MHYC Heads to the Capitol for “Hill Day”

Getting up and getting fancy for an important ceremony starting at 8:15 a.m. on a Monday is not exactly the most appealing idea to many young adults. However for 10 Colorado youth, they could not have been more honored. On Monday, Feb. 6, the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) held their annual awards ceremony at the Colorado State Capitol to celebrate the hard work and passionate dedication that 10 youth corps members showed during their service terms.

After CYCA set up light breakfast foods and directional signs, all guests gathered in the old Supreme Court Chambers. Parents chatted and adjusted digital cameras, award winners straightened ties and smoothed hair, politicians mingled and perfected speeches. One by one, Corpsmembers of the Year from all corners of Colorado were verbally praised by their area’s state representatives or senators, as they were awarded plaques. A few folks from the Bureau of Land Management and a Mile High Youth Corps Corpsmember, Samuel Vasquez, spoke more eloquent words regarding their service and appreciation for the CYCA. (View Sam’s speech here.) After a lovely brunch at History Colorado, following the ceremony, a new sense of admiration was felt not only for the individual corps, but for those who are actually serving for them.

For photos, please visit the CYCA Flickr site.

Read Full Post »

Learnin’ From The Best

Another CYCA camping trip has come and gone at Golden Gate Canyon State Park, and the Corpsmembers have learned some new tricks, met some of Colorado’s finest youth corps members, and shared many a laugh. At the beginning of every summer, CYCA, or Colorado Youth Corps Association, puts on a crew leader training for all the summer crews running in the 10 different youth corps in the state.

Some of the best and most experienced volunteers come up to Golden Gate Canyon to lend their time and experience in teaching the Corpsmembers how to build and maintain hiking trails. One such volunteer is the legendary Steve Austin. Steve served as a radio operator in World War II, and has been building trails for longer than the Corpsmembers have been alive. He is perhaps best known for inventing a tool for moving heavy boulders, now called “The Rock Austin”. Steve has taught scores of Corpsmembers all the subtleties of building trails and rock walls, and has always impressed us with his breakneck pace up the mountain, carrying a heavy pack, at age 85. Most notable about Mr. Austin, however, is the quiet dignity and humility with which he carries himself.

On behalf of everyone who participated in the trainings, I would like to extend a special thanks to the CYCA staff and all of the volunteers who donated their time and energy to Colorado’s youth. They instilled in us a special respect for the land, modeled a professional attitude towards the work we do, and most importantly passed on the knowledge necessary to maintain and preserve such a beautiful place.

-Steve Lynch, Conservation Alumni Mentor

Read Full Post »

Summer Begins

Summer is officially here at MHYC – our Summer of Service crews are busy loading up the trucks and vans this morning, packing up chain saws and shovels, water jugs and sack lunches.

After spending last week in trainings at the Colorado Youth Corps Association camping trip, our AmeriCorps Leadership and Conservation Corpsmembers are eager to get out into the field and put their knowledge to the test.

Today is day one of a summer spent getting dirty and getting things done. Stay tuned for tales from the field – success stories of trails built and trees conquered.

Read Full Post »

MHYC’s Corpsmember of the Year

Yesterday we celebrated last year’s AmeriCorps Leadership and Conservation Corpsmember Rachel Hansen as she accepted her award for Mile High Youth Corps’ Corpsmember of the Year. The Colorado Youth Corps Association hosted the 2009 Champions and Corpsmembers of the Year at the gold-domed Capitol Building.

Rachel receiving her award from Senator Pat Steadman

Rachel proved herself as a leader and hard worker over her ten months of service. She worked with her fellow Corpsmembers installing energy and water-saving devices, worked in local and state parks doing land conservation and represented her crew on the Leadership Council. She has moved on to another AmeriCorps position in Florida and we’re wishing her all the best! Congratulations Rachel!

Rachel posing with the other Colorado Corpmembers of the Year

Read Full Post »