Cabin Meetings Nurture Community
Anyone who has participated in a session of Youth Camp at the A/U Ranches knows majors are a big deal! The campers and staff in your program are the people you spend the most time with, the activities serve as the backbone of your session, and your out-trip is filled with shared experiences.
Cabin life is an important part of any camp session, too! Your cabin is where you start your day with inspiration during Bible Lesson study. And it’s where you come back to relax after a full day of adventures.
Because cabin groupings of staff and campers vary from program groups, cabin life provides fresh opportunities to build community. This certainly happens naturally, and we felt we could support it more intentionally, too!
We teamed up with the executive director of the Family Leadership Center (FLC), Marjie Longshore, to develop cabin meeting kits to provide a daily structure for shared experience and connection. FLC offers a family meeting kit that serves a similar purpose – and as cabin life should feel like a family, it was natural to work together to adapt that kit for camp.
Every evening last summer, campers and staff gathered by cabin before bed to connect in four simple steps:
1. Circle up: do a quick, fun activity to come together and break the ice
2. Connect: everyone answers an open-ended question to understand each other better
3. Plan: discuss the schedule for the next day and prep needed gear
4. Close: share a metaphysical idea to reground and end the day on an uplifted note
Seeing Love’s Work Unfold
A note
from Aaron & K.C. Morris, Ranch Co-directors
It’s not uncommon in our conversations with people to hear how they think camp has the power to keep young people in Christian Science – that camp “makes Christian Scientists.” And while living Christian Science is central to our purpose, feeling like it’s our responsibility to make or maintain Christian Scientists can be a lot of pressure, until we stop to consider what is actually true about camp’s role in the lives of young people.
Our metaphysical theme for this summer is a simple, yet profound, idea from Hymn 51 in the Christian Science Hymnal:
Love’s work and Love must fit
These few words lift the burden of “making someone a Christian Scientist” right off of camp. The good that happens here is not the result of camp’s work; it is not dependent on human personality, opinion, or action. It is the witnessing of God – divine Love, infinite good – working to communicate and unfold what He has in store for each of us. It is seeing how God fits the right idea to each individual and each situation. It is quietly and humbly listening for God’s angel messages telling us what to say or what to do next. Certainly, experiencing inspiration and healing at camp has strengthened the commitment to Christian Science in untold numbers of our alumni. And how grateful we are to know this! We’re also clear, though, that it isn’t camp that’s making Christian Scientists. Camp is simply providing a place and opportunities for campers and staff to think deeply and metaphysically about themselves, each other, and the world – and to experience what happens when they do.
Here’s to another summer of seeing Love’s work unfold at camp. We can’t wait to watch Love fit God’s goodness to each camper who joins us this year.
continued from p. 1
These meetings ensure cabin mates have time built in to slow down together and connect thoughtfully. This routine also provides a structure for having productive conversations, so if issues ever arise within the cabin, campers and staff are accustomed to talking constructively. We have already seen positive impacts from implementing these meetings and know our community will continue to be blessed as we prioritize a positive cabin culture.
Home Sweet (Program) Home
We’ve been reflecting on various ways camp serves as a “home away from home” for campers. Home represents many things, including community, comfort, joy, and safety.
Home provides a sense of belonging and security through familiarity and routine. The cabin meetings we have established nurture a sense of home in cabins, and now we’re looking at how to mirror that feeling in our programs. We recognize that, while program activities offer the community and joy home represents, many of our groups don’t have a designated spot on property that can intentionally nurture a sense of belonging.
To that end, we’ve decided to build just such a spot for each of our Sky Valley programs: a small, dedicated space where groups can start and end their day, staff can post information specific to their program, and campers can leave a personal mark each summer. We’re starting with Explorers this year, but we will continue this project until each program has a special, intentionally designed, unique space to call their own. We’re excited to see these spaces come together and to continue providing “home” moments for our camp community!
Explorers will have their own home base hut this summer.
My Heart-healing at Mini Camp
By Claudia Stewart Navarro
Last August, I found myself on a plane for the first time in many years. I have long had a fear of flying, but I was determined to not allow that fear to “inter-fear” with my adventure of attending Adult Mini Camp. I did feel anxious on the flight, but I was traveling with a fellow branch church member, and she comforted me the whole flight. When we landed, I felt elated that I had risen above the fear.
One aspect of camp I was most looking forward to was horseback riding. I love horses and have ridden off and on most of my life, though this would be my first time riding in many years. The first day of camp, I put on my new cowgirl boots and jeans and my favorite Western style shirt. I was excited to ride!
However, after I was matched to a horse and my group was waiting to depart the corral, I started to feel extremely anxious. A fellow rider assured me all was well and that I was safe, but I decided it was time to get off my horse.
What I felt next was such incredible compassion and love from the staff and all the other riders. I don’t remember specific ideas shared, but they all held me in BIG love.
As I returned to the lodge, the fear and anxiety released its grip on me. I decided to visit the Christian Science practitioner, who listened to me and shared healing ideas. By the end of our visit, I felt less anxious and more relaxed. I believe I was meant to experience all the love shown to me that day from everyone; it was a healing of my heart.
A few days later, the corral staff member from earlier offered to give me a private lesson. I was so grateful! She showed me how to care for the horse and prepare to ride, and then led me around the corral before taking me on a short ride. I was excited and a little nervous, but overall, I was comfortable riding! I am forever grateful for this healing experience. I hope to return for another Adult Mini Camp and go for more trail rides.
2025 Summer Management Team
A/U Ranches
Aaron Morris, Ranch Co-director
K.C. Morris, Ranch Co-director
Sky Valley Ranch
Christine Bailey, Sky Valley Camp Director
Matthew Rice Sky Valley Assistant Camp Director
Round-Up Ranch
Rusty Rohde, Round-Up Camp Director
Afton Leslie Round-Up Assistant Camp Director
Spencer Christensen
At-large Assistant Camp Director
Corral
Rachael LePoidevin, Horsemanship Director
Erin Demaree
Assistant Horsemanship Director
Office Team
Linda Kellogg-Clarke
Enrollment Coordinator/Office Manager
Kris Proctor
Administrative Support & HR Coordinator
Joy Strickland
Ranch Administrative Coordinator
Facilities Team
Steve Murray, Facilities Director
Nathan Gregory, Ranch Foreman
Andrew Lambert-Cole, Facilities Technician
Food Service Team
Matthew Leon, Director of Food Operations
Jules Ryan, Head Chef
100 Elk Outdoor Center
Dave Bailey, 100 Elk Assistant Director
Claudia (center) enjoying a hike with other Mini Camp participants
Word Links Puzzle
1. Find words with a common theme to fill the board.
2. Draw lines on consecutive letters to create words.
3. Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.
4. Find the puzzle’s theme word or phrase, which touches opposite sides of the box.
Breaking Through Limits at 100
A student arrived last spring with 19 of his 6th-grade classmates for their first 100 Elk program. The trip leader shared that this student struggled with “behavior and negative social interactions” and that he did not connect well with his peers and had been feeling ostracized from the class. We assured the trip leader that we see all students as unlimited and that we would work to ensure the student felt loved and valued.
Elk
We’re happy to report this student thrived during his time at 100 Elk. Early in their program, his peers witnessed him successfully completing every element at the high ropes course, including several elements many of his classmates chose not to attempt. On another occasion during a team building activity, he stepped up and led his peers to successfully finish and solve the activity.
At the end of the program week, this student’s teacher was excited to report that he had connected with his peers in a meaningful way, and that during the program, he was “seen in a different way” and finally accepted by his classmates. It was wonderful to see the transformation this student demonstrated, celebrate his success, and witness the smile on his face during his time at 100 Elk!
We are thrilled this school is coming back to 100 Elk this spring and look forward to guiding this year’s 6thgraders as they break through their perceived limitations and fears.
Do you know of a school that would benefit from 100 Elk’s outdoor education program? Share our website with them – and thank you! 100Elk.org
Artists & Homeschoolers: We Have Something New for You
Watercolor Workshop at Adult Mini Camp
Join our new Watercolor Workshop during Adult Mini Camp and explore the art of watercolor painting in our inspiring mountain setting! Professional artist Kelly Foxton will teach about basic color mixing and brush handling techniques as participants prepare to create a nature-inspired painting. Participants will spend three morning sessions (~3.5 hours/session) at camp and one full day off property learning and painting. Kelly will guide the group through practice exercises and provide individualized support. Sessions are geared toward beginner artists, but intermediate painters or enthusiasts are welcome!
Fall CS Homeschool Families Retreat
Connect with other Christian Science homeschooling families at our new CS Homeschool Families Retreat September 26-30. Experience classic camp activities like trail rides and climbing at the rock gym, plus engage in joy-filled learning around our 1,200-acre ranch. We’ll have activities for the whole family, as well as sessions where homeschooling parents can connect and kids of all ages can learn and play. View a draft schedule for this new program and register here!
Enjoy all of our programs!
Mountain Memo Spring Newsletter
2025 PROGRAM DATES
Service Weekend May 23–26
Youth Camp Session 1: June 19 – July 3
Camp United
Session 2: July 5–19
Session 3: July 21 – August 4
Family & Adult Camp Week 1: June 19–25
Week 2: June 27 – July 3*
Week 3: August 9–15
Adult Mini Camp August 17–23
CS Homeschool September 26–30
Families Retreat
Adult Bible Study October 30 – November 3
Christmas Camp December 21–27
*This program is fully enrolled; join our waitlist
SEASONAL SUPPORT Work or Volunteer
From college students to grandparents, there are opportunities for adults of all ages to work and volunteer at the A/U Ranches – for a few days or a whole season. We’re currently looking for:
• Summer camp counselors
• RUR Corral program head
• Bunkhouse parents
• Ranch hands
• Camp nanny
• Christmas Camp volunteers
Learn more at AURanches.org/employment
See who the counselors will be at camp this summer! AURanches.org/2025-seasonal-staff