A /U RANCHES NEWS – SPRING 2020
Mountain Memo
What’s New at Camp? Camp is like the Arkansas River; it’s always flowing and changing and yet it’s always the Arkansas. The most important things about camp have been the same since 1955 – having a chance to get to know God in new ways while adventuring in the Rockies with amazing friends – yet every year we also work to make camp a little better. The facilities and equipment improve with changes like adding round tables and chairs to Chuckwagon dining room. The horse care barn, under construction last summer, will be fully in operation this year, while the new Hub will be under construction now on south Chuckwagon lawn (still leaving plenty of room for playing). And mountain campers
• What’s Inside • 2 Note from the Ranch Director 2 Bringing Camp Back to Church 3 Meet the Summer Management Team 3 Mine Eyes Look Towards the Mountains
4 Pullout Camp Poster 6 What Makes 100 Elk Unique? 6 Crossword Puzzler 7 Camp is Unlimited
of all ages and sizes will have brand new backpacks to take out into the backcountry this summer. We are always collecting ideas and feedback from campers and adjusting and improving youth programming. During Camp United last year we had twice as many high school campers as years before. So, this year, we are planning more evening programs geared for high schoolers and expanding ways for older campers to mentor younger campers. As we look at the camp progression, we are welcoming interested 8th graders up to Round-Up during 3rd session. This is a great way for seasoned Sky Valley campers and multi-session campers, ready for a new adventure, to get started at Round-Up in rafting, polocrosse, mountain biking and more. We are also building more skills development and progression in the mountain biking program, utilizing miles of new trails in Buena Vista and the passion of Camp Director Chandler Morehardt. In addition to all these changes (and more), we can always count on new friends and best friends, returning counselors and new recruits, loved horses and new perfect matches and amazing experiences deepening our relationship with God. We are continuing to plan for this summer, expecting worldwide healing, but will keep you updated if anything changes.