learned a lot this summer- things do not always go the way one should expect them to and that we all have the capacity to make the best of a situation, or dwell on our mishaps."

"Working for RMYC when I did was absolutely the best thing I could have done. MY confidence was in need of a boost. I didn't feel environmentally conscience to the point of satisfaction. The people I met this summer are some of the most open, hardworking, and honest people I have ever met. I'd go on and on, but there really isn't enough room. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow in more ways than one. The avenues that were opened this summer will continue to be pursued."

"RMYC is nothing but FUN!"

"The wide variety of people that came out to work showed me what a group like this can be like and was the best part of my experience."

"This is an amazing organization."

"RMYC has made a definite impact on my way of life"

"A fun challenge. Exhausting, Interesting, Flabbergasting, FUN."

Conservation Corps Mentors had this to say:

RMYC Conservation Corps Education Mentor - 20 years old.

Wow, I can't believe the summer is already over. It doesn't feel like it's been as long as it has, probably due to the fact that I have had one of the most rewarding experiences ever. I've done other leadership programs before, but none as satisfying as the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. When I was hired I had no idea that I was already well qualified for the job, just based on life experience, but in my head I was really thinking, "What the hell am I going to teach other people? I don't know anything." But once again, I was thrown another ball to play and it was awesome. Just the little that I do know about living has expanded my mind enough that whether it be a hands-on experience or a group discussion, I can have an impact on someone else's life, via showing them how to construct or accomplish a task or influence them by the way they view certain things. I think that those of us who are a part of or closer than most to nature, sometimes forget that there are people who do not know how to co-exist with nature. These people are the easiest to pass along knowledge to.

...Grays and Torreys (project). This was our crown-jewel of them all - the most stunning, brutal, and nerve racking due to all the people. The hike was easy and the work stellar. I built 3 bomber steps just 20 feet from the summit of Torreys. How cool is that, to be able to say? Hundreds, upon thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands of people will be walking on our work. This project really brought out the leader in me.

...[My leader] told me that she thought that I was showing leadership the whole time, because I was always working hard and doing it right. She gave me an "Exemplary Performance".

...Overall this program is awesome and I plan to return. Also, I will be telling everyone that I know about Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, and getting them to sign up.

RMYC Conservation Corps Education Mentor - 19 years old.

My summer has been well. Real well. To tell the truth, this has been the best summer of my life. I had no idea what to expect from the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps when I arrived at headquarters on May 8th at 8:00 am. Marty and I had just gotten into Colorado late the night before and had camped out at Dry Lake Campground. After waking to 3 inches of snow in my car (due to my leaving open the sunroof), I was completely immersed in the Youth Corps Life. And what a great life it is.

Since this day in the beginning, I have gone from a wide-eyed newcomer to a person who knows a lot more about a lot of different things. During the past months I have learned a great deal about myself, my abilities, and my talents. I have gained so much knowledge in the fire world and learned about our environment and the way we affect it. Other people may have taught me so much about our world, our work, and my self.

...Bottom line, I love this life. I work hard for a good night's sleep, and it feels real good. This program turns life into something so simple and enjoyable that I can hardly explain it. I have realized what I really need to survive and have learned how to live a sustainable life. And it feels real good.

Some of my goals for this summer were to become more in touch with myself and to learn as much as I could about others and myself as well. These two goals go hand-in-hand. In the beginning of last session, I spent a good deal of time meditating and thinking about a lot of different things as well as trying to think about absolutely nothing. I have definitely learned about myself and others by living with the same 20 people for an extended period. Another goal was to continue in the Wildland Fire field. This, I feel, is going to happen. We received our Red and Green Cards this summer which really made the whole crew excited. This summer got me hooked; I can't wait until the first fire that I get on.

Participating sixth grade students had this to say about their experiences at Yampa Valley Science School:

"Science camp was definitely one of the highlights of the year for all of us. Our teachers were amazed at how much you taught us."

"Science camp was a blow-out experience for me, I had a great time and learned a lot about the Colorado environment. Learning about it made me feel right at home. Meeting friends and learning new things was a fun experience. For an educational camp it was extremely fun. I like how the camp was broken up into four different blocks, Aspens, Meadows, Conifers, and Riparian areas. The Aspen block was about aspen trees and its uses for its bark, animals, and cool things about them."

"Science school was fun and educational! Learning outside was so much fun! Learning about meadows, aspens, riparian, and conifers were very interesting. Meadows are very cool because there are things I never know about them. There are dry and wet meadows. I learned how animals, like elk, need food, shelter, and water to live."

"Fun! Exciting! Those are two of the many words to describe my visit at science school. It was fun learning outside with games and activities. I think all school should be like science school."

"The resource blocks were similar to the main classes at school, but were more fun, and they were outdoors. At the conifer block, I took samples of the three types of conifer trees. I sampled spruce trees, pine trees, and fir trees. I learned that only conifer trees have sap."

"While at science school, I had a truly amazing experience. The outdoor setting brought science to life. Throughout the week, we learned many scientific facts in the resource blocks, had great personal experiences. The riparian block was one of my favorites. A riparian area consists of the area around a body of water. This area provides food, water, and shelter to animals. It naturally filters the water and sucks up nutrients."

"I've been dreaming of an outdoor classroom forever, and last week I got one. I got to learn in the beauty of Mother Nature at one of my favorite places. I got to participate in a science camp at Perry-Mansfield."

"I shall always remember the fire-spinning at fire side when the lights were low. When the lights were low, a hush crept over all of us because the fire-spinners were about to begin. A flash of light disturbed the empty darkness, and soon came more light and the fire-spinners began. Ever so slowly the lights began to spin through the vast night, becoming a blue and orange blur dancing around with the darkness. I will never forger the awesome outdoor classes (especially all the cuts and bruises from the ground we had to sit on)."

"Cabin time was a ball! In our small cabin, I got to know all of my friends better and it was a great time for relaxation. My friends and I made a hammock out of a bed sheet and then we would play on the hammock during cabin time. Another fund time I had at Science Camp was going our to the fireside camp each evening for silly sing-a-longs and interesting story telling. I enjoyed my personal experiences at science camp."

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