The YMCA of the Rockies offers volunteers free housing and meals in exchange for working 28 hours per week. The YMCA of the Rockies looks for volunteers year-round and offers positions in various departments. This is a great opportunity if you are looking to save money on rent while having ample time to explore the Rocky Mountain National park, which is basically your backyard. While I was a seasonal worker with the YMCA, I lived and worked with many of the volunteers. This post is for those of you who want to know more about the program.
Table of Contents
The YMCA of the Rockies Volunteer Program
The YMCA of the Rockies
The YMCA of the Rockies is located in Estes Park, Colorado. They are the largest YMCA camp and conference center in the world and thus function as a mountain resort, not like your average hometown YMCA.
They also offer the same volunteer program at their sister location, Snow Mountain Ranch, located in Granby, Colorado, 3 hours from Estes Park.
About the Program
The YMCA of the Rockies Volunteer Program offers free room and board in exchange for working on their property for a maximum of 28 hours per week.
Work Expectations
Volunteers must work between 24-28 hours per week, depending on the season. During the high seasons (such as the summer months and holidays) you will consistently be working the maximum number of hours. You are expected to treat work as if you were a paid employee by showing up on time, getting things done, and following the code of conduct.
Benefits
In exchange for working 28 hours per week, you will receive free room and board and three meals per day for the duration of your contract. You also receive staff discounts, access to the YCMA facilities (like the pool and roller skating rink), and can participate in all staff events. Working under 30 hours per week gives you lots of free time to explore Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Volunteer Requirements
All volunteers must be over the age of 18 and be able to pass a criminal background check. Other requirements will depend on the job you apply for.
Jobs Available
Volunteers can work in any of the roles seasonal workers can, as long as positions are open. This means you can work in; housekeeping & laundry, food & beverage, gift shop, reception, activities & recreation, international programs, buildings & grounds, etc…
How to Apply to the Volunteer Program
Where to Apply
You can view open volunteer positions and apply on their career page.
When to Apply
The YMCA of the Rockies needs volunteers and employees to work every season; winter, spring, summer, and fall. Thus, applications are open year-round and pop-up whenever help is needed.
The Application Process
After you apply on their website, they will reach out to you to schedule an interview. From there, you will either have a second round of interviews and/or be informed if you have received the job.
What You Need to Know
Employee Accommodation
Staff members and volunteers must be over the age of 18 to live on the YMCA property. You must abide by the housing rules which include things like quiet hours, no pets, and no alcohol on the premises.
As a volunteer, you can expect to have one or two roommates. If they have space available, namely during the shoulder seasons, it is possible you luck out and get a single room. If you are an older volunteer ,or a return volunteer, the probability of this increases. If you are married you can live with your spouse.
Depending on your housing assignment, you with either have an en suite bathroom or use of a communal bathroom. Whichever building you are placed, you will have access to a common area that includes a kitchen and living space. Laundry allowance is provided once per week.
Employee Meals
You have access to three meals per day, seven days per week, that are all served in the dining hall. There are set hours the dining hall is open during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All meals are buffet style and you can bring your own take away containers if you want to pack food to go.
In all honesty, the food is best in the shoulder seasons when the kitchen has less people to cook for. There is always a salad bar and desserts available. It can be challenging to eat healthy and not get bored with to the food that is provided, but you can always buy your own groceries and cook in the employee housing kitchens.
The Volunteers
A large portion of the volunteers that take advantage of this program are the older folks who are retired. Many return each year to call Estes Park their home during a specific season. It’s a great set up for those who want to save money on food and housing while enjoying their time relaxing in the mountains.
Of course, there are lots of people of all ages and backgrounds who volunteer too. However, most of the college age workers tend to apply to work a full-time seasonal job so that can receive a paycheck and have the opportunity to work overtime.
What Volunteers Say About the Program
In all honesty, I don’t think I spoke to a single volunteer that had a bad thing to say about the program. The majority of them were returners that love the benefits they get from only having to work 28 hours per week. They agreed that the business they worked for had its faults, and the food and accommodations were not as good as they could be, but the pros of volunteering really outweighed the cons.
Of course, it’s important to note that all of the volunteers I worked or lived with were in a place in their life where they did not need to be making a paycheck.
Pros
- Free room and board (no paying the employee housing fee).
- Three meals per day included.
- Easy access Rocky Mountain National Park and the great outdoors.
- Only working 28 hours per week.
- Free laundry, wifi, and utilities.
- Living in a gorgeous location.
- Working and interacting with people from all over the world.
Cons
- You do not make any money.
- Estes Park has a high cost of living.
- You get sick of the food options really fast.
- The seasonal lifestyle is not for everyone.
- You feel like you are living in a college dorm/hostel.
- It’s hard to do much if you do not have a car.
Conclusion
The YMCA of the Rockies has a volunteer program that allows you to work 28 hours per week in exchange for room and board. Depending on your goals, this could be a great opportunity for you to save money on rent while spending ample time exploring the Rocky Mountains. Have you worked or volunteered at the YMCA of the Rockies? What was your experience like? Please let me know in the comments below!
