Youth ranging from 8th-9th grade can participate in Trailblazers. Applications are open to youth from the Northwest Colorado region.

The Trailblazers Crew is a two-week-long entry-level volunteer program. Sessions operate incrementally, with no sessions operating the week after 4th of July, from June 8-August 6, 2026.

Member placement for the Trailblazers program is first come first served, based on residence. While we wish we could serve members from all over the world, we must prioritize applicants from counties in Northwest Colorado. If spaces are still available as program sessions near, we will reach out to applicants applying from different locations. Crews are organized by the grade a member is entering in the following school year. We strive for a balanced gender distribution.

Youth are encouraged to fill out an application, with the support of an adult as needed. Following your application submission you will receive an email with further instructions regarding the attendance of an information session.

There is a $300 registration fee for 6th-9th graders. Scholarships are available and can be accessed through the interest form.

In the first week of the session, members arrive at 8am on Monday. They will then be with their crew frontcountry camping until Thursday where they are to be picked up at 4pm. They will then go home Friday, Saturday and Sunday and will NOT be with their crew at RMYC. In the second week of the session, members arrive at 8am on Monday to pack up and get ready to depart for their backpacking expedition. Members are with their crew on expedition until Thursday. Parents are welcome to attend the award/closing ceremony at 3pm. Expect to leave headquarters by 4pm on the last day of the session.

After you apply, an RMYC staff member will reach out to you with a placement email and program information. You will also receive a registration packet, medical form, and demographic form. You must complete this packet to be accepted officially into the program. You will receive program details two weeks prior to the start of your session.

Pick-up and drop-off locations will be EITHER at our RMYC headquarters at 991 Captain Jack Drive, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 OR the Steamboat Springs Transit Center located at 1505 Lincoln Ave. You will receive specific pickup and dropoff instructions in the email sent prior to your session.

Yes! We can provide tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads as needed.

Projects change from year to year and typically consist of gardening, trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, city clean-up, river clean-up, tree planting, and many other forms of service work for our community!

Group gear will be provided as well as personal protection equipment and work shirts. Group gear includes tools, all items related to the kitchen, and medical supplies.

A Gear list for YCC Trailblazers (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mrMCz2WtTLgvvYFT1w10Pqp_c6rQbsQD/view?usp=drive_link)can be found here.