The Rocky Mountain Youth Corps will host a Toast to Trails & Tales fundraiser in support of the Yampa Valley community and environment.

The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp. The fundraiser will spotlight young people who participated in RMYC programs. Attendees can expect local businesses and entertainers to be at the event as well as food, drinks, games and a live auction.

Chamberlin Birch, a duo of Steamboat-based musicians composed of singer-songwriters Jody Feeley and Brad Rasmussen, will perform at the fundraiser while Brian and Florencia Morales of La Central Catering will serve a three-course farm-to-table meal. Routt Distillery and other local makers will also be at the event, serving signature beverages. 

“The local community is everything to us,” said RMYC Development Director Lauren Vandenhurk. “A strong support system means a strong organization. The money from this event will go directly to the programs that we operate, which encourage young people to live healthy and productive lives while protecting public lands.”

This year is a significant one for RMYC, marking the nonprofit’s 30th year anniversary, and longtime Chief Program Officer Ryan Banks is taking over as CEO, replacing RMYC founder Gretchen Van De Carr. 

Earlier this year, Steamboat Springs-based outdoor equipment brand Big Agnes partnered with RMYC to supply the staff and youth with gear for their fieldwork. In return, RMYC provides feedback on the gear’s performance to Big Agnes, allowing the company to make further improvements to its products.

Thanks to the help of over 850 young people this past season, 1,621 acres of public land were improved, 705 miles of trails were built and nearly 16,000 trees were removed.

“This has been a year flush with change and transition, and with that, we continued to provide meaningful service opportunities to young people, while strengthening partnerships with land managers throughout our region,” Banks said in a statement. “We’re excited to bring the RMYC family together for this event.”

In the last three decades, RMYC has provided more than 13,000 young people a way to make a positive impact on the Yampa Valley, and has provided over $3 million in wages to its seasonal staff, corps members and interns, according to the organization.

For more info or to purchase tickets, visit RockyMountainYouthCorps.org.