2024TRAILMARKS
Photo: DiscoveryBound Outreach Teen Winter Weekend
A Message from Michael Brown, President
Welcome to the latest edition of Trailmarks and this celebration of the wonderful good we witnessed during FY2024!
Throughout the last year, we’ve embarked on a new strategic plan, embraced our community with a wide variety of programs for all ages, and been blessed with tremendous support from an expanding field of donors. Whether through a DiscoveryBound Outreach event, DiscoveryBound National Leadership Council or Compass programs, one of our many Youth Camp or family and adult program experiences at the A/U Ranches, or even a 100 Elk Outdoor Center school program, I hope that you’ve found opportunities to join us.
And if we didn’t see you in person last year, please know that you are an important, valued member of our Adventure Unlimited family.
Please enjoy the following annual report – and happy trails!
WHO WE ARE
This fiscal year, Adventure Unlimited clarified its vision and mission to better support its strategic priorities, which aim to nourish, love, and strengthen its community of participants.
These objectives empower the A/U Ranches, DiscoveryBound, and 100 Elk to provide participants with opportunities to connect and express joy. This has the effect of supporting growth in communities of Christian Scientists, other spiritual seekers, and secular groups across all ages.
Our Vision
Life-changing spiritual growth through joyful adventures in an environment where Christian Science is lived.
Our Mission
To equip participants of all ages to live boldly, grow spiritually, and contribute actively to the betterment of their world through:
• Activities in recreational adventure, leadership, service, and learning
• Year-round programs from casual gatherings to world-class experiences
• A community where everyone is loved and valued
2024 IN REVIEW
Advancing Capital Resources
The A/U Ranches facilities continue to expand in transformational ways. Thanks to generous donations and support, progress was made in capital resources this fiscal year.
Completing
the Boyman Center
The former Hub building is now the Boyman Center, a dedicated space for seasonal staff to gather during off-hours. The lounge and meeting space, named in honor of former camp directors John and Heidy Boyman, was completed in 2024 and celebrated with a ceremony honoring the Boymans, highlighting the lasting impact of John’s tenure as chief executive and long-time trustee.
Architects, general contractors, and a team of full-time staff members finalized designs for Ingwerson Heights, a housing plan to better accommodate full-time staff. A lot behind the Round-Up Ranch parking lot is set to transform into three beautiful homes, thanks to Lona Ingwerson’s generous $1 million gift to the organization. An additional $1 million in gifts, from seven generous donors, will allow the team to break ground between the summer and fall of 2025. LEARN MORE
New Chapel Roof
There’s a new metal roof on the chapel! This was an in-house installation effort, which saved the organization around $4,000.
Slow Feeders
The challenge of managing horse feeding has been made much easier, thanks to the donor-driven effort to install slow feeders. The feeders reduce waste and help save on labor. We expect to purchase four more in 2025.
New Staff Housing Update
A/U Ranches
Campers of all ages expressed a spirit of joyful adventure at the A/U Ranches in FY2024.
Totaling 1,200 acres in Buena Vista, CO, our facility hosted participants throughout the year, from summer Youth Camp and Family & Adult Camp to other adult, family, and school programs in the fall, winter, and spring.
Christian Science participants, along with their family and friends, found connection and healing when visiting the A/U Ranches, and school-age participants, teachers, and facilitators grew in community at the 100 Elk Outdoor Center.
YOUTH CAMP
Youth Camp served 248 rising second-graders through high school seniors across six weeks in horsemanship, water, and mountain programs. Of these, 67% received financial assistance, thanks to donations.
ZEMMA KITCHEN’S GROWTH
“I grew spiritually because I found myself more reliant on God.”
– A/U Ranches youth camper
Popular program adventures for 2nd- to 8th-graders at Sky Valley Ranch (SVR) included jumping into Explorers themes like secret agent academy and enchanted forest, heading out on three-day horse pack trips, and hitting the local trails during beginner mountain biking. At Round-Up Ranch (RUR), 9th- to 12th-grade campers loved peaking Mt. Huron and holding a church service in the backcountry on the Conquerors five-day outtrip, playing in polocrosse tournaments, and whitewater kayaking. Training across programs about sharing Christian Science with campers was integral to the success of the summer.
WATCH | Zemma shares her journey with Christian Science and how the A/U Ranches and the DiscoveryBound National Leadership Council supported her growth as a leader and spiritual thinker.
DiscoveryBound
Formerly A/U Chapters, DiscoveryBound (DB) launched in 2001 to position its camp-neutral programming for Christian Scientists and their friends on a wider scale. Today, activities and events support participants of all ages across the country. DB continues to prioritize spiritual depth in programs that provide opportunities for meaningful contemplation and connection. In total, DB served more than 3,506 people in FY2024.
DiscoveryBound is a year-round program for individuals of all ages to experience Christian Science in action. We offer fellowship through inspiring recreational, leadership, and service opportunities on local, national, and international levels.
OUTREACH
Nearly 3,000 DB Outreach participants had a whole lot of fun in 151 events this fiscal year. FY2024 hosted a range of impactful events that brought together individuals of all ages and interests: Teens had a blast in the snow at the annual Berkshires weekend; those 18-24 connected during their Ignite retreat; 20s/30s adults played in Cape Cod over a long weekend; people of all ages enjoyed a Colorado winter weekend; and adults were treated to virtual book clubs, an historic wagon adventure in Wyoming, and a December trip to Asheville, NC. The Asheville trip, in particular, allowed us to support local artists and the community impacted by Hurricane Helene, with participants purchasing artwork and visiting significant cultural sites. Outreach remains committed to continuously listening, praying, and adapting to how to best serve the Christian Science community and beyond.
“I felt so welcomed, included, and loved.”
MAKING FRIENDS ON A WAGON IN WYOMING
WATCH | Elizabeth Bear shares her experience on the DB Outreach Historic Wagon Adventure for adults.
– DB Adult Asheville Trip participant
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
DB’s National Leadership Council (NLC) is a four-year program that supports teens starting in their 8th-grade year up to 12th grade. New NLC director Heidi Heinbaugh replaced Mary Sipe, who moved to another role in Adventure Unlimited after six years as NLC director.
In FY2024, NLC shepherded trips to Kenya, Portugal, Boston, Colorado, and California, as well as teen internships at The Mother Church, Christian Science nursing facilities, and more.
“NLC has been such a blessing in my life, and I am so grateful for all the joy and friendships and opportunities it has provided me!”
– DB NLC teen
Forty 8th-graders comprising two full classes joined NLC in FY2024, and 11 more Congressional Gold Medalist recipients brought the total count to 98 Gold Medals, 182 Silver Medals, and 441 Bronze Medals as of January 2025 – with approximately 96,595 documented service hours from the program.
The annual All Class Retreat brought the classes together for a weekend of celebration and community, with inspiring talks from Janessa Gans Wilder and Craig Ghislin.
PARENTS AND MENTORS SEE TEENS GROW
WATCH | NLC parents and mentors give gratitude for the program and how their teens have grown into leaders and spiritual thinkers.
FY2024
Adventure Unlimited operations are made possible thanks to generous donors. In FY2024, we exceeded our contributions goal, which comprised 65% of the annual operating budget.
We’re grateful to report that we met our budget for the 19th year in a row.
$7,270,310
Charts
FUNDING SOURCES
$7,751,435
REVENUE $1,877,368
JOIN US IN 2025
Programs for Everyone
Click the boxes for information on all our programming, including dates and rates. We’re celebrating 70 years of Opening Windows to God this year!
Join us in prayerfully supporting our time together in 2025, guided by this year’s metaphysical theme:
Beloved, let us love one another: for
