2024 Annual Report

Page 1


2024 Annual Report

Colorado Outdoor Education Center

Colorado Outdoor Education Center

Having 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,

Big 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.

“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”.

624 Campers Shared Adventures

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.”

2,050 Students Found Their Special Spots

Since 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

“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

The 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,

As 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

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

• 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!

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

Forever Sanborn

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

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

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2024 Annual Report by Sanborn Western Camps - Issuu