2024 Annual Report

2024

Annual Report

Colorado Outdoor Education Center

Colorado Outdoor Education Center

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aving recently returned from the Sanborn Camps movie tour—maps have been on my mind. We rely on maps in many ways every day to get us where we need to go. But it’s not just road maps (or Siri) that guide us.

At The Nature Place, groups use maps for orienteering hikes strengthening communication and leadership skills they then carry back to their teams at work. Sanborn summer staff rely on both digital and paper maps to navigate campers up 14,000-foot peaks, and horses across mountain valleys, and through aspen and pine forests. Students at High Trails Outdoor Education Center learn how to use a compass to find their way in the woods, practice reading topographic maps and discover new territories of confidence within themselves Beyond the trails, we’ve been mapping out the future in other ways. This year, we worked with a web designer to map out a new website. We collaborated with architects and contractors to lay the foundations for new buildings and design a new treehouse. The National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has provided maps to help guide COEC’s mitigation efforts.

We are fortunate to follow the “map” that Sandy and Laura left us, continuing in the direction of their vision. Just as maps evolve—adding new routes and features—we embrace change, whether it’s a necessary detour or an exciting new path that leads to creative programming. With your support, we continue to map out the future to meet the needs of our campers, students, and guests.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Marable Executive Director, COEC

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ig Spring, High Trails, and Sanborn Junior welcomed 624 campers from forty-two states and 8 countries in 2024, our 76th season. In addition, 150 staff members joined us from across the country and the world to provide leadership, enthusiasm, and fun for our community. Together we climbed 19 different mountains with 70 different groups, spent hundreds of hours in the saddle exploring the ranch and the forest service lands to our west, and backpacked for miles in beautiful country including the Continental Divide. We tubed on the South Platte River, canoed at 11-Mile Reservoir, climbed the rocks at Wild Goat Mountain, camped out under starry skies, cooked s’mores over the campfire and shared wonderful adventures.

We made new friends from many places, built our resilience and independence, and practiced team-building and collaboration skills. We learned something about ourselves and about living with others. And we sang, laughed, experienced joy and renewed our connections with the natural world.

624 Campers Shared Adventures

“I am just so grateful to have my daughter experience another summer at Sanborn that it brings me to tears. There are only a few short years in our life where we get to be able to be free enough with our time and schedules to go someplace as magical as Sanborn for the summer. Then college and growing up ensues. I look back at my own memories of Sanborn and wish I could go back and have “just one more summer”.

We can not always be certain what lies ahead, but I am certain that my daughter will have “another summer”; marked by mountain valley Hamilton sing-a-longs, majestic sunsets at vespers, early morning mountain skyscapes, dusty boots and a full heart. I have never received such a gift in my life, and I am so happy for it. Thank you again for being there for me, for her, and for all that you do. There is no other community like the one you have created and we are lucky to be a part of it.”

- Sanborn Parent

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ince its’ pilot programs in 1967, more than 100,000 students, 5,000 teachers, and 15,000 high school-aged counselors have attended the High Trails Outdoor Education programs. In 2024, HTOEC served 2,050 students, 100 teachers and 300 high-school counselors from 41 schools and 17 districts across Colorado. We continue to honor our 40-year partnership with District 20 in Colorado Springs, hosting most of their sixthgrade students in the fall. In addition, we have students from Douglas County, Jefferson County, Summit County, Manitou Springs and District 11 in Colorado Springs in the fall and in the spring.

Students continue to discover that learning is fun in our unique experiential curriculum where the classes role-play prospectors, homesteaders, trappers, woodsmen and other local history groups in order to learn earth science, natural history, forest ecology, local history, and other subjects. They also practice social and emotional skills like team-building, resilience, and independence while living with peers and nurturing counselors. Evening programs such as an Interbarn festival, cookouts, night hikes, and a folk dance add to the experience.

“At High Trails students were able to connect their learning through history and science. They were also able to have a better understanding of the environment that they live in and shares with others.”

- 6th Grade Teacher

2,050 Students Found Their Special Spots

“Today, nature made me feel calm and quiet. Nowadays it is really hard to find time and places that can still experience that.”

- HTOEC Student

2,037 Guests Developed Teambuilding & Leadership Skills

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he Nature Place first opened its doors in 1978 and has been providing world-class team-building and leadership training to educational, governmental, and corporate clients for 46 years. It is also an ideal location for reunions of all types. In addition to modern, attractive housing, a large comfortable dining hall and lodge, and wellfurnished conference rooms, our state-of-the art High and Low Ropes Challenge Course, large telescope and miles of hiking trails provide a unique setting for activities of all types.

In 2024, more than 2,037 guests in 62 different programs joined us for residential experiences at The Nature Place. These included eleven programs offered in partnership with the University of Denver and two provided for the faculty of Metropolitan State University.

Administrators and faculty of Denver Public Schools and Jefferson County Public Schools were also frequent clients. FMI, a training firm which works with leaders in the construction industry brought more than ten groups and the American Leadership Forum, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to join and strengthen diverse leaders to better serve the common good, came twice. As always, our guests provided outstanding reviews of the program, the food, the facility, and of our warm and welcoming staff.

“Everything was amazing. The food was great, and I appreciated the allergies being accommodated. The facilitators for the outdoor activities were great. They enhanced the experience so much, making it feel safe and enjoyable, even when going outside one’s comfort zone.”

- The Nature Place Guest

Thank you...

• $296,000 provided in scholarships for campers to attend Sanborn Western Camps • 64 campers received a partial or full scholarship in 2024 • $30,000 provided in scholarships for High Trails Outdoor Education Center • 23 schools received scholarships for High Trails Outdoor Education Center

The Scholarship Program

“The people I have met here and the memories I have made have made me the person I am today.”

- Scholarship Recipient

2024 Financial Overview: Colorado Outdoor Education Center

Dear Friends,

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s we look back on another incredible year at COEC, we are reminded of the power of community and the lasting impact of outdoor experiences. In 2024, we served more than 5,100 campers, students, and guests at our three programs: Sanborn Western Camps, High Trails Outdoor Education Center, and The Nature Place Conference Center.

Behind these experiences were the dedicated efforts of over 50 year-round staff and 175 seasonal staff. Quite a change from 1948 when Sandy and Laura first opened Big Spring with four boys!

Of course, none of this would be possible without you—our wonderful alumni, camp families, and friends. Thanks to your generosity, we provided scholarships for 64 campers at Big Spring and High Trails, as well as over 120 scholarships for students attending High Trails Outdoor Education Center. And, because of your thoughtful gifts, the Sanborn 70 Scholarship Endowment has reached its $1,000,000 goal, allowing us to supplement annual scholarship donations for years to come. Additionally, the Luke Stalker Fund has made it possible for us to provide essential financial support for outstanding summer staff members, ensuring that passionate, talented individuals can continue to enrich our programs.

Your contributions to our Program Excellence and Greatest Need Funds have also played a crucial role in improving our facilities and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our programs. In 2024, we were able to: •

Rebuild the MOPQ Ridge washhouse at Big Spring

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Complete fire mitigation on more than 60 acres near High Trails and Big Spring

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Finish the fence for the new Big Spring Sport Court

And thanks to your generosity in recent years, we have built two new cabins at High Trails, a new Health Center at Big Spring, an addition to the Big Spring Lodge, two new washhouses, a new high ropes course, and new mountain bikes among other key improvements. In 2025, we have broken ground for a new washhouse on ABC Ridge and a new treehouse.

Our goal, as always, is to continue to offer outstanding and transformational outdoor experiences to children and adults for the foreseeable future. Your support and friendship is essential in helping us achieve this goal. We are incredibly grateful. Thank-you!

Warm Regards, Jane Sanborn Director of Development

COEC Annual Fund Donors We are grateful to these alums, staff, parents and friends of camp who gave generously to our Annual Fund and the Sanborn 70 Capital Campaign in 2024 and through February 1, 2025.

MOUNT ANTERO $50,000 and Above American Endowment Foundation Vergi Geurian and Josh Geurian Pershing Charitable Foundation Bill Polk Ken Wallace PIKES PEAK $20,000—$49,999 Benson Family Foundation Kiersa Benson Wright and Eric Benson F. Martin Brown Trust Lauren and Roger Cameron Cathy Canter Jennings Lakota Foundation Peter and Karen Brine Bill and Heather Macy A BLUFF $10,000--$19,999 Anonymous Colorado Restaurant Foundation Estate of William Comley Mia Fisher and William Pollack In memory of Angela Fisher Annie Garretson In memory of Dave Garretson jfmaddox foundation Toby Utterback John and Linda Ward O’Hara Rosso Family Foundation John Rosso and Sarah Rosso McCaughey In memory of Abbey L. Rosso PhD and her passion for the outdoors and outdoor education

Anne and Peter Stalker In memory of Luke Stalker Bud Wobus In memory of Sherry Whitcher Wobus FISH CREEK $5,000-$9,999 Anonymous Allen Family Foundation Andy, John, and Phil Allen Bill Anderson and Family Jana and Steve Bohlen In memory of Fred Bohlen Susan White Burgamy Carney Family Charitable Foundation Kris and Colleen Carney Courtney Robert and Whitney Chandler Mark and Elizabeth Dubinsky Daoust Marybeth Ezaki In memory of Bob Bucholz Hank and Pat Hazleton Hemingway jfmaddox foundation Sarah Utterback Sanders Hugh and Arianne O’Kane Ted and Wendy Ramsey Jim “Herc” Roth Jane Sanborn Bill and Karen Schaphorst Frank and Victoria Williams LITTLE BLUE $2,000-$4,999 Anonymous Anonymous In memory of Jeff Roberts John and Diane Allen In memory of all the old camp dogs

Big Spring Alums Tobey Jackson, Rod Lucero and Julian Rodriguez, Kevin “K-Rob” Robinson, Pat Malone Randy Brown, Marianne Brown Rooney and Susan Brown McCoy Patrick Coleman Margot Schlegel Cromack Deb Donnelley Donohue Family Foundation Claire Donohue Fab Five Julie Micou Cerf Kathy Yanuck Wenger Lisa Schneck Kathy Medlock Tuteur Mary “Bunny” Porter Colby Fewster The Foster Family Private Foundation Nancy and Mark Foster Helen Clay Frick Foundation Laura Jenney Roe John and Lolly Gepson Rich Hamilton John H. Harmon, Jr. and Jane H. Harmon Foundation Cathy Gepson Burnham Jessica Thurmond Jurgensen Janet Mueller In memory of Max Barry Kent and Sarah Zwinger Roberts In memory of Sandy and Laura Jeff Schlueter Chris and Betsy Shears Stevan Simich, Jr. Ralph L. Smith Empowerment Fund Laura Douthat Donnelly Peter Thurston

TWC Foundation Dan Warner, Marley and Jennifer Warner Hodgson Kathy Waters Linda Van Winkle SUNDAY ROCKS $1,000--$1,999 Anonymous (2) Steve and Katy Smith Abbott Peter and Toshia Barnett In memory of Bob Bucholz Ann Blankenship Ken and Robin Boger Kristen and Jamie Browne In honor of Barbara Rowley Bruce and Jane Porter Burton Sam Carkhuff, Sr. Cindy Fair Crandell Pat DeCoursey Cercos Charlotte Ramsey Chaney The Colorado Trust Lisa Rudolph Cushman Terry Day Tony Delf Emanuels Family Foundation Tim and Beth Rusling Emanuels Trip Friendly Rob and Connie MacWilliams Friesen Ann and Bill Gatto Frank Gerrity Charitable Trust Peter and Marie Gerrity Pete and Mary Glasser The Green Family In memory of Howard Benjamin Green Ward and Carol Swartout Klein Tom and Sharon Koch In honor of Jane Sanborn Phil LaFortune

Lewis Family Fund of Jackson Hole Jason and Jean Armour Lewis The Lewis Foundation Hal Lewis and Blair Lewis Williams Paul Lhevine Donald and Marcia Liebich Pat and Libby Hamilton Malone Katharine “Kitty” Mann Levi and Elizabeth Rundle Marable The Ellen Wills Martin Foundation Liza Martin Chapman-Memory J.Landis & Sharon Martin Family Foundation Andrew and Sarah Martin Stettner James McCormick Bill and Edie Miller In honor of all the great things our kids and grandkids learned at camp Gary Missner In memory of Ben Northcutt Gary Mostow Mike and Carolyn Schiele Murray David O’Hara David, Chris, and Matt Osborn Robyn Rissman Barbara Rowley and Taylor Middleton Lisa Schneck Bill Schreiber Charitable Trust In honor of Jim “Herc” Roth Connie Morton Seay Nan Shiffler Erik Simchuk Mr. and Mrs. Warren M. Strauss Terry Talbot In honor of Bud Wobus Seaton and Janet Thedinger Keith Williams In memory of Ben Northcutt

HIGH TOR $500-$999 Anonymous Annie Shelton Anderson Tom Arnot In memory of Howard Green Rajendra and Kacie Sanborn Awasthi Jarrold Bachmann Jonathan Bedway In honor of Barbara Rowley Dana Breitenstein George Brown The Callahan Family Scott Campbell Landers and Mimi Carnal In honor of Boyd, Landers, and Mary Carnal Helen Coltea In honor of Barbara Rowley John, Lucy, and Sarah Covington Taylor Crossen Diana Squibb Devens Taylor Emanuels Tom Eschenroeder Gus Euston Hannah Farr In honor of Barbara Rowley John Fernie Kent and Susan Henson Flury Jerre and David Fussell In honor of Jane Sanborn Bobbi and Jonathan Gilbert In honor of Barbara Rowley Wendy Gordon Chris and Suzanne Gepson Hagen Nancy Higgins In memory of Chris Higgins

Deanna Womack Hollon Emily and Joseph Horan Jeff Horner Christian Keesee Julie Klinghoffer Mark and Kathy Ryden Larson In honor of Jane Sanborn In memory of Sandy and Laura Sanborn Sarah and Laura Legett In honor of Jane Sanborn Carly Liebich Denis and Amy Davis Lunne In memory of Susan Kay Davis Eliser Susan and Terry MacQuiddy Al Malinowski In honor of Barbara Rowley Katie and Peter McKee Phil McKnight In memory of Sherry Wobus and Kristin McLain Betty and Jerry McLain In memory of Kristin McLain Elizabeth Chandler McRae In honor of Barbara Rowley John Mengel Sarah Mitchell In honor of Barbara Rowley Charles and Christopher Nunziato Darcie Swenarton Peet In memory of Sherry Wobus Kristin Mueller Pillsbury In memory of Max Barry The Quaker Hill Foundation Helen Stevens Charlie and Muffy Rice Matt and Ariella Randle Rogge Nancy Rodkin Rotering In honor of Jane Sanborn

Forever Sanborn It is possible to make a tax deductible gift to Colorado Outdoor Education Center through beneficiary designation in a will, 401k or similar plans, or life insurance policies. If you have done so or desire to do so, please let us know so that we can make you a member of “Forever Sanborn,” a group of donors who have included COEC in their estate planning.

Jim “Herc” Roth In memory of Lou Killackey Suzanne Samardich In honor of Barbara Rowley Will Strauss Kathleen Struble Stupp Bros Bridge & Iron Co Foundation Philip and Will Stupp Felix N. Williams III Lyndon Wells Dorothy “Sam” Yewer In honor of Jane Sanborn B-BLUFF $250-$499 Davis Ammons In memory of Sandy and Laura Josiah Barron-Ramirez Carolyn Mozley Beiser Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bloch Deborah Guiher Chamblee Will Coleman Ed Decourreges Lynn and Ira Dubinsky In honor of Lucy, Annie, and Phoebe Daoust Stacy and James Ehrlich

Jenny and Tim Ewing In honor of Linda and John O’Hara Kerri Fabozzi In honor of Barbara Rowley Oliver Fisher Richard Hankin Steve Heifetz Budge Hickel Kathy Kennedy and the Vernon Family Inner Kingdom Kroger Foundation Mike Lawrence In memory of Ward Lawrence Robert Lebby Steve, Betsey and Elizabeth Madden Michael Maisonpierre Andy Manale Georgina Bliss Marshall On behalf of James and Isabelle Marshall In honor of Jane Sanborn Phil Marthens Bonnie and Mark Miller-McLemore In honor of Chris and Sarah Ulizio Tina Moschetti McNew Allison Shutz Moskow In honor of Sue Springer Gwen Roberts Oelerich Bob and Rachel Perlmutter Julie Richardson Jennifer Rohrer Nancy Rothermel David and Marina Schmidt Bob Schott In honor of Tent 10 ½ Mark Shelton Helen Stevens Kate Stevens

Colorado Outdoor Education Center

Jim and Caroline Tharp Sarah and Chris “B.C.” Miller McLemore Ulizio Andy Weed Krista White Rick and Raye Wilson In memory of Matthew D. Wilson Elaine and Howard Woerner Peter Wood WITCHER ROCKS Anonymous Anonymous In memory of Dr. & Mrs. F. Rodman Landon Misty Althizer In honor of John Gay Lindsey Anderson Lewis and Susan Mackin Anderson In honor of Jane Sanborn Peter “Chris” Anderson Linda Arms In memory of Bob Arms Tim Baier Iris Bailey Paisley Ballard Melinda Barman Rachel and Steven Bartkoski Tom Beckmann In honor of Bud Wobus Jean Carlson Benkert Anita Blau In honor of Paul Lhevine Patricia Bliss Pamela and John Blythe John Blumenthal Christopher Bonilla

Carter Bowe Peter and Karla Breitenstein Jackie Briggs Carrie Brown-Wolf Gay Bruner In honor of Jane Sanborn Maxx Byerly Landers Carnal, Jr. Keiko Carter Rob Catterton and Gwynn O’Gara Cathy Clark Jane Clayton Joe Coates Rebecca Friendly Coccari Zane Covington Julia Coyne In honor of Lyn Doyon Tom Currier M.K. Daniher Cassidy Dickson Maddy Dietrich Drew Donaldson Margot Salmela Dorion Ned and Debbie Douglas Alexandra and Breck Dunbar Alex Eaton In memory of Sandy and Laura Simms Ehrlich Greg Elder and Suzanne Jones Micaiah Elsts Julie Hess Farnham Rich and Sheri Bone Fedorchak Monica McDougall Flegg Terry Flynn Martha Hartzell Fosdick In memory of Mike Fosdick Duke Francisco Charlie and Betsy Friedrichs

Colorado Outdoor Education Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that operates three major programs on its 6000acre property near Florissant, CO. These programs are Sanborn Western Camps (Big Spring and High Trails), High Trails Outdoor Education Center, and The Nature Place Conference Center.

All donations are tax deductible

Bart Gill Ed and Patsy Roby Gotfredson Carla and Pat Grant Diedre Gray Lindsay Coleman Groat Spencer Hankin Karen and Greg Harman In honor of Blakely Harman Susie Frazier Healey Dr. and Mrs. Robert and Marilyn Sedlak Henderson In memory of Seth David Henderson Linda Henn Kim Bean Higgins In honor of Jane Sanborn Jan Wells Hooker In memory of Andrew Hooker Lisa Prentice Hughes Gretchen Hund Will Jessup Antoinette and Raymond Jewell Carlie Johnson Laura Johnson Peter Johnson Jennifer Ball Jones Dale Jordan III On behalf of Susan Davis Jordan Janice Kaplan

Barry Schultz King In honor of Jane Sanborn Don Kirby Charles Kralovec Kathy Miller Krogh In memory of Kristen Foseid Robbins Jack Kussmaul Frank and Suds Kyger In honor of Jane Sanborn Ayo Labode In memory of Susan Macy Jarvinen Max Lain Emily and Rich “Wally” Lambrecht Betty Lehman In honor of Jane Sanborn Larry Lehman Alex Levering Tracy Lenehan Diane Lillo In memory of Ben Northcutt Jim Maddox Dr. and Mrs. H.H. Maertens Francie Marbury Maggie McCoy Andrea McCrady Grace McDevitt Jay and Jane Metcalf On behalf of Emily and Linnea Metcalf In memory of Bob Bucholz and Roger Sanborn Ethan Miller Renee Miller In honor of Jane Sanborn Kathy and John Mollett Agnes Mortensen Susan Uptegrove Myrick In honor of Jerry McLain Brooke Newsom Delaney Nigma Lauren Penneys Maggie Percival Diane Fisher Perkinson Dave Perry The Pigott Family Arden Reed Karl and Marty Friedrichs Remsen Meghan Rixey Amy Roberts Sally Roberts Madeline Rowley

Kathy Ruekberg In memory of Joe Ruekberg Cheryl and Seth Rundle Tully Sandbom Priscilla Dickinson Sayeed In memory of Sandy and Laura Nancy Schell Judy Smith Schoedel Drew Schulte Charles Schweighauser In memory of Annette Scallia Phillip and Lindsay McKean Scott Laura and Kyle Shannon In honor of Ariella Rogge Mark Shelton Anne and Emily Burnham Shingler Adam Siegel Chris Skan Andy Smith Quin Smith Ben Sperry Allyson Stack Tom and Jacqueline Stauffer Gabby Staker Andrew Starr In memory of Max Barry Lu Sultze In memory of Nancy Born Whitney Symington Charley Tharp Betsy Tucker In honor of Jane Sanborn Judy Vaughan In memory of Bill Comley Alex Ulasewich Sara Weaver Susi Weed and Terry Doolittle Ruth Wells Uli Welsch Jim and Marysue Wendt Pamela Green Wheeler Abby Wiberg Heidi Wigand-Nicely Mimi Lays Wright Dennis Young Mary Mac Zeigler

Colorado Outdoor Education Center PO Box 167 Florissant, CO 80816 www.coec.info