Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers’ (RFOV) paid internship, Youth in Nature, became my anticipated monthly highlight as a sophomore. The internship nurtured my passion for the outdoors, yet, all the while, I learned not just about our local ecosystems but about myself, too. The application to participate next school year is still open, until April 4 that is, and I encourage other young people to apply.
At the beginning of orientation, my cohort was reserved. We were from different schools across the Valley and none of us were very familiar with one another. But by the second day of the hut trip, I felt as though I’d found lifelong friends. The hike to Margy’s Hut was strenuous, but it was our first taste of how a challenge (and exhaustion) would bring us closer together. We made burn piles, stocked the woodshed for winter and got our hands on pruning loppers for the first of many times that year. As we would all come to realize, the physical labor was a catalyst for our laughter.
Youth in Nature forged so many moments I’ll always cherish. That first night at Margy’s, we lay in a circle, with our heads joined in the middle trying to pick out the constellations we knew. Vibrant stars saturated the Milky Way. We became astronomers in our own minds, finding snails and lengthy dragons twirling across the sky. Our chests hurt from laughing. Three nights disappeared into memory, cementing themselves as wistful reminders of the beauty of connection. The typical social separations imposed in education dissolved, and we became a mosaic of personality.
Encouraged to abandon our phones and take advantage of “slow fun,” the hut trip was a grounding experience. I clearly remember being asked to sit alone for 15 minutes and just pay attention. I became acutely aware of the smell of sweet vanilla seeping out of ponderosa pines, and the little pine siskin that hopped in the nearby underbrush. Like many moments on that trip, I reflected on how often my mind is everywhere but the present.
Throughout the year with Youth in Nature, none of my favorite moments followed the same structure. I was delighted in the quiet presence of my friends, but also by obnoxious fun and days that were truly challenging. After my first real breakup, a trip to Maroon Bells served as a refreshing reminder of how much beauty there is in the world. I challenged my fear of heights on mountain summits, in the Colorado Monument canyoneering and in Rifle, where I regained confidence to rock climb. I was able to discover new places that had surrounded me my whole life, but that I had never explored.
By the time Saturday rolled around, I often found myself hesitant, tired or maybe even a little lazy, but I was always surprised by how much happier and energized I was by my cohort. Ben Sherman, RFOV’s education director, fueled my passion for biology through his endless plant facts. He was always understanding and supportive. While I may have been lucky with an especially good group, the environment created during our adventures was always positive. Our mistakes, fears and embarrassments transformed into light-hearted inside jokes.
Perhaps the most important relationship I gained from Youth in Nature was with the land. I grew up hiking, climbing and rafting. I loved being in beautiful places, but, until the internship, I had no idea how much effort sustainable outdoor recreation required.
For many of us living in the Roaring Fork Valley, access to nature has been a given. The hours of behind-the-scenes work can go unnoticed until you have the chance to be a part of it. Outdoor recreation is essential to our economy and culture, and I realized how important conservation efforts are in maintaining our local ecosystems.
Every time I participate in RFOV programs, I leave joyful and with a sense of achievement. As the application deadline approaches, and the volunteer season begins, I could not speak more highly of this organization. Their stewardship projects foster community while giving back to the incredible natural spaces we get to call home.
To apply for Youth In Nature, visit www.rfov.org/youth-in-nature