Elevate Gap Program - Spring 2026

Strengthen your relationship with nature and embark on a mountain adventure with incredible young adults from across the country!

Elevate Gap Program - Spring 2026
Registration Now Open

"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir.

Are you an upcoming high school graduate seeking real-world work experience and the opportunity to explore the mountains of Colorado? Maybe you're a college student seeking opportunities for personal & professional growth while taking a break from academia. If you’re between the ages of 18 - 23 and interested in adventure, development, and community, make the Rockies your backyard and apply for the Elevate Gap Program at YMCA of the Rockies!

The Elevate Gap Program is designed for young adults who want an immersive experience with the outdoors, while gaining valuable work experience and life skills. This program offers the opportunity to live and work in the heart of the Rocky Mountains while also engaging in leadership and professional development workshops at YMCA of the Rockies. Participants work alongside seasoned YMCA staff members and gain valuable skills that prepare them for their future careers.

• Program Dates: March 2 - June 5, 2026
• Program Fee: $500 (Payment terms available)
• Program Location: YMCA of the Rockies - Estes Park Center (Estes Park, CO)
• Program Structure:
  • Paid seasonal employment through a Guest Service focused department
  • Recreational opportunities (both scheduled and informal) to explore Rocky Mountain National Park, the National Forest, Estes Park, and Colorado.
  • Opportunities for deeper reflection and relationship-building
  • Service opportunities through impactful organizations
  • A multi-day trip
  • Regularly-scheduled small-group workshops and training sessions on topics of interest
  • Opportunities to continue working at Estes Park Center for up to 4 additional months as seasonal employee, or pursue a full-time opening with us

Program Outcomes:

Gap Program participants will likely emerge with greater self-confidence, self-awareness and a sense of purpose. Participants will have the opportunity to work with a diverse workforce and learn professional, life enhancing and team building skills. 

When you work at YMCA of the Rockies, you become part of something bigger than yourself. You become a key player in helping cultivate an environment of healthy living, youth development, and community impact. As an employee, you will meet people representing all dimensions of diversity, and will live each day with a greater sense of purpose. You'll learn to lead with heart and measure success by the impactful moments you’re able to create for guests, community members, and fellow staff. This is a place where nature inspires and quality time happens naturally. Our serene surroundings of Rocky Mountain National Park provide moments of tranquility throughout our days and remind us how fortunate we are to grow our careers within a beautiful and supportive community.

About Us:

YMCA of the Rockies is made up of two year-round family resorts, conference centers, and camps located outside Rocky Mountain National Park. The Elevate Gap Program is offered at Estes Park Center during the fall and spring semester. Located 65 miles northwest of Denver and sits at an elevation of 8,010 feet, Estes Park Center is only a few miles outside the mountain town of Estes Park, the gateway town of Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park Center has over 860 acres of beautiful mountain terrain for hiking, biking, snow shoeing, and wildlife viewing.
 

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