First Ascent

Each year, First Ascent brings together 8th and 9th grade students from local schools from our CMC Service areas. The free, five-day residential program takes place at Colorado Mountain College at the Leadville (Timberline) campus. First Ascent is designed to help young adults from various social and economic backgrounds develop leadership skills and confidence for personal, academic and social growth. During the program, students engage in outdoor physical activities such as rock climbing, rafting and hiking (including hiking up Mt. Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado). Students will complete a challenge course designed to teach and develop: Team Building, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Consensus Building, Problem Solving, and Building Trust. In addition to outdoor activities, academic subjects such as land and water conservation and orienteering are introduced. Evening sessions bring students together to explore their post-secondary career options using the elements of leadership they have just learned.