News from Camp: April 1, 2019

by Jane Sanborn on April 05

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The huge Colorado blizzard last month has provided wonderful moisture and we are looking forward to green grass and abundant wildflowers this summer. Despite the snow, a few of our summer birds, including bluebirds and robins, have returned to the Ranch so we know spring is on the way. Our first wildflowers, the hardy Mountain Candytuft and the Pasque flower have also been spotted on south-facing slopes. We know that summer will be here before we know it and are inspired to work harder than ever on our many pre-summer projects. The summer staff will begin arriving in less than two months.

Speaking of staff, we have some great people returning for 2019! At Big Spring, returning staff include Theo Carnes, Will Davis, Eric Du, Greg Ludwig, Jason Marquardt, Scott Morgan, Manny Muller, Austin Prenger, Dan Thatcher, Conner White, Noah Williams and nurse Phil Hackmann. Among year-round staff, Martie Adams Jones will again be the Program Director and will be assisted by Noah Fisher. Stephen VanAsdale is the Head Wrangler. Mike Adler and Mark Rutberg will direct Big Spring, with Mike Mac, now the Executive Director of COEC, always available for consultation.

At High Trails, returning staff include Emma Antall, Emily Burnham, Wylie Cassinelli, Taylor Crossen, McKenna Daily, Emily Gates, Rachel Goodale, Becca Gwyn, Sydney Lang, Madison Lewis, Carly Liebich, Anna Middleton, Natalie Mongeau, Cassidy Rhodes, Natalie Roberts, Shannon Robeski, and Abigail Smalley. Among our year-round staff, Anne Shingler will be Program Director, Carlotta Avery will direct support services, Maren MacDonald and Sarah Slusher will direct the riding program, Jessie Spehar will take plenty of canoe and river trips and Ariella and Elizabeth will keep everyone organized. We also have a great group of former campers returning as staff members, and some wonderful new staff who will join us for the first time.

We have begun our Spring outdoor education program and are excited to provide experiential, nature-based classes for 4th– 6th graders from 15 schools over the next six weeks.

Our April will be filled with putting the finishing touches on improved programs and trips for this summer, renovation projects to improve our facilities, hiring the last few summer staff and counting the days until camp begins. We’ll be painting, cleaning, flying tents, and planting flowers in no time.

Our 2019 community is really coming together. We only have a few openings left in select grades at Big Spring and High Trails. Families interested for the summer of 2019 should call to check availability. As always, we are happy to send our brochure and references to any interested families.

We can’t wait to begin creating the fun, adventure, and friendship of camp 2019!

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Jane Sanborn
About Jane Sanborn

Jane began her career as a counselor at High Trails and has worked with the camps and COEC since graduating from Colorado College with a degree in English and Education. She served as the Director/Program Director of High Trails from 1970-99, and as the Executive Director of COEC for many years. She retired as Executive Director in October 2017, and assumed the role of Director of Development. Jane is also active in the American Camp Association and has served in many leadership roles. Currently, she is the Program Chair for the ACA National Conference and sits on the National Public Policy Committee.