News from Camp: June 1, 2019
June is finally here and we are excited for the arrival of campers in nine days. The camp property is incredibly beautiful right now. We had a lot of moisture in May and the grass is green, the Aspen are leafing out, and the wildflowers are beginning to appear. We see deer every day in the immediate camp area, the Mountain Bluebirds are settled in for the summer, the hummingbirds are back, and the Abert’s squirrels are exceptionally fat and sassy.
We have been preparing the facility and are almost ready for everyone’s arrival. The Big Spring tents are up, the BS Lodge (with new addition!) is open for business, and fresh paint is being applied in many places. The flowers are planted, the horses have new shoes, and the swimming pools are full and heating. The new Sport Court at High Trails has been inaugurated by staff playing basketball and pickleball.
The leadership staff arrived two weeks ago and we conducted a special training for our Senior staff team over the weekend. Eighteen staff also took a lifeguard training course over the weekend. On Thursday and Friday last week, our rock climbing staff enjoyed a two-day training at our Wild Goat Mountain climbing site, while others learned about our canoeing program. We also completed an all-day van driver training. Our wranglers have been here for more than two weeks and have been busy getting our horses ready for the summer and completing their specialized training.
On Monday and Tuesday, many of our trip leading staff completed a two-day Wilderness First Aid course taught by the Wilderness Medicine Institute. Our entire staff of more than 140 arrived yesterday. For the next nine days, we will hold sessions on youth development, outdoor skills, our mission and core values, leadership tools, and health and safety, as well as trainings in our many program areas.
It is always special when our wonderful summer community comes together. We are looking forward to the mountains we will explore, the horseback trips we will enjoy, the sunsets we will share and the friendships we will make. We especially anticipate the opportunities we will have to learn more about ourselves, our companions and the natural world.
We again plan to post weekly updates and photos through our Camp-In-Touch community once camp begins. Although we cannot promise to show every camper or every activity, we think these photos will help parents, friends, and family members to get a peek into life at Big Spring, High Trails, and Sanborn Junior. So visit us again when camp has begun!
