YMCA of the Rockies

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.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

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.

1 One person found this helpful

Food Service Worker

June - August 2018 • Estes Park, CO

What I liked

I loved meeting people both that I worked with and those I met that were visiting.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be the first to mark this as helpful

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.

1 One person found this helpful

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.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

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.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Conference Setup & Services Team Member

July - September 2018 • Estes Park, CO

What I liked

I liked that this job allowed us to drive around the campus and familiarize ourselves with the YMCA of the Rockies. I also enjoyed the relationships that I formed with my coworkers who were all different but also fun to get to know. Even meeting some of the families and groups that we set the meeting rooms for was also enjoyable. Because there were new groups coming in and out of the Y, our days and work schedule were never really boring.

What I wish was different

It would've been a little nicer to be able to start the morning shift a little later since the morning shift started at 6 am. I also wish that we could've gotten a few more new people since work was pretty hectic at times, and we could've finished many of the setups for meeting rooms a lot more quickly with extra sets of hands.

Advice

Don't try to push yourself to carry something that you know is out of your physical capabilities on your own. If possible, try to carrier heavier objects with someone else. During our orientation, one of the ladies that was part of the presentations for the day explained that no job is worth seriously injuring yourself.

2 ${count} people found this helpful

Recreational Supervisor/ Programs Intern

May - August 2018 • Granby, CO

What I liked

I loved living in the Rocky Mountains and receiving internship credit in a work environment I could see myself finding a lifelong career in!

What I wish was different

Nothing.... truly. I loved every minute of it.

Advice

If you have the opportunity to work and live somewhere completely new and not knowing anyone besides the people who hired and interviewed you, go for it! I met some of my now closest friends and was able to experience a new area of the country while working for an international non-profit organization.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

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.

Be the first to mark this as helpful