Tag Archive for: regenerative travel

Volunteer Opportunities in Breckenridge

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Whether you live in Breckenridge or are just visiting, there’s no better way to give back to our mountain community than by volunteering a little time. There are countless nonprofit organizations in Breckenridge and Summit County that provide services to our residents, the planet and beyond. If you’d like to give back, consider a few opportunities below. 

Year-Round Volunteer Opportunities 

FIRC  

The Family Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC) has served Summit County since 1993. FIRC provides a variety of services like housing assistance, mental health navigation, food market, parenting support and so much more. FIRC is always looking for volunteers to assist in their food markets and in their thrift store in Breckenridge, Thrift & Treasure. 

Smart Bellies 

Smart Bellies is a backpack food program that has been feeding students in Summit and Lake Counties since 2018. Each week this generous nonprofit provides nutritious, kid-friendly meals and family bags of produce to children and families in our community. You can sign up to help pick up supplies, pack bags of food or deliver directly to homes.  

Breckenridge Backstage Theater 

Breckenridge Backstage Theater relies on volunteers to help them put on amazing performances and events. During their theater rotation they are often looking for volunteers to help with concessions, tickets, constructions and more. Why not catch a show and support a local nonprofit at the same time?

Volunteers working on a trail in Breckenridge.

Seasonal Volunteer Opportunities 

Friends of the Dillon Ranger District 

If you happen to find yourself in Breckenridge in the summer, Friends of the Dillon Ranger District (FDRD) is always seeking volunteers to help with trail and forest health projects. If you enjoy some of the hundreds of miles of trails throughout Breckenridge, volunteering to help restore and build trails is a great way to give back to the land.  

Summit Huts 

If you enjoy backcountry skiing in the winter or long hikes in the summer, you may have noticed a few backcountry cabins on your adventures. These incredible cabins can be rented by backcountry travelers, but they need help to be maintained! These volunteer opportunities typically include physical labor like wood splitting and maintenance projects. Volunteers are rewarded with a free night stay in any of the Summit Huts Hutmasters Quarters for each day of volunteer work. 

Breckenridge Events 

Breckenridge is a town full of popular events like Oktoberfest, the International Snow Sculpture Championships, Wine Classic, Breck Film Fest and more. Many of these events are looking for volunteers like you to help the event run smoothly. At celebrations like Oktoberfest, volunteers receive a stein and two drink tokens which makes your time giving back even sweeter! 

Racers at the starting arch at the RAM Walk in Breckenridge

Charity Events 

FIRC Fashion Show 

If you don’t have time to volunteer with FIRC at the thrift store or food markets, attending their annual Fashion Show fundraiser is a fantastic way to show your support. Each year local models use reimagined thrift store finds to bring a new theme to life.  

RAM Walk 

The Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk was established in memory of Rob Millisor, one of the owners/developers of Breckenridge Grand Vacations. Each year you can participate in the race or walk to raise money for heart health research which has included the installation of AED units around Breckenridge. If you can’t make the event, you can opt to donate. The total raised from 2016 –2022 has been over $1 million. 

The Great Rubber Duck Race 

This longstanding Summit County Tradition, put on by the Summit Foundation, has supported our mountain community for more than three decades. The race typically takes place on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. The race itself features over 10,000 ducks, purchased by donation, that race down the Blue River in the heart of Breckenridge, vying for the top spot and prizes. 

Rubber ducks floating down the Blue River in Breckenridge

Don’t Have Time to Volunteer?  

If you can’t give back time but would like to donate in some way, the Summit Foundation is a fantastic organization that has supported our community for over 35 years. The Summit Foundation has given $46 million back to the community since 1984 and provides student scholarships and grants to local nonprofits. You can feel good knowing your dollars will go directly to the community you know and love.

How Breckenridge is a Regenerative Travel Destination

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Sustainable travel has become an important part in choosing vacation destinations and Breckenridge does it well as a Mountain IDEAL sustainable destination. But have you heard of regenerative travel? Regenerative travel focuses on how travel can improve not only the environment but the communities that people visit so you can have a net positive impact on the destination you are visiting.  

How can you do that with a trip to Breckenridge? Read on to find out all the ways you can give back to this beautiful mountain town when you visit.  

Sustainability in Breckenridge 

Breckenridge has a carbon-neutral goal of being powered by 100% renewable energy by 2035 and there are many actions you can take during your visit to contribute. Free public transportation is available throughout Breckenridge and Summit County so you can reduce your footprint while you sit back and relax. In addition, the Town of Breckenridge has a bag fee of 10 cents per bag, so bringing your own reusable bag is highly encouraged.  

If you are looking for more ways to travel and stay sustainably in Breckenridge, our Sustainable Travel Guide has you covered. 

Group of Mountain Bikers in Breckenridge

B Like Breckenridge 

B Like Breckenridge is a movement born in the spirit of our historic mountain town by the Town of Breckenridge. According to the Town of Breckenridge, its cause is “one that reminds us to act with intention. To be thoughtful in how we interact with nature, wildlife and one another. And to do our part daily, however big or small, to preserve and protect our communities, our natural environment, and our world.” 

B Like Breckenridge embraces the spirit of regenerative travel and encourages using less, walking more, leaving no trace, sticking to the trails, respecting wildlife, nature, and each other, and being a responsible steward of our communities. 

Two people volunteering on trail work in Breckenridge

Volunteer Your Time  

There are so many ways to volunteer your time during a trip to Breckenridge. Countless nonprofit organizations that serve the community seek weekly volunteers like the Family and Interculture Resource Center and Smart Bellies. Breckenridge also hosts a plethora of amazing events throughout the year. If you’re coming to town for one of these events, consider volunteering a few hours. By volunteering at these events, you typically receive free entry or drink vouchers!  

Aerial View of Breckenridge Ski Resort, the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 and the Grand Colorado on Peak 8

Stay with a Company that Gives Back 

Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV) is the family-owned parent company of Grand Timber Lodge, the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 and the Grand Colorado on Peak 8 in Breckenridge. The owners of BGV realized they have an obligation to financially support the many nonprofit agencies that make Summit County such a wonderful place to live.  

BGV Gives was established to facilitate and further extend BGV’s philanthropic reach and impact in the community and now supports hundreds of local nonprofits and organizations. One prominent initiative includes the annual Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk that has contributed over $1 million to The Rob Millisor Heart Health Fund at The Summit Foundation to support heart health programs, education and research. 

By booking your stay at one of BGV’s properties you are actively contributing to the success of BGV Give’s philanthropic efforts and the local community!