The decision to work for Rocky Mountain Pathways Ranch (RMPR) was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. There were many moments I had at the ranch where I felt that there was no other place I would rather be.

RMPR puts an emphasis on teaching life skills and how to be a better version of oneself; and it encourages staff to practice those same life skills. It is a place where students are pushed out of their comfort zones, and learn that it is okay to be vulnerable in front of others. It is a place where a staff member works with a community of individuals, who become like family, to give students an experience of a lifetime.

What I loved about working on the ranch was seeing the growth that took place in the students over the course of each session. Not only did I see growth in the students, but within myself as well. What is great about this job is that you have the opportunity to teach an activity or subject and make it your own by adding your own style and spin to it. While being at the ranch I was able to reconnect with myself and remember the greatness I hold within.

Hayley Connors-Keith
Former Lead RA

 

Being in such close contact with nature and the daily push to slow down, connect, and reflect, I was able to reconnect with myself and my passions that had been lost along my path to pursuing the ‘right career’. I made a commitment to myself while at RMPR that I would give myself a chance to go for my dreams and let go of the fear of rejection and failure. You spend your time at RMPR living outside of your comfort zone and it’s the best thing you could possibly ever do for yourself – whether you’re there for a student over 11 days or as a staff member there for months. Going to RMPR is exciting, scary, and 100% worth it. You will change, you will grow, and you will have memories and relationships that will last you a lifetime.

-Casey Rucinski      
Former Ranch Manager,
Rhode Island/Michigan

 

I’ve wanted to live and work on a ranch for as long as I can remember, that’s half of it, the other half is that this ranch is set right in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with both Roosevelt National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park right on its doorstep. Combine that with the opportunity to work with the at risk youth population in such a beautiful setting and I was sold! During my time on the ranch I have grown in so many ways that it would nearly take forever to write them all down here, but what I will say is that I am a better person because of this experience and that I will always hold the memory of this place very dear to my heart.

-Dean Donahue,
Former RA & Facilitator,
Belfast, Ireland

 

Working at RMPR was my first long stint away from my very tight knit family and friends in another area of the country. I felt that as the students were growing both spiritually and emotionally I could relate to their experience because I was going through a lot of the same hardships: homesickness, vulnerability, etc. We are all more similar and at the same time more unique than we truly understand and participating in this program helped to enforce these ideas. Even though I wasn’t with the program for very long, I reflect on those experiences often and I am overwhelmed with joy every time I hear about the success of one student after another. I love that this program has thrived and would love to see the progress the staff has made since the beginning of the program.

-Rachel Dean,
Cumberland, MD