Reaching the age of 100 is a feat that tends to draw attention, and the Colorado Mountain Club has come close to reaching that milestone.

According to marketing strategist and editor of Trail and Timberline, Chris Case, the CMC got its start in 1912 and is one of the oldest organizations of its kind in the country.

The organization was founded to collect and share information about Colorado's mountains as well as stimulate interest in the Rocky Mountains through education, recreation and conservation.

One of its missions is preservation through environmental education, which it does by building or rebuilding trails and participating in public lands management decisions.

As a nonprofit, the group offers a variety of programs designed for outdoor enthusiasts. It has been instrumental in the designation of the RockyMountainNational Park, DinosaurNational Monument and the passage of the Wilderness Act.

It offers activities and lectures by experts, as well as training sessions for volunteers who want to do trail work and wilderness mapping.

On June 20 and 21 it will host its annual CMC Mountain Fest to highlight some of the programs it offers and give people a chance to check out its stewardship projects.

"We have 30 projects all over the state. Some are with the U.S. Forest Service, some are with Jeffco Open Space. Once you learn what they really are, you can hike to these beautiful places and do some trail work," Case said.

A trail-building demonstration, lightening awareness clinic and llama packing class will be part of the activities during the weekend.

Case said the fundraiser previously supported CMC's Youth Education Program, but this year he said it would celebrate the club as a whole and hopefully support the conservation work the club does. Case said last year the event raised $3,000 to $5,000.

"This year our goal is to raise at least twice that amount," he said.

Case said the event would celebrate the Colorado the outdoor opportunities Colorado offers and will be presented in an environmentally friendly way with low waste.

In addition to a silent auction, many outdoor vendors will have products for sale at reduced cost. The Golden Kiwanis club will offer a pancake breakfast June 21.

"We were approached by the Colorado Mountain Club after they heard about another pancake breakfast we put on in the community. We tend to beknown for our pancake breakfasts," said Kiwanis Club coordinator Shelley Walton.

"The money raised at this event will go into our scholarship fund to pay for various requests we get during the year from area youth to help with tuition, leadership seminars and conferences," said Walton

"We are hoping families will come to hang out on Saturday and come the next day ready to hike," Case said.

Live music is scheduled and several skills clinics will be taught by CMC trip leaders. The climbing wall inside the stately former GoldenHigh School will be open for those who want to try out their climbing skills.

More info

What: Mountain Fest

When: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. June 20; and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 21

Where: The AmericanMountaineeringCenter, 710 10th St., Golden

Cost: Members $10; non members $15 Tickets are good for both days.

Breakfast only: Adults $8 includes ticket to museum; $5 all you can eat, no museum; children 5 to18, $6 includes museum; $3 breakfast only;
ages 4 and younger under, free.

Contact: Call 303-279-3080 or visit http://www.cmc.org/events