Mid-Week Update: June 10th, 2026

Hello from the mountains! WOW!!! What a great first four days we have already had! Both camps had terrific Opening Campfires with singing, skits and lots of laughter and campers have jumped right into the fun and adventures that make camp…CAMP!

Campers at both camps have participated in BETs (Basic Equestrian Trainings) and gone out on trail rides; there have been hikes to the Crystal Beds, the Top of the World and A-Bluff; we have had swim check outs and “slide tests” (making sure the water slide is as fun and fast as it should be); creative expression time at the craft shops and on watercolor hikes; lots and lots of card playing, reading and hanging out at the Four Story Tree House; and even time to chill in the hammock villages scattered throughout the camps.

On Tuesday night, Big Spring campers all went out on their unit overnight–the first backpacking, tent-camping overnight of the summer! There were touch football games played between units in at the Bottlegates, countless games of Uno in the tents, delicious pita pizzas and breakfast crepes and an incredible night sky with shooting stars, the Milky Way and a dazzling planetary conjunction–Venus and Saturn were visible even before the sun fully set.

Along with the Adventure Race yesterday, High Trails campers had a very entertaining “Bears vs. Beyonce” Bingo Night–there were costumes & prizes…but no actual bears (more on that below) or Beyonces. Tonight, all of the High Trails campers are out on their cabinside overnights–and they, too, have enjoyed another gorgeous, bluebird sky day and a clear night full of stars. One of the staff members said, “This place is so big and so amazing…everywhere I look there is something to discover.” As we hiked and rode horses to check all of the campsites today, we could hear the laughter and singing of groups of individuals who are becoming fast friends.

We had sent an email to our High Trails campers yesterday regarding a bear that had taken a liking to the yummy smells around High Trails and, we are happy to report, our ursine friend found its way into the humane live trap that Colorado Parks and Wildlife brought to High Trails yesterday. On its way back to the trap last night, it wandered near a couple of the campsites close High Trails where the Blanca and Massive boys were camped for their unit overnights. Though the boys didn’t see the bear, and the staff were able to scare it off easily–out of an abundance of caution–we brought those two units back to sleep at camp last night.

As we shared with the High Trails community yesterday, wildlife encounters are a natural part of living and recreating in Colorado, and we spend time during staff training and upon the campers arrival on how to be safe and aware around our main camp property and while out on trips. We hang bear bags (or have bear boxes) that are well away from our tent sites and practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics to minimize wildlife access to food, food waste or other human “smellies” like toothpaste or deodorant. We also want the campers to feel comfortable while spending time outdoors and sometimes that looks like a slight itinerary change.

Tomorrow, Big Spring campers will head out on All Day trips: the Junior campers will hike to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and dig for fossils at a private dig site, other campers will head to the South Platte river or 11 Mile Reservoir for some water fun, many will head out on all day horseback rides or rock climbing adventures, and some will even hop on mountain bikes to check out the established trails and some single track in and around the main camp area. High Trails campers will return from their overnights, participate in afternoon activities and then–in a time honored tradition–share the highlights of the trip during Cabinside Skits tomorrow night. We will be regaled with songs about “getting lost” or “pooping in the woods” or the other funny experiences and highlights of the trip–and we will see the new-found strength, character and friendships that are the foundation of community.

That is what this week is all about: building community through shared experiences. Month-long campers at Big Spring have already received their trip calendars and High Trails campers will receive their calendars when they return to camp tomorrow. A copy of these trip calendars will be uploaded into your Camp InTouch account and will be under the “Forms & Documents” tab by tomorrow evening.

Our staff members (who you can “meet” on our blog!) will be writing you a letter this weekend, which we will mail out on Monday or Tuesday next week–so keep checking your mailbox. Additionally, this is the week where you may receive a Sad Letter from your camper, and–if you do–know that is normal. As campers transition into camp, they sometimes miss the simplicity and ease of Life At Home–but, for the majority of them, they start really finding their groove at the exact moment the Sad Letter arrives in your mailbox. AND, if you are concerned, please do not hesitate to write us an email or give us a call. Check out this blog postto find out why getting a Sad Letter might actually make you feel good.

Whew…who knew you could pack so much into four days…it is going to be incredible to see what we can do over the rest of the four (or two!) weeks!

Onward!