Nature

Service Learning Crew (SLC) provides education and experience in citizenship, volunteerism, community service, and self-development for youth based in Routt and Moffat Counties. Service projects include gardening, planting trees and flowers, trash pick-up, light trail work, and other community beautification projects. SLC enhances youth's sense of belonging and community connection through meaningful outdoor-based service projects, education, and group recreation activities. ​ Sessions are two weeks long, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Crews have ten to twelve mixed-gender crew members (youth) who are supervised by two crew leaders. Crew leads supervise , facilitate education curriculum, and help engage youth in the conservation-based projects in the community.

The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) provides an incredible opportunity for youth ages 14-18 to make a meaningful impact while gaining hands-on experience. Each year, more than 200 participants join forces to complete transformative conservation projects across 10 counties in Northwest Colorado.
Through the YCC, participants engage in projects that range from trail building and environmental restoration to managing invasive species and improving wildlife habitats. These efforts leave a lasting legacy, enhancing both the natural environment and local communities. Being part of an RMYC crew means working with a dedicated team of 8-10 peers and two experienced crew leaders over two weeks or four weeks. Crews take on challenging, sustainability-focused projects during the day and camp together under the stars at night, forging strong bonds and unforgettable memories.
The YCC experience combines hard work, leadership development, and personal growth. Participants face demanding conditions but leave with new skills, enduring friendships, and a sense of pride in their accomplishments. It’s an adventure that shapes both the individual and the environment, creating a positive ripple effect that resonates far beyond the seasons end.

We offer various 3-5 day backpacking trips in the White River National Forest to youth ages 10-15 and private groups curated to your needs!

During this four day, three night expedition, campers will explore the vast backcountry on the historic land of the Ute tribes. Today, this land is managed by the Blanco Ranger District, in the western Flattops region of the White River National Forest. This trip is a through hike, running from point A to point B. Participants will move camp at least twice during this 3 night trip. Underway campers will enhance leadership skills, LNT principles, identify flora and fauna, create lasting relationships, and social emotional skills, orienteer with map and compass and enhance key backcountry skills. No previous experience needed!

During this three day, two night expedition, campers will explore the vast backcountry on the historic land of the Ute tribes. Today, this land is managed by the Blanco Ranger District, in the western Flattops region of the White River National Forest. This is an out and back style trip, meaning we will start and end at the same trailhead. Underway campers will learn leadership skills, LNT principles, identify flora and fauna, develop team building and social emotional skills, orienteer with map and compass and develop key backcountry skills. Participants will have the opportunity to hike into a camping spot near a lake, do a day hike from camp on the middle day, and return on the last day. No previous experience needed!

Please join us for a magical summer under the trees and by the creek on this heart-centered land. We'll be spending our mornings exploring our sun-filled forest together and our afternoons relaxing in the shade and taking adventure walks. All class focuses are seamlessly woven into our summer nature immersion program.

All weeks of camp include a fun and balanced approach to the day; blending activities with free play, collaborative group play, music and storytelling. And of course, we enjoy eating together--all campers please bring a hearty snack and water bottle, full day campers also bring a packed lunch.

This camp is for ages 2.5 - 6 years old.

Discover your own backyard by embarking on a 4-day comprehensive river class on our stunning, wild and free, Yampa River! No previous river experience is required to participate in this class. The main goal of this program is to empower youth to travel safely in whitewater river conditions while falling in love with one of the most important resources here in the Yampa Valley. This class will create opportunities for the youth of Northwest Colorado to get their foot in the door with beginner river skills and local river knowledge.

Due to high demand the Friends of the Yampa Youth River Camp, dates will have a pre-registration period starting on Feb. 15 and closing on March 3. The “Intent to Register” form provides priority to residents of the Yampa Valley, and is developed to improve equitable access. Applicants will be contacted on March 4, and the accepted will be provided with a key for registration. If not registered by March 10, all spots unclaimed will be available in open enrollment. Open enrollment will start on March 11, if available and will remain open until camps are full. Scholarships will be available until camps reach capacity. No river experience is necessary, just the willingness to engage in camp activities.

Important dates:
Intent to Register: Feb. 15 – March 3
Pre-registration period: March 4-10
Open enrollment: March 11

This free, 5-day trip down Lodore Canyon in Dinosaur National Monument is open to students entering grades 10-12, with preference given to previous attendees of the Friends of the Yampa Youth River Camps.

Camp dates: Aug. 4-8, 2025
Intent to register period: April 11 to May 11
Mandatory pre-trip course: July 23 6:30-9pm, CMC Steamboat

Each group will have a weekly theme to guide their exploration and get to experience a field trip each day to locations all around Steamboat and the Yampa Valley. Campers get to go on hikes, play fun games, conduct experiments, create art projects, and so much more! Each child who visits Yampatika gets to go on a field trip each day they come to camp. We go all over from places like local parks and trails, museums, ranches, gardens, and State Parks. We also partner with lots of awesome organizations to help expand the experiences we are able to offer. We always have so much to explore!

We are super excited to be here at Yampatika to once again be offering Backpacking
as part of our Camp Programs! We believe that those who know more about our
environment and how it works are more likely to make choices that help us take better
care of this place that we all share. Our revitalized Backpacking Program, the Wilderness
Rangers, will allow us to continue that opportunity with one of the underserved age
groups in our community - 12 - 14-year-olds.