Elevate Gap Program- Spring 2027
Boost your chances before you apply.
YMCA OF THE ROCKIES
Estes Park, CO, US
Summary
Participants will work in guest services, specifically within housekeeping or food service departments, for a minimum of 32 hours per week. They will also engage in weekly program activities, leadership workshops, and service projects to foster personal and professional growth.
Job Description
Job Details: Level: Entry, Job Location: Estes Park Center - Estes Park, CO, Position Type: Gap Programs, Salary Range: $15.71 - $15.71Hourly, Job Category: Gap Programs, Interested in seasonal work and full-time adventure?
Discover Purpose and Adventure in the Colorado Rockies
with the YMCA of the Rockies
2027 Elevate Gap Program
Spring 2027 Semester
(March 15, 2027-May 28, 2027)
Registration Now Open
"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir.
Are you between 18 and 23? Are you a high school grad seeking real-world experience or a college student craving personal and professional growth in the Guest Services industry? Join the Elevate Gap Program at YMCA of the Rockies’ Estes Park Center for an unforgettable semester of adventure, community, and growth! This is your opportunity to live, work and flourish in the heart of beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park!
Why Elevate?
YMCA of the Rockies’ Elevate Gap Program blends paid work with immersive outdoor adventures, team activities, personal workshops and moments of reflection. Work in guest services (housekeeping/food service departments) alongside seasoned YMCA staff, build leadership skills through workshops, discover a greater sense of purpose through service projects, forge life-long relationships, and learn outdoor skills through hiking, backpacking, and a multi-day trip. Expect to emerge with greater confidence, self-awareness, and purpose.
Program Fee: $500 (Non-refundable Fee. Payment terms available.)
Program Location: YMCA of the Rockies – Estes Park Center (Estes Park, CO)
Program Structure:
Learn new job skills through paid seasonal employment in the hospitality industry (housekeeping/food service)
Work a minimum of 32 hours per week
Grow through the weekly Elevate program activity days - designed with purpose
Participate in workshops to learn and understand your personal superpowers
Learn about potential career paths that fit your personality and life goals
Experience outdoor recreation in beautiful Colorado
Challenge yourself on a multi-day group trip
Program Outcomes:
The program is designed to equip participants with greater self-confidence, elevated self-awareness, real world work experience, and a sense of purpose. Participants will have the opportunity to live and work alongside a diverse group of people and learn life-enhancing skills.
What you’ll bring:
Heads-up, this is important stuff! In our Elevate Gap Program you’ll work hard, and you’ll play hard, all in a supportive and engaging community. We’re looking for people that are open to new opportunities, and not afraid to take some risks. Are you flexible, dependable, team-oriented, and enjoy being outdoors? Do you enjoy the camaraderie of community living, and meeting new people? If this describes you, then the Elevate Gap Program in the Colorado Rockies may just be the place for you!
Compensation & Perks:
Participants in the Elevate Gap Program are paid seasonal employees of YMCA of the Rockies. Each participant will work at least 32 hours per week, at a paid rate of Colorado minimum wage.
Elevate participants live on-site in staff dormitories as part of our Rocky Mountain Living Package (RMLP). The RMLP includes shared dormitory rooms, spacious lobbies, three buffet-style meals per day, free wi-fi, access to all staff activities, and more, at a cost of $170 per week (automatically deducted from your paycheck). Click here for more information about the benefits of the RMLP.
About Us:
When you participate in the Elevate Gap Program at YMCA of the Rockies, you become part of something bigger than yourself. You become a key player in helping cultivate an environment of healthy living, youth development, and community impact. As a program participant, you will meet people representing all dimensions of diversity and will live each day with a greater sense of purpose. You’ll learn to lead with heart, and measure success by the impactful moments you’re able to create for yourself, guests, community members, and fellow staff. This is a place where nature inspires. The majestic surroundings of Rocky Mountain National Park provide moments of beauty (and wildlife viewing!) throughout each day.
Qualifications:
YMCA of the Rockies is a diverse charitable organization dedicated to changing lives through building and strengthening relationships. This commitment, shared by guests, staff, volunteers and donors is focused on youth development, healthy living and fostering social responsibility.
YMCA of the Rockies is made up of two year-round family resorts and conference centers – Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch – and a traditional overnight summer camp for teens, Camp Chief Ouray. All are located in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and offer a variety of affordable lodging options so families and groups can connect with each other and create lifelong memories.
There are many reasons that guests choose to stay at one of YMCA of the Rockies’ locations. Every year, we host and serve more than 800 family reunions, 180,000 family vacationers, 1,200 conferences, 300 military families and 2,000 Camp Chief Ouray campers. Guests are inspired by the amazing mountain views, the fresh mountain air, the endless recreational possibilities, and the change of pace from hectic daily routines that allows quality time with friends and family to become their focus.
Founded
1907
Company size
501-1,000 employees
Industry
Nonprofit
Org type
Nonprofit
YMCA of the Rockies is a diverse charitable organization dedicated to changing lives through building and strengthening relationships. This commitment, shared by guests, staff, volunteers and donors is focused on youth development, healthy living and fostering social responsibility.
YMCA of the Rockies is made up of two year-round family resorts and conference centers – Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch – and a traditional overnight summer camp for teens, Camp Chief Ouray. All are located in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and offer a variety of affordable lodging options so families and groups can connect with each other and create lifelong memories.
There are many reasons that guests choose to stay at one of YMCA of the Rockies’ locations. Every year, we host and serve more than 800 family reunions, 180,000 family vacationers, 1,200 conferences, 300 military families and 2,000 Camp Chief Ouray campers. Guests are inspired by the amazing mountain views, the fresh mountain air, the endless recreational possibilities, and the change of pace from hectic daily routines that allows quality time with friends and family to become their focus.
Founded
1907
Company size
501-1,000 employees
Industry
Nonprofit
Org type
Nonprofit
