Outdoor Living Skills

As an extension of the Nature program, Outdoor Living finds the fun in building a sustainable future. These programs prepare campers for exploring, hiking, and camping in the Indian Peaks wilderness. Games and projects promote appreciation of the life systems and their elements - air, water, sun, and earth. Campers learn firsthand the value and skills of recycling, maintaining ecosystems, living outdoors, and being "light on the land" as they prepare for wilderness experiences and have fun. A favorite part of learning about survival and shelter is working on the shared Camp Community Fort in the nearby woods.

Nature and Hiking

Campers become aware of natural wonders through games and exercises focused on increasing multi-sensory awareness. Less-structured outdoor explorations also delight campers. Local mountain pine and aspen forests and wildflower meadows are rich in flora, fauna, geology, and weather systems. Our location at the northwest corner of the Fourmile Fire burn area gives children the chance to experience first-hand the ecological changes brought on by wildfire. Immersion in nature is basic to all other camp experiences. Weekly optional excursions to outlying natural features, streams, and lakes are a highlight.

Fort Building and Exploring

This is a time for campers to lead the way.  Exploring is guided by the campers on our 160-acre property with the senior staff member supporting the group during the walk. Campers are encouraged to find and share different things they find along the way by getting off the usual track to follow a path of interest, intrigue, a birdsong, or the trail of a wandering squirrel or insect. This activity also includes build time on a community fort, allowing kids to work together to build a shared structure.  

Archery

Young archers practice safely instructed and supervised target shooting with bows and arrows to improve their hand-and-eye coordination. At the Archery Range, there are four lanes for four archers to work on their aim at a time. Those waiting their turn may play quiet games or work on crafts while the others are shooting. Wrist guards and bows for various pull strengths allow for comfort and success.

Mountainboarding

Imagine snowboarding on wheels down gentle dirt slopes and trails through the woods. Navigate over jumps to get some air. Learn to "powerslide" to a safe stop. Mountainboarding on the terrain park in the north forest of the Ranch is a thrill for all, and some campers even become masters after just a few times on the hill. And everyone just has a lot of fun!

Gymnastics/Trampoline

Children explore their own strength and balance through the use of a variety of gymnastics apparatus. Sessions always begin with fun warm-up games, light stretching exercises, and spotting practice. Campers practice various tricks on the mats, mini-tramp, balance beam, and trampoline as demonstrated and supervised by the Gymnastics Instructors and Counselors.

Dramatic Games/Improv

Whether a camper is the theatrical type or not, all will be laughing harder than ever before! The safe environment created at dramatics allows for campers to explore their imagination, creative expression, and on-the-spot acting skills.

Arts and Crafts

At the Arts & Crafts Shop, a wide variety of art materials is always available for individual and group projects. Typical activities include sketching, painting, forming clay, and creating sculptures with paper, natural materials, and glue. Making decorations, costumes, and props for events and weekly themes is a favorite. Campers make meaningful creations using recycled materials and those found on nature walks.

American Indian Lore

At the Tipi on the hill facing the rising sun, campers discover first-hand the history and culture of mountain and plains Indian tribes. Games, legends, songs, dance, and crafts such as beading, braiding, and pictographs bring to life the way of life of the local Arapaho Indians and other tribes.

Earth/Garden

Experiences in sustainable living are essential to caring for the Earth.  Ever heard the expression, "You are what you eat"? Campers gather wild foods, grow hardy herbs and vegetables at altitude, and tend our friendly goats! They organically grow and enjoy eating salads, using compost for fertilizer and techniques such as companion planting to combat pests. They design beds for the efficient use of sun and water and use a cold frame to protect seedlings and extend the growing season.

Yoga

Campers are surprised to discover the fun of stretching into poses (often as animals), quietly reflecting, and playing movement games designed for children's yoga. The Harmony Hut is a beautiful place to slow down, set at the edge of a wildflower meadow which meets the birdsong-filled forest where a trickling stream emerges.

Mining History

Our area on the ridge west of Gold Hill features abundant natural and cultural heritage. Since Boulder originally began as a supply town for the mining activities in the local mountains, the Gold Hill area is full of mining era reminders. In the forest just below the Archery Range, campers explore the grounds around the old Happy Thought Mine where they still shout 'Eureka!' when they dig in the dirt and find bits of fool's gold (iron pyrite).