Oct. 14-17 | Wilderness & Beyond Conference—Estes Park, Colorado
Join us as we take an educational and inspirational look into the past, present, and future of America’s wild lands and wilderness advocacy with the 2024 Wilderness & Beyond Conference in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado.
There will be workshops, receptions, and so much more with like-minded wilderness advocates. You’ll hear from conservation luminaries and grassroots organizing experts while also sharing ideas and brainstorming strategies to safeguard critical wild places, watersheds, and wildlife habitat and corridors.
Conference registration options begin at $450/person—scroll down to the “Registration/Lodging Options” tab below for more information!
Come learn, connect, and grow your advocacy skills (and have a lot of FUN, too!)
YMCA of the Rockies—Estes Park Center
2515 Tunnel Road
Estes Park, Colorado 80511
Google Map
Big News for the Hiking Boots Ball!
We are thrilled to announce that multiple award-winning singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Laurie Lewis will be performing with Nashville-based banjo player George Guthrie at the Hiking Boots Ball on Wednesday, October 16th!
For more information about Laurie Lewis, click here.
Registration & Lodging Options
We’ve reserved YMCA of the Rockies’ Longs Peak Lodge, that will also include the meeting rooms for conference sessions. Meals (all included) will be served in the nearby Aspen Dining Hall, and when we gather as a group, it will be in the Willome cabin—a large space that will also feature exhibits by Broadbands and partners.
Conference registration fees include lodging (unless otherwise noted), all meals, happy hour, speaker sessions, and most activities!
Click here for a PDF map of the YMCA of the Rockies-Estes Park campus.
Each room features two queen beds, full private bath, mini fridge, and free Wi-Fi. Click here for more information from YMCA of the Rockies!
Registration options include:
- $650 – Full Conference with a shared room (Each room has two queen beds)
- $850 – Full Conference and non-shared room (room has two queen beds)
- $450 – Full Conference without lodging (if you choose to stay elsewhere)
- $100 – Day Pass for Tuesday, Oct. 15 (Does NOT include lodging or breakfast)
- $150 – Day Pass for Wednesday, Oct. 16 (Does NOT include lodging or breakfast)
- $250 – Day Pass for Tuesday, Oct. 15 and Wednesday, Oct. 16 (Does NOT include lodging or breakfast)
To Book an Extra Night (or Two) on Either End…
Call YMCA of the Rockies at (888) 613-9622, and tell them that you will be there with the Great Old Broads for Wilderness Conference and would like to book the extra night(s). There will be an additional cost to you.
The YMCA will assign you a room in Longs Peak Lodge, where we are all staying, and will forward that information to the national office so we can add it to our room roster.
If you plan to arrive early, you’ll check in at the YMCA’s office. Then on Monday, October 14, when we are set up for conference registration and check in, you’ll pick up your registration materials (program, maps, goodies!).
Transportation
YMCA of the Rockies-Estes Park Center is located 76 miles (or approximately 90 minutes) from Denver International Airport (DIA). Click here for airport information, including car rental information.
Looking for a ride? Willing to give someone a ride? Click here to sign up for ridesharing/carpooling.
Local Transportation Options
Town of Estes Park Free Shuttle – From Memorial Day to mid-October, the Town of Estes Park operates five free, seasonal shuttle routes. Get around town either from your lodging or by parking at one of the large hubs in Estes (which are also free).
Estes Park Shuttle – Daily from Denver International Airport to Estes Park, Colorado. (Reservations required. Cost: $75/per person (one-way), $135/person (round trip))
Click the Map Below for Driving Directions
Comfort & Safety Tips
Broads is committed to making sure the Wilderness & Beyond Conference is a great experience for everyone. Here are a few safety tips to help make sure your Conference experience is one to remember for all the right reasons!
High Altitude
The YMCA of the Rockies campus ranges in elevation from 8,010-8,700 feet above sea level. To make your conference stay more comfortable and help you adapt to the lower oxygen levels at these elevations (it might take a couple days), we have a few suggestions:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Rest if you feel fatigued or dizzy.
- Avoid alcohol (the effects of alcohol, including dehydration, are often exacerbated by altitude).
- Reapply sunscreen often (the thinner atmosphere at altitude means less protection from the sun’s UV rays).
Weather
The weather at YMCA of the Rockies can be highly variable—even over the course of a few hours. Fall temperatures can be mild and comfortable during the day, then plummet to below freezing after sunset. And because of the high elevation and mountainous landscape, snow is always a possibility. We recommend packing:
- A variety of layers.
- A warm jacket.
- Rain jacket.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Sturdy shoes in case of snow.
Wildlife Safety
Fall is a busy time for wildlife across the Rockies, as animals prepare for winter. YMCA of the Rockies shares its location with a wide variety of northern Colorado wildlife—from deer, elk, and moose to coyotes and (occasionally) black bears and mountain lions. This could mean some great wildlife viewing, as long as it’s done safely!
For the protection of both you and the wildlife, please observe these safety practices:
- Do NOT feed wildlife under any circumstances. Please remember to properly dispose of trash and food scraps so they don’t attract wildlife.
- Keep your distance while viewing wildlife. For your safety, use a zoom lens and stay at least two bus-lengths (or roughly 75 feet) from any animal—and even farther away from bears and moose (at least 120 feet)!
- Be bear aware! Do not leave food or beverages in your car, or on outdoor tables. Lock doors and close ground-floor windows when you leave your room and when you are asleep. Your actions could save the life of a bear!
- Fall is the rut (mating) season for elk. Elk are typically mild-mannered, but during the rut season bull elks can become aggressive, and very dangerous, to people. For your safety and the safety of the elk, always keep your distance (at least 75 feet) at all times.
- Mountain lions are shy and tend to avoid confrontation with humans. But if you should encounter one, let it know you are not prey. Don’t run, but instead face the mountain lion and back away slowly. Grab a stick and make yourself look tall and dangerous. Pick up small children. If the mountain lion acts aggressively, throw rocks or other objects at it, and shout and wave your arms.
WILD Thanks to our Conference Sponsors, In-Kind Donors,
and Auction Item Donors!
Conference Sponsors
Auction Donors
Wow! Fabulous donations of gift cards, adventures, and products for conference participants to bid on!
High Country News
Holiday Rivers Expeditions
Jennifer Singer
Joan R. Brownstein
Kaye & Steve Berman
Kokopelli Packraft
Mary Dulin
Micky Ryan & John Olmsted
Molly Rain
In-Kind Donors
Who have generously donated product to give to conference participants!