SPRING RANCH FOR BOYS AND HIGH TRAILS RANCH FOR GIRLS
Tuition: $7400 ($1500 deposit due upon enrollment)
First Term: Sunday June 7, 2026 - Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Second Term: Saturday July 11, 2026 - Monday, August 10, 2026
SANBORN JUNIOR
Tuition: $3850 ($750 deposit due upon enrollment)
First Term: June 7 - June 21, 2026
Second Term: June 23 - July 7, 2026
Third Term: July 11 - July 25, 2026
Fourth Term: July 27 - August 10, 2026
Friends,
Before I begin, I want to assure you that no part of this Alum News was written by Artificial Intelligence. You can question, if you like, the presence of intelligence in these pages, but I promise you that whatever you see here is real.
Spring has definitely arrived at the ranch. In fact, in one of those Mother Nature twists that always cause us to wonder what’s going on, we barely had a winter this year. As I write this, it is not even midApril and almost all of our Aspen are in full catkin phase. We have seen multiple Pasqueflowers, tiny white candy tuft and even a few blooming cactus on Little Blue. (And, for the record, I just looked up what other flowers bloom in the Rockies at 8,500’, and AI tells me that no flowers bloom before May—which just shows you what AI knows!) But I digress……
With Spring comes the opening of High Trails Outdoor Education Center, and it is wonderful to have young people exploring our meadows and forests again. We have a talented group of staff here working with the teachers and high-school aged counselors to provide instruction for our fun roleplaying classes, lead activities at the Interbarn, and inspire everyone to experience moments of wonder in the natural world.
Of course, much of our year-round team is laser focused on preparation for camp—hiring the final staff, ordering program supplies, planning staff training, inspecting our backpacking tents and numerous other projects which must be complete by mid-May when our summer leadership staff begin to arrive. We have over 50 alums signed up for our Alum Work Day on April 25, and this group of hard-working volunteers will tackle some of our biggest projects like flying the Big Spring tents, cleaning up fallen branches and trees around the camps, and even painting a building or two. We couldn’t do it without your help and will share photos of the fun event in next Fall’s Alum News.
Send us your news! alumnews@sanbornwesterncamps.com
We are grateful for the amount of news in this edition, and, though in the past we have threatened to make stuff up, we are happy to report that all of the news you see here is authentic. We are especially pleased about the number of marriages and births reported in this issue—please keep getting married and having children! This is critical for our future.
As always, we are incredibly grateful for our wonderful community of alums. Your support and friendship mean more than words can express. Have a wonderful spring and summer!
Sincerely,
Jane Sanborn aka: The Editor jane@sanbornwesterncamps.com
Big Spring In-Camp Program Director
Jamie is a dual citizen who grew up primarily in Switzerland. He earned his BA in Digital Film Production at the SAE Institute Zurich. He attended Big Spring for nine years as a camper from 2009— 2017 and served as a counselor in 2021 and 2023. In 2025, he taught during both our spring and fall HTOEC programs and was a Ridge Leader at Big Spring during the summer. He joined our full-time staff as in-camp program director in January. He is a Red Cross lifeguard and holds his Wilderness First Aid certification. He is also a passionate musician and plays the guitar for campfires, vespers, and other events at Big Spring.
What is your favorite thing about being the Big Spring In-camp Program Director?
Being part of the community and being a role model and being reliable and someone that campers can look up to. I think these days there is not a lot of productive recreation time for young people and with the in-camp program there is a lot of opportunity to help kids and staff discover new things that they are passionate about and also to connect with other people by doing these activities
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Being able to meet the needs and wants of everyone in the community because there are a lot of moving pieces. Also how to be composed all the time during the super busy days at camp.
What is your favorite camp dessert?
Anything that Bernie makes.
You spent many years as a camper at Big Spring.. How did those experiences impact you?
I strongly believe that if it were not for my summers at BS as a kid I would not be the same person I am today. I sometimes struggled back home in Switzerland with making friends as a young kid, but coming to camp showed me that I can feel comfortable with
myself for exactly who I am and I can show up as my true self without being afraid of being judged. It also taught me how do to difficult things like climbing Fourteeners, going on multi-day backpacking trips, or being away from home for an entire month. I think that the Brotherhood of Outdoorsman program that we practice at Big Spring was very impactful for me because it allowed me to be accepted and find friends and teach me the value of accepting everyone no matter who they are or where they are from.
What are your favorite camp activities?
My absolute favorite thing at camp is our Sunday night Vespers. I think it is very special because it is a time where every member of Big Spring feels the most connected to each other. There are a lot of benefits to taking time to reflect on the things we have done at camp—and singing the songs is always good too.
What is your favorite camp trip?
The Filmmakers 2-day. When I was 14 that trip was originally created, but it was no longer a part of the program when I became a staff member. My first summer on staff I pitched the idea again and brought
it back to the program because of my background in studying film. I love it so much because I like being able to help encourage creativity in campers and I really enjoy bringing their crazy ideas to the screen.
How many Colorado mountains have you climbed?
I have climbed 12 Fourteeners and am looking forward to adding more to my list.
Why do you think camp is important for today’s boys?
I think getting boys outside is important because they learn a lot by interacting with the natural world. In a world that is very tech heavy, I think it is beneficial for boys to be in a new environment where they are able to have fun, play, and develop social skills. As a former camper, I greatly benefited from being unplugged from my technology because it allowed me to disconnect from the outside world and focus on what’s in front of me—my friends, and what time dinner is.
You help with the seasonal staff hiring process. What are you looking for in counselors and assistant counselors?
I look for staff that have a strong growth mindset. I don’t care how many Fourteeners you’ve climbed
or if you have never gone camping before. I think the willingness of wanting to learn is what allows you to be successful at Big Spring. I also look for staff members that are excited about working with children—people that can be good role models who are reliable and make good decisions. Having risk awareness and safety consciousness are also important.
What are you looking forward to in the summer of 2026?
I am eagerly awaiting the start of this summer. I’m excited to meet all of our campers and seasonal staff and to see how they grow throughout the summer. I am excited to be a mentor and a coach who can assist them with whatever they need. It has been a dream to be a part of our Sanborn year-round team for as long as I can remember so I’m excited it has finally come true.
What would you like to tell our alums?
I’m very excited for this opportunity and feel very welcome and accepted in this space. As Sandy’s and Laura’s great-grandson, I feel like I have a deep understanding of the history of Big Spring and I am honored to be a part of it.
Big Spring Trips Program Director
Quin grew up in Ashland, Virginia and received his BA in Political Science and Public Health at Brandeis University. He worked at Big Spring as a counselor in 2023, returned as a Ridge Leader in 24, and served as Trips Program Director in 2025. Quin also is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and a TopRope Climbing Instructor, as well as a Lifeguard. He has been on the year-round staff for more than 18 months now and is excited about again working in this role for the summer of 2026.
What is your favorite thing about being the Big Spring Trips Program Director?
Helping campers and staff take on new challenges in the great outdoors and getting to see the personal growth and increased self-confidence that comes from their experiences.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Building out the individual trip schedule for every camper and staff member each session takes a lot of logistics and moving parts.
What is your favorite camp dessert?
Chippy-dippy Bars
You had camp experiences as a child at a camp in Virginia. How did those experiences impact you?
Camp was where I got more experience with backpacking and outdoor adventures. It also taught me a lot about what I can contribute to a group and how to execute trips in the backcountry.
What are your favorite camp activities?
Playing nine-square, setting new bouldering problems in the Rockhouse and looking at the stars through the observatory telescope.
What is your favorite camp trip?
The Elbert-Massive four-day!
How many Colorado mountains have you climbed?
29. I’m halfway to having climbed all of Colorado’s 58 Fourteeners.
Why do you think camp is important for today’s boys?
Camp develops empathy, creativity and self-confidence which helps make young men effective leaders in their communities back home. The time we spend in Colorado’s high country also fosters a lifelong love for outdoor adventure, helping the boys not only become great stewards of our public lands, but also pick up a hobby that will stick with them for life
You help with the seasonal staff hiring process. What are you looking for in counselors and assistant counselors
Emotional intelligence, alignment with our mission statement and enthusiasm for spending time outdoors with kids.
What are you looking forward to in the summer of 2026?
Growing the mountain biking program, helping the outcamp food program run smoothly and climbing some mountains with the campers.
What would you like to tell our alums?
The Big Spring story is so much more than what happens here each summer. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of an organization that means so much to so many people, and I’m really excited to see what the future holds for the Brotherhood of Outdoorsmen!
By Deb Donnelley
Let’s face it, the girls in Kinnikinnik (which can be spelled either way) have a leg up when it comes to cabin skit night. The cabin name alone is excellent raw material. There’s that satisfying percussive rhythm when you say it aloud: Kinn-ICK-innick. Spell it aloud and you step right into the cheerful cadence of a jump rope game.
As a camper, fifty years ago, I don’t think I appreciated much about Kinnikinnick beyond the name. For instance, I would not have been able to point it out in the thick understory that flanks the trail to Top of the World. I would not have known to look for it along the edge of the aspens on the path to Quicks or in the sunny patches beneath the Ponderosa stand that links High Trails and Big Springs. It would not have occurred to me to ask then, as I do now, for more of the Kinnikinnick story.
Kinnikinnick is most commonly associated with the bearberry plant (Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi). The Greek
and Latin names loosely translate to “bunches of grapes for bears.” The word Kinnikinnick itself comes from Algonquin languages and refers to “mixture or smoking mixture.” Dried bearberry leaves and bark were used as a substitute or extender for tobacco. (Please note campers: we do not recommend this use.)
A common Colorado native plant, Kinnikinnick prefers well-drained, sandy or rocky soils. It typically grows up to six inches in height with a five to six-foot spread of dense foliage that hugs the gound. Sturdy, leathery leaves retain moisture and help the plant weather drought and cold winters. Kinnikinnick is one of the first plants to reestablish after a fire. Deer and other herbivores tend not to browse the leaves because of the tannins and arbutin contained within. These handsome, evergreen leaves sometimes take on a bronze or purplish cast in winter.
Unbeknownst to me as a camper, Kinnikinnick is a plant of unheralded ecological community service. In the spring, it produces small bell-shaped, pale pink flowers that are a nectar and pollen source for hummingbirds as well as mason and mining bees.
Butterflies like the Hoary Elfin and the Brown Elfin depend on Kinnikinnick to host their caterpillars. Starting in the summer, Kinnikinnick produces bright red berries, mealy in texture, which last long into the winter. Bears, deer, elk, coyotes, squirrels, and mice forage the berries, as do birds like thrushes, robins, jays, and waxwings. The long, thick mats of dark green leaves serve both as cover for small mammals and as soil erosion control. Native Americans used the leaves for ceremonial purposes, for smoking meat, tanning leather and as an antiseptic and astringent. It occurs to me that the descriptors that we could ascribe to this unassuming, yet surprising shrub – adaptable, resilient, community-serving – are akin to Sanborn’s own understory ethos.
There is a particular grace in the noisy, running, skitmaking, not-noticing exuberance of being a young camper at Sanborn. So too there is a grace, now, in asking quieter, more deliberate questions of this magnificent place and all that lives within it. How happy I am to hold these two threads entwined.
Did you know that if you were standing on High Tor, you would be on the watershed divide between Big Spring/High Trails and the Witcher Ranch, and if you spilled water from you water bottle, part of the water would end up in the Platte River and part would end up in the Arkansas River? All of it would eventually get to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico by very different routes.
And even more remarkably, water from another major watershed that should be headed for the Pacific Ocean in the Colorado River was “stolen” by the city of Colorado Springs and is flowing under HT campers as they saddle their horses.
COEC/SWC is in a unique position regarding water. Our 6,000 acres at 8400-9200 feet elevation straddles the Hayden Divide – the major watershed divide between the Arkansas River and the Platte River. Raindrops at Big Spring and High Trails flow north to the Missouri River via the South Platte River and enter the Mississippi just north of St. Louis. Water at the Witcher Ranch flows down the Arkansas River directly into the Mississippi River near Napoleon, Arkansas.
If you live in Denver, Nebraska, or Missouri, part of your water starts at Big Spring and High Trails. If you live in Kansas, Oklahoma, or Arkansas, part of your water flows through the Witcher Ranch.
But the amazing thing is that water from the snowy peaks west of the Continental Divide in western Colorado travels through a tunnel under the Divide into Turquoise Lake, flows down the Arkansas River near Leadville, is pumped over another ridge into the Platte River drainage in South Park, rests in a couple of reservoirs, then moves through a forty-inch pipeline under COEC land, and into water treatment plants for Colorado Springs. Water which naturally would be going into the Pacific Ocean flows UNDER the High Trails horseback riding area, alongside Sunday Rocks, and under Fish Creek as part of a water diversion project of the Colorado Springs water system that came through camp in the 60s.
Basically our 6,000 acres are “high and dry” –- no lakes or ponds, no running streams. In their search for a place to settle after the war, Sandy and Laura recognized the value of the “Big Spring” on the land they purchased. Four small valleys converge near the old farmhouse (where the BS Health Center is now) on the 480 acres they bought from Bob Singer in 1947. Water bubbled to the surface, and they had to dig only seven feet to get a good well.
Sandy and Laura wanted a pond, so they built a dam across the valley between the big spring and the entrance gate. The pond held water for many years, and we had fun canoeing, fishing, – and most fun of all – building monkey bridges.
However, something happened causing the pond to lose water. It became a wetland with cattails and redwing blackbirds, and now it is a meadow with ground squirrels and grazing horses. Dry years and a lowering water table are taking their toll.
Sandy had always thought that Olin Gulch just east of the HT horseback stables would be a good place for a small lake. He hired neighbor Ernie Snare and his boys to build a dam across the valley to collect water from below A Bluff, High Tor, and Top of the World. After a couple of good snow years, we had High Trails Lake. It filled with water and stayed full for several years.
It was a lot of fun –- fishing, canoeing, and riding the horses bareback into the lake. A couple of years we had coed regattas with attempted water skiing, log rolling, and a contest for units/cabinsides to make a boat with stuff found at the dump. The winner was the boat that made it furthest from the shore. Rick Sanborn created a giant water slide with the fire truck spraying water on a very long piece of heavy plastic sheeting from the road on the hillside into the lake. Because the “soil” in the lakebed is Pikes Peak granite, water slowly leaks out. Small “pebbles” of irregular shape leave tiny spaces between the particles and eventually water percolates through the spaces, essentially draining the lake.
Despite attempts to apply a layer of clay soil on top of the granite to fill the space, the lake continued to lose water. A geology class from the Colorado School of Mines studied the situation and determined that beneath the lake is a fault zone which will never hold water for very long. Therefore, we have stopped trying to rearrange the geology of Olin Gulch.
To assure adequate water for the growing “campus” of Big Spring, High Trails and The Nature Place numerous wells have been drilled. The original well at Big Spring has been a reliable source, augmented by a newer well near Massive cabin. However, water was needed where High Trails was built, and one was drilled near the homestead cabin that became the HT horseback riding area. Over the years, we have redrilled all our wells and they are now more than 100 feet deep.
When The Nature Place was built in 1978, it was necessary to create a water network to supply all three sites. A 35,000-gallon tank was placed uphill from the HT Lodge and water is pumped from the various wells into the tank. Gravity distributes the water to the lodges, cabins, washhouses, homes and other buildings on the property. A system of cisterns, booster pumps, pipes and valves gets water from the tank to the many faucets on the property. Trenches for water lines need to be seven feet underground to avoid freezing in the winter.
As we hike, ride, bike, camp, and explore the 6,000 acres of SWC, we encounter another aspect of water –- 25-30 spring tanks scattered around the property.
Early ranchers in the area originally developed springs for the horses and cattle that grazed in the meadows and hillsides in the areas where there was no running stream or pond. Through the years additional springs have been developed, and they are the focal point for campouts, hikes and rides – a convenient source of water for our many trips.
In Colorado landowners must also own the water rights to use the ground water. In the early years the first settlers coming into the state from the east secured water rights for their farms on the eastern plains. Even though the water originates as snowfall on A Bluff, a farmer out in Sterling may have a prior claim on the water needed to irrigate his crops.
A landowner can also purchase senior water rights for use on land that might not have the rights for the water needed during a dry year. Fortunately, Jane had the foresight to purchase four acre-feet of water for COEC back in 2012. An acre-foot equals the amount of water to cover a football field (approximately one acre) with a foot of water.
COEC is in a good position to have adequate water for the future, and we are always grateful that our land includes the “Big Spring.”
Jerry McLain
Photo Credit: https://waterknowledge.colostate. edu/hydrology/surface-water-resources/
definition according to an 8 year old: a time when your grandparents were young; coincides with the age of dinosaurs
TERRY TALBOT (BS 59-61; Staff 62) and his family spent a week last summer at the Forget Me Not Ranch to celebrate his 80th birthday. Among the 13 family members present, 5 had attended Big Spring or High Trails. In addition to Terry, his daughters TRACY (HT 83-85; Staff 91) and NANCY (HT 84-86; Staff 92), and son, TIM (BS 97) relived their camp memories as well as granddaughter ABIGAIL SPENCER (HT 14,16) Terry brought his staff jacket from 1962 and presented it to Jerry as an artifact from the past.
GEORGE DUBORG (BS Staff 60-61) is retired and lives in Webster, TX, after an exciting career which included flying for the Navy and for World Airways. He later became an attorney and worked as a DA in San Diego and then as a corporate attorney for AIG in lower Manhattan. He was two blocks from the World Trade Center on 9/11
ROGER CAMERON (BS 59-62) is enjoying retirement after a long career in Orthopedic Surgery. He and wife, Lauren, live in Jefferson City, MO, and enjoy traveling. Last fall they took a road trip to Wisconsin to view the fall colors and then had a good time on a bus and train tour of New England and Canada. In March, they cruised around Norway and ended up in London. They were hoping to see the Northern Lights. We are very grateful that Roger’s and Lauren’s travels often bring them to camp for a short visit.
LYNDY WELLS (BS 63-64, 67; Staff 70-71,72) and wife, Marty, moved from Wichita to Des Moines, IA, when Lyndy retired from his banking career in 2016. Daughter, MAGGIE (HT 94-95, 97; Staff 01) also lives in Des Moines with husband, Mike, and their three children. Son, CHARLIE (BS 90-95; Staff 97-01) is a Pastor at Hope Community Church in Andover, KS. Daughter, ANNIE (HT 97-99) and her husband, David are both lawyers living in Austin, TX.
DOROTHY “SAM” KINDRED (HT 72-78; Staff 79) Yewer lives in Kent, CT, with husband, David, and works as an author events coordinator for a bookstore and occasionally as a hostess at a local watering hole. She recently joined the board of the Kent Land Trust and is also on the board of TradesUp—a local non-profit whose mission is to introduce youth to the trades.
ROBERT “BOBBER” WRIGHT (BS 66) lives in Waianae, HI, and RVs a lot, spending quite a bit of time in Vancouver, BC.
KATE FRIESEN (HT 62, 64-66; Staff 67-68) and husband, Peter Westcott, continued to work on their home in Carbondale in 2025, remodeling their kitchen and putting a Murphy bed on their outside deck. They also enjoyed many travels visiting San Diego, Big Bend National Park, Padre Island, Washington DC, the Pacific Northwest, and a biking trip in Taiwan!
ROB (BS 62; Staff 65-68) and CONNIE McWILLIAMS (HT Staff 66-68) FRIESEN had another excellent year with family and friends. Their highlight was holding their new granddaughter, Charlie Lucille Friesen, in their arms. (Daughter of Rick and Nicole Friesen—see more in Olden Days) They traveled to California and Carbondale for family visits and visited friends and family in Arizona and Kansas City. Connie’s garden was as beautiful as ever, and she continues to create amazing photo cards.
JOE JENKINS (BS 74-76) and wife, Stacey Nakasian, are enjoying their 4th decade in Wickford, Rhode Island. Joe still kayaks every day he can and his framing system won two design awards this year. Stacey still loves a good Court battle. Daughter, MADDIE JENKENS (HT 08-10; Staff 13,15) Gervers and husband, Kyle, bought a home by the ocean in Hull, MA. Maddie is a third-year litigator at Cozen Law, and Kyle works offshore building wind turbines. Their house is quickly becoming an aquarium. Daughter, NORA (HT 16, 18-19; Staff 22, 24) received an honors degree in political theory and philosophy from UVa. She has now moved to the East Village and is working as a legal assistant at Jenner & Block law firm.
BOBBIE JAMES (HT 74-77) earned a Ph.D in French, was an editor at Stanford University Press, spent 25 years at various software companies and is now a tutor helping first-generation Chinese middle schoolers learn critical thinking. She lives in Redwood City, CA.
MATT SHARPS (BS 66-74; Staff 1978) is Professor Emeritus of Experimental Psychology and Forensic Cognitive Science at the California State University, Fresno, and a semi-retired forensic and consulting investigative psychologist. His blog, The Forensic View from the magazine Psychology Today appears monthly, and his recent book The Forensic View: Investigative Psychology, Law Enforcement, Space Aliens, Exploration, and the Nature of Madness, and latest book Dissociation and Belief: The Psychology of Why Things Go Horribly Wrong and What to Do About It (in press) are available through Amazon.
JUDY SMITH SCHOEDEL (HT 65-69; Staff 70, 74-75) and husband, Warren, continue to spend warm months in Buena Vista, CO, and the winter in Arizona. Warren spent the summer golfing, helping daughter HEIDI (HT 96-03; Staff 9-10) with improvements on the house she and her beau, Jeremy, rent from them in Buena Vista, and building an 8 x13 feet long Clifford the Big Red Dog out of rebar and synthetic stucco. In contrast, Judy’s spirit animal for the year was the sloth. Judy and Warren flew to Roanoke last Fall to visit son, TAD (BS 96-01) and his family. Tad and wife, Alina, have two children—Liora, 4, and Nico, 2.
THOMAS PARKER (BS 65-68) has begun his fortieth year in the practice of Clinical, Family, and Forensic Psychology in Austin, Texas. Recently he has been hanging out with gray whales in Guerrero Negro, Mexico, and spending even more time with his five grandchildren. (He sent this great photo of climbing at Witcher Ranch during his camp days)
The FAB FIVE LISA SCHNECK (HT 72-75; Staff 78), JULIE MICOU (HT 72-75; 76, 78) Cerf, KATHY MEDLOCK (HT 72-75; Staff 78) Tuteur, KATHY YANUCK (HT 69-73; Staff 78) Wenger and MARY “BUNNY” PORTER (HT 71-73; Staff 7879) spent their annual reunion in the Baltimore area last fall with good food, some cultural events, and lots of laughs.
SUSAN UPTEGROVE (HT Staff 64-65) Myrick and husband, Jay, moved to Cypress Village in Jacksonville, FL, a year ago. Susan joined the chorus and has performed in two standing room only concerts. She also participates in a poetry club. Both enjoy the “Joy of Music” group which meets each week to watch video recorded classical music. And they attend exercise classes together and enjoy making dinner plans with other residents. Of course, they love keeping up with their children and grandchildren: EMILY MYRICK (HT 82-87; Staff 91) DENSMORE, HENRY DENSMORE (BS 2123, 25-26), WILL DENSMORE (BS 14, 16-18), ANDY MYRICK (BS 84-88), RILEY MYRICK (HT 24) and Liam Myrick, 8.
THERESA MARIE RHYNE (HT 67-71) lives in Durham, NC, and was able to travel to Vancouver, London, and Vienna due to the release of the 2nd edition of her book, “Applying Color Theory to Digital Media and Visualization.”
DARCIE SWENARTON (HT Staff 65-68) Peet and husband Barrney continue to split their time between Copper Mountain, CO, and Tucson, AZ. They also both continue to work—Barrney with the Grand Marais Hotel Company in Minnesota, and Darcie on her painting which she loves. This year, three of Darcie’s painting are finalists in the Art Renewal Center International Salon Competition. The International ARC is the largest competition for 21st Century Representational Art in the world. https:// www.darciepeet.com/
definition according to an 8 year old: a time before you were born, but your parents seem to recall quite clearly-the Florissant Fossil Beds were formed about this time.
CLAIRE DONOHUE (HT 90-92, 94) continues to live in Hudson, New York, but travels a lot! Among other trips, she visited family and friends in Lake Tahoe, California, skiing in New England, her 25th reunion at Bates, and Vermont. She also ran the NYC half-marathon in both 2025 and 2026.
JIM McNAMARA (BS Staff 1986) lives in Enfield, NH. He and his wife just returned from 5 months “chasing skiing, hiking National Parks and mountain biking across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, California and Arkansas.
ALEXANDRA BAILLIERE (HT 80-84; Staff 90) Treadwell and husband, Allan, are both enjoying their work and their new phase of life as empty-nesters in Mill Valley, CA. In September, they traveled to the Southwest for their 25th anniversary. Son, WILLIAM (BS 15-19, 23) graduated from San Francisco University High School last Spring and is now a freshman at Colorado College, where brother, JAMES (BS 13-17, 19, 21) is a Senior. THOMAS (BS 13-16, 18) is working for a psychiatric clinic and living in San Francisco with two of his college housemates.
HEINZ GAUB (BS 80-81) and wife, Regina, are doing well in Berlin and in their second home in the Austrian mountains. Son, FRITZ (BS 17-18) will finish his program as a medical doctor at Charite Medical School this summer and son, JUSTI (BS 18, 22) will earn his degree as a bachelor of international management.
SARAH CHAUNER (HT 8,87-88, 90) Cyphers and husband, Scott, are “settling into the empty nesting phase” in Northbrook, IL. and it has “exceeded their expectations.” They are both in exciting phases of their careers and they are playing plenty of paddle sports year-round. They celebrated their 50th birthdays with “an epic summer trip to Portugal”. Son, COLIN (BS 13-17,19) spent the fall studying abroad in Luxembourg and was able to spend many weekends traveling in Europe. The whole family visited him in December and traveled to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest before heading home for Christmas. Daughter, HANNAH (HT 14-19, 21, 23) graduated from high school and is now a freshman at the Harris Nursing School at TCU. She loves Fort Worth and her new friends!
SUZANNE GEPSON (HT 86-90; Staff 92,94) Hagen teaches yoga classes, does ballet, and loves seeing friends. Husband, Chris, works at Abbvie, and supports Chicago music and opera. Son, Timmy, 16, drives well and dances nearly every day. WILL (BS 22-23) is in 7th grade, plays cello in the orchestra, paints, and is learning to play golf. The family loved their trips to the Canadian Rockies in January, 2025, and to Spain last summer—they are dreaming about where they can travel next.
BETSY FRIESEN (HT 85, 87-88, 90; Staff 92-93, 96-97) McMichaels and husband, Malcolm, stay busy in Carbondale, CO. Betsy continues to teach middle school Social Studies and is active in scouting. Son, DEAN (BS 21-22) is a junior at Colorado College and spent last fall in Peru where he studied Spanish, and Peruvian culture and history. Son, ANDY (BS 21-24) is a senior in high school and loves baseball, competitive mountain biking and woodworking. He attained Eagle Scout ranking this year.
PAM HORNER (HT Staff 80) Porter, after many years in Boulder, moved to Carbondale, CO, with her husband, Fred. “I actually lived here as a kid, so after our Boulder home was damaged in the big 2013 Front Range flood, returning to this beautiful valley felt like coming home. It’s been a wonderful move—even though it took a flood to get us here.” Pam has taught art to children for many years and is now focusing on teaching adult printmaking workshops around Colorado and the Southwest.
KATIE FRIESEN (HT 88-93; Staff 95, 97-98) Reneker and her family continue to enjoy living in Carmel Valley, CA. While maintaining her leadership of Carmel Berry Company, Katie also became executive director of MEarth, a community non-profit organization that promotes environmental stewardship and sustainability through educational programs. Husband, Ben, works for S&P Global and both are active in scouts. Son, ROY (BS 22-23) graduated from high school, earned his Eagle Scout and is in his freshman year at Colorado School of Mines. HENRY (BS 21-22, 24-26) is a sophomore in high school and has pursued an interest in rock climbing. He will be back at Big Spring as an Outbacker this summer.
LAURA JAKUSH (HT Staff 83-84) Angyus and husband, Joe, celebrated 40 years of marriage in Portland, OR. Laura finds joy in her real estate work, while Joe keeps the lumber industry safe. Sons, Michael and Joey both have serious girlfriends so more Angyus weddings are in the near future.
LAURA FRIESEN (HT 83-88; Staff 90,92-94) lives in Denver and provides “immense support” to parents Rob and Connie (See Prehistoric) Laura got the gardening gene from her mother and is a huge help in their garden. She also pursues her art and has fun creating art projects for nephew Arlo.
JANN HARRIS (HT Staff 80-82) Kinney and husband, Kraige, planned to move from their home in Eagle, CO, to their new home in Boulder early this year, after a few delays due to construction glitches. In addition to working on their new home, the Kinneys did manage to get in vacations to California, Maui, and Cape Cod. One highlight of the year was a reunion with SHERRI BONE (HT Staff 80-82) Fedorchak after 45 years!
MAX ROACH (BS 01-08; Staff, 10) reports that “Life is Great” in Austin, TX. He and his wife have a 15 month-old son, Charlie, who keeps them busy. Last summer, Max and his family traveled to Stockholm to visit GUSTAV AGRUP (BS 05-07), a friend from his days in camp. He reports that Gustav also has a young son.
PATRICK (Staff 94-00) and EVAN SCHMIDT (HT 90-93; Staff 96,99-00, 02) HUBER continue to live in Davis, CA, where Evan leads a regional nonprofit, Valley Vision, geared toward improving economic prosperity, community well-being, and environmental sustainability. Patrick experienced some career setbacks with the pullback of federal research and science funding but he remains busy with local conservation efforts and continues to rebuild lost project funding. Daughter, Isis, 19, is a sophomore at Washington State University in Pullman, WA, and is following her Dad’s footsteps and majoring in Wildlife Conservation and Ecology. Son, Ambrose, 15, is a 9th grader and has had a great ski season as well as playing tennis.
The JC’s of 2009’s reunion looked a little different this year! HANNAH WEISBECKER (HT 0409, HT Staff 12-13), TULLY SANDBOM (HT 06-09, HT Staff 12-15, SWC 23-26), and LUCY STOCKDALE (HT 02-03, 05-06, 09, HT Staff 12-14) traded the mountains of Colorado for the mountains of Switzerland where Lucy is working at the International School in Switzerland. They spent two days skiing in the Swiss Alps, explored the city of Lugano, and reminisced about their days at camp. What a privilege it is to have friends worth flying across the world for!
definition according to an 8 year old: The time preceding right now-pioneers still churned butter and made candles during this period.
ELLY BUCHOLZ (HT 97-02; Staff 05) and husband, Justin Cordes, had a great year which included trips to Hawaii and Cancun from their Chicago home. Elly continues to be busy with her medical practice and Justin helped open the newest addition to the Butch McGuire’s family in Lincoln Park. Daughter, Madeline, is in 5th grade and “continues to work toward becoming the next Taylor Swift.” Son, Mason, is in the third grade and all about baseball. Finley, 1, is walking and talking(ish).
BOYD CARNEL (BS 01-03; Staff 06) continues to follow his passion in the marine science world and works at the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston. Brother, LANDERS (01-04, 06; Staff 08-09) is Customer Success Manager at Snapdocs and based in Denver. Sister, MARY (HT 05-09, 11-12) got engaged last November—on an ice rink! She and fiancé, Brendan will get married October 24, 2026.
ELLE CHAPMAN (HT 09-13; HT Staff 17) stars in the new Taylor Sheridan show “The Madison,” alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, and Patrick Adams. The show is a heartfelt study of grief and human connection following a New York City family in the Madison River Valley of Central Montana. You can stream the first season on Paramont Plus.
CARLY LIEBICH (HT Staff 18-19, 21-26), the Trips Program Director at High Trails, traveled to Montana where she biked through Yellowstone Park with LEAH HERRING (HT Staff 17-19, 21) They saw bison, geysers, and some gorgeous views. Carly and Leah also joined KATE MIDDLETON (HT 10-16; Staff 19,22) for a day of skiing at Big Sky where Kate is on the ski patrol.
SERA BULBUL (HT 10-13; Staff 16) married Brian Kungl on September 13, 2025, in Glouchester, MA. Camp guests in attendance included Sera’s best friend from camp, GRACE STIMSON (HT 10-13; Staff 16) who was a bridesmaid. And, of course, Sera’s mother HELEN STEVENS (HT 75-78; Staff 82), aunt KATE STEVENS (74-76; Staff 82) and brother, KAYA (BS 10) were also present. Sera and Brian are living in Somerville, MA.
JESSIE SPEHAR (HT Staff 06,08-12; SWC yearround 13-23) had a very fun Sanborn reunion with REBECCA WILLNER (HT 18-19, 21) last October at the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival. Jessie
was volunteering at the Discovery Center giving “tours” and taking photos of people inside the balloon envelope and Rebecca came down for the day with her boyfriend. “It was super fun to have a Sanborn reconnect!”
RICK FRIESEN (BS 96-99; Staff 02-05) and wife Nicole are busy with their medical careers at Children’s Hospital in Denver, as well as raising two children and two dogs. Arlo, 4, is excited about everything and takes good care of his sister, Charley, 1, who is crawling everywhere.
Many of you will remember that when we began selling our Sanborn Sweets Cookbook last December, we promised to put the names of all those who purchased the cookbook into a raffle for the Cookie of the Quarter Club. We are happy to say that the response to the cookbook was so enthusiastic that, rather than choosing only one winner, we picked four names! (The drawing was shown live on Instagram to assure the integrity of the process and COEC staff members were not eligible to win!) The lucky winners are the Band family of New Orleans, the O’Hara Family of St. Louis, Rich Hamilton of Phoenix and Jennifer Hull of Northfield, IL. Boxes of snickerdoodles and Cowboy (oatmeal-chocolate chip) cookies made by our baker, Bernie, were mailed in early April.
While the raffle drawing is complete for the year, the cookbook is still available for $45.00. All proceeds go to the Sanborn Scholarship Fund.
weddings:
HELEN HIGGINS (HT 04-05,07; Staff 10, 12-13) to Michael Wong, May 5, 2025, in San Francisco, CA.
SARAH WALDORF (HT 08-14) to Tyler Jepson, August 31,2025, in Larkspur, CO
SERA BULBUL (HT 10-13; Staff 16) to Brian Kungl, September 13, 2025, in Glouchester, MA
IAN STAFFORD (BS Staff 08, 10-15) to Andrea Swan, September 13, 2025, in Boulder, CO.
ANNIE MCDEVITT (HT 07-10; HT Staff 14-17, 21) to Joe Jenkins, October 11, 2025, in Barrington, RI.
CLAUDETTE JACKS (HT 08,10) to Daniel Reyes Franco, December 12, 2025, in Bogotá, Columbia
in memoriam:
TED SANDERS (BS 65; Staff 68-69, 72) August 30, 1951—December 9, 2025
PAT BOHNEN (BS 97-07; Staff 08) January 32, 1990—January 11, 2026
BOB ROTH (BS 61-64; Staff 65) January 19, 1948—March 22, 2026
births:
Taylor and REBECCA FRIENDLY (HT 98-02) Coccari, a son, Enzo, September 18, 2025, in Santa Monica, CA. Grandparents: Ana and EDWIN “TRIP” FRIENDLY (BS 67-73) Los Angeles, CA
Julian and ANNA ELDER (HT 06-13; HT Staff 17-18) Viersen, a son, Bowen Clark Viersen, October 28, 2025 in Nichols Hills, OK.
CLARA TROYER (HT 00-06, 08; HT Staff 11-13) and Andrew Abell, a daughter, Camille Joy Abell November 11,2025, in Denver, CO.
Erin and AUSTIN COFFEY (BS Staff 10-12, 14), a daughter, Noelle Grace Coffey, November 20, 2025, in Ward, CO.
Tim Ahler and MEGHAN LEONARD (HT Staff 18), a son, Jack Theodore Ahler, February 2, 2026 in Frencetown, MT
Will and BECKY ROBINSON (HT 00-01) Lavenberg, a daughter, Josephine Grey, February 13, 2026 in Littleton, CO
GEORGE (BS Staff 17-19) and MADELINE SMITH (HT 09-10, 13; HT Staff 19) LANGSTON, a son, Archie Langston, March 11, 2026, in Colorado Springs, CO
MIKE (BS Staff 14-18; HTOEC Staff 14-16) and SARAH KRUMHOLZ (HTOEC Staff 13-16) ADLER, a daughter, Harriet, March 17, 2026, in Leadville, CO
Lee Allen and ERIN DVORAK (HT Staff 15,17; HTOEC Staff 17-18)
CLARK, a daughter, Camille Johanna Clark, March 20, 2026, in Duluth, MN
Photos top to bottom, right to left: Anna Elder and Bowen; Clara Troyer and Camille; Jack Ahler; Madeline Langston and Archie; Mike, Sarah, and Harriet Adler; Taylor and Rebecca Friendly Coccari with Rio and Enzo; Austin and Erin Coffee with Sophia, Amelia and Noelle
March 10, 1938— December 15, 2025
One of the first campers at Sanborn Western Camps (BS 51-54), Pete spent multiple summers under the guidance of Sandy Sanborn, where he helped build the camp lodge and swimming pool. Among his favorite memories at camp was the day he successfully lassoed a fence post from the back of a jeep. Unfortunately, the other end of the rope was tied to the jeep—an outcome that did not end well for the fence.
Pete graduated from East High School in Denver and went on to Amherst College before earning his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Though he was a lawyer for over 40 years, he actively encouraged his children to be anything they wanted to be—as long as it wasn’t a lawyer.
He was married to Karla Gasser Breitenstein for 63 years, a truly impressive commitment to each other and their family. Together they raised three children: Kurt (Su), Dana (Justin), and Hugh. He was a doting grandfather to Ryan, Clayton, Aidan, and Brianna all of whom are proud Sanborn campers.
An avid golfer and fisherman, Pete loved the outdoors. So much so, he did not believe in sleeping in tents, preferring instead to sleep directly under the starry sky or endless rain. Pete was also known for being an exceptionally good swing dancer.
A life-long Denver Broncos fan, true to form, his final conversation on this earth was about the Broncos’ 12th win of the season, and noted it was the longest winning streak in franchise history.
Pete will be remembered for being an oreo cookie –hard on the outside and soft and sweet in the middle. He was infamous for his goodbyes which were always short and gruff because he didn’t want you to see the tears in his eyes.
--Dana Breitenstein
Editor’s note: 20 different Breitenstein family campers (Pete’s children and grandchildren and cousins Mike and John Wilfley and their children and grandchildren) have attended Big Spring or High Trails since Pete broke the ice.
May 20, 1941— January 25, 2026
PHIL McKNIGHT (BS Staff 1958-66) was one of the first “Dishwashers” at Big Spring (now Assistant Counselors) and eventually became an Assistant Director. He and MELINDA WELLS (HT Staff 62-63, 66) are camp marriage #2 (We now have 85 camp marriages). Phil is survived by his sister SUSAN McKNIGHT (HT 62-63), daughters Laura McKnight, Caroline McKnight Hexdall, son PHIL McKNIGHT, Jr. (BS Staff 91), and nine grandchildren. Melinda died in 2021. Brother ROB McKNIGHT (BS 58-59, Staff 64) passed in 2022.
Phil received his bachelor’s degree from Kansas University, his PhD from Stanford University, and a postdoctoral degree from University of Stirling in Scotland. He was a professor and administrator in the KU School of Education for most of his professional life and received numerous teaching awards.
Many Big Springers will remember his hilarious commercials during Sandy’s mealtime announcements: Phillies Blupo, a make-believe cigar, and Pit-Stop, a sure-fire deodorant made with peanut butter and myonaze to use after a week of trips before the dances at High Trails on Saturday nights.
Phil’s sense of humor, his passion for the values of camp, and his leadership skills made a big impact on a generation of campers and staff in the early years at Big Spring.
Margaret (HT 63-65) was one of the first campers at High Trails and had many connections in the camp community. Her older brother, BUD GILBERT (BS 56-58; Staff 66-67) and younger brother LOUIS GILBERT (BS 67-69) both spent multiple summers at Big Spring. Louis’s son, JACOB GILBERT attended in 95. Margaret’s son, ETHAN GILBERT was a popular staff member in 2010 and 2013. And LYDIA GILBERT (HT 19, 21-23) is Margaret’s niece.
The Gilbert family were good friends with Sandy and Laura, and Bud recalls that one of their father ’s favorite activities was to come to camp to cut their Christmas tree. We send our condolences to the Gilbert family.
Spring 2026
PO Box 167
Florissant, CO 80816
www.sanbornwesterncamps.com
Please help us keep your contact information up-to-date by scanning the QR code!
Have kids who may be interested in camp? Are you planning a trip to Colorado this summer? Have you been dreaming of a Florissant, CO adventure? We think (and hope!) the answer is YES and we would love to invite you to one of our in-person Sanborn Western Camps Summer Tours happening at camp in 2026.
Tours will be held on: Saturday, June 27th, 2026 and Saturday, August 1st, 2026 from 10:30am-1:00pm and will include a buffet lunch.
RSVP
