YOUTH (14-18)
CONSERVATION CORPS
Life on Crew: What to Expect
RMYC can be an empowering and life-changing experience for many people. The experience presents you with the opportunity to be apart of a one of a kind community focused on teamwork, growth, making connections, and learning new skills. Living and working on a crew is totally immersive and, without a doubt, challenging. The relationships and skills you build, in addition to the work you can accomplish, will make it all worth it. Many people who come to RMYC have little to no experience in this type of setting, and that's okay we all start somewhere! This is a place to learn and challenge yourself. We only ask you to have a passion for the outdoors, an adaptable mindset, and the ability to push out of your comfort zone!
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Youth Conservation Corps provides leadership and hands-on workforce experience for Colorado residents ages 14-18. Participants serve our public lands through campground maintenance, weeding, trail work, restoration, fence building and removal, gardening, and other conservation-based projects across North West Colorado annually. RMYC offers a diverse set of skills training opportunities, including trail work, environmental restoration, and wildlife habitat management. Youth work 32 hours a week, no more than 8 hours daily.
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Living and working on a crew is a challenging and rewarding experience. On an RMYC crew, you can expect to spend 99.9% of your time outside. You will work outdoors in varied weather conditions and spend your nights sleeping in a tent. Crews run from early June to mid-August in two and four-week-long sessions, camping 24/7. Two crew leaders supervise 10 youth and facilitate education curriculum and conservation-based projects. We have mixed-gendered crews as well as a Ladies Youth Crew.
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Camp is a time to relax, unwind, play games, and get to know your fellow crew members and leaders. Camp set up, take down, cooking, and all other chores are completed as a crew. Everyone is expected to contribute. After all, camp is your home for the duration of your session!
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"The community fostered with the kids and leaders was wonderful. He told me some of the kids cried when they had to say goodbye... we heard lots of stories about silliness, making up their own games, discoveries, making dinner together. He just got home tonight, but we hope to hear more stories and feedback in the coming days"
-Parent
Rocky Mountain youth corp changed a bunch of things for me. It helped me revise how good nature is and helped me be a better person. I would 💯 % recommend this to anybody my age. The most challenging work was making trails but it was super fun. I loved the people I worked with and everybody was such a joy.
- Youth
Throughout the past two weeks, I have gained a lot from this trip. Going into RMYC I was a very lazy person and I rarely got outdoors. Working for 8 hours has made me more motivated to do productive things in my life. I learned that I am able to do difficult things and that it could be fun. I think that every time I go hiking now I will be much more appreciative of the work that goes into it.
-Youth
"My child learned that teamwork lightens the load and brightens the mood. He learned firsthand that connecting with individuals to share responsibility and passion about conservation creates a sense of hope for the earth's future.
-Parent
Schedules: A Day in the Life
Youth Conservation Crews run two- and four-week sessions. These crews will be comprised of youth ages 14-18 who will complete 32 hours of project work. On your recreation weekends, you re-supply groceries, shower, relax, and adventure! You will arrive on crew the Sunday of your session, head to camp set up, and prep for the week ahead!
6:00 AM
Breakfast
The crew gets up at 6 am to prepare breakfast and lunch for the day. All the food is communal but everyone makes their own breakfast and lunch. Generally, crews take 30 minutes to eat and pack their food before beginning kitchen cleanup. After dishes are done, and food is stored safely, people take time to brush their teeth, fill personal water bottles, and make sure their day packs are ready to go for the workday ahead!
7:30 AM
Commute to Worksite and Stretch and safety
The workday starts with a stretch/warm-up circle followed by a safety briefing on the day's work.
Commutes from camp to work count as part of the 8-hour workday and are project dependent. For some projects, you may drive to the work site, but more commonly you will be hiking. Hiking distances range from a few minutes to 8+ miles carrying personal items and tools. RMYC completes front-country and backcountry projects, and your commute may include backpacking with personal camping gear and group gear/food to a backcountry campsite. Once we arrive at the site, we will get to work right away.
10:30 AM
15-minute Break
Usually, around 10:30 crews will take a 15-minute paid break to sit down and refuel with snacks! Crews get two 15-minute breaks per day.
12:30 PM
Lunch Break
Crews take a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.
2:15 PM
15-minute Break
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4:00-5:00 PM
Arrive Back at Camp
The crew will leave the worksite with enough time to commute back to camp. On the last day of the project, crews are allotted 30-minutes as part of the workday for tool maintenance. The work is done for the day, and people usually take some personal time before dinner to relax, read, go for a swim, etc.
6:00 PM
Dinner
Crew members take turns cooking dinner for the entire crew each night. Everyone will eat together, and then clean up together including dishes, trash, grey water, and food storage.
7:30 PM
Extras
Occasionally you may be asked to stay present with the crew after dinner for things like group debriefs, educational activities, or miscellaneous camp chores. Everyone is expected to participate.