--- title: Avid4 Adventure One of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work in 2020 description: Even when faced with unimaginable adversity from the pandemic, the organization came through for their employees when they needed it most. image: https://blog.avid4.com/hubfs/Golden%26Wash_Week8-66%20(2)-1%20(2)-1.jpg --- **[What's new about camp in 2024?](https://avid4.com/2024)** [COVID RESPONSE](https://avid4.com/summer-updates/covid-19-policies) [Login](https://campsself.active.com/Avid4AdventureNew) [Store](https://gear.avid4.com/) [Help Center](https://help.avid4.com/help) ![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/mobile-menu-open.svg) ![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/mobile-menu-close.svg) [![](https://avid4.com/img/avid-logo.png)](https://avid4.com/) ![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/mobile-logo.svg) CAMPS LOCATIONS ABOUT US JOBS [![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/camp.png) NEW CAMPS ![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/camp.png)](https://avid4.com/programs-overview/) CAMPS - [Camps](https://avid4.com/programs-overview) - [Day Camps](https://avid4.com/day-camps) - [Camp At Home](https://avid4.com/camp-at-home) - [Camp On The Go](https://avid4.com/camp-on-the-go) - [Valmont Bike Park](https://avid4.com/colorado-boulder-valmont-bike-park-camps-day) - [Overnight Camps](https://avid4.com/overnight-camps) - [Expeditions](https://avid4.com/expedition-camps) - [Resident Camps](https://avid4.com/resident-camps) - [Grades](https://avid4.com/programs-overview) - [PreK - K](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=pre-k&grade%5B1%5D=k&date_range) - [1st - 2nd Grade](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=1&grade%5B1%5D=2&date_range) - [3rd - 4th Grade](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=3&grade%5B1%5D=4&date_range) - [5th - 6th Grade](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=5&grade%5B1%5D=6&date_range) - [7th - 8th Grade](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=7&grade%5B1%5D=8&date_range) - [9th - 10th Grade](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=9&grade%5B1%5D=10&date_range) - [11th - 12th Grade](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=11&grade%5B1%5D=12&date_range) - [See All Camps](https://avid4.com/programs-overview) Locations - [Colorado](https://avid4.com/colorado-camps) - [Boulder](https://avid4.com/colorado-boulder-camps) - [Castle Rock](https://avid4.com/colorado-castle-rock-camps) - [Colorado Springs](https://avid4.com/colorado-colorado-springs-camps) - [Denver, Greenwood](https://avid4.com/colorado-greenwood-camps) - [Denver, Lowry](https://avid4.com/colorado-lowry-camps) - [Denver, Central Park](https://avid4.com/colorado-central-park-camps) - [Denver, Wash Park](https://avid4.com/colorado-wash-park-camps) - [Golden](https://avid4.com/colorado-golden-camps) - [Highlands Ranch](https://avid4.com/colorado-highlands-ranch-camps) - [Lafayette](https://avid4.com/colorado-lafayette-camps) - [Superior](https://avid4.com/colorado-superior-camps) - [California](https://avid4.com/california-camps) - [Burlingame](https://avid4.com/california-burlingame-camps) - [Mill Valley](https://avid4.com/california-mill-valley-camps) - [Oakland](https://avid4.com/california-oakland-camps) - [Orinda](https://avid4.com/california-orinda-camps) - [Palo Alto](https://avid4.com/california-palo-alto-camps) - [Santa Rosa](https://avid4.com/california-santa-rosa-camps) - [Oregon](https://avid4.com/oregon-camps) - [Bend](https://avid4.com/oregon-bend-camps) - [Portland](https://avid4.com/oregon-portland-camps) ABOUT US - [About Us](https://avid4.com/about-us/) - [Inclusivity](https://avid4.com/culture-of-inclusivity/) - [Auction Donation Request](https://avid4.com/auction-donation-request/) - [Leadership](https://avid4.com/about-us/leadership-team-2/) - [Press](https://avid4.com/about-us/press/) - [Financial Assistance](https://avid4.com/scholarship/) - [Partners](https://avid4.com/about-us/partners/) - [Jobs](https://avid4.com/jobs/summer-jobs-overview) JOBS - [Why Work With Us](https://avid4.com/jobs/summer-jobs-overview/) - [Compensation](https://avid4.com/jobs/compensation/) - [Inclusivity](https://avid4.com/culture-of-inclusivity/) - [FAQs](https://avid4.com/jobs/faqs/) - [Positions](https://avid.workbrightats.com/jobs/) - [Staff Portal](https://help.avid4.com/help/staff-portal?_ga=2.139532913.379522487.1606095775-1720513239.1604422259) - [![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/pre-camp.svg) Login](https://campsself.active.com/Avid4AdventureNew?__hstc=100965726.0722881a3a3ce4d5db8cf4dd0fd14c4b.1604422280482.1606238273823.1606253249890.60&__hssc=100965726.64.1606253249890&__hsfp=514153516&_ga=2.132184524.379522487.1606095775-1720513239.1604422259) - [![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/user.svg) Store](https://gear.avid4.com/) - [![](https://avid4.com/wp-content/themes/avid-v3/images/store.svg) Help Center](https://help.avid4.com/help) ### Overview - [Day Camps](https://avid4.com/day-camps) - [Camp At Home](https://avid4.com/camp-at-home) - [Camp On The Go](https://avid4.com/camp-on-the-go) - [Expeditions](https://avid4.com/expedition-camps) - [Resident Camp](https://avid4.com/resident-camps) ### States - [California](https://avid4.com/california-camps) - [Colorado](https://avid4.com/colorado-camps) - [Oregon](https://avid4.com/oregon-camps) ### [Camps](https://avid4.com/programs-overview) - [Day Camps](https://avid4.com/day-camps) - [Camp At Home](https://avid4.com/camp-at-home) - [Camp On The Go](https://avid4.com/camp-on-the-go) - [Valmont Bike Park](https://avid4.com/colorado-boulder-valmont-bike-park-camps-day) ### [Overnight Camps](https://avid4.com/overnight-camps) - [Expeditions](https://avid4.com/expedition-camps) - [Resident Camps](https://avid4.com/resident-camps) ### [Grades](https://avid4.com/programs-overview) - [PreK - K](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=pre-k&grade%5B1%5D=k&date_range) - [1st - 2nd Grade](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=1&grade%5B1%5D=2&date_range) - [3rd - 4th Grade](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=3&grade%5B1%5D=4&date_range) - [5th - 6th Grade](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=5&grade%5B1%5D=6&date_range) - [7th - 8th Grade](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=7&grade%5B1%5D=8&date_range) - [9th - 10th Grade](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=9&grade%5B1%5D=10&date_range) - [11th - 12th Grade](https://avid4.com/programs-overview?grade%5B0%5D=11&grade%5B1%5D=12&date_range) ### [See All Camps](https://avid4.com/programs-overview) ### Overnight Camps - [Colorado, Boulder Area](https://avid4.com/colorado-boulder-expeditions) - [Colorado, Mt. Evans](https://avid4.com/mt-evans-camps) - [Colorado, Windy Peak](https://avid4.com/windy-peak-camps) - [California, East Bay](https://avid4.com/california-sly-park-expeditions) - [Oregon, Portland](https://avid4.com/oregon-portland-expeditions) - [Wyoming, Curt Gowdy](https://avid4.com/wyoming-curt-gowdy-expeditions) ### [Colorado](https://avid4.com/colorado-camps) - [Boulder](https://avid4.com/colorado-boulder-camps) - [Castle Rock](https://avid4.com/colorado-castle-rock-camps) - [Colorado Springs](https://avid4.com/colorado-colorado-springs-camps) - [Denver, Greenwood](https://avid4.com/colorado-greenwood-camps) - [Denver, Lowry](https://avid4.com/colorado-lowry-camps) - [Denver, Central Park](https://avid4.com/colorado-central-park-camps) - [Denver, Wash Park](https://avid4.com/colorado-wash-park-camps) - [Golden](https://avid4.com//colorado-golden-camps) - [Highlands Ranch](https://avid4.com/colorado-highlands-ranch-camps) - [Lafayette](https://avid4.com/colorado-lafayette-camps) - [Superior](https://avid4.com/colorado-superior-camps) ### [California](https://avid4.com/california-camps) - [Burlingame](https://avid4.com/california-burlingame-camps) - [Mill Valley](https://avid4.com/california-mill-valley-camps) - [Oakland](https://avid4.com/california-oakland-camps) - [Orinda](https://avid4.com/california-orinda-camps) - [Palo Alto](https://avid4.com/california-palo-alto-camps) - [Santa Rosa](https://avid4.com/california-santa-rosa-camps) ### [Oregon](https://avid4.com/oregon-camps) - [Bend](https://avid4.com/oregon-bend-camps) - [Portland](https://avid4.com/oregon-portland-camps) ### Our Core Values - [Live Fun](https://avid4.com/about-us/#corevalues) - [Live Environment](https://avid4.com/about-us/#corevalues) - [Live Truth](https://avid4.com/about-us/#corevalues) - [Live Smart(er)](https://avid4.com/about-us/#corevalues) - [Live Gratitude](https://avid4.com/about-us/#corevalues) - [Live Empowered](https://avid4.com/about-us/#corevalues) - [Live Balanced](https://avid4.com/about-us/#corevalues) - [Live Community](https://avid4.com/about-us/#corevalues) - [About Us](https://avid4.com/about-us) - [Inclusivity](https://avid4.com/culture-of-inclusivity) - [Auction Donation Request](https://avid4.com/auction-donation-request/) - [Leadership](https://avid4.com/about-us/leadership-team-2) - [Press](https://avid4.com/about-us/press) - [Financial Assistance](https://avid4.com/scholarship) - [Partners](https://avid4.com/about-us/partners) - [Jobs](https://avid4.com/jobs/summer-jobs-overview) ### Need Help? - [Housing Resources](https://avid4.com/jobs/instructor-housing-options/) - [College Interns](https://avid4.com/jobs/college-internships/) - [Why Work With Us](https://avid4.com/jobs/summer-jobs-overview/) - [Compensation](https://avid4.com/jobs/compensation/) - [Inclusivity](https://avid4.com/culture-of-inclusivity/) - [FAQs](https://avid4.com/jobs/faqs/) - [Positions](https://avid.workbrightats.com/jobs/) - [Staff Portal](https://help.avid4.com/help/staff-portal) [Day](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020#finder-day) [Resident](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020#finder-overnight) [Expedition](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020#finder-expedition) Pre-K K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th Burlingame Mill Valley Moraga Oakland Palo Alto Boulder Boulder - Valmont Castle Rock Colorado Springs Denver - Greenwood Village Denver - Lowry Denver - Stapleton Denver - Washington Park Golden Highlands Ranch Lafayette Superior Portland Go Grade Entering 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th Go Grade Entering 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th Go # Avid4 Adventure One of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work in 2020 [Back to Blog Homepage](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/) Posted by [Andrea Stutesman](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/author/andrea-stutesman) on November 12, 2020 [![](https://blog.avid4.com/hubfs/Golden%26Wash_Week8-66%20(2)-1%20(2)-1.jpg)](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020) Share This [Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&text=Avid4%20Adventure%20One%20of%20Outside%20Magazine’s%20Best%20Places%20to%20Work%20in%202020&tw_p=tweetbutton&url=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=like&kid_directed_site=0) [Google Plus](https://plus.google.com/share?app=110&url=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020) [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020&media=https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/hubfs/524285/Golden&Wash_Week8-66%20%282%29-1%20%282%29-1.jpg) On the morning of November 3rd, 2020, Mindy Yeager, Staffing Director at Avid4 Adventure sat at her desk in her home office in the middle of an important Zoom call with CEO, Paul Dreyer. He was about to break the wonderful news when Mindy's youngest son burst into her office. He needed help with an assignment from his online schooling. The CEO, knowing her son by name, kindly waved, said hello, and asked how school was going. Perhaps an awkward incident elsewhere, but not at Avid4 Adventure.   ![Avid4 Adventure leadership team](https://blog.avid4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/00000IMG_00000_BURST20200131143543028_COVER.jpg?width=800&name=00000IMG_00000_BURST20200131143543028_COVER.jpg)   Staff are consistently encouraged to balance work and personal life—one of the very reasons that Avid4 Adventure ranked 10th in the United States on [Outside Magazine’s 50 Best Places to Work](https://www.outsideonline.com/2418305/best-places-work-2020) list. Even when faced with unimaginable adversity from the pandemic, the organization came through for their employees when they needed it most.   ![summer camp counselor helping kid fix bike tire](https://blog.avid4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Golden%26Wash_Week8_7-16-7%20(1)-1.jpg?width=800&name=Golden%26Wash_Week8_7-16-7%20(1)-1.jpg) Take Andrew Burch for example, Customer Experience Manager and recent father to a second child. Andrew was provided with 10 weeks of paid paternity leave (the norm for mothers *and* fathers at Avid4 Adventure) to build a meaningful connection with his new son and provide invaluable support to his wife and older child in the first months of a major life change. Andrew will come back to work in a supportive environment where his co-workers will encourage him to continue balancing fatherhood and his professional role (they may even babysit for him). He will work from home indefinitely as will other year-round Colorado-based employees until it’s safe to return to the office but even then, he and other employees will have the freedom to work from home when they choose.   ![summer camp counselor looking at map with camper](https://blog.avid4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20190805-_NWP8346-Avid4Adventure_NWasko-1.jpg?width=800&name=20190805-_NWP8346-Avid4Adventure_NWasko-1.jpg) It was the year of new babies at Avid4 Adventure. Vanessa Olivieri, first-time-mother and Senior Regional Manager in California was also provided with 10 weeks of paid maternity leave to welcome her newborn son into the world during the pandemic. While some new mothers have to return to work soon after giving birth, Vanessa had this precious time to devote to her new child. Vanessa said, "Avid4's support of my parental leave plans is representative of its remarkable support of employees' work/life balance and blend. To have this time to dedicate to growing my family and learning how to be a parent has been incredible...and I'm looking forward to being back at work!"   Next, Tyler Keyes, Operations Manager and logistics mastermind welcomed his first child into the world this year. His son couldn’t wait to start adventuring with his mom, dad, and dog-brother Leo so he decided to arrive several weeks early. This meant he had to spend a lot of time in the infant ICU and so did his new parents. The team at Avid4 quickly came together to help the family with meals during this stressful time. Tyler was allowed an extended part-time work situation—crucial for him to help with necessary care for his newborn son and to support his wife.   ![summer camp counselor teaching kayaking to campers](https://blog.avid4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EvergreenLakeKayakAvid48-1.jpg?width=800&name=EvergreenLakeKayakAvid48-1.jpg) On top of the [normal perks](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-ranked-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-4th-year-in-a-row-2019) always offered at Avid4 Adventure, the organization came through in other major ways as well. Not only did top executives take temporary and voluntary pay cuts to help other team members stay at their normal salaries, they set up an emergency fund for all originally hired staff (full-time or seasonal), provided paid time off for [seasonal staff with symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/summer-camps-hit-hard-covid-19-how-we-prevailed), and offered the beloved [adventure grant](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/adventures-in-switzerland-avid4-adventure-grant-winner-shares-journey). In addition to all of that, Avid4 officially earned the designation of [Certified B Corporation](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/journey-to-becoming-a-b-corp) in 2020!   Avid4 Adventure was the only summer camp company to make Outside Magazine's list and the #1 company in the outdoor industry. This is our 5th year in a row to make the list and the recognition and great honor ultimately comes down to the supportive, tight-knit community of professionals who are passionate about the outdoors—whether year-round or seasonal.   ![summer camp counselor teaching survival skills](https://blog.avid4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Golden%26Wash_Week8_7-17-4-1.jpg?width=800&name=Golden%26Wash_Week8_7-17-4-1.jpg) We are now hiring for a multitude of [outdoor educator and summer camp counselor jobs](https://avid.workbrightats.com/jobs/) for our 2021 season in California, Colorado and Oregon as we work to continue empowering kids to get outdoors through sports like kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, paddlesports and more. Do you know anyone who might want to join our team? Don't worry, there's no need to be a professional rock climber or mountain biker. We provide all the training you'll need. See what other [seasonal staff have to say](https://drive.google.com/file/d/15vV5GmVhJdHatuiLSgAzvG1_v9vpFynV/view).   [![Apply Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/524285/ed5c6513-0ce8-45f3-a720-2589eda815d4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/524285/ed5c6513-0ce8-45f3-a720-2589eda815d4)   [![Outside Magazine's Best Places to Work 2020](https://blog.avid4.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2020-Outside-BPtW_FINAL%20(1).png?width=500&name=2020-Outside-BPtW_FINAL%20(1).png)](https://avid4.com)   Share This [Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&text=Avid4%20Adventure%20One%20of%20Outside%20Magazine’s%20Best%20Places%20to%20Work%20in%202020&tw_p=tweetbutton&url=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=like&kid_directed_site=0) [Google Plus](https://plus.google.com/share?app=110&url=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020) [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.avid4.com/blog/avid4-adventure-one-of-outside-magazines-best-places-to-work-in-2020&media=https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/hubfs/524285/Golden&Wash_Week8-66%20%282%29-1%20%282%29-1.jpg) Topics: [Working for Avid4 Adventure](https://blog.avid4.com/blog/topic/working-for-avid4-adventure) ### NAVIGATION - [Day Camps](https://avid4.com/day-camps/) - [Policies](https://avid4.com/policies/) - [Overnight Camps](https://avid4.com/overnight-camp/about-colorado-mountain-camp/) - [Contact](https://avid4.com/contact-us/) - [Gear Store](https://gear.avid4.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.avid4.com/blog) - [About Us](https://avid4.com/about-us/) - [Staff Portal](https://avid4.com/jobs/staff-portal/) - [Jobs](https://avid4.com/jobs/summer-jobs-overview/) - [Parent Login](https://campsself.active.com/Avid4AdventureNew?_ga=2.82785814.1896501485.1508936271-1717527764.1507131859) - [Scholarships](https://avid4.com/scholarship/) - [Request Info](https://avid4.com/request-information/) ### GET IN TOUCH **Avid 4 Adventure** PO Box 287, Boulder, CO 80306 [1.720.024.2412](tel:+17202492412) **Social** ### ACCREDITATIONS [![](https://avid4.com/img/accreditations/licensed.png)](https://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDHS-Main/CBON/1251590215770) [![](https://avid4.com/img/accreditations/accredited.png)](https://www.acacamps.org/) [![](https://avid4.com/img/accreditations/leave-no-trace.png)](https://lnt.org/youth-program-accreditation) © All content copyright 2018 Avid4 Adventure. 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