Elevate Gap Program 2025 » Impressive Teens

YMCA of the Rockies’ Elevate Gap Program is the ideal outdoor-focused work-live-play gap year experience for students in a change of scenery, wilderness-related certifications, and professional work experience in a jaw-dropping setting in the Rocky Mountain National Park of Colorado. The program is semester-long and available for young adults ages 18 – 24, whether high school graduates on a gap year, college students seeking to put a pause on a semester of classroom work in exchange for a breath of fresh air and job experience, and college graduates interested in a unique nature-focused working experience.

The program focuses on three primary pillars:

Outdoor adventure
Employment (housekeeping and food service, which is a helpful introduction for those interested in pursuing the hospitality industry)
Community building

Students both earn money working a seasonal job, as well as come away with multiple nature-related certifications, complimentary (fees waived).

Outcomes of Gap Program:

Documented professional outdoor experiences
- Activities include:
  - Climbing
  - Biking
  - Backpacking
  - Mountaineering
  - Fly fishing
  - Environmental education
  - Camping
  - Horseback riding
  - Cross-country skiing
Networking opportunities through outdoor job panels and collaborations with partner organizations
Certifications include:
- WFA (Wilderness First-Aid) ($400 value)
- Red Cross CPR
- AED and First Aid
- BEETLES (Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning & Expertise Sharing)
- LNT (Leave NO Trace) and more.

Program Structure:

Once a week, participants will spend time in cohorts hiking, rock climbing, skiing, and backpacking, while learning about essential wilderness skills like how to plan ahead and prepare, backcountry safety, flora and fauna, adventure sport techniques, and more
Trainings will prepare participants for outdoor adventure jobs at the YMCA and beyond
Participants will be paid between 4-8 hours per week for attending these trainings, and will be awarded a certificate at the end to indicate their proficiency in the field

Hospitality Days: Four days a week, participants will work alongside their cohort in housekeeping and foodservice departments, earning $14.11/hour.

Elevate Gap Program includes two week-long road trips to: