Camp Chief Ouray YMCA of the Rockies

Camp Chief Ouray YMCA of the Rockies

Granby, Colorado

November 12, 2012

http://www.campchiefouray.org/

As soon as we pulled in to the parking lot at YMCA Camp Chief Ouray Marty Fergeson came right up to give us maybe the most welcoming and understanding initial hug of our trip so far. We immediately knew that this was a special place and that we were about to learn a lot about what it takes to be a camp director as well as a lot about this special camp nestled away in the Rockies. In conjunction with Chief Ouray there is Snow Mountain Resort, and the Estes Park Conference center all under the umbrella of YMCA of the Rockies. Chief Ouray is special not only because of its awesome location but because it seems that the staff and the directorship feels such pride in their camp, culture and tradition. As we crunched through the fresh snow around camp we learned about the spirit stick and “camp magic” two things that are celebrated during the campfire at the end of the week. All camps talk about camp magic and at Chief Ouray they truly live it. To begin the closing campfire each week a counselor or two that really went above and beyond during the session start by talking about their camp magic and reach in to the magic jar to throw some magic powder in to the fire. Then campers and staff are welcome to share some of their weeks magic. Spirit stick given to the cabin with the most spirit. The camper with the longest pinky in the cabin gets to measure it out on the stick and then the cabin decorates it in any way they want before it hangs in the dining hall for all eternity to see. Just in these two camp traditions we could see what all the excitement was about for Camp Chief Ouray. 

-Laura

Tomahawk Ranch Girl Scouts Camp

Tomahawk Ranch Girl Scout Camp Bailey, CO November 9, 2012 http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/tomahawk-ranch

Our third camp in Colorado was our first girl scouts camp and introduction in to Girl Scout culture was awesome! We were met by Kreg Hamburger he is the vice president of the Girl Scout camps in Colorado, he also was our tour guide for the afternoon. As we walked around camp Kreg taught us all about the Girl Scouts and their knew initiatives. The Girl Scouts have changed their mission to be more about fostering leadership and creating strong feminine leaders for the future. It sounded like an enticing program to be apart of. The new phrase Kreg said is “Educate not Decorate”. This ranch camp had a classic horse program along with goats, mini ponies, chickens and peacocks! They also had a variety of unique cabins or villages for the girls to stay in. They had the winterized cabins, seasonal cabins that were connected by a deck and an outdoor pavilion, tee pees, platform tents, lean too’s, Kreg also mentioned the directors dream of putting up a hammock village, cool!

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Adventures Unlimited Ranches

Adventures Unlimited Ranches Buena Vista, CO November 5, 2012 www.adventureunlimited.org

Adventures Unlimited Ranch camp disappears at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Surrounded by some of the Collegiate peaks, this Christian Scientist camp feels like a real retreat from everyday life. They offer some incredible programs here to go along with the incredible setting and the incredible facilities. For example they have a camp just for adults, called Cowboy/ Cowgirl, adults can come and be campers for a week during the summer the focus for this week, along with the main focus for most of their programs has to do with their 80 horses. Athletics and personal challenge is another major staple at Adventures Unlimited. Campers have an indoor, and outdoor rock wall, and 2 indoor gaga pits, a beautifully kept athletic field, tennis courts, a pool and countless mountains and trails to conquer.

Laura

JCC Ranch Camp

JCC Ranch Camp Elbert, CO October 30, 2012 www.ranchcamp.org

Our welcome to Colorado was at JCC Ranch Camp. Miriam, one of the directors along with her husband, could not have been a better bridge between us and the world of Colorado ranch camps. Her love of animals lead us on a memorable walk in the along the property accompanied by 2 goats, 3 dogs. On the walk we visited 2 elderly highland cows, 3 horses, these animals plus a handful of chickens make this ranch a lovable and educational place for campers as well as Jack and I. It was so easy for me to fall in love with what this ranch camp provides for kids. For example when the third highland cow passed away the carcass was taken to the edge of the property where they then installed infrared cameras in the trees above to really study, watch and admire the natures recycling process. By bringing those campers that were interested up to the old cow I can only imagine the awe and respect that would be instilled, (talk about challenge by choice!)This understanding of nature and life processes is just part of the every day events at JCC Ranch Camp. This was also the first Jewish camp we visited, they encouraged campers to take part in the values of their faith. Kids at camp could also look forward to some adventure driven trips as they move up in age, trips that tested personal limits as well as found a way to service the surrounding community. Oh and one more thing, can’t forget Ninja Acrobat camp! They have a local community member who has developed this program that is based in empowering youth through acrobatics. Who doesn't want to be part of that!

Laura

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Camp Foster YMCA

Camp Foster YMCA Spirit Lake, IA October 24, 2012 www.ymcaoftheokobojis.com/campfoster

At Foster we were greeted by Ryan, he is the day camp director as well as the director of off season groups. We later met Patrick who is the resident camp program director. Both guys were super willing to share with us the cool things about their jobs and the unique place they work. Camp Foster just celebrated its hundred year anniversary and in the basement of their dining hall they have memorialized some of camps past and its history in a museum like room filled with a running video, shelves of artifacts, and a catalog of pictures all depicting what camp Foster is all about. One of the exciting parts of Foster we thought was unique was their low ropes course. Legend has it that a dragon sleeps beneath their course and so as a result there is an obstacle course like feel to the area. What a cool way to engage younger kids. Foster has also just realized Patrick’s dream of having a Paint ball course. We got to walk around the barracks and the battle field and let me tell you it looks like a loads of fun.

Laura

Camp Hantesa

Camp Hantesa Boone, IA October 22, 2012 www.campfireusaia.org/CampHantesa_About.php

Our experience at Hantesa was shaped by the warm welcoming we received from the staff. We first arrived and Will, one of the co-directors, cooked us dinner that we had a chance to sit and eat with, Laura Peterson, the other co-director, Sarge and Gonzo, the interns, and Abbie, the director of the 4H camp down the road. Laura Peterson and Will took us on a great tour of camp the next day and it was clear Hantesa is a camp steeped in tradition. A tradition Laura had a chance to become a small part of as she painted murals in the dining hall that depicted the awards campers and staff can achieve at camp. First campers can become Gypsies for displaying general outdoor living skills, then Voyagers for demonstrating the ability to succeed on wilderness journeys, and finally staff members that show great dedication to Hantesa can join the Vagabonds. While Laura painted the murals it was great for me to get a chance to get to know Gonzo, who hung out with us as Laura painted and I washed her brushes. Gonzo had some great stories to tell us about Hantesa as well as his road trip adventures, and will be someone who we won’t soon forget. We have since learned his real name.

Jack

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