MEET EPIC VOLUNTEER MACY NEDELKA
Who: Macy Nedelka
Title: Benefits Coordinator
Location: Broomfield
Who did you volunteer with for your EpicVolunteer experience?
I endured a week long backpacking trip in Medicine Bow, Wyo., with Big City Mountaineers (BCM). I, along with four other adult leaders, mentored five high school girls from Miami, Fla., on a life-changing outdoor expedition.
I endured a week long backpacking trip in Medicine Bow, Wyo., with Big City Mountaineers (BCM). I, along with four other adult leaders, mentored five high school girls from Miami, Fla., on a life-changing outdoor expedition.
What did you spend your 40 hours doing?
The first day of the trip we went car camping past Fort Collins, Colo., along the Poudre River, to get the girls from Miami acclimated to the altitude. Brandon, our trip leader, was great at teaching them that safety was the number one priority.
Every day on our expedition there were five team leadership positions: the navigator, cook, water master, sweep and educator. Each day one of the girls and adults were responsible for each position. Day two was our first day hiking in the backcountry. We made it about two miles out and most of the girls experienced their first snow! Day three was definitely one of the hardest days for them. They were struggling throughout the day with the challenging hike to our next camp, especially since it rained for the majority of the day, but we made it to our destination at Deep Lake and had a great campsite with a blazing fire. On day four, we woke up late in the morning to 45-degree weather, plus a wind chill. This was our lay over day where we stayed at our camp and went on a day hike around the lake. The girls started to really open up about their lives during reflection round table at night.
Day five was the hardest hiking day but everyone did great. We were going to stop and camp at North Gap Lake but there wasn’t great tree coverage so we kept hiking. Having to shuffle over large boulders, we went through the most technical hike Brandon said she has ever been on with BCM. This was one of my favorite nights because after dinner we ended up laying on a rock and looking up at the beautiful stars; we even saw shooting stars and the Milky Way! Most of the girls had never seen the sky look that bright.
The last day of our backpacking trip was the happiest I had ever seen the girls. When we saw the car from the trail they started running and cheering – they were so excited that they had accomplished the hike and completed the trip successfully. Everyone had smiles on their faces as we headed back to Colorado.
The first day of the trip we went car camping past Fort Collins, Colo., along the Poudre River, to get the girls from Miami acclimated to the altitude. Brandon, our trip leader, was great at teaching them that safety was the number one priority.
Every day on our expedition there were five team leadership positions: the navigator, cook, water master, sweep and educator. Each day one of the girls and adults were responsible for each position. Day two was our first day hiking in the backcountry. We made it about two miles out and most of the girls experienced their first snow! Day three was definitely one of the hardest days for them. They were struggling throughout the day with the challenging hike to our next camp, especially since it rained for the majority of the day, but we made it to our destination at Deep Lake and had a great campsite with a blazing fire. On day four, we woke up late in the morning to 45-degree weather, plus a wind chill. This was our lay over day where we stayed at our camp and went on a day hike around the lake. The girls started to really open up about their lives during reflection round table at night.
Day five was the hardest hiking day but everyone did great. We were going to stop and camp at North Gap Lake but there wasn’t great tree coverage so we kept hiking. Having to shuffle over large boulders, we went through the most technical hike Brandon said she has ever been on with BCM. This was one of my favorite nights because after dinner we ended up laying on a rock and looking up at the beautiful stars; we even saw shooting stars and the Milky Way! Most of the girls had never seen the sky look that bright.
The last day of our backpacking trip was the happiest I had ever seen the girls. When we saw the car from the trail they started running and cheering – they were so excited that they had accomplished the hike and completed the trip successfully. Everyone had smiles on their faces as we headed back to Colorado.
What was the most rewarding part of your EpicVolunteer experience?
Hearing about some of the struggles that these girls go through was very eye-opening. They were so strong for being so young and they really inspired me to be a better person. On the last night, we all shared a positive outcome of the trip and a lot of the girls shared how this trip taught them to keep pushing themselves, because even when they are struggling and want to give up, they can push themselves even farther. One said that it taught them to have an open mind and to always try new things. From beaches to the backcountry, these girls learned how to clean their own water, cook food for 10 people and carry their own packs while hiking a 12-mile loop. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to be an EpicVolunteer!
Hearing about some of the struggles that these girls go through was very eye-opening. They were so strong for being so young and they really inspired me to be a better person. On the last night, we all shared a positive outcome of the trip and a lot of the girls shared how this trip taught them to keep pushing themselves, because even when they are struggling and want to give up, they can push themselves even farther. One said that it taught them to have an open mind and to always try new things. From beaches to the backcountry, these girls learned how to clean their own water, cook food for 10 people and carry their own packs while hiking a 12-mile loop. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to be an EpicVolunteer!
EpicVolunteers provides Vail Resorts employees with the opportunity for enriching Experiences of a Lifetime through 40 hours of paid time off to volunteer. Participants can select nonprofits in their own backyard, across the country or even abroad, lending talent and energy to worthy causes while learning of important social and environmental issues. New in 2015, employees are encouraged to apply for EpicVolunteers at any time during the year. Applications will be accepted on the 15th of every month, as long as the application is submitted at least three months prior to the project. If accepted, volunteers will hear by the 15th of the following month and attend an EpicVolunteers training the month before their project. Click here to apply.