Left Hand Outdoor Challenge

This free program is designed for Boulder County-area teens ages 14-18 and seeks to teach about various careers in natural resources as well as to develop new outdoor skills. The program gives young adults the skills necessary to become stewards of open space lands.

2026-27 Season

Applications for teen and adult mentor volunteers for the 2026-27 season will open on June 17.

All teen volunteers must be between 14 and 18 years old as of Sept. 1, 2026.

The application deadline is Aug. 12.

Program Objectives

Through demonstration and hands-on application of resource management techniques, participants will be able to apply sound environmental stewardship practices through:

Service Learning
Environmental Education
Leadership Development
Challenging Outdoor Activities

Innovative monthly challenges will be hosted by Parks & Open Space staff from various specialties exposing participants to many different resource management issues and natural environments. Participants will earn community service hours while helping to protect parks and open spaces.

Participant Requirements

Be between 14 and 18 years old as of Sept. 1, 2026.
Be open to challenging yourself, working as a positive team member and have a desire to contribute to your community.
Show a willingness to be involved in outdoor activities, volunteer service, and environmental stewardship.
Attend all Wednesday basecamps and monthly challenges. Wednesday basecamps are two-hour sessions from 6 to 8 p.m. to prepare for the upcoming monthly challenges. Monthly challenges are held on Saturday once a month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2026-27 Calendar

The 2026-27 calendar will be posted soon.

Please see last year’s calendar to get an idea of what this year’s calendar might look like.

September: Camping and Volunteer Project
- Basecamp: Sept. 3, 2025
- Challenge: Sept. 20-21, 2025
October: Ropes Course
- Basecamp: Oct. 1, 2025
- Challenge: Oct. 11, 2025
November: Land Restoration Project
- Basecamp: Nov. 5, 2025
- Challenge: Nov. 15, 2025
December: First aid & CPR
- Basecamp: Dec. 3, 2025
- Challenge: Dec. 13, 2025
January: Youth Outdoor Career Exploration Day
- Basecamp: Jan. 14, 2026
- Challenge: Jan. 24, 2025
February: Winter Skills Exploration and Preparedness
- Basecamp: Feb. 11, 2026
- Challenge: Feb. 21, 2026
March: Rock Climbing (Girls and Nonbinary Youth) & Equine Assisted Therapy (Boys)
- Challenge: March 7, 2026
April: Outdoor Wellness: Yoga, Forest Bathing, Self-Defense
- Challenge: April 11, 2026
May: Mountain Biking and Volunteer Project
- Basecamp: April 29, 2026
- Challenge: May 2, 2026

Award Winning Program

Best New Program Award

The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) gave the Left Hand Outdoor Challenge its Best New Program Award in 2013. CAEE recognizes exemplary and effective environmental education programs and individuals across Colorado who are setting a new standard for learning in their communities.

Achievement Award

The National Association of Counties gave the Left Hand Outdoor Challenge an Achievement Award in 2014. The award recognizes innovative county government programs.

Pinnacle Award

The Boulder County Commissioners gave the Left Hand Outdoor Challenge a Pinnacle Award in 2014. The Pinnacle Awards recognizes projects and programs that exemplify the county’s guiding values to provide excellent public service.