Weekly Update: July 5th, 2026

More so than ever before, it is wild to think that tomorrow is Packing Day. We know you are SO incredibly excited to see your camper/s on Tuesday, but as we reflect on this last week: the courage, the excitement, the creativity, the fortitude, the independence, the responsibility, the resilience, the flexibility, the silliness, the support, the ease, the joy, the hard work, the kindness, the love, the respect and the appreciation for everyone in the community–we are virtually overwhelmed.

Your campers have done amazing things. Ten year olds have stood, triumphant on mountain peaks. Sixteen year olds have helped cook delicious backcountry dinners for younger campers. Fourteen year olds have ratcheted canoes onto and off of canoe trailers, and hauled them in and out of reservoirs. Twelve year olds have stood on stage and bravely sang in front of almost 200 people at a talent show. Nine year olds have groomed and saddled their own horses before riding out onto trails that wind through 6000 acres of forests and meadows. Fifteen year olds have cleaned toilets and showers and sinks…not quite everyday, but quite a bit. Eleven year olds have learned how to live with 10 other people and (mostly) keep track of their own belongings. Eight year olds have played new games, found fossils and discovered that cold Colorado rivers can feel pretty amazing on a hot day.

They have done all of these amazing things because they are amazing individuals.

We often say we are “a community of individuals.” That means we meet people where they are and we value and respect who they are. On the day after America’s 250th Independence Day celebration, we want to acknowledge that summer camp is one of those rare places where–like Sandy and Laura Sanborn believed–people can come together, and work and play in the outdoors, and realize they have more in common than not. Yes, that sounds very “kumbaya” (which is actually a song we don’t sing very often anymore), but–as we continue to live in a world whose algorithms often narrow our scope to validate what we think, believe and know–the camp experience provides everyone in the community an opportunity to meet, know and appreciate people who are different than you. Then you get to DO stuff together.

Last week, in the The New York Times 7 Things to Add Joy to Your Day column, journalist Melissa Kirsch wrote,

“We like to be right. When we’re in conflict with other people, it can be hard to just let go. We wish our siblings or spouses or co-workers would just change how they think, or how they are. This passage, from the spiritual teacher Ram Dass, is a good reminder to observe others with interest, without reacting emotionally to their behavior.”

When you go out into the woods, and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree.

The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying “You are too this, or I’m too this.” That judgment mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.

We have a lot of trees at camp–both literally and figuratively–and all of them give us life.

There was quite a bit of good living this last week. At High Trails, the Junior Counselors executed an incredible (and incredibly pink) Barbie themed JC Dinner–with each of the JCs and their respective cabins representing a different kind of Barbie (think Sporty Barbie, Doctor Barbie, Weird Barbie, etc.). The dinner came at the end of cabinside all day trips, but before another set of overnights that included horseback 2 days, mountain climbs, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing and much more. The girls finished the week with some creative and unique all day trips: the Crags, yoga, Broadway, Harry Potter, river, fishing, fairy circles, the Pikes Peak “Bomber” and a very cool service all day where, among other service projects, the girls wrote thank you letters to our local firefighters–many of whom are fighting the fires outside of Pueblo, Leadville and Ouray here in Colorado.

At Big Spring, the boys all went out on their “long trips”–their 3, 4, or 5 day trips that covered countless miles on trail, in the saddle or on the water–and all of the trips enjoyed good weather, great food, exciting summits, and wonderful camaraderie. When they returned at the end of the week, there was nothing but smiles and non-stop stories. One of the Outbackers reflected on his trip and said, “It was really hard, but when I stopped worrying and starting helping the other kids…everything got easier.” Included in your son’s final letter is an additional Long Trip letter that details the adventure, teamwork and growth that was experienced during this final, culminating trip.

And the Sanborn Junior campers?…those little guys and gals were simply non-stop this week: river trips, overnight trips, fossil digging, rock scrambling, arts and crafts, swimming, learning to juggle, making skits for the talent show, horseback riding, egg drops at the treehouse and so, so, SO much more! We could tell how much fun they were having by the amount of dirt on their shirts, hands (which they washed) and faces. At yesterday’s all camp Gymkhana, the Sanborn Junior campers participated in a number of fun relays between the events–including the ever-popular Bouncy Horse Relay…that one also involved dirt. Tonight, as the High Trails Juniors were coming down from Vespers, a few of them spotted a couple of deer right by the pool–there was much excitement and someone shouted, “That one’s got HORNS!”

So. Much. Life….and it has only been 29 (or 12) days…what if trees grew that fast?