Community
On a beautiful October Friday in Paradise Valley, Sleeping Giant Middle School sixth graders discovered that running a resort involves a lot more than cooking meals and welcoming guests.
It takes adventure guides, bakers, event planners, restaurant servers, housekeepers, front desk staff, human resources professionals, managers, directors, and many others, each contributing different skills to create a successful guest experience.
And on October 9, the professionals at Sage Lodge opened their workplace to an entire grade of Livingston students, giving them a chance to discover those careers for themselves.
The experience was organized by Community School Collaborative (CSC), an independent Park County nonprofit that provides meaningful career exploration and work-based learning experiences to local youth at no cost.
Why middle school? Because research suggests that young people who can envision positive futures for themselves are more likely to be engaged in school, develop stronger self-esteem, make healthier decisions, and avoid risky behaviors. CSC helps students build that future orientation by introducing them to possibilities they may never have considered and connecting them with adults who can help them discover their strengths.
And the results from this Career Day were encouraging: more than 70% of participating sixth graders reported getting new ideas about jobs they might like someday, while a majority said they discovered something they were good at or enjoyed.
Those discoveries happened because a local business was willing to open its doors and invest in young people.
Throughout the day, students rotated through six hands-on stations covering the many moving parts of the hospitality industry.
In the kitchen, they explored baking and food preparation. In the dining room, they practiced the skills required to provide excellent restaurant service. The adventure team introduced them to the responsibilities of guiding outdoor activities, including archery, while the events team demonstrated the creativity, planning, and coordination required to bring a successful celebration or gathering to life.
Students also explored the less visible work behind a guest's experience: the rooms department, hotel operations, human resources, and the management responsibilities that keep dozens of employees working toward a shared goal.
One exercise focused on communication between directors, managers, and general staff, demonstrating how easily information can be misunderstood as it moves through an organization.
It was an opportunity to learn a lesson that applies to nearly every profession: technical knowledge matters, but so do listening, communication, leadership, and teamwork.
For some students, the most important discovery may have been an entirely new career possibility. For others, it may have been realizing that they enjoy working with people, organizing activities, solving problems, or creating something with their hands.
And for still others, the day may have offered something equally important: a connection with a working adult who enjoys what they do and is willing to share that enthusiasm with a young person.
These are the experiences that help students begin to see their hometown and surrounding communities differently.
Instead of viewing businesses simply as places where adults work, students begin to recognize the range of opportunities within them. They see that the skills they are learning in school have practical applications. They begin to imagine themselves as future employees, entrepreneurs, managers, or community leaders.
They also discover that there are adults in their community who care about their success.
CSC's Career Days are built on these connections. The organization partners with local businesses, professionals, educators, and volunteers to create experiences that students could not ordinarily access in a classroom. Each day introduces students to different career pathways, gradually expanding their awareness of what is possible.
The Sage Lodge experience is an example of what happens when that collaboration works.
CSC is deeply grateful to the Sage Lodge leadership and staff who welcomed students, developed the activities, and shared their professional expertise. Their willingness to invest time in young people demonstrates a commitment to the future of our community.
CSC also thanks the SGMS accompanying teachers (Mrs. Booth, Mr. Amsk, Mrs. Ballinger, Ms. Nygaard, Mrs. Zahn, and Mrs. Raw) along with school administrators and community volunteers whose participation helped make the day successful.
Community partnerships make these experiences possible. Community donations keep them accessible.
CSC provides its programs to Park County youth at no cost, relying on contributions from individuals and businesses who believe that every young person deserves the chance to discover their strengths and imagine a fulfilling future.
If you value opportunities that connect our youth with their community and help prepare them for meaningful lives and careers, please consider making a donation at csc4kids.org.
After all, when we help young people see the possibilities within our own community, we are investing in our own future.