“I wanted to thank you all for being so wonderful to my two girls. I knew that once again you all have made camp such a wonderful experience for them. See you all next summer.”
— DF
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Mountain Adventure Camp
- QUICK LINKS
- The Camp Day and Overnight Events
Variety!... The Mountain Adventure Camp is the perfect choice for those ages 7-13 who would like to be involved in our whole array of camp activities. The Mountain Adventure Camp introduces first-time and younger campers to traditional summer camp at its best! Many children of different ages may prefer the chance for new adventures every day. Within the course of each week, the Mountain Adventure campers have the opportunity to participate in each activity at least once, and twice in some of the usual favorites like horseback riding, archery and gymnastics.
Camper Groups… Each group is arranged by age and length of enrollment for continuity. Old friends are grouped together, and those coming without old friends are grouped together for more opportunity to make new friends. Each group has its own counselor who is always with the group, working closely with each child, guiding, supervising, participating and assisting the activity instructors.
Activities... Each activity has its own specialized instructor or team of instructors who present safe, supervised and progressive instruction in a fun atmosphere.
Choice!... Mountain Adventure Campers may communicate their personal favorites or request to repeat activities to their counselor or directly to the schedule-maker. We always try to personalize and keep the kids happy! Another way to individually choose from all the camp activities is during the extra-long free-choice activity time before dinner on the Thursday night overnights. (And of course, the Focus Camps offer more opportunity for specializing.)
Traditional Summer Camp Activities:
Parents who went to camp as children will recognize the Colorado Mountain Ranch as traditional summer camp, with the same spirit and many of the same activities they may remember.
Western Riding and Horse and Animal Care. Horseback riding in the Mountain Adventure program is the perfect way to start out with horses. Our horses are gentle and responsive, and they take care of first-time and less-experienced riders. Ride time includes group and individualized instruction and usually a trailride through the meadows and forests of the Ranch premises. In addition to riding, Mountain Adventure campers also learn hands-on about colors, breeds, tack, grooming, health care, daily maintenance of horses, goats, and burros.
Gymnastics and Trampoline. Children explore their own strength and balance through the use of a variety of gymnastics equipment. The session always begins with fun warm-up exercises, light stretching and spotting practice. The gymnastics instructors and counselors demonstrate and supervise various tricks on the mats, mini-tramp, balance beams and trampolines.
Archery. Hand–eye coordination improves as archers practice target shooting with bows and arrows. At the archery range, there are four lanes for four archers to work on their aim at a time. Those waiting their turn may play quiet games or work on crafts while the others are shooting. Wrist guards and bows for various pull strengths allow for comfort and success.
Arts & Crafts. At the Arts & Crafts shop, a wide variety of art materials is always available for individual and group projects. Sketching, painting, forming clay, and creating sculptures are typical activities. Making decorations, costumes and props for events and weekly themes is a favorite. Using recycled materials and those found on nature walks generates meaningful creations.
Native American Indian Lore. At the tipi on the hill facing the rising sun, campers discover first-hand the history and culture of mountain and plains Indian tribes. Through games, legends, songs, dance and crafts such as beading, braiding, and pictographs, the local Indians’ way of life comes alive.
Nature and Hiking. Games and exercises which heighten sensory awareness and exploring the outdoors delight campers as they become aware of natural wonders.The Camp's mountain setting in the pine and aspen forests and wildflower meadows is rich in flora, fauna, geology, and weather systems. Immersion in nature is basic to all other camp experiences. Weekly optional hikes to outlying natural features are a highlight.
Mining History. Our area on the ridge west of Gold Hill features abundant natural and cultural heritage. Since Boulder originally began as a supply town for the mining activities in the local mountain, the Gold Hill area is full of mining era reminders. In the forest just below the Archery Range, campers explore the grounds around the old Happy Thought Mine where they still shout "Eureka!" when they find bits of fool's gold (iron pyrite).
Innovative Summer Camp Activities:
Earth and Outdoor Living Skills. As an extension of the Nature program, the Earth and Outdoor Living program finds the Fun in building a sustainable future. Games and projects promote appreciation of the life systems and their elements - air, water, sun, and earth. Campers explore the value and learn the skills of recycling, living outdoors and maintaining ecosystems while having Fun! A favorite part of learning about survival and shelter is working on the Camp Community Fort
Mountainboarding. Imagine snowboarding on wheels down gentle dirt slopes and trails. Navigate over jumps to get some air. Learn to “powerslide” to a safe stop. Mountainboarding on the terrain park back in the north forest of the Ranch is a thrill that some campers master after just a few times on the hill.
Challenge. Warm-up games, initiatives, and more-complicated challenges await at the Teambuilding Challenge Ropes Course. These strengthen and test balance, confidence, trust, communication, and problem-solving skills. Campers accept and support each other's strengths and weaknesses as they work together. This is truly meaningful Fun!
Optional Thursday night overnights. Every week on Thursdays, campers may bring along their bedding and overnight things for a taste of resident camp. Before dinner in the main Lodge, campers have a choice of all the regular camp activities and some special offerings, too. After dinner, the evening brings a special event with a theme, costumes, props, and appropriate activities. The excitement of the evening winds down at dark when the counselors gently settle them into their bunks for lights out.