It all started in 1995...
…WHEN WE BUILT AN ORGANIZATION TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
RFOV founders (from left) David Hamilton, Kevin O’Brien, and Michael Hutton at our 10th Anniversary celebration in 2005.
Volunteers are all smiles during a 1998 community project at Aspen’s Ashcroft.
Creating hands-on memories for the students of Wamsley Elementary’s 4th grade. The Young Stewards Program provides in-school, after-school, and summertime opportunities for students ages 6 to 18.
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) was founded in 1995 by a group of locals who saw the need for a volunteer organization to work in partnership with the public agencies that manage, preserve and protect our public lands. Our goal was to support these land managers, as well as other conservation-minded organizations, by providing a foundation of expertise and resources to complete high-quality, tangible projects. Built on the successful model of the Appalachian Trail Club and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, RFOV uses community involvement and a hands-on method to foster a sense of stewardship for the abundant natural spaces in our area.
Our first projects
In July of 1995, RFOV set out on our first project with 16 volunteers, to improve the popular Scout Trail in Glenwood Springs. That summer, we mobilized a total of 105 volunteers on two additional projects. We continued to establish new connections, working with land managers and local government agencies to prioritize work and help them accomplish meaningful trail projects. Our focus was to create sustainable trails, prevent erosion and allow users to safely enjoy these well-loved local trails.
New generations
In 2012, RFOV launched the Young Stewards Initiative to involve students in authentic service learning. Now called the Young Stewards Program (YSP), our youth education programming has matured into a suite of offerings used by schools, libraries, youth organizations, and other partners throughout the RFOV service area. By addressing the need for outdoor education programs during after school hours, as well as in communities with fewer opportunities for outdoor education, RFOV has educated over 13,000 local youth in both the classroom and outdoors.
Next Steps
What’s the future for RFOV? We’re always looking to strengthen connections to the diverse communities of Pitkin, Eagle, Gunnison, and Garfield counties. Sign up for our email newsletter to stay up-to-date!
