FOCUS CAMPS > Earth!

Earth! Ages 11-15

Camp is the Place... Traditionally summer camps give young people the opportunity to immerse in the natural world. Exploring the natural balance of the earth in its support of the living systems of plants and animals is a basis for the summer camp experience. So, extending on this theme, The Colorado Mountain Ranch presents a new focus program, Earth! Focus.

Now is the Time... Looking into the future of the earth can be exciting, and learning to live sustainably can be fun! Be among the first of your friends to understand sustainability and its importance.

Sustainability... implies that systems can maintain indefinitely. In today's world and into the future, this means using resources wisely, recycling and minimizing "ecological carbon footprints" by conserving fossil-fuel based products.

Wise Use of Resources:

The Sun... Learn about solar energy. See firsthand how the sun can be used to heat water at our swimming pool, where our self-designed solar thermal water-heating system keeps the pool warm. Build a solar voltaic model and analyze its efficiency. Bake cookies in the solar oven!

Wind... See how a wind mill can pump water and a wind turbine can make electricity.

Water... Learn how to conserve water. Discover the beauty and benefits of permaculture and xeriscape, sustainable landscaping techniques.

The Earth... Enjoy salads you grow organically yourself using compost for fertilizer and techniques such as companion planting to combat pests. Discover the value of using a cold frame to protect seedlings and extend the growing season.

Recycle... Find ways to re-use, not waste. Use recycled materials such as toilet paper rolls, food cans and oatmeal boxes for crafts projects. Help maintain the camp's system for recycling glass, metals, plastics, cardboard and paper.

Walk!... Leave your own “real” footprint by walking as much as you can as an alternative form of transportation. Ride your bike to the store. Most of you already take the bus to camp so fewer cars are on the road. Research all sorts of ways to get around that are more sustainable.

Green... If you want to have fun while developing a clearer understanding of what it means to be "green," then Earth! Focus is for you.

Days... round out with swimming in the comfortably solar-heated pool, team-building challenges, and group choices from all the activities.