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Registration is open for the 2024 Summer Day Camp Season!
Registration is open for the 2024 Summer Day Camp Season!
The Best People
We hire the best people from all over the country!
Our team may be brought together from all corners of the country, but we all have the same mission every summer; create a safe, magical summer for children and teens. From our wranglers to our counselors, every member of our staff has put in the effort to demonstrate their passion to inspire and lead. We truly believe we hire the best people and they are the reason we are voted "Best Summer Camp in Boulder" year after year.
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We asked them 5 questions:
1. What are you up to in your life right now?
2. What is your favorite part of Nature?
3. Who did you look up to when you were a kid?
4. What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
5. What is the nerdiest thing you do?

Returning Staff Members
Ben Ryan
(he/him)
1. I am currently in college at CU Boulder.
2. My favorite part of Nature is its diversity.
3. When I was young I looked up to Barack Obama
4. Just be happy!
5. I do a Gollum impression!
Evan Smith
(he/him)
1. A little bit of this and a whole lot of that.
2. The mountains.
3. I looked up to my teachers, until about 6th grade when I became taller than them.
4. “Don't be an idiot. Before I do anything I ask myself, 'Would an idiot do that? ' And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing.”
5. I like learning about Greek mythology.
Collette Perez
(she/her)
1. Right now I am bartending and trying to save for a trip to Paris after summer.
2. My favorite part of nature is the sky, I love how it's always changing yet always the same, how dramatic and calm it can be on the same day yet always beautiful.
3. Most people and I still do, I'm pretty short.
4. Only boring people get bored.
5. Bringing books into the woods to identify rocks and plants.
Asa Unruh
(he/him)
1. Running a coffee shop in Winter Park and skiing as much as I can!
2. I love the sounds of the birds and the trees and the smell of mud and fresh rain.
3. I always looked up to my two older sisters as a child.
4. The best advice I’ve ever gotten is to stick to whatever you’re passionate about. The best things never come easy.
5. The nerdiest thing I do is probably playing D&D and Minecraft in my free time.
Seth Lampton
(he/him)
1. Currently, I have been working and attending school at a JuCo in Johnson County, KS. I am planning on transferring to a 4-year where I will study sport management.
2. My favorite part of nature is how it can help us connect with ourselves and others.
3. As a kid, I looked up to Luke Skywalker
4. Never mine straight down.
5. I may drop human evolutionary lore at random.
Emma Brockinton
(she/her)
1. I am a Senior at the College of Charleston majoring in history and minoring in theater and crime, law, and society.
2. I would say that my favorite part of Nature is its serenity. Escaping from life's stresses and exploring something as beautiful as nature is the best medicine.
3. When I was a kid, I looked up to my parents and grandparents.
4. The best advice I have gotten is to slow down and take it all in, I will conquer my goals but enjoy the journey life gives me.
5. I love Marvel and Harry Potter
Emily Lodge
(she/her)
1. I'm just finished a stint in teaching and am excited to get back to the mountains and the ranch.
2. It's hard to explain what my favorite part of nature is. But at the end of the day, I enjoy how nature reminds you of the things that matter.
3. My dad. He's the best.
4. "Set yourself up for success."
5. I'll write new vocabulary words (and their part of speech and definition) on my fridge with an expo marker so I can see them while sitting on my couch.
Aidan Whitehall
(he/him)
1. I just finished up my sophmore year at Tallahassee Community College and cannot wait to be back at the ranch!
2. My favorite part of Nature is being able to watch the motion of the trees or ocean on a nice clear sunny day, and sometimes be lucky enough to see some wildlife. 3. I have always looked up to both of my grandfathers.
4. "Better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing than a long life spent in a miserable way." - Alan Watts
5. The nerdiest thing that I do is play video games with my friends.
Will Reynolds
(he/him)
1. I’ve been traveling all the 50 states for the last year trying to get all 50 before I turn 20.
2. My favorite part about nature is definitely water. I love the beach, lakes, ponds all of it.
3. I looked up to my grandma growing up. She always had a smile on her face and never complained.
4. Best advice I’ve been given is “why not try that crazy plan out, because if it fails you can always come back home”.
5. I’m such a nerd about cars and could talk your ear off all day about them.
Kendall Keegan
(she/her)
1. I am currently transferring to the University of Oregon to pursue studies in Family and Human Services. I am excited to soon start a career as a children's trauma counselor.
2. My favorite part of Nature has to be the trees. I love going on long walks to enjoy all of the beauty nature has to offer.
3. When I was a kid I definitely looked up to my mom.
4. "Always be true to yourself and never shy away from an opportunity."
5. I have always loved to read and I love talking to the kids at camp about their favorite books.
Ava Shamrock
(she/her)
1. I just finished up my second year of community college in Monterey California. I am studying communications.
2. My favorite part of nature is definitely the trees. I love all of the green and the different heights of trees throughout a forest. Although I also love swimming in the ocean.
3. I definitely looked up to and still look up to my aunt. She has such a big heart and is super thoughtful. I hope to have those qualities be represented in me.
4. Growing up my dad always told me to learn as much as I can. That has always stuck with me and is something I try to do everyday.
5. I am super into economics and business. I have taken a lot of classes in those fields in high school and college.
Zoe Koch
(she/her)
1. I just finished my freshman year at the University of Kansas where I studied Information Systems. In my free time, I volunteer at an equine therapy and riding ranch, and work as a manager at Panera Bread.
2. I absolutely love Nature, especially trees, because they provide us with life simply by existing.
3. When I was a kid, and even now, I have always looked up to my teachers. They have been a great source of inspiration for me.
4. The best advice I have ever received was to avoid criticism: say nothing, do nothing, be nothing. 5. To be honest, one of the nerdiest things I do is religiously watch Bob Ross. There's just something about his painting techniques that I find fascinating.
Morgan Peak
(she/her)
1. I just finished up my junior year at Iowa State University and am working towards an Agriculture Education degree! I love all of the opportunities and culture that agriculture has to offer, and I just want to help children learn about the bountiful industry.
2. The vast, ever-changing sky. I love how you can look at the sky and never see the same picture twice, and how wide it can be.
3. I looked and still look up to my amazing mother. She is a very strong, independent, confident, and loving parent. She is one of the major reasons I am who I am today.
4. You can't solve problems with the thinking that made them.
5. I am OBSESSED with the "Mamma Mia!" movie. I will never get tired of watching it and I easily know every line!
Liv Wilburn
(she/her)
1. I’m currently working towards getting my PhD in Mechanical Engineering at CU Boulder! I’m very passionate about sustainability and helping the environment, and hope to use my knowledge and skillset to help the planet. I also coach the CU Women’s Ice Hockey team on the side.
2. Nature can make you feel so small in such a calming way. Views of the mountains are something I’ll never get tired of and being immersed in nature always feels like home.
3. My grandparents were both very outdoorsy at a time where it was a bit more uncommon. My grandmother wrote a book on wildflowers, and my grandfather is cited in a book for being the first person to summit a certain mountain. Although I didn’t grow up with them around, stories about them made an impact on me from a very young age.
4. What if things go right?
5. When I was 7 I dressed up as Darth Vader for Halloween.
Kirk Furey
(he/him)
1. I work at Fairview High School in Boulder as a member of the security monitor team. I have been living in the Boulder area for the last 2 years and have been a returning staff member at CMR since 2019. I love to travel and am currently writing this while hanging out in a hostel lounge in Seattle!
2. I really enjoy the wildlife, including birds and insects. It’s really fascinating watching them go about their day and how unique they all are. Plus it’s always exciting to spot a moose!
3. My grandparents were always a great source of inspiration for me. My grandfather has always been a wise and supportive man, and my grandmother was an amazing cook and could throw a party like no one else. I’ve also looked up to my Dad who always been supportive of me and helped me whenever I needed it. He used to be in the Merchant Marines and growing up I loved hearing his stories of traveling on ships around the world.
4. A quote from Alan Watts that’s always on my mind: “You are under no obligation to be the same person you were five minutes ago.”
5. I like playing chess and have been studying chess books to improve my skill at the game.
New Staff Members
We asked them 5 questions:
1. What are you up to in your life right now?
2. What is your favorite part of Nature?
3. Who did you look up to when you were a kid?
4. What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
5. What is the nerdiest thing you do?

Madison "Maddie" Morck
(she/her)
1. I am finishing my Junior year at the College of Charleston majoring in sociology with a minor in early childhood education. I work at an elementary school in Charleston and a gift shop when I am back in NY. My favorite hobby is hot yoga.
2. My favorite part of nature is being on the water; whether it’s a lake, river or the ocean.
3. I have always looked up to my hard working parents.
4. To stop and smell the roses
5. I love to thrift!
Parker Strickland
(she/her)
1. Currently, I am a freshman at the University of Northern Colorado studying elementary education. I enjoy being with friends and getting to know campus!
2. My favorite part about nature is seeing how beautiful it is by just soaking it all in. I love being outside no matter what activity it is!
3. As a kid, I looked up to my mom and I still do. She is also a teacher and I strive to be like her in my future. I was always dazzled by her love for working with children and I hope to do the same.
4. The best advice I’ve ever received is do what you love to do.
5. The nerdiest thing I do is theater! I love some good show soundtracks and busting out dance moves to them.
Emma "Summers"
(she/her)
1. I just graduated from high school, and for the next year I hope to travel around Colorado.
2. My favorite part of nature is wherever you are in life, you can always count on nature to find peace. You can always find something to appreciate in nature and it teaches us to have joy in the little things.
3. I have always looked up to my aunt Emily. She is only 12 years older than I am so she is just like a sister to me. She still is my biggest idol and I will forever want to be like her. I have also always looked up to my older sister Olivia. She is pretty cool :)
4.The best advice I have ever gotten is to enjoy the little things in life.
5. The nerdiest thing I do is watch pottery videos on Instagram when I have freetime.
Sarah Alexander
(she/her)
1. I am about to be a sophomore at the University of Kentucky studying Equine Science and Management with a minor in German on a Pre-Veterinary track. I enjoy hanging out with my friends, enjoying nature and riding either my horse or showing with my team at UK!
2. My favorite part of nature is the ability it has to completely change my mood!
3. I looked up to my older siblings, especially one of my brothers a lot when I was younger, all I wanted was to be as cool as him.
4. The best advice I have ever gotten was to "notice the effect you have on those around you, but do not overuse that power" from one of my teachers in high school.
5. The nerdiest thing I do is listen to podcasts! I listen to them all the time and have favorites in all different genres!
Lucas Lovnander
(he/him)
1. I’m currently studying Aerospace Engineering at Purdue University and I’m really enjoying it so far despite the workload.
2. My favorite part of Nature is watching landscapes change. Whether it’s caused by the changing of seasons or driving to a different part of the country I find the wide variety nature offers fascinating.
3. As a kid I looked up to my Dad, growing up abroad and moving to the US later in life he always had cool stories to tell and I hope to have some cool stories of myself by the time I’m his age.
4. The best advice I’ve gotten is that everything will always work itself out in the end and to not take life too seriously.
5. The nerdiest thing I do is definitely build rockets in the rocketry club I’m in at Purdue. Space and everything that comes with it is super cool to me.
Aden Bicknell
(he/him)
1. I am about to head into my first year of college, and currently I spend my free time either outdoors, with friends, volunteering, or producing films.
2. My favorite part of nature is getting away from the judgment of others, and being somewhere where you can't expect society to be there, just yourself and those around you.
3. When I was a kid, I looked up to the fourmile fire chief, Bret Gibson - I still do. He is a great guy and has endless experience, and is always willing to help out anyone who needs it.
4. Off the top of my head, the best advice I have ever gotten is either “Put the wet stuff on the red stuff,” (relating to putting water on a fire) or George Carlin's quote, “Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things.”
5. The nerdiest thing I do is everything I do, because, if you think about it, everything is nerdy, in and of itself.
Steven Cope
(he/him)
1. Currently, I'm exploring new topics to study in philosophy. I love deep conversations and grand explorations into life's ultimate questions. I am continually searching for a truth I can feel in my heart.
2. My favorite part of Nature is the art-like, beautiful orderliness that can be found and felt. Oftentimes, our busy lives make us feel like there is only chaos, and we feel like there is no "place" or "home" for things. Strangely, seeing a landscape blanketed with fauna and flora restores the sense of homeliness in the world for me.
3. When I was young, I never really looked up to any one person. I looked up to the values that I saw in people. Of all values that acted as models to me, hardwork and stoic integrity were the most important. When I saw the best of these values in people, I was inspired.
4. Don't live to be remembered; live for love. After we are forgotten, our love will live on in the hearts of those who felt it. In a way, those who show love live forever, though their names and faces are forgotten.
5. I listen to old philosophy audiobooks while I workout.
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Emerson Shepard
(she/her)
1. I just finished my first year at Purdue University where I study Agribusiness and Political Science. I have loved my first year as I have made so many memories and made such good friends.
2. My favorite part of nature is sunsets, I love how the sky can make such a variety of colors. Living in the Midwest and watching the sunset with my friends in an open cornfield was so calm and beautiful. I hope to see a sunset in every state along with the northern lights one day!
3. As a child I looked up to both my parents, my dad is one of the most hardworking people I know and his encouragement for me to explore the world is one of the reasons why I'm headed out to Colorado this summer. My mother's kindness taught me to lend a hand in any way I can and to always be a confident, strong woman.
4. Best advice would have to be. "When an opportunity comes along, just go for it, you'll never know where it will lead you to"
5. I LOVE ancient Egypt and Greek mythology documentaries!
Nani Goad
(she/her)
1. I am excited to start this new chapter by working at this ranch. My passion is adventure, I have so much eagerness to partake in the coming explorations.
2. Animals are my favorite part of nature. I strive to be like a monkey. No matter where I am, I will always find a good climbing tree and some mysterious critters under rocks.
3. A load of different people. I have always found advice and mentorship within the hearts of good people. Often complete strangers can reveal a whole new realm of adoration. My mom, she’s a force to be reckoned with. Also lot of male actors like Jeff Goldblum, he’s really weird. I love that guy.
4. In this world of contradiction, it’s better to be merry, than wise. I found that little number in a fortune cookie and it always felt it pertains to my life.
5. Some people think its strange that I listen and sometimes meditate to the wind. It tells me when I must leave or stay. My soul feels a deep history with the earth. I also like to doodle. But my curiosity and interest expand beyond the farthest corners of space. Not just one thing can hold my interest.
Ash Ganzoury
(he/him)
1. I am doing a PhD in Environmental and Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I am learning to play the flute. I forgot since I played the recorder in 3rd grade, haha!
2. Earth! Science and discovery always excited me. We had a farm, so many different pets, lots of freedom to wander around, … etc. Now, I jog almost every day by the creek and try to hike up the mountains while detoxing from technology weekly. I enjoy the beauty and awe in the details of nature when I slow down.
3. My grandmother! She was a medical doctor, artist, raised 4 kids and many grandchildren, wrote a cook book with 52 weeks’ recipes from around the world…etc.
4. It’s better to be kind than to be right.
5. I watch documentaries about everything and fall down endless rabbit holes of exploration!
Sarina Kuhnle Oliveri
(she/her)
1. Currently I'm wrapping up my sophomore year at Purdue University where I major in Political Science and Natural Resources and Environmental Science. I've had so many amazing opportunities to travel and spend time outdoors this year and I'm super excited to spend my summer at the Ranch learning, playing and working outside!
2. My favorite part of nature is how small it can make you feel. I love getting to know how all the little parts of our environment work together to create the amazing world we live in!
3. When I was a kid I looked up to my Nonno! He was always so in touch with his roots, the hardest worker I know and was never afraid to get his hands dirty starting a new project and exploring all his hobbies and passions.
4. The best advice I have ever gotten and something I try to keep in the back of my head is "How you spend your days is how you spend your life".
5. I LOVE pickling things. I have a little fermentation and pickling lab in my apartment right now and make the BEST spicy pickles and pickled beets (going to try making cheese next fingers crossed).
Micayla Herrmann
(she/her)
1. Right now, I’m a freshman nursing major at Gonzaga University in Washington, and my dream after getting my BSN is to work abroad with the UNHCR before coming back to the States to specailize in pediactrics or OB/GYN.
2. I grew up a few blocks away from the beach, so I’m an ocean girl by nature (pun intended), but I’m also in love with forests and mountains- I love being enveloped in nature in a way that makes you forget everything else.
3. My grandmother- she’s an immigrant from Germany, and first arrived in America to roadtrip through it with her best friend. She met my grandfather on the ship back to Germany, and left all of her luggage on the boat to make sure he would come back to see her (and he still hasn’t left, fifty years later) and learned English from Sesame Street watching it with my dad when he was a baby. She taught me life is meant to be an adventure, and if you have love, you really don’t need anything else.
4. “Don’t keep a mistake, just because you spent a lot of time making it” - my mom
5. I have listened to all 384 episodes of the Dear Hank and John podcast (from the Green Brothers,creators of Crash Course), I’ve read every single book Agatha Christie has written, and I know every Hamilton song by heart.
TESTIMONIALS
We are so grateful for your support and love of my son. He really thrives with you all. He comes home everyday from camp, with such happiness and content. It has been incredible to see how much he has grown in your community!
– Edica Pacha, parent, 2015