Recently our family snuck away for a back to school getaway at the YMCA of the Rockies. We had a great time but there were definitely some things we wished we knew before visiting the YMCA of the Rockies.
Disclosure: We were hosted for a weekend at the YMCA of the Rockies. All opinions are my own.
YMCA of the Rockies
The YMCA of the Rockies is located just outside of Estes Park, Colorado and is home to some of the most breathtaking views that these Colorado Rocky Mountains can give you. It is a place where families go to vacation, couples go to get married, companies and teams go to learn team building skills and people are inspired and surrounded by nature.
When I was in middle school I was somehow put into student council. I remember getting paperwork between 5th and 6th grade about a summer trip to the YMCA and then spending the next three summers with my student council team, making memories, learning leadership skills and having the best time! I was elated to partner with the YMCA of the Rockies, to give my children a glimpse into some of the memories I made as a child and to make memories with my family that will last a lifetime.
5 Things We Wished We Knew Before visiting the YMCA
Remember, the last time that I was at a YMCA, I was 12. My memories consist of swimming, hiking, team building games and playing around with friends. As an adult, I am not sure what I expected, but I will tell you that we definitely wished we knew a few things before we arrived at the YMCA of the Rockies.
1. It is Beautiful
I know Estes Park is gorgeous, but the YMCA is breathtaking. We loved it up there and it’s sweet spot in Rocky Mountain National Park makes it obvious, but we were just not expecting the views and the grounds to be so incredible.
2. Room Options
I remember being in some sort of dormitory when I went with my student council group. I should have probably read more online, but initially we were expecting to be in a dorm type room with our family. The YMCA of the Rockies has way more than what I remember. There are lodge rooms (basic hotel room set up), cabins and vacation homes as well as a hostel and even family reunion cabins.
3. There is SO MUCH to do
I am not even kidding. I was overwhelmed by the amount of activities and events that we could participate in. There was a playground, swimming, new hiking trails, a gameroom, basketball court, mini golf, tennis, arts and crafts, fishing, cosmic climbing a brand new dog park and there was even a triathalon when we were there! Never a dull moment.
4. S’mores
We were not prepared for the first night when we came out from dinner and saw a gorgeous sunset and a firepit with families surrounding it and s’mores in hand. We definitely drove to the store that night and grabbed our supplies for the next night…only to realize that the firepit was hosting a private event. You live and learn, we will be prepared next time.
5. Bring a Water Bottle!
We are all Colorado natives and so being at altitude doesn’t really bother us, except for thirst. We realized this quickly after seeing how much running around and exploring we were doing. There were water fountains available and plenty of people brought their own bottles to refill. With little to no A/C on the property (yes including your rooms), making sure to stay hydrated was a must!
Perfect Back to School Getaway
The YMCA was the perfect back to school getaway. It was an easy hour drive for us through the mountains. The scenery was stunning and we loved that we could stay busy or just relax on the balcony of our room. The YMCA of the Rockies is a gem in the Colorado Mountains and honestly was so simple and easy that we have to recommend this for families looking to sneak off for some quiet family fun!
