Peaks to Performance Program

The Peaks to Performance program is designed to promote personal leadership growth for 8th, 9th and 10th graders.  These trips are designed to promote growth by helping young people become outstanding, successful,service-minded individuals in the backcountry, the camp community andin life.

SOLE (Sanborn Outdoor Leadership Experience)
The Sanborn Outdoor Leadership Experience is the first in a seriesof leadership trips we offer.  SOLE trips, for 8th graders, give you the chance to challenge yourselfphysically, mentally, and personally--all while working and playing inColorado's pristine wilderness areas.

SOLE  trips are often coed experiences that focus on taking active leadershiproles in a backpacking or horsepacking environment.  Campers plan,prepare, and execute the logistics of the entire trip.  You teach"classes" on topics of interest to the group, have group discussions onleadership, earn between 8 and 16 hours of community service, have daily debriefs on the events of the day, and finish with a comprehensive evaluation of your leadership growth. 

Objectives: 
  • The practice ofleadership roles and styles
  • Awareness of self and others
  • Relationship development
  • Self-confidence& courage
  • Environmentalawareness through community service 
CORE (Community OutReach Experience)
The Community OutReach Experience builds on the personal leadership skills gained on SOLE.  By creating and working with a tight-knit team, CORE participants (9th graders) increase their technical skills in either the rock climbing or horseback riding areas while tackling challenges as a group. 

CORE trips are coed experiences that focus on communication, problem solving and other interpersonal skills.  Campers who choose to participate in CORE will increase their understanding of others through focused skill building, daily check-ins, guided conflict resolution, and support techniques.  The final day of the program culminates with participants from SOLE and CORE coming together for a challenging day of orienteering, rock climbing and low initiatives,  where they will apply the interpersonal tools and skills to a new activity and group. 

Objectives:
  • The discovery andpractice of values based leadership
  • Innovation andgroup problem solving
  • Team membershipand team effectiveness
  • Environmentalawareness
  • Community Service
JC/OUTBACKER
Campers always look forward to their 10th grade year as a Junior Counselor (at High Trails) or Outbacker (at Big Spring).  This is an incredible opportunity for campers to become leaders within the camp community.  They take on many different responsibilities over the course of the term.  As returning campers, JC's and Outbackers are expected to play a significant role in creating a solid cabin, tent, and ridge community.  JC's and Outbackers are "assigned" to trips, much like staff, and are asked to be outstanding role models for campers and staff alike.

This program brings together the personal leadership skills of SOLE, plus the community focus of CORE and creates an opportunity for campers to get a taste of the responsibility, challenge, and incredibly rewarding fun that comes from being an empathetic leader and role model in a diverse, outdoor community.  It is a challenging role, and one full of responsibility--yet it gives campers the confidence, experience and motivation to consistently put others before themselves--an integral part of becoming a successful adult.

Objectives:
  • Awareness of self and others
  • Discovery andPractice of values based leadership
  • Innovation andgroup problem solving
  • Environmentalawareness
  • CommunityService/Stewardship