Cairn Corner: Building Pathways for Colorado’s Next Generation of Stewards

Hands-On Career Exploration for Cairn Students and Colorado Youth

How do high school students in Colorado explore careers in conservation, natural resources, and the outdoor industry? For about 60 students, from VOC's Cairn program and other groups across the Front Range, the answer was hands-on learning, meaningful conversations, and skill-building at the 4th Annual Career Exploration Day, hosted by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) and the Youth Exploring Stewardship (YES) Coalition.

Held at Colorado Mountain Club’s new 'Basecamp' in Golden, this year’s event built on past success by offering students a deeper, more interactive experience designed specifically for youth interested in environmental stewardship and outdoor career pathways.

Career Skills, Stewardship, and Hands-On Learning

Students selected two of four curated workshops, allowing them to tailor the day to their interests:

• Career Panel featuring professionals from Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the National Park Service, and nonprofit organizations
• Mock Interviews with mentors from VOC’s Cairn Program and Boulder County partners
• Blaze Your Own Trail, a workshop focused on identifying skills, passions, and telling your personal story
• Intro to Outdoor Guiding & Rock Climbing, including certifications and indoor climbing instruction

These sessions gave students practical tools they can use, whether they’re exploring college options, internships, summer jobs, or future careers in conservation and the outdoors.

Connecting Youth With Opportunities Across Colorado

In the afternoon, students enjoyed a catered lunch sponsored by Boulder County Parks & Open Space, followed by a bustling tabling fair featuring 19 organizations from across the Front Range. Representatives shared information about volunteering, internships, and career pathways in natural resources, education, and outdoor recreation, even braving subfreezing temperatures to be there for students.



A special thank-you goes to Colorado Mountain Club, which co-coordinated the event, donated the venue, and provided climbing instructors, gear, and equipment that brought a dynamic, physical element to the day.

Why Career Exploration for Youth Matters

While the long-term outcomes of events like this can’t always be measured immediately, past participants have shared powerful stories. Some students have landed summer trail jobs or internships after discovering organizations at this event. This year, one student even returned to thank a mentor from a previous mock interview, sharing, “I got a job because of you.”

Even for students who may not pursue a career in natural resources, Career Exploration Day offers valuable exposure to professional skills, confidence-building experiences, and the understanding that caring for Colorado’s outdoor spaces can take many forms.

As one staff member reflected, “What started as a simple tabling event has grown into a dynamic, hands-on experience that inspires not just students, but the adults supporting them too.”

VOC is proud to work alongside the YES Coalition and community partners to create meaningful youth stewardship opportunities in Colorado, helping students see what’s possible and empowering the next generation to care for our shared outdoor future.

Career Exploration Day is just one piece of a much larger effort to support Colorado’s next generation of outdoor stewards. Through VOC’s Cairn Program, Front Range students ages 14–18 engage in monthly service projects, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities that build confidence, skills, and a lasting connection to the outdoors.

Whether students pursue careers in natural resources or take these experiences into other fields, Cairn helps them show up as informed, engaged caretakers of Colorado’s outdoor spaces. To learn more about the Cairn Program or how to get involved, visit voc.org/cairn-program