Rocky Mountain Youth Corps - Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Kiera Daniell (Juniper 2.0)

I almost died (Kinda)
It all started when we were supplied with inflatable kayaks and an air mattress (our camp site was right next to the river). Our group leads thought that it was a smart idea to take a little river excursion after work on the first Thursday of the two week camp without doing any research, planning, or instructing. This was my first time kayaking let alone kayaking on a river. Luckily, we were in two person kayaks so I got to not know what I was doing with someone else (there were two people on the air mattress without paddles).

We didn't get whistles, compasses, or any safety equipment except for life vests which I don't think the air mattress people had. You can probably see where this is going but long story short, we got lost. This was because the people in the air mattress fell behind so the only group lead told us (me and my partner and one other boat of two) to go ahead and try to find the other group lead and tell him to come pick everyone up sooner. Welp, my group of four got separated and lost. In the end, we ended up getting rescued at least two hours later by a launching station/camp site and got picked up by our driving group lead. They couldn't find anyone else so they called search and rescue but before they arrived, everyone turned up safe.

Nobody was injured but my friend had the worst bloody noise that I have ever seen, I had possible minor hypothermia (Not confirmed by a medic because we never got one but I was pretty out of it, sick to my stomach, shivering uncontrollably, and was cold to the touch.) and we were all traumatized. They weren't mad at us but sent us to bed without any dinner (Manly me because they were worried about my possible hypothermia and wanted me to get in my sleeping bag).The next day they kinda apologized but it wasn't very good. The leader who was mostly at fault just talked about how we shouldn't be mad at her (for sending three 14 year olds and a 16 year old down rapids alone in the dark for two hours) because she was scared too. She also crashed the trailer of the van into a guardrail (damaging the trailer) and told us not to tell the other group lead.

I am just disappointed with the system and wish it was done differently because there is just so much room for error and that error can lead to danger to the children in the camp. I have already talked to the head people about this but I just thought it would be important for others to hear this before attending or letting their children attend. Everything else was really great, my brother went two weeks before me and had no troubles at all.

Chantal V

Poor behavior from this company honking in their van at a truck trying to legally parallel park downtown Steamboat. Think twice before trusting these people as role models for your kids…

Sarah Fox

This is an awesome organization doing great things in our community! It has been great watching them grow into the organization it is today! Gretchen and her team couldn't do a better job! We have enjoyed working with them on various projects over the years.

Duke Hanson

Our son volunteered for 2 weeks. He said it was tough but great. Within a couple of weeks, was talking about doing it again next year.

Diana Gerdes

Our Son really enjoys the positive learning and growing experience, professional skills and social skills are both very important and this Program really delivers!

Logan Reano

slay

Jenkins Harvey

Waste of money and time.

Cecelia McAfee

Great job.