JULY 31 THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2017
Looking for a challenging, rewarding, and fun vacation? RMFI's Annual Volunteer Vacation is a 5-day work trip that connects you with a much-needed backcountry trail or restoration project. Volunteer Vacation is RMFI's longest open enrollment volunteer program, and an opportunity to spend a week camped atop Colorado Springs' Cheyenne Mountain, an area still closed to public use.
RMFI is planning its 4th season working on the top of Cheyenne Mountain and its 2nd in building the top-half of the much anticipated Dixon Trail - connecting the State Park at the eastern base of Cheyenne Mountain with a whole new trail network on the top of the mountain. You can learn more about this very exciting trailbuilding project HERE.
- Participate in full days of project work each day on the program and gain or hone experience with multiple aspects of building new trail. Tasks will include corridor clearance, cutting tread, building retaining walls and switchbacks, and refining roughed-in trail construction. Trail construction can be from 1/2 mile to 3 miles from the camping site and involve hiking (with tools) over rough, sloped terrain.
- Chow down on hearty and delicious meals all week. RMFI provides menu planning, shopping, all camp kitchen equipment, and help with meal preparation. (Vegetarians are easily accommodated.) Volunteers will be asked to assist with cooking and clean-up of meals, your opportunity to dazzle your fellow volunteer teammates with your cooking skills!
- Enjoy opportunities for mountaintop recreation, solitude, exploration, and/or the good company of your volunteer teammates.
- Camp in the crisp mountain air in a remote meadow on top of Cheyenne Mountain.
BASECAMP AND EQUIPMENT
Volunteers and RMFI staff will work out of a basecamp located not far from the Cheyenne Mountain Antennae Farm at approximately 9,500 ft. Our camp will be accessible by the RMFI trucks we will travel in so this will be car camping, no backpacking in required. The base camp will be fully equipped – all group equipment, including base tent, stoves, and kitchen supplies, as well as all meals will be provided by RMFI. Volunteers must supply their own personal outdoor gear. Loaner tents, sleeping bags, and pads are available upon request, on a first-come first-served basis. RMFI can provide a limited number of tents, if requested ahead of time. Depending on the camping location that is chosen, volunteers may be asked to buddy-up in tents to make best use of available space. There are no restroom facilities nor shower facilities at this camping and work site. There will be sufficient water on-site for normal requirements of drinking, cleaning dishes, light personal hygiene - but not necessarily for supporting any field showers. Volunteers will make use of the RMFI-provided carry-in/carry-out solid waste (WAG) system.
DATES AND SCHEDULE - JULY 31 - AUGUST 4
July 31: Meet at RMFI office. The group will carpool from here up the mountain to our basecamp. Volunteers will help set up camp, get an orientation to the worksite, and begin project work.
August 1 - 3: Complete project objectives: corridor clearance, cutting tread, building retaining walls and switchbacks, and refining roughed-in trail construction of the new trail. Enjoy delicious meals after a hard day of work, relax, hike, recreate, and sleep in the crisp mountain air.
August 4: Finish project objectives for the week, pack up camp, and head home.
Maximum enrollment in this program is ten (10) participants. Sign up early!
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- Participants must complete the online application which includes questions pertaining to medical history, outdoor experience, and physical conditioning. (See link to apply above.) If you have trouble with or questions about the online application form, email molly@rmfi.org for assistance.
- There is a nonrefundable $25 application fee to assist with covering costs of this program, including meals which are all provided to volunteers.
- Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
- No prior experience is necessary. However, participants must be in excellent physical condition and comfortable living and doing manual labor at elevations of up to 9,500 feet in a remote mountain setting.
- Participants are responsible for transportation to and from the RMFI office in Colorado Springs.
Questions? Contact Molly Mazel, Volunteer Coordinator, molly@rmfi.org, (719) 471-7736 ext. 4#
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| Application Fee | $25.00 |
Work Project Requirements
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