Summer Camps

Philosophy... The Colorado Mountain Ranch believes in the value of confidence-building outdoor summer activity for children. The Outdoor Adventure experience is an opportunity to learn, grow and have fun.

Goals... The Colorado Mountain Ranch offers outdoor activities with qualified instruction emphasizing enjoyment and personal skill development. The Colorado Mountain Ranch strives to provide opportunities for children to build skills physically, mentally and socially; to gain understanding and build relationships with self, others and nature.

The Walker Family: Mike, Lynn, and Gail, the owners and administrators of The Colorado Mountain Ranch, are lifetime youth workers and educators. Kate, Josie and Rosie Walker are now third generation work team. The Staff: many staff members are teachers or students specializing in education and recreation. Counselors are selected on the basis of abilities, enthusiasm, creativity, sincerity, sensitivity, and commitment to guiding children toward their full potential.

Our Staff: Many of our summer staff come from different states. Most live at The Ranch and create a home-away-from-home atmosphere for themselves and each of the children. Before being hired, they are each interviewed by one of the directors and must provide references from past employers and others who are knowledgeable about their character, qualifications and ability to care for children. Background checks are thorough.

Before programs begin, staff members participate in a five-day training covering The Colorado Mountain Ranch policies and procedures, team-building, child abuse laws, specific skill trainings, discipline and child development. In addition to the staff orientation, we also provide ongoing in-service trainings. Many 2008 Staff are returnees.

Staff to Child Ratio: Our overall staff ratio is one to six, which provides each child with a high level of individual attention. Groups number 8-12. Instructors present a program of progressive instruction in each area. Staff gives encouragement, inspiration, friendship, and guidance

Fun!... Since 1947, The Walker Family has provided quality summer camping experiences for boys and girls 7-16. Today's Day Camp highlights both Mountain Adventure programs for Boulder youth ages 7-13 and specialty Focus Camps for ages 11-16. The Colorado Mountain Ranch offers confidence-building activities supervised and instructed with a positive approach aimed toward successful skill-building, passionate learning and FUN!

Activities... include Western riding, horse and animal care, mountainboarding, swimming, gymnastics and trampoline, arts and crafts, archery, Native American Indian Lore, dramatics, music, dance, Frisbee golf, nature and environmental appreciation, outdoor living skills, hiking camping, tracking, green experiences in sustainable living, sports and games, teen leadership and problem-solving team challenges on the ropes course. Optional weekly overnights and campouts round out each week. Bus transportation is provided to and from Boulder.

Adventure!... The Colorado Mountain Ranch offers one of the most extensive and well-rounded Day Camp programs available anywhere. The entire staff lives at The Ranch, creating a community of enthusiastic, qualified, caring people dedicated to making your child part of The Colorado Mountain Ranch family. Children in the Day Camp have the opportunity for outdoor fun, education and recreation in the Colorado Rockies. We are at an elevation of 8,500', ten miles west of Boulder and ¼ mile west of Gold Hill.

Friends!... Groups number 8-12, with a group counselor who is always with them, giving encouragement, inspiration, friendship, and guidance. Specialized activity directors present a program of progressive instruction in each area. Campers who participate for several weeks or longer may more fully, explore each activity, develop skills and build relationships.

Honors ... At the end of each week, we all gather for an "honoring ceremony" full of songs and sharing. All campers are acknowledged for their efforts and accomplishments Some campers may earn Camp Archery Association target awards. Longer-term campers may work on Red Cross Swimming cards from beginner to advanced. Water Focus Campers may complete the American Red Cross GuardStart water safety program. Counselors-in-Training (CIT's) are awarded documents for volunteer community service. The Colorado Mountain Ranch programs are licensed by the Colorado State Department of Social Services.

Mountain Adventure Camp

The perfect choice if your child would like to be involved in our whole array of camp activities. Our programs are specifically geared to individual ability levels for ages 7-13. Regular highlights include Horseback Riding, Mountainboarding, Swimming, Team-building Ropes Course Challenges, Arts and Crafts, Dramatics, Native American Indian Lore, Gymnastics and Trampoline, Archery, Nature, Outdoor Living Skills, experiences in Sustainability, and Traditional Games and Sports. (There are no TV's or computers available for use by the children.)

Focus Camps

Focus Camps, for ages 11-16, give the opportunity to specialize in one of the Focus Areas for a half day every day. The other half of the day includes team-building challenges, swimming and choices from all the other activities. Focus Camps include: Horses! Gymnastics and Trampoline! Mountainboarding! Trailblazers! Earth! Water! and
CIT's & Beyond! (Counselor-in-Training for Teenagers).

The Camp Day at The Colorado Mountain Ranch

• 7:45-8:10 Check-in and supervised play at North Boulder Park
• 8:30 Bus departs for The Ranch
• 9:15 Flagraising, Songs and Morning Exercises
• 9:30 Morning meeting for Announcements, Group Organization and Scheduling
• 10:00 First Activity
• 11:00 Second Activity
• 12:00 Lunch
• 12:30 Open time for gymnastics, stories, games, Frisbee Tag, Trading Post
• 1:00 Third Activity
• 2:00 Fourth Activity
• 3:00 Afternoon meeting for Announcements, Acknowledgements, Performances, Sharing and Songs
• 3:30 Flag Lowering
• 3:45 Bus departs for Boulder
• 4:30-5:15 Supervised play and check-out at North Boulder Park

Thursday Optional Overnight Schedule

• 3:30 Meeting for activity sign-ups and snacks
• 4:00 Individual free choice of all activities
• 6:00 Flag Lowering and dinner
• 7:00 Move into sleeping areas in the cabins, Lodge and tents
• 7:30 Evening Special Event and snacks
• 9:30 Lights out