YOUTH SPOTLIGHT AND DIFFERENCE MAKER | |
Youth Spotlight: Ayelen Espinoza | Ayelen is a bright, adventurous, and motivated sophomore at Eagle Valley High School who has dreams of traveling far beyond the Eagle River Valley. Ayelen has a service dog, named Buck, and two younger sisters, whom she loves. Although shy at first, Ayelen is outspoken, talkative, and engaged in her school and community. Whether she is helping to organize events for students in Leadership Class, supporting young readers through Reading Buddies, or playing E-Sports, you will find Ayelen is quick to offer a helping hand to create a more accessible and healthy community. | |
Difference Maker: Ricky Luevanos | |
Ricky is, above all, a devoted family man. As of this writing, he and his wife, along with their two sons, have just welcomed the arrival of their first baby girl. However, Ricky's sense of family extends beyond his own children. Through his role as Sr. Manager of Youth Development at the Vail Valley Foundation’s YouthPower365 and director of COPA, YouthPower365’s summer soccer program for children aged 3-17, Ricky mentors hundreds of young people each year. This, he says, is one of the most rewarding aspects of his job.
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Prevention Specialist
Part-time hourly, 20-30 hours per week, 10-month position, opportunity to renew annually
Under the direction of the Director of Community Education, this position supports the organization's mission by building relationships with youth and school representatives. The Prevention Specialist is responsible for planning and facilitating in-school youth prevention program efforts, supporting the organization’s prevention education efforts, and performing general office duties and other responsibilities as needed with a schedule following the school year calendar.
Under the direction of the Senior Manager of Youth Engagement, this position supports the mission of the organization by building youth partnerships and connections to safe driving work, and administering impaired and distracted driving prevention work, as defined in the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) partnership scopes.
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The coalition took a break from our hard work in June and focused on skill building, having fun and creating connections! A small group of coalition members took a Social Media Videos Workshop through High Five Access Media and learned new skills that will help us create high-quality, engaging and educational videos. We also held our Annual Celebration last week at Eagle River Park! Coalition members spent the evening playing games, enjoying dinner and receiving recognition for the time and effort they've put into supporting our community over the last year. Cheers to our incredibly passionate, driven and fun-loving coalition members! | |
If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact Cameron Dole, Youth Engagement Coordinator, at cdole@mountainyouth.org
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Calendar of Community Events
Calendario de Eventos Comunitarios
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Eagle County Rodeo
Location: Eagle River Center, Eagle County Fairgrounds
Date: July 22, 2024
Time: 12:00 - 6:30 PM
The Eagle County Fair & Rodeo Open Class competition brings a unique opportunity for Eagle County youth to engage in friendly competition. Youth are able to compete in many categories from jam making, quilting, baking, garden produce, arts, crafts, photography, sewing and so much more. Participants are judged against their own age group.
- Enter Non-perishable Exhibits at the Eagle River Center on Monday, July 22 from noon to 6:30PM.
- Enter Perishable Exhibits at the Eagle River Center on Tuesday, July 23 from 7:00 – 8:30AM.
- Pick up Exhibits on Sunday, July 28 from 8:00 – 10:00AM.
Contact info: Glenda Wentworth, glenda.wentworth@eaglecounty.us
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Eagle County Fair
Location: Eagle River Center
Date: July 22 - July 27
Time: 9 AM start
Come out and see our 4-H community hard at work. Livestock, leathercraft, clothing construction, shooting sports, model rocketry, beekeeping and many more projects will be on display.
Contact info: Connie Melzer 970-471-8043
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Annual Luncheon and Fundraiser
Location: 4 Eagle Ranch
Date: Wednesday, July 24
Time:11:30 AM
The Literacy Project is pleased to announce Lisa See as the 2024 Annual Luncheon featured speaker! We are also thrilled to share that the luncheon will take place at an exciting new venue, 4 Eagle Ranch!
Contact info: Colleen Gray 970-949-5026
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Eagle Public Library
June 11-July 23
Tuesdays, 3:00-4:00 pm
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Avon Public Library
June 12-July 24
Wednesdays, 3:00-4:00 pm
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Gypsum Public Library
June 10-July 22
Mondays, 3:00-4:00 pm
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The Literacy Project works in collaboration with the Eagle Valley Library District to pair teens and elementary age children. The big buddy and the little buddy read together, play reading-based games and participate in group activities. In Reading Buddies, we match volunteer high school students with children in grades 1-4 for an hour of reading time once each week. In Avon, middle school students can also volunteer.
The Reading Buddies Program meets at the Avon Library, Eagle Library, and Gypsum Library for 7-week sessions during the school year and summer break. We offer three to four sessions during the year at each library. The 1-hour program includes a group activity, one-to-one reading, reflection time and games. The purpose of Reading Buddies is to provide a leadership, responsibility, and community service opportunities with high school mentors helping to foster a love of reading in elementary school students.
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Summer Climbing Camp
Location: Eagle Climbing + Fitness
Time and days: Summer Camp begins 6/3, 8:30am – 3:30pm, extended day available
Parents and kids LOVE our day camps, so get signed up ASAP! Climbing Camps at Eagle Climbing + Fitness are a fun filled adventure for kids ages 5-12, which includes climbing, slacklining, Ninja style obstacle courses, games, fun and learning new skills! For more info and to sign up, visit eagleclimbing.com/youth
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Queer Climbing Night
Location: Eagle Climbing + Fitness
Time and day: Last Sunday of each month, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Find and build community at Eagle Climbing + Fitness. Queer Climbing Night is a social and fun gathering on the last Sunday of each month from 5-7pm. This is an inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ identifying/curious individuals (and allies too!). ALL abilities welcome.
Contact info: info@eagleclimbing.com
970-328-0893
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Avon Summer Camp
Location of Event: Avon Elementary School Gymnasium
Date: June 3rd- August 16th
Cost: $50 per Day
Time: 7:30 AM- 5:30 PM
Avon Summer Camp is back for the 2024 summer. Field trip’s scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday as well as swimming, crafts parks, and activities on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Camp Avon is a Colorado state-licensed program and accepts CCCAP. If a day is full please sign up for the waitlist.
Contact info: Luke Herron (lherron@avon.org)
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Kid’s Dunk-N-Dash
Location of Event: Nottingham lake
Date: June 17th- August 12th, Every Monday
Cost: $15
Time: 6:30-7:30PM
The Dunk-N-Dash Kids Duathlon is an exciting and inclusive event designed specifically for children to experience the thrill of multisport competition. Racers will swim approximately 300 yards and then run one lap around Nottingham Lake (approx: 1 mile)
Contact info: Luke Herron (lherron@avon.org)
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Youth Tennis Clinics
Location of Event: Avon Elementary School Gymnasium
Date: June 4- August 15
Cost: $170 for a 3-day clinic
Time: 9:00AM-12:00PM (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Avon tennis group lessons consist of a 3-hour group lesson from 9:00 am- 12:00 pm. Beginner youth tennis lessons will focus on teaching the fundamentals of the game. Players will learn the basics such as racquet handling, hand-eye coordination, basic strokes, and footwork. These fundamentals are introduced through fun game-based drills and scrimmages. By signing up your children for tennis, you'll be giving them more than a fun way to stay active. You'll be building a foundation for success that will last a lifetime.
Contact info: Luke Herron (lherron@avon.org)
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Teen Orientation Class
Location: Avon Recreation Center
Time: Tuesday & Wednesday 10:00 AM-11:30 AM and 12:30 PM-2:00 PM
Ages 13-17
Cost: $20
Instructor: Spencer Morgan
An All-In-One Introduction to Strength Training specifically optimized for Teen Aged Boys and Girls. Safe & Effective training for ages 13-17. Learn to safely train, gym etiquette, goal specific training/lifting.
Upon completion of this orientation, youth between the ages of 13-14 will be able to gain full access to our fitness facility. Participants will be able to gain an understanding of the layout of the facility and proper lifting techniques.
Contact info: (lherron@avon.org)
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Name of Event: LG TRI
Location of Event: Siena Valley Club – Gypsum, CO
Date: July 13, 2024
Time: 7:00 am
Short description: the LG Tri is a sprint triathlon honoring VVCF grant recipient Laura Genelin. This race is for first-timers and seasoned pros alike, adults can participate individually or on teams of 2 or 3. The adult course features a 500-yard open water swim, a 12-mile bike ride, and 5K run - all near the Siena Valley Club neighborhood of Gypsum. We're also running the Kids Tri on a special course built for kids, so bring the whole family!
Contact info: brooke@vvcf.org
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Parenting Tips of the Month | |
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Encourage your youth to try something new this summer!
Summer is the perfect season for your child to explore new experiences. It's a time for them to get creative, experiment with new hobbies, and embrace playful learning. Whether it's picking up a paintbrush, strumming a guitar, or constructing something with tools, there's a world of possibilities waiting. Engaging in novel activities not only nurtures cognitive growth but also enhances focus, patience, and self-regulation skills in your child.
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Mountain Youth works to make the community we live in a stronger, more vibrant place for youth and families through education, advocacy, and connections.
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