Giving Thought: Connecting our region’s youth in nature
Courtesy photo
With our abundance of outdoor space and recreational opportunities in our region, one could assume that youth in our community all have access to and perhaps even comfort with the outdoors. And yet, the reality is that many do not have opportunities to access outdoor experiences.
Additionally, as observant members of our community lament, there is often a lack of connection across the towns and cities that comprise our rural mountain region. Few opportunities exist for youth from different areas to connect with others in meaningful ways, and the absence of these options is a missed opportunity for the next generation.
There are youth-serving nonprofits working to make these connections among youth in the region, including the Youth in Nature program. In 2021, the idea of connecting environmental and nature-focused community partners to create a youth empowerment and experiential education program emerged from a donor who then engaged Aspen Community Foundation, and Youth in Nature was born.
Now in its third year and with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) as its programmatic home, Youth In Nature (YIN) is a yearlong empowerment program for local high school students (from Aspen to Parachute). It combines nature, community building, exploration, and self-discovery. A team of community partners, including Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Buddy Program, Aspen Valley Land Trust, Farm Collaborative, and Aspen Skiing Company, co-developed the program, which was made possible through the generosity of the Jonathan D + Mark C. Lewis Foundation. YIN aims to spark a curiosity for the natural environment, support social and emotional growth, and encourage students to explore their interests.
Each year, YIN and its partners have continuously refined their approach and programming based on observations and feedback from participants and parents/ guardians. Additionally, the program has expanded to allow for alumni connection opportunities, creating opportunities for cohort members to stay connected with each other and build new connections with other cohorts.
Ben Sherman, education director at RFOV, shared, “Over these three years, we have made a few essential changes to adapt to the changing needs of the students served by the program. We have included more intentional unstructured time during sessions simply to enjoy spending time outdoors. Students have chosen to use this time in various ways — journaling, art, meditation, socializing, exploring, and more. We work closely with the students to understand how the programming responds to their interests and adapt time to delve deeper into those topics and activities. These changes are based on direct student feedback (conservations, survey responses) and observations made by RFOV leaders throughout a program year. Students responded that the leader’s trust in giving students this time and freedom was critical tone-setting for the whole program year.”
The impact of YIN participation can shift the trajectory of its participants’ lives and career paths.
At a recent YIN alumni event, Hank, a first cohort member, mentioned that Wilderness First Aid training with YIN was a big jumping-off point for continued education in medicine. He is now interning at Valley View Hospital, and Sherman was able to act as a reference on his behalf. Another alumni is planning to attend the Fire Academy.
“With a diverse cohort of students comes diverse opinions and beliefs about careers. While many students are focused on going to college or university after graduating, others have been interested in other paths, including vocational training, gap years, or moving directly into the workforce in various fields. This applies to students working while still in high school, as well. One student began the program with no interest in college and without clear direction about what would occupy their summers or what would come after high school. Through YIN, this student was introduced to an internship opportunity with one of our partner organizations, a position they have thrived in — discovering new interests, self-confidence, and a more positive outlook for the future,” he said.
While the impact on participants’ career and educational paths is noteworthy so is the effect on their confidence and social connections.
Sherman noted, “We have also observed strong, often surprising friendships between students with very different backgrounds and lived experiences. It has been a joy to watch students experience social-emotional growth. Students come out of their shells, push their comfort zones, and try things they did not see themselves doing. From orientation to graduation, we see students becoming more comfortable speaking in front of a group and more comfortable as leaders. The encouragement of their peers and the mentorship provided by RFOV leaders provide a space where students are not bound by their regular social settings. Students have shared that this ability to be themselves, outside of the classroom and the people they have known their whole life is perhaps intimidating at first, but ultimately a powerful part of their YIN experience.”
YIN is also unique because participants are paid to participate in the program. This commitment removes barriers for some who might not otherwise be able to participate due to a need to earn an income while still in high school.
Each year, YIN has seen growing interest with more applicants than there is capacity.
This program was designed to serve 10-14 students per cohort. This group size allows for close individual connections, a smaller and more personal learning experience, and for the group to come together as a team, allowing each participant to get to know one another well over the program year.
Sherman is eager to welcome support for YIN, saying, “Community support is critical to the long-term success and sustainability of the YIN experience. We’re excited to build a community of donors and sponsors who will ensure this program continues to thrive in the years ahead.”
Shifting perspectives across schools and the region creates ripple effects, one student at a time, allowing connections to grow. These youth will take these experiences with them as they grow and inevitably shift how they view this place and their role in the ecosystem, connecting them to the community in a way they will carry forward into our future.
For more information about supporting YIN, please contact Ben Sherman at bsherman@rfov.org.
Allison Alexander is the director strategic partnerships and communication at Aspen Community Foundation. ACF, with the support of its donors, works with a number of non-profits in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys. Throughout the year, we will work to highlight non-profits in the region.
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