Our Story Through the Years
YMCA of the Rockies boasts a rich and vibrant history spanning over a century. Since the 1890s, the Rocky Mountain region hosted YMCA summer encampments, but many found the resort locations less than ideal. In response, the 20th State Convention held in Canon City in 1906 resolved to create a permanent summer training center for YMCA professionals nestled somewhere in the Rockies—setting the foundation for the beloved YMCA of the Rockies we know today.
A Legacy Rooted in Nature, Service, and Growth
In the Early Beginnings
In July of 1907, 23 YMCA men met in Grand Lake, Colorado, to discuss incorporations of the Western Conference of the YMCA. While there, they scouted for possible sites for a summer school to be held the next year, 1908.
A Shift in Organizational Focus
The increased tourism of the post-war years spurred massive building and renovation projects. There was also a shift in organizational focus, as our association was no longer a summer training school for YMCA workers, but had become a year-round conference and family center.
An Experience for Future Generations
The last three decades have seen expansion and renovation as we strive to maintain our experience for future generations. More than a century ago, the YMCA of the Rockies began as a place where a few YMCA men could spend a summer and receive professional training in a tranquil and inspirational setting.