Weekly Update: June 8th, 2025

by Ariella Rogge on June 09

Ramping up. It’s a phrase many of us use when we are building energy or increasing speed or feeling the anticipation and possibility of a new adventure. It’s navigating to the little town of Florissant, turning left onto County Road 46, and choosing to become part of a transformational opportunity. Over the last 11 days (or last three weeks for our Wranglers, Ridge Leaders, Coordinators and other members of our Senior Leadership Team), our incredible staff have merged into a community and onto the “ramp” leading to the arrival of campers today.

And what a day it has been.

For those not in Colorado, there was a deep concern that someone, somewhere had forgotten to “flip the switch” and turn on summer. It has been a bit cold and rainy, even for Colorado…and we had a few Floridian staff members (and our returner from Jamaica) who were less than stoked–but they maintained a positive attitude throughout.

Yet the morning today reminded us that Summer 2025 is here–with bluebird skies, electric green Aspen, wildflowers galore, and–now…finally–CAMPERS!

Campers arrived via car, van and bus all day long and were welcomed by cheering friends, off-the bus “human tunnel” runs, visits to the BRAND NEW Four Story Treehouse and lots of celebratory fist-bumps, high-fives and hugs. They checked in at the Health Centers, said goodbye to their phones and made their beds in the cabins and tents that will become their “home away from home” for the next month or two weeks. They also all hunkered down and relaxed for some of the afternoon and evening as we had a number of rain showers and thunderstorms that moved through the area.

Before the rain, campers played Gagaball and 9-Square; they walked to the lodges for snacks, tea and to say hello to the cooks (and snack on the special Opening Day cookie spread); they took tours of the ridges and the main camp area; High Trails had a short, indoor Vespers while Big Spring ate their traditional Opening Night outdoor buffet in the lodge; and then they all spent the evening building community by discussing cabin and ridge expectations before all retiring for a well-deserved (and much needed) bedtime.

Everything we do at camp is a progression which allows us to build skills and competence in an age appropriate manner. Ironically enough, this progression also mimics the change of seasons here in Florissant, CO at 8,900 ft.. When the Wranglers arrived on May 14th, there were no leaves on the Aspen trees and snow squalls were more common than rain. Now, the almost-full-sized Aspen leaves make a striking contrast against the Colorado blue sky, and provide a gentle background rustle in even the lightest of breeze. It happens quickly, yet brilliantly.

Just like today.

Yesterday the staff felt like the kids might never arrive (they were tired of all of the talking)…and now your incredible children have infused all of us with a sense of purpose and direction. We are gearing up for the journey ahead and we cannot wait to see where we will end up.

Due to the inclement weather, our photographers weren’t able to capture the breadth of photos they would normally post on Opening Day. They have posted a small collection of photos for your enjoyment and they will be posting a much larger collection from the first few days of camp on Wednesday evening, including the Cabinside and Unit photos.

If you have not already done so, please download the Campanion App and consider uploading a photo of your camper. On Sunday nights when we typically post photos, the Camp InTouch/Campanion platform will be able to use secure facial recognition software to find images of your camper and send you a push notification when those photos are posted.

We will continue to build our momentum this week with Opening Campfires, Cabinside and Unit Overnights, All-day trips, and much, much more! Thank you for helping us accelerate into our 77th summer of friendship, adventure, personal growth and fun.

Let’s get moving!

Sincerely,
Ariella Rogge
Director, Sanborn Western Camps
Will Coleman
Director, Big Spring Ranch
Krista White
Director, High Trails Ranch

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About Ariella Rogge

Ariella started her career at Sanborn when she was twelve. After five years of camper and five years of Sanborn staff experience, she continued her work with kids in the high school classroom. Ariella and her family returned to Sanborn in 2001 to take on the Program Director role which she held til 2012. She and Elizabeth Marable became co-directors of High Trails in 2013 and then Ariella became the High Trails Director in 2020. In the fall of 2022 she became the Director of Sanborn Western Camps, overseeing the director teams of both Big Spring and High Trails. She lists mountain golf, Gymkhana, climbing mountains and making Pad Thai in the backcountry as some of her favorite activities at camp. Ariella received a B.A. in English from Colorado College and is a certified secondary English educator,an ACCT Level 2 Ropes Course Technician, an ARC lifeguard and NREMT and WEMT. She lives in Florissant in the summer and in Green Mountain Falls during the school year so she can stay involved with the busy lives of her husband, Matt, and two sons, Lairden and Karsten.