Some Summit County high schoolers are getting a lesson in environmental stewardship as the summer winds down. That means making a few bucks while learning what it takes to maintain many of the resources that make living in the mountains so unique.
The Friends of the Dillon Ranger District partnered with Steamboat Springs-based Rocky Mountain Youth Corps to offer a pilot, two-week assignment teaching area kids ages 14-16 about positions in public lands and outdoor spaces.
The first week revolved around trail-building in the town of Breckenridge, and the second included five days of camping, as well as a myriad of volunteer activities, including working at a horse sanctuary and lending a hand at the local community gardens.
“We have a whole spectrum of things for them to do to expose them to different careers in natural resource management,” said Jill Bryant, youth and education programs manager for the Dillon Ranger District volunteer group.
“And then (it’s about) giving back to their community, finding out ways and other places outside of youth corps that they can volunteer throughout the school year.”
The program is part of FDRD’s expanded emphasis on youth education, passing on low-impact practices in the wilderness, teamwork and even job readiness through the competitive application and interviewing process for a youth corps slot.
And while mucking horse stalls, removing moss and noxious weeds from the planters of a sweaty greenhouse for minimum wage isn’t necessarily glamorous work, participants now better understand all that goes into these vital responsibilities.
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