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2025 Registration is Open for CMR’s 78th Summer of Fun!
SUMMER DAY CAMP
The importance of getting children safely outdoors and active with friends just keeps shining through more clearly. The Colorado Mountain Ranch proclaims the incredible value of the camp experience while holding tight to its philosophy, mission, and goals. Operations, programs, and schedules continue to adjust to keep your children safe again this summer in “their own place in the mountains.”
GROW, LEARN & HAVE FUN
SUMMER DAY CAMP
The importance of getting children safely outdoors and active with friends just keeps shining through more clearly. The Colorado Mountain Ranch proclaims the incredible value of the camp experience while holding tight to its philosophy, mission, and goals. Operations, programs, and schedules continue to adjust to keep your children safe again this summer in “their own place in the mountains.”
CAMP REALLY IS THIS FUN
The Camp Experience
Studies show that connections to both the natural world and other people in a positive community are essential to build a healthy emotional and physical foundation in development. Beyond simply facilitating activities, our overall camp experience helps young people develop their sense of compassion and define meaning in their lives.
PHILOSOPHY
The Colorado Mountain Ranch believes in the simplicity of getting kids outdoors and having fun, surrounded by nature and supported by the camp community. We never underestimate the power that fun, laughter, and joy can bring to a child’s world.
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THE CAMP DAY
Campers participate in the whole array of camp activities. Each week Explorers have an introduction, and a chance to participate and practice in all the activities. Focus Campers spend three half days each week in their Focus area of activities and also choose as a group from all the other activities. Activity times are 1 hour and 10 minutes, combining for Focus Campers to make at least 2 hours and 20 minutes which allows for in-depth experiences. Camper groups rotate outdoor lunch spots. There is an outdoor play time after lunch.
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ACTIVITY AREAS
Activities are spread out around Main Camp and separated by a 1–5 minute walk on trails through meadows and trees. Equipment is regularly checked for safety, sanitized between groups, and supply inventories are continually restocked.
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ACTIVITY INSTRUCTION
Each activity has its own specialized instructor or team of instructors who present safe, supervised and progressive instruction in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Individualized step-by-step learning and practice are geared toward the experience and skill level of each child within a group.
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CAMP SPIRIT
Parents who went to camp as children may recognize the Colorado Mountain Ranch as a traditional summer camp community, with the same spirit and many of the same activities they remember. Camp carries on the tradition of outdoor adventure!
MISSION
To support youth to develop a positive foundation in self and community.
GOALS
The Colorado Mountain Ranch strives to provide opportunities for children:
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To gain understanding and build relationships with self, others, nature, and community.
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To build skills and character physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually through quality connections with people, place, and programs.
GROUPS
Groups are arranged in advance by grade levels for Camp Critters and Explorers and by interests for Focus Campers. When indicated on the registration form, current friends in the same Camp Program are placed together.
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GROUP COUNSELORS
Each group has its own experienced adult counselor who has a "kid-friendly" personality and is familiar with age-specific guidance and group dynamics. The group counselor works closely with group dynamics and each child individually, guiding, supervising, participating and assisting the activity instructors.
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BUS GROUPS
Groups of 6 to 10 campers will ride on their bus with up to three groups close in grade level, forming a BUS GROUP, identified by the name and color of their bus.
The People
Owned and operated by the Walker Family since 1947
THE WALKER FAMILY
Mike, Lynn, and Gail, the owners and administrators of the Colorado Mountain Ranch, are lifetime youth workers and educators. Jojo, Kate, Josie, and Rosie Walker continue as the third-generation of Leaders at the Ranch.
OUR AMAZING STAFF
During the summer season all staff members live full-time at the Ranch, forming the heart of our camp's family feel. Counselors are selected on the basis of personality, experience and ability to guide children toward their full potential, with many staff members returning to the Ranch year after year. Our hiring process includes thorough interviewing and reference checking to assess each candidate's ability to care for children. We also conduct thorough background checks according to Colorado Child Care Licensing requirements.
STAFF ORIENTATION AND TRAINING
Before summer camp begins, staff members participate in almost two-weeks of orientation covering Colorado Mountain Ranch policies and procedures, child abuse laws, skill training, discipline, and child behavior and development. In-service training and sharing sessions continue weekly throughout the summer.
STAFF TO CHILD RATIO
We have a 1:5 overall staff-to-child ratio to provide each child with a high level of individual attention.
GROUPS, COUNSELORS, AND FRIENDS
Group counselors are always with their groups, providing constant guidance and encouragement. Groups are organized by school grade levels, usually with 2-3 grade levels in a group. Camp Critters are all first and second-graders. Friends can choose to be in the same group together. Pairs or small groups of friends or large groups of friends are grouped together to make a full group of friends. Campers who are not already partnered with old friends are in a different group together to make it easier for campers to make new friends.
QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS
Each activity is overseen by specialized instructors who present a progressive curriculum for the week. Instructors and group counselors work together to offer supervision that balances safety, confidence building, and FUN!
CMR Programs
The Colorado Mountain Ranch offers one of the most extensive day camp programs available anywhere, designed for your child’s grade level.
EXPLORERS PROGRAM | Grades 1-8
Activity sampler including introductions and practice time in ALL camp activities such as archery, yoga, animal care, horseback riding, etc.
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FOCUS PROGRAMS | Grades 6-11
The Focus Campers spend three half-days per week in activities that are geared toward their chosen focus program. Below are the Focus Program options.
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Mountaineers | Grades 7-11; Focus on Outdoor Living Skills, Out-of-camp Excursions, and choices of favorite activities.
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Gymnasts | Grades 7-11; Polish form on the mats, beams, trampolines, and Yoga at the Harmony Hut, and choose other favorite activities.
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Mountainboarders | Grades 7-11; Shred the gnar on the Mountainboarding Course Terrain Park, practice aim in the disc golf course, and choose other favorite activities.
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Artists | Grades 7-11; Hone talents in Arts & Crafts mediums of choice, Drama, Native Lore and Indigenous Crafts, and choose other favorite activities.
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WESTERN RIDERS | Grades 6-11
Enjoy plenty of horse time, western riding, and choices of favorite activities.​​​
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TEEN LEADERS | Grades 9-12
The objectives of the Teen Leader programs are for each teenager to gain personal competence, confidence, resilience, plus a sense of responsibility and motivation to solve problems and engage in today's world.
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Counselors-in-Training (CIT) | Grades 9-12; A teen leadership mentoring program where teens get to know each other and learn to assist an activity instructor or a senior staff counselor with younger groups of campers.
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Wranglers-in-Training (WIT) | Grades 11-12; A teen internship program where young leaders learn and practice all aspects of working with and riding Western horses.
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COLORADO CHILD CARE LICENSING
The Colorado Mountain Ranch Outdoor Adventure Day Camp programs are licensed by the Colorado State Department of Human Services. For suspected child abuse/neglect, please call 1-800-CO-4kids (1-800 264-5437).
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TESTIMONIALS
Thank you so much for giving my girls the opportunity of a lifetime. They had a fantastic time and will cherish all of the wonderful memories. Thank you for letting us join your family.
– Sarah, Mom of campers Shelby and Lexis
My son spent 2 weeks at your camp this summer. He loved every moment of it. As a parent it was amazing to see how happy he was each day coming off the bus. Thank you for providing such a special environment and memories for our children.
- Amy Carpenter, Parent