First Ascent summer program enrolling students through April 26
The First Ascent Youth Leadership program is now accepting applications for its free, multi-day youth outdoor leadership course at Colorado Mountain College (CMC) Leadville.
The five-day course is for students who will complete eighth and ninth grades in Pitkin, Garfield, Summit, Lake, Chaffee, Eagle and Routt counties this spring. The course runs from Sunday, July 7 through Friday, July 12, 2024.
Sponsored by Alpine Bank and the J. Robert Young Foundation, the course is free but limited to 35 students. Eighth and ninth-grade students must complete an application from now through the April 26 application period. Recommendations from a counselor, teacher or other adult must be submitted with each application.
First Ascent brings together students with diverse backgrounds from around the CMC region. It allows them to develop and learn leadership skills such as problem-solving, consensus-building, conflict resolution, communication, confidence and personal growth.
Students live at CMC’s residential hall in Leadville and build self-esteem through challenges such as rock climbing, hiking Mount Elbert (the highest mountain in Colorado) and rafting the Arkansas River.
Academic subjects such as land and water conservation and orienteering are also introduced. Evening sessions bring students together to explore their post-secondary career options using the elements of leadership they have just learned.
Four participants from the prior year come back to act as peer counselors each year. One former participant is chosen each year to help the course facilitator. Once they turn 18, past participants can return as staff counselors.
For more information and to apply, go to https://coloradomtn.edu/firstascent or contact Alejandro Jaquez-Caro (hablo Español), admissions representative at 970-947-8329, ajaquez-caro@coloradomtn.edu, or Carolyn Larsen, First Ascent program manager at ctlarsen@coloradomtn.edu.
Featured image: First Ascent Youth Leadership students take part in a goals exercise during a previous summer session where groups draw their “dream house” without speaking.
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