2026 Leadership Summit - What to Expect

With just a few days left before our Annual Leadership Summit, we're gearing up for a day of leadership development, collaboration, deep conversation, and a little healthy competition.

⭐ Special thank you and shout out to Northern Colorado Group for helping plan and host this year's leadership summit! 

Here's what you can expect on Oct 10:

Logistics

• Where: Highlands Retreat and Camp Center in Allenspark, CO
• When: October 10, 2026 · 8am–5pm
• Who: CMC Leaders!
  Everyone is invited: Trip Leaders, instructors, committee members, school directors, interested leaders, and leaders of any capacity.
• What to Bring: Hiking boots, layers for indoor/outdoor learning, refillable water bottle, notebook/pen, phone, camp chair (optional for outdoor sitting).
• Food: Light breakfast/coffee, snacks, and lunch provided - Fill out the Special Dietary Restrictions Form

Where to Stay

• Shared Lodge: Available Friday, October 9. Reserve your spot when you RSVP.
• Meeker Park Overflow Campground – $16, first come, first served.
• Peaceful Valley Campground – $18.75 per site, first come, first served.

Schedule

• Pre-Event Hike with Wayne Howell and Lynn Clay

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
Join our expert Trip Leaders for a morning hike up to Three Crosses Hill for a breathtaking view of Meadow Mountain and Saint Vrain Mountain.

• Workshop Sessions 1 and 2

In this facilitated workshop, leaders will divide into small groups to discuss and generate action items around the following topics:

• If we were designing CMC today, what would we keep, change, or eliminate?
• How do we make CMC more relevant and valuable to today's—and tomorrow's—members?
• How do we develop the next generation of Trip Leaders, instructors, committee members, and Group leaders?
• How do we evolve CMC's approach to risk management as our programs and community grow?
• How can CMC's Groups, Sections, schools, and volunteers work together more effectively?

• Special Presentation and Facilitated Workshop 3

Join Cindy Gagnon in a special presentation and facilitated conversation around difficult group dynamics, forming a team out of strangers, and being the best leader for any participant. 

Cindy's Bio: Cindy was born and raised in NH and moved to Boulder in 1990. Her professional career began as a telecommunications engineer and her outdoor career as an Elite Ironman Triathlete. After racing triathlons for 18 years, Cindy expanded her horizons to the Colorado mountains. She joined the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) to learn mountaineering and rock climbing skills.

In 2005, Cindy left the corporate world to spend a year traveling in the mountains of Nepal and North America. She found her passion here and shifted her professional focus to outdoor skills education, leadership, and risk management. Cindy also became involved in a community-based cycling group, leading bike tours throughout North America.

In 2006, Cindy became the director of the CMC Boulder Mountaineering School, where she managed outdoor education courses and instructed in all disciplines (rock, ice, and snow). At the same time, she expanded her professional outdoor skills by becoming a Ski Patroller, Ski Instructor, and Avalanche Instructor.

Cindy joined CWRAG in 2008 as a hike, ski, rock, and cycling guide. Her professional certifications include NSP and AIARE Avalanche Instructor, PSIA Level 2, WFR, and CPR. Cindy's passion for the outdoors and energetic spirit drive every trip she guides—she connects with clients, which enables her to customize each trip to be fun yet challenging. Her adventurous spirit drives her own life and has helped her summit 23,000-foot Himalayan peaks, backpack New Zealand, ski-tour the Canadian Rockies, and cycle Tour de France routes.

• Closing Remarks, Games, and Happy Hour

We'll close the day with some healthy competition to earn our amazing prizes and give aways! We hope you'll stick around for an n/a cocktail or beer before you head home. 

Questions or concerns? Reach out to ashley@cmc.org.