My Nonprofit Reviews
Bruce Y.
Review for Laramie River Valley Rendezvous Inc, Fort Collins, CO, USA
The effort and time that goes into preparation for this summer camp for at-risk kids 13-16 is amazing. There are no paid staff members; everyone works on their own time, their own dime. The kids learn so much - cooperation in accomplishing tasks, how to meet and live with strangers for a week, and drug awareness and avoidance are just three. All the while they are having the time of their lives horseback riding, white water rafting, mountain biking, and hiking. It takes the cooperation of many to accomplish this little miracle in the mountains each year, from the Rawah Ranch which provides horse facilities and wranglers, to the Colorado Air National Guard, who as a public service contribute their time and excellent anti-drug program, to the firefighter/caterer who, with his family, serve as the gourmet providers of victuals, all the law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other community volunteers, and the president of this 501.c3 charitable organization. He and his wife put in countless hours over the entire year rounding up funding; finding, adapting, and repairing equipment; interviewing and educating the campers; and all the other countless details that go into a successful project. It's a wonderful, worthwhile, heart-warming annual project, and my wife and I are proud to be allowed to be a very small part of it.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing how the kids of the community react to their experience. Many become life-long friends and contribute to the Rendezvous by becoming counselors and providing recreational services, such as the rafting, to the kids. These are kids that are almost all from single-parent or foster families, and have few recreational or community-building opportunities. The time they spend at camp is recreational, but builds strong alliances, too.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
If I had one wish, I would wish for a stable form of funding. Raising money takes so much time and energy away from preparation; it really strains all the resources - as all participate in fund-raisers.
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Can't think of a thing. We look forward to it all year.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
New friends, certainly, and gave us the knowledge that even a couple of old retirees can contribute positively to the life of a child.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Warm and happy sound too sappy?
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
