Summer at the college

 

Jared Leifeld is director of student life and housing at Colorado Mountain College Leadville.  In June 2017, he contributed to “CMC Corner,” a column published in the Leadville Herald Democrat.

By Jared Leifeld

If you’re wondering about some of the new faces you’re seeing in town this summer, say hello to the participants in our summer conferences.

Groups hold their summer conferences at Colorado Mountain College for a variety of reasons, but the biggest draws are the scenic location and the escape from the heat and bustle of the city. Right on campus they can meet their needs for housing, dining and meeting spaces – though of course many conference attendees and their families enjoy additional dining, accommodations and recreational opportunities in and near town.

For instance, for years we have hosted Project Healing Waters, a national program dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans, an experience they find through fly fishing.

And for even more years, young people have come to CMC to learn leadership skills or to be introduced to the college experience. Again this year we welcome Upward Bound 9th and 10th graders to learn how to achieve academic excellence and be involved in their community. We also welcome First Ascent, a free leadership program that the college offers to middle schoolers from throughout CMC’s service area.

In addition to these groups, numerous high school athletic teams come to Leadville to build bonds and train. Cross country and soccer teams particularly enjoy our high-elevation training grounds.

Summer conference guests live in our residence hall, which has double-occupancy rooms with en suite bathrooms. Our campus, including the residence hall, offers free wi-fi, allowing conference attendees to stay connected even while they are getting away from their busy daily routines.

Conference groups use our classrooms, which are equipped with all technology to meet their presentation needs. Different-sized classrooms allow for large group and breakout sessions. And to round out the conference experience, we work with our dining partner, Sodexo, to provide anything from coffee and pastries to a full buffet meal.

So say hello to our summer visitors, if you meet them on the rivers, trails or sidewalks around town. And think of us if you’re planning a summer conference, as well.