The Rocky Mountain Youth Corps engages young people in the outdoors, inspiring them to use their strengths and potential to lead healthy, productive lives.

A season with the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps involves hard work in tough conditions, but makes for amazing memories and life changing experiences!

The Rocky Mountain Youth Corps engages young people in the outdoors, inspiring them to use their strengths and potential to lead healthy, productive lives. Through meaningful conservation projects, youth are taught responsibility for self, community and environment through teamwork, service and experiential education.

Conservation Corps

What do you believe in?

Conservation Corps—the cornerstone program of RMYC—has served up to 150 young people each year through residential, environmental conservation projects and education. RMYC offers training on a variety of trail construction/maintenance, fence installation/removal, invasive species management, fuels reduction with chainsaws, campground improvements, habitat restoration and/or historic preservation work. Successful candidates will exemplify dedication to service, a commitment to diversity, a focus on self-development, and an eagerness to thrive in a collaborative team environment. Crew Members must be between the ages of 18-25+ years old; Leaders must be 21+

2025 Crews—Applications Opening Soon!
Join Rocky Mountain Youth Corps in 2025 for an immersive outdoor experience on public lands! Applications for the upcoming year will be opening soon — check out 2024 position descriptions and view crew types here.

Strike Teams are 5-6 person crews made to complete smaller and often time more technical projects

Conservation Crews
Being part of a Conservation Crew involves spending a season living and working with a team of 8-10 people in a camping environment, completing meaningful conservation projects during the week, and exploring the beautiful outdoor spaces of the Rocky Mountains on the weekends.

During the summer season, crews will remain together 24/7 in the field either on project or doing weekend recreational travel and activities. Food, travel expenses, laundry, and showers will be paid for by RMYC. Fall season crews travel to projects, work and camp together 5-9 days at a time, and then return to the office and be off for 2-5 days at a time. Some projects/logistics may require crews to operate in a 24/7 setting summer model for a portion of the fall. During off time, you are responsible for your own food and lodging.

Spend a season completing meaningful conservation projects with RMYC.

Chainsaw Crews
Just like a Conservation Crew, RMYC’s Chainsaw Crews operate on the same model. The only difference is these crews will receive chainsaw training, and most if not all their project work will include saws. This looks like trail log-outs, habitat improvement, invasive species management, and fire fuel reduction.

Youth Corps

The Yampa Valley Science School incorporates a 5-day, 3-night science curriculum integrated with 6th grade academic standards, team building activities and personal growth experiences for the students.

Youth Corps
Youth Corps Programs provide leadership and hands-on workforce experience for youth: Service Learning Crew (ages 11-13), Ladies Crew (ages 14-18), and Regional Service Crew (ages 14-18). On any given day, an RMYC crew can be found digging new trails, building water bars, constructing trail reroutes, deconstructing old fence lines, reconstructing fence lines, rehabilitating stream habitats, and much more. You will work outdoors in varied weather conditions and spend your nights sleeping in a tent. Crews run from early June to mid-August. During the month of September, RMYC hosts the Yampa Valley Science School, which incorporates a 4-day, 1-night science curriculum integrated with 6th-grade academic standards, team-building activities, and student personal growth experiences.

Spending a season with RMYC can be a life-changing and rewarding experience. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to service, diversity, self-development, and the team environment.

Internships

Engage in valuable work experiences within natural resources management agencies and non-profits!

Natural Resource Internships
Natural Resource Internships (for those ages 16-30) are designed to engage youth and young adults in valuable work experiences within natural resources management agencies and non-profits. Interns are recruited and managed by RMYC to address priority conservation goals in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Colorado Youth Corps Association, the National Forest Foundation, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative and a growing circle of additional agency and non-profit partners. Internships allow participants to consider or advance careers and education in natural resources. RMYC provides support to all internships while the intern works under the daily supervision of the hosting public lands management agency, or non-profit.

Perks & Rewards

Good eats in the outdoors!

Conservation Corps and Youth Corps program compensation varies by position (ranging from $525-$900/week) and includes lodging, transportation, food, showers, and laundry. Certifications such as wilderness first responder/first aid, chainsaw, crosscut, and more may be provided based on the position. Internship opportunities vary in compensation depending on placement and may include additional benefits such as housing and gear stipends to cover basic camping equipment. Additionally, RMYC is an AmeriCorps program, and many positions qualify for a Segal Education Award (a sum of money to be put towards education of your choice) upon completion of the season.

RMYC also utilizes free mental health care for all participants in addition to a member assistance program that gives participants access to counseling, financial and legal assistance, and medical advocacy.

Your First Move & Connections

Join a Rocky Mountain Youth Corps crew!

Explore current job opportunities and apply online. Accepting applications until positions are filled.

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps: Linking community, education and environment through service.

Ashley Roscoe (she/her/hers)
Conservation Corps Program Manager
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps
991 Captain Jack Dr.
P.O. Box 775504
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
(970) 879-2135 ext. 113
aroscoe@rockymountainyouthcorps.com
RockyMountainYouthCorps.org

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