Hinsdale County

970-944-0321

Mineral County

719-658-2416

YOUTH SERVICES

Youth Groups & Support Services

Growing up can be tough! When it comes to young people, we believe that everything is connected, which is why we support their families and community as well.

Our youth programs are designed to create a safe, happy, and supportive space for kids by giving them opportunities for community and family engagement, along with tools for empowerment, self-respect, and self-worth.

Mineral and Hinsdale County

The Interrupting Isolation Project

Middle school years can be hard. Growing old can be hard. And they’re hard often for the same reason: it gets lonely. Loneliness is no different from hunger in that it’s a biological signal to take care of ourselves, but it can be so stressful that it acts on our bodies like a chronic disease.

Silver Thread Public Health District is trying to prevent these health problems, in addition to loneliness, before they even start, by encouraging the kinds of connections that are healthy for all of us. To do this, we’re aiming to pair our isolated seniors with youth we think could also benefit from the intergenerational connection. To encourage these connections, STPHD facilitates activities between the youth-elder pair that relate to common interests; the specifics will be left up to the pair.

If you have a teen or elder in mind that you think would benefit from this program, please reach out to Maddie at maddie@silverthreadphd.org.

The Interrupting Isolation Project

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Lake City Summer Youth Program

2024 Lake City Summer Youth Program information and registration will be available in the spring.

Lake City Summer Youth Program

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Sport Physicals

We offer annual sport physicals in coordination with the Creede School District.

Currently annual sport physicals are only available through our Mineral County Office.


Contact the athletic director of the Creede School District for more information at 719-658-2220.

Sport Physicals

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School Physicals

Mineral County offers annual preschool physicals in coordination with the Creede Early Learning Center and the Creede School District.


For more information on enrolling your child in their day care or pre-school programs, contact the Creede Early Learning Center Director at 719-658-2090.

School Physicals

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Build a Generation Coalition (BAG)

The Build A Generation Coalition is Hinsdale County's community prevention coalition. Their vision is "to empower our community by informing and supporting the families that live here".


Dedicated to making this community the healthiest atmosphere to raise children in, BAG's activities focus on alcohol and drug use prevention.


Each year BAG hosts events developed just for children and youth,including the always-popular Summer Youth Program. This program is available to all children between the ages of 6 and 12, and consists of a 2 week day camp with games, arts, crafts, and life skills lessons.


To learn more about BAG and and get involved email Josephine Swift at americorpscreede@gmail.com

Build a Generation Coalition (BAG)

Learn more

UpRISE

UpRISE is Colorado’s Social Justice Tobacco Control Movement.


Designed to give our youth a voice against the advertising pressure of the tobacco industry, UpRISE members engage in youth-driven, community change.


Their mission is to expose the dangerous practices of the tobacco industry and increase awareness about why many youth use nicotine and other substances.


They identify root causes of nicotine use among youth in communities, researching solutions, and meeting with decision-makers to advocate for change. UpRISE recognizes the power of young people and amplifies their voices.


To get involved, contact Josephine Swift at americorpscreede@gmail.com.

YOUTH SERVICES

Youth Groups & Support Services

Growing up can be tough! When it comes to young people, we believe that everything is connected, which is why we support their families and community as well.

Our youth programs are designed to create a safe, happy, and supportive space for kids by giving them opportunities for community and family engagement, along with tools for empowerment, self-respect, and self-worth.

Mineral and Hinsdale County

The Interrupting Isolation Project

Middle school years can be hard. Growing old can be hard. And they’re hard often for the same reason: it gets lonely. Loneliness is no different from hunger in that it’s a biological signal to take care of ourselves, but it can be so stressful that it acts on our bodies like a chronic disease.

Silver Thread Public Health District is trying to prevent these health problems, in addition to loneliness, before they even start, by encouraging the kinds of connections that are healthy for all of us. To do this, we’re aiming to pair our isolated seniors with youth we think could also benefit from the intergenerational connection. To encourage these connections, STPHD facilitates activities between the youth-elder pair that relate to common interests; the specifics will be left up to the pair.

If you have a teen or elder in mind that you think would benefit from this program, please reach out to Maddie at maddie@silverthreadphd.org.

The Interrupting Isolation Project

learn more

Lake City Summer Youth Program

2024 Lake City Summer Youth Program information and registration will be available in the spring.

Lake City Summer Youth Program

learn more

Sport Physicals

We offer annual sport physicals in coordination with the Creede School District.

Currently annual sport physicals are only available through our Mineral County Office.


Contact the athletic director of the Creede School District for more information at 719-658-2220.

Sport Physicals

learn more

School Physicals

Mineral County offers annual preschool physicals in coordination with the Creede Early Learning Center and the Creede School District.


For more information on enrolling your child in their day care or pre-school programs, contact the Creede Early Learning Center Director at 719-658-2090.

School Physicals

learn more

Build a Generation Coalition (BAG)

The Build A Generation Coalition is Hinsdale County's community prevention coalition. Their vision is "to empower our community by informing and supporting the families that live here".


Dedicated to making this community the healthiest atmosphere to raise children in, BAG's activities focus on alcohol and drug use prevention.


Each year BAG hosts events developed just for children and youth,including the always-popular Summer Youth Program. This program is available to all children between the ages of 6 and 12, and consists of a 2 week day camp with games, arts, crafts, and life skills lessons.


To learn more about BAG and and get involved email Josephine Swift at americorpscreede@gmail.com

Build a Generation Coalition (BAG)

learn more

UpRISE

UpRISE is Colorado’s Social Justice Tobacco Control Movement.


Designed to give our youth a voice against the advertising pressure of the tobacco industry, UpRISE members engage in youth-driven, community change.


Their mission is to expose the dangerous practices of the tobacco industry and increase awareness about why many youth use nicotine and other substances.


They identify root causes of nicotine use among youth in communities, researching solutions, and meeting with decision-makers to advocate for change. UpRISE recognizes the power of young people and amplifies their voices.


To get involved, contact Josephine Swift at americorpscreede@gmail.com.

Choice Pass Program

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UpRISING

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Summer Youth Fellowship

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Hinsdale County Only

Build a Generation Coalition (BAG)

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Mineral County Only

School Physicals

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Sport Physicals

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We’re Here To Help

If you live in or are visiting Lake City/Hinsdale County or Creede/Mineral County, our dedicated team is here to help you get the support, guidance, and access to the services you need.

Hinsdale County
Public Health Office

970-944-0321  

Mineral County
Public Health Office

719-658-2416  
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Choice Pass Program

Sponsored by the Gunnison County Substance Abuse Prevention Project (https://gunnisoncounty.org/156/Gunnison-County-Substance-Abuse-Preventi), the Choice Pass Program offers amazing discounts and deals for young people who choose to make the healthy choice of abstaining from drugs and alcohol.


Designed to engage students in making healthy choices, the Choice Pass is offered annually to students in 6th through 12th grade.


Perks include discounted passes to:
- CBMR
- Gunnison Recreation Center
- Skill-based programs like avalanche safety courses, and much more offered by nearly 40 community business partners and sponsors throughout the Gunnison Valley.


All students have to do is make a choice to commit to a healthy and substance free lifestyle - there is NO cost to enroll in the Choice Pass.


Once enrolled, students have a selection of opportunities to enjoy- the highlight being a discounted pass at Crested Butte Mountain Resort.


You can signup for Choice Pass here: https://www.choicepass.net

UpRISE

UpRISE is Colorado’s Social Justice Tobacco Control Movement.


Designed to give our youth a voice against the tobacco industry, upRISE members engage in youth-driven, community change.


Their mission is to expose the dangerous practices of the tobacco industry and increase awareness about why many youth use nicotine and other substances.


They identify root causes of nicotine use among youth in communities, researching solutions, and meeting with decision-makers to advocate for change. UpRISE recognizes the power of young people and amplifies their voices.


To get involved, contact Josephine Swift.

Sounder

Sonder works with youth and youth-serving organizations, engaging them in arts-based activities around mental health and social & emotional wellness.


Our guiding toolkit can be found here: https://www.childrenscolorado.org/globalassets/community/youth-action-board-school-toolkit.pdf


If you’d like more information on how to join our Sonder team or need help using the activities in this toolkit, contact Josephine Swift.

Summer Youth Fellowship

Summer Youth Leadership Fellowship (Creede & Lake City)

Each year, summer youth leadership fellows design a project they are inspired by that advances equity in our communities.


Fellows receive a monthly stipend, mentorship, and training in tools and strategies to advance health equity in their chosen area of focus.


Working closely with our public health team, fellows immerse themselves in equity literacy and practice, working towards policy changes that advance belonging in our communities.


If you are interested in applying for one of our youth leadership fellowships, email Isaac Grody-Patinkin for an application.


Summer Youth Program (Lake City)

SYP offers 2 weeks of day camp from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. for children between the ages of 6 and 12 years of age.


During this time, 2 adult counselors and 3 youth assistants offer structured activities, like daily life skills lessons (communication, respect, friendship, anti-bullying, inclusion, diversity etc.) environmental education, physical activities, and extensive arts and crafts.


SYP is a proactive approach to teaching younger age groups the importance of making healthy life choices to reduce the likelihood of engaging in negative behaviors later in life.

This prosocial opportunity allows a safe place where youth can learn and develop positive lifelong skills necessary for the next stages of adolescent development.