YMCA of the Rockies

Craft Shop Instructor

May - August 2019 • Estes Park, CO

What I liked

This was such a fun job because I got to learn a new art skill and then teach it to guests that visited the craft shop. I became knowledgeable in glass fusion and jewelry techniques and then pass what I learned onto others. Plus, on my days off I could hike in Rocky Mountain National Park(a 10 minute drive) or spend the day in beautiful Estes Park.

What I wish was different

The housing situations aren’t perfect. They get pretty noisy. Plus, the food served in the cafeteria is monotonous.

Advice

Keep in mind that room and board is taken out of your paycheck so you don’t get paid very much. However, the experience of living and working in the Rocky Mountains for the summer is unbeatable.

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Outdoor Education Instructor

August - November 2019 • Granby, CO

What I liked

Loved pretty much everything about working here! My schedule was different every day, which kept things exciting and fun. The work environment was relaxed and I had a lot of freedom to be creative and take initiative on things I felt like needed to be done around the workplace. The supervisors were awesome and the property/surroundings were unbeatable!

What I wish was different

During the height of the OED seasons our days got quite long and hectic. Some days I worked 8am-9:30pm, which got to be exhausting for multiple days in a row. I wish we had more time to decompress during the busy season.

Advice

Be creative, take initiative, be confident in yourself and your abilities, and have fun!!

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Arts and craft designer

May - September 2014 • Estes Park, CO

What I liked

Working for the YMCA of the Rockies is something I encourage everyone to do. It’s an amazing place to work, and grow as a person.

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

If you’re looking for a job that allows you the experience of working with people from around the world, while developing a greater sense of who you are, this is the job for you! That summer changelled me, taught me, and mostly importantly helped shaped me. Definitely an experience I carry close to my heart. The Rockies are stunning! You won’t regret the job :)

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Craft and Design Instructor

May - August 2020 • Estes Park, CO

What I liked

Everyone I worked with was so helpful in every step from moving to Colorado to daily tasks. Working with families and helping them make vacation memories was an amazing experience.

What I wish was different

I worked during the pandemic, meaning we had less guests and more regulations. I wish I would’ve been there during a normal season.

Advice

Take advantage of your location, the Rocky Mountain National Park is your backyard. Make friends with your coworkers and go make some memories.

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Assistant Summer Camp Director

May - August 2019 • Granby, CO

What I liked

I liked that I was able to work outdoors and work towards improving the experience of the campers an counselors.

What I wish was different

There are a lot of adjustments that need to be made in the recruitment of summer camp counselors and a more cohesive off time schedule.

Advice

Think before you act on your emotions because this job can be taxing mentally and physically.

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Janitor

May - August 2018 • Estes Park, CO

What I liked

My co-workers and supervisors were kind and encouraging while demanding quality performance. The living conditions were fairly nice and the Rocky mountains are absolutely beautiful

What I wish was different

I wish the food would have been a bit better and that I had taken more time to venture to other parts of Colorado more often.

Advice

Take every opportunity to go on an adventure and interact with coworkers and guests, who are from all over the world with cool stories and cultures.

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Recreation Attendant

May - August 2018 • Granby, CO

What I liked

I got to spend a summer up in the mountains learning and enjoying.

What I wish was different

My hours and the program I went up there with

Advice

Actively seek to enjoy what is around you, you're a short drive away from many fourteeners, as well as Grand Lake

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Lifeguard

May - August 2019 • Granby, CO

What I liked

Great weather outside of Phoenix for the summer. Fun place to work and not far from the Rocky Mountain national park.

What I wish was different

I wish I had found more time to explore the national park.

Advice

Make friends and be adventurous with them!

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Rocks and Ropes Course Facilitator

May - August 2018 • Granby, CO

What I liked

Getting to live on-property and getting to work outside and with guests

What I wish was different

Advice

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Rocks and Ropes Faciltator

May - August 2019 • Granby, CO

What I liked

The environment is awesome by being surrounded by the Rocky Mountains.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Front Desk Attendant

May - August 2019 • Granby, CO

What I liked

I loved my coworkers and managers -- the other staff members were excellent and so gracious while I was training. The location of the YMCA is gorgeous.

What I wish was different

The hours of the shifts I worked started early or ended late, depending on the shift. The staff housing was subpar.

Advice

Patience is key for a customer service job like this! There is a lot to learn for this job, so take it easy on yourself while you are in training, but learn from your mistakes.

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Housekeeper

May - August 2018 • Granby, CO

What I liked

My boss and co-workers were amazing. They worked hard and really cared about me as an individual.

What I wish was different

The staff housing at the Y is a bit sketchy, so it would have been nice if some of that was updated.

Advice

If you do it, make as many friends from as many different backgrounds as possible. Get meals with them. There’re many diverse people there, so take advantage of that.

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Adventure Activities

May - August 2018 • Estes Park, CO

What I liked

I was able to live 2 minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park and was able to meet so many adventurous people. I worked 40 hours a week and received free meals and housing in return plus a wage. My job consisted of helping families in our adventure activities department with rock climbing and zip-line.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be adventurous and take opportunities to travel while you can.

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Hiking Guide

June - August 2019 • Estes Park, CO

What I liked

I loved being outside every day for my job and getting to meet people from all over the world.

What I wish was different

I would have liked to be in a better place personally so that I could have donated myself more fully to my work.

Advice

Working at the YMCA is a life changing experience, and you should prioritize interpersonal relationships while you are there. It is easy to make life long friends, and learn from people vastly different from yourself.

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Food Service Assistant

May - August 2018 • Granby, CO

What I liked

I loved the people and the training I got. I got to work with and get to know a lot of internationals and got experience training some of them. The people were all really supportive and fun to work with and the management cared for and helped us.

What I wish was different

I wish I had spent more time getting to know people outside of work

Advice

Make sure the place you work has a good culture and good people. if the people are good and a few other factors are in place, you can be happy regardless of the work itself.

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Engineering and Experiments camp counselor

May - August 2018 • Estes Park, CO

What I liked

I got to live in a beautiful place.

What I wish was different

The staff dormitories weren't great.

Advice

Everyone should take a summer to work in the middle of the mountains.

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Grounds Crew Member

May - August 2018 • Estes Park, CO

What I liked

Working hard, simple dorm room and easy to get along with bosses.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been able to stay on longer and enjoy the greater responsibility I was receiving for managing tasks and building cool things.

Advice

Go in expecting the food to be bad, the rooms to smell bad, and that the pay will be bad and you'll enjoy the experience when you know that you're working for something bigger than yourself.

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