A place that changes people
YMCA of the Rockies is a nonprofit mountain retreat in Colorado — the largest YMCA family retreat and conference center in the world.
Since 1907, it has been a place that changes people: quietly, completely, and in ways they don't always expect. Families arrive carrying the weight of busy lives and leave lighter. Kids who come to camp feeling timid go home brave. Groups fractured by the pace of the modern world rediscover what it means to be together.
Today, we are in the middle of the most transformational campaign in YMCA of the Rockies' history. Climbing Higher is a commitment to the next chapter — expanding what we offer, renewing the spaces where these moments happen, and ensuring this place remains open and accessible to every family, every youth, every community that needs it.
Across three locations — Estes Park Center, Snow Mountain Ranch, and Camp Chief Ouray — we are building, renewing, and expanding.
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Our five priorities
Everything we're building connects to five strategic priorities. Each one reflects where we can do the most to deepen our impact for future generations.
Develop Tomorrow's Leaders
Young people who discover what they're capable of — at camp, in a preschool classroom, on a leadership team — carry that confidence for life. And the staff who guide them grow just as much in the process. This priority invests in the programs, experiences, and people at every level that make that growth possible.
Reimagine Outdoor Recreation
The mountains have the power to change lives — and everyone deserves the chance to experience them. This priority expands what's possible outdoors: world-class trails, challenge courses, and facilities designed for every ability level and every background.
Inspire Creativity and Spiritual Well-Being
Rest, renewal, creativity, and faith have always been at the heart of why people come here. This priority invests in the spaces and programs that nourish every dimension of well-being — not just the physical.
Provide Transformational Hospitality
The quality of welcome sets the tone for everything that follows. This priority ensures that every arrival, every meal, every gathering space across all three campuses reflects the care and intentionality that defines YMCA of the Rockies.
Lead in Social and Environmental Responsibility
Stewardship of this land — and the communities connected to it — is a core part of the mission. This priority invests in sustainability, outdoor education, mental health, and meaningful access for all.