Nationally Recognized Youth program to consult on programs for the Centennial Celebration of Rocky Mountain National Park

DENVER, June 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2012 Colorado Preserve America Youth Summit: "Pinnacle of Preservation-Rocky at 100!"  will immerse over 70 students, their teachers and their mentors in this nationally recognized program. Students will act as consultants, as they review critical issues and provide ideas for solutions in Rocky Mountain National Park and the gateway community of Estes Park.  Summit participants will play a key role in the development of themes and programs for the park's upcoming Centennial celebration and examine the preservation and conservation challenges of the region.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120619/DC26966)

The public is invited to the Rocky Mountain National Park Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on Friday, June 22 from 9 to 11 a.m. to hear students' ideas, recommendations and observations in a moderated Town Hall.  Town Hall guests will include elected officials and leaders in history, education and tourism.

About the Colorado Preserve America Youth Summit

The Colorado Youth Summit program is the 2012 recipient of the Governor's Award for Historic Preservation, and was recently highlighted as national model by the Secretary of the Interior. Building on the nationally recognized success of previous Youth Summits, a Colorado program since 2006, the 2012 Youth Summit Field School will be presented from June 19-22, 2012 in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The 2012 "Pinnacle of Preservation-Rocky at 100" Youth Summit is hosted by preservation and community partners including  the National Park Service; Rocky Mountain National Park; History Colorado, State Historical Fund; Colorado Preservation, Inc.; The History Channel; Colorado Humanities and other organizations.  The 2012 Youth Summit provides interactive, outcome driven experiences that engage youth, and their teachers, in heritage education, archaeology, heritage tourism and preservation.

About Rocky Mountain National Park

Known as "Colorado's Gift to the Nation" when founded in 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses over 265,000 acres and is one of the most widely visited National Parks in the United States. With nearly three million visitors each year, balancing protection of natural resources, wildlife, historic and cultural resources, along with opportunities for tourism and recreation creates challenging opportunities for managers as the park nears its 100th anniversary in 2015.

Media Contact:
Ann A. Pritzlaff, Youth Summit Coordinator
[email protected] 
303/475-9403

Larry Frederick, Chief of Interpretation & Education
Rocky Mountain National Park
[email protected] 
970-586-1220

SOURCE History Colorado