First Ascent participants holding paddles in the air while on a river raft.
First Ascent participants posed together with there fingers making a star shape.
First Ascent Youth Leadership program students - working together to walk across a suspended rope.
First Ascent Youth Leadership program - rock climbing at Rifle Mountain Park
See Google Photo Album for more photos.
First Ascent Youth Leadership Program
June 21-26, 2026
Learn to be a leader!
Spend a fun week at CMC Leadville making new friends while learning practical leadership skills through outdoor activities. Experience five days on a college campus and return home with new confidence in your abilities as a leader. The best news? It's free!
Get outside while learning new skills!
During the program, you'll get to:
- Team-build and gain leadership skills
- Rock climb in Camp Hale
- Raft on the Arkansas
- Hike to Mt. Elbert
This free program is available to current (Spring 2026) 8th and 9th grade students from our CMC in-district schools in these in-district counties: Pitkin, Garfield, Summit, Lake, Eagle, Chaffee, and Routt. This is a competitive program, spots are limited.
If you have completed First Ascent, you can apply to return as a Student Counselor. Each year, five Student Counselors are selected to mentor new participants, support program activities, and continue building their leadership skills. From this group, one Student Counselor is selected to take on an expanded leadership role as Assistant Facilitator. This experience can open the door to future leadership and staff opportunities within First Ascent and beyond."
Applications are now open for 2026!
Bilingual Virtual Information Session
Join CMC for a bilingual information session about the First Ascent Youth Leadership program!
Unase con CMC en una sesion bilingue de información sobre el programa de First Ascent Youth Leadership!
Sign up to be notified when applications open next year!