Forlorn and Unclaimed

At the end of the summer, we are always sad to see our campers leave…yet they are always with us, throughout the year, because of the stuff that gets left behind.

A wise woman once said, “Everyone leaves part of themselves at camp…usually a sock or some underwear.”

We do our very best to make sure each child returns with every item she or he brought to camp, including helping many of the campers re-pack their trunks on packing day.  Yet there is always a ton of unnamed and unclaimed Lost and Found when the last camper and staff member leaves camp…and, if you think about it, if every camper and staff member leaves just ONE sock…that is OVER 300 pair of mismatched socks floating around the camp like lonely leaves.

With those lonely sock-leaves in mind, we sing you “The Lost and Found Blues.”

The Lost and Found Blues (To the tune of “River”)

I was packed for camp before school let out
And ready to hop on that plane
3 Pair of Long Pants and 6 Pair of Shorts
And A Supply of socks–all the same.

I arrived at Sanborn to whoops and shouts
All at camp so glad to see me
The high country air was so nice and cool
Need my fleece…now where can it be?

CHORUS: Campers, where is your stuff?
Disappearing, like golf balls in rough
All those jackets, sweatshirts, and shoes
Did you write in your name?
Is this some kind of game?
Why are socks all the same?
It’s the Lost and Found blues.

We found the blue backpack at Cedar Lodge
We located the fleece pants on STUW
We’re searching the grounds for some black North Face:
Missing jackets…anyone have a clue?

I stand up on Sundays and sadly announce
My things that are missing again
A T-shirt, Gap jeans, a Juicy shirt
Hiking boots, my retainer, a pen. (CHORUS)

Someday when the closing of camp is near
Someday when we’re packed and quite sad
My stuff will magically reappear
Brought from the Lost and Found…boy am I glad!

So here’s to my new socks named William and Mike
And here’s to my ASH underwear
I packed this trunk up 3 months ago
Don’t recall what was actually in there. (CHORUS)

All Quiet in the Western Grove

It is much too quiet around camp since second term campers left on August 15. The fields, hills, and lodges are filled with great memories from the summer of 2010, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to spend this time with so many outstanding campers and staff.

One of our tasks during the weeks following camp is to collect and distribute all the lost and found items. We have mailed every major article from High Trails which has a name to the owner. Lost and found items with names from Big Spring went out late last week and early this week, so they may still be in the mail. We still have some jackets, boots, and other items of clothing which do not have names. Please let us know if your camper is missing something and we will do everything we can to track it down and send it to you.

A fun event took place here August 20-22: the Newhoma Mountain and Music Festival. Terry Hayden, Assistant Director at The Nature Place, lined up some great bands that played from mid-day until the wee hours on a stage set up in the Big Spring field. A number of 2010 camp staff stayed around to help with the event and other alums returned to listen to the music, as well as other music lovers who experienced COEC for the first time. The weather was spectacular and everyone had a great time.

The Newhoma Stage

Sam and Scott Shepard have been out in the hayfields since camp ended, cutting and baling the nutritious mountain grass which keeps our horses in good health throughout the year. Big Spring counselors Ian Stafford and High Trails wrangler Lacey Ellingson have also been helping out. Meanwhile, the horses are enjoying a well-deserved vacation in Olin Gulch where there is plentiful grass for munching now.

Our outdoor education program staff will arrive on September 2 and we will begin welcoming sixth graders to High Trails Outdoor Education Center on September 14. Among the staff who will be returning to teach during this program are wranglers Jenny Hartman and Lacey Ellingson, High Trails ridge leadersReggie Cahalan and Maya Ovrutsky and counselor Dee Shiverdecker. Big Spring staff from the summer of 2010 include David Cumming, Andrew Jones, Jeff Krueger, Kevin Robinson, Andrew Tromey and Ian Wilson. HT nurse Suzie Bartley will serve as nurse. Former Big Spring ridge leader Chris “BC” Miller-McLemore will also return in a leadership position. Chris Tholl and Carlotta Avery direct the program; they are assisted by camp leaders Elizabeth Rundle, Johnny Domenico, and Ryan and Ashley McGowan.

Hiking During the 2009 No Child Left Inside Family Fun Day

We have two exciting events this Fall in addition to our traditional schedule. On September 25, we will join with the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument to celebrate “Leave No Child Inside Day” by hosting a family fun day and open house. We will be offering a program of nature-based activities and hikes for families who would like to get their children outdoors for the day. There is no cost for the event.

2010 Stalking Education Theme=No Idea Left Inside

On October 15-17, we will again offer our outdoor education workshop, “Stalking Education in the Wild”. This weekend includes a wide variety of educational sessions led by experts in the field and is open to teachers, camping staff, parents, and anyone interested in learning more about living and teaching in the out-of-doors. Please let us know if you would like additional information on this event.

We are already thinking about next summer and have established our dates. The first term at Big Spring and High Trails will be Sunday, June 12 – Tuesday, July 12, 2011. The second term will be Friday, July 15 – Sunday, August 14. The four terms of Sanborn Junior will be June 12 – June 26, June 28– July 12, July 15 – July 29, and July 31 – August 14. We have sent this information to current camp families and will send additional information in October to camp families, former camp families, and prospective camp families. If you would like to receive our catalog and DVD or know someone who would, we will be happy to mail them at any time.

It’s like something out of a dream. My seventh, and last, year at Sanborn. How did the time go by so fast? I still feel as if I’m in Kinnikinnik or maybe even Columbine, comfortable in the middle with years left to return home to Colorado. Sanborn has always been such an integral part of my life, even before I officially started coming, I grew up on my brother’s camp stories, counting the years until I could come myself…And now it’s almost over, my entire Sanborn career. Is it fair? Not really. Of course, some could argue that I’ve already had my run, but then again, I’ve been here so long that I feel on par with some of the office staff. Conceited. I know, but it’s how I feel. I just never thought that Sanborn would end, and I wish I didn’t have to leave!

- JC, 2010

My Wonderful Years at Sanborn: Right now I am thinking of the right words to say, but it is soo hard to think about all the things we do here! I love all the things about Sanborn! A week at Sanborn is…Monday, wait I can’t say what a week is like because you get to pick what you want to do everyday! There are about 15 activities to pick from everyday. WOW! I cannot wait for more years to come!

- Sierra Z.

Since my long trip, I feel I have become a more confident rider and become more confident in myself! Jessie, Pippa, and Laura’s encouragement helped me through all the bumps in the road for 4 full days! How to thank them? No idea! I just know I’ll never forget my 4-day horse trip in 2010!

- Maddie Mac.

I love camp! I’ve made so many new friends and have tried new and amazing things. Sanborn has really helped me challenge myself and learn who I really am inside. I hope all the friends I’ve made will stay my friends forever. Everyone here is great and all the girls have taught me a lot. I DON’T WANT to leave! I love it here!

- India Upton

Moneypenny on the Newhoma stage

We had an incredible weekend at camp with the first ever Newhoma Mountain and Music Festival.

Festivities began early Friday morning with the arrival of vendors and musicians, and ended Sunday afternoon with an fantastic closing set from Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band out of Asheville, NC.

Families, couples and groups of friends all stayed at The Nature Place, rented Big Spring tents, or camped for the duration of the festival.  Delicious food and drink was provided by Amicas, Front Range BBQ, and Bristol Brewing Company.

The music of the festival appealed to all age groups, the groove beats of Saturday’s Tigercity contrasted the rock-a-billy of Friday afternoon’s Henhouse Prowlers, while the electric dance rhythm of Saturday playing Moneypenny mixed well with the down-home bluegrass riffs from the Sunday set of Grass It Up.

On Friday, Paperbird’s gorgeous vocals were followed by The Category Stompers’, led by fiddler Matt Combs, outstanding and flowing technical musicality.  Grayson Capps evening performance had everyone dancing under the moon…but S. Mob and Outformation’s Sam Holt had everyone howling with delight late into the evening.

Saturday began with a hearty dose of Broverdose, followed by the soulful singing of Jen Korte and The Loss.   Colonel Redbone wowed the crowd with their lyricism and rocking melodies.  Listener came back for an encore performance–minus the emblematic washing machine.   Outformation’s final performance, plus Surprise Me Mr. Davis and a rocking set from Oakhurst (with former Big Spring warrior, Max Paley, on mandolin) brought many fans to Florissant for a tremendous Saturday night jam.  Then Daniel Lawrence Walker brought us all, gently, back to earth with his beautiful solo guitar and folk singing.

Moonrise at Newhoma

Take time to sample all of the fantastic bands from Newhoma–they were new to many listeners…and everyone walked away VERY excited by what we had all heard.

Newhoma merchandise is still available.  Check out this post for more information.

Shipping and tax included in the cost.  Email terryhayden at thenatureplace dot net to place your order.

Please make your checks payable to “COEC” and mail to:

Newhoma Merchandise

PO Box 167

Florissant, CO  80816

All orders will receive a copy of the Newhoma Music Sampler produced in part by Peoples Bank.  We would like to thank People’s Bank, Colorado Outdoor Education Center, Sanborn Western Camps and all of our other tremendous sponsors for their financial support of this festival.

Newhoma T-Shirt: $15 Black or Blue, please specify M or W and Size

Newhoma Truckers Hat: $15 One Size Fits Most

Newhoma Visor: $12 Specify color: Slate or Natural

Newhoma Poster: $15

Newhoma Stickers: $2 each or 3 for $3

A Newhoma Music Sampler: Free with any Newhoma Merchandise Purchase

1. How has you camp experience been?

It has been very fun because you can pick your own activities. And the counselors and food are both delightful and enjoyable.

Sanborn is the best experience I’ve had. Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves.

2. Have you made any friends here?

Yes, I have. I’ve made friends here because so many people here are so kind. I’ve made many friends!

YES!!!

3. Do you think you’ll come back next year?

Yes. Because I’m having lots of fun!

I hope I will. I probably will. Sanborn is soo fun!

4. What is your favorite thing about Sanborn?

Friendship and the activities. THANK YOU SANBORN!

By: Stella, Simms, Aiden, Ali, Ally

Letters from the Pony Express! Let's RIDE!

In response to today’s article in USA Today, we wanted to shed some light on how Sanborn Western Camps is keeping letter writing alive and well this summer…not to mention that we believe the fairly new post office in Florissant is a direct result of these fine letter writing skills (or maybe the result of LOTS of care packages).

The secretaries in the camp office were alarmed when the first batch of mail written by campers to their families was collected.  Stamps were stuck in random places on the envelopes, including on the back, instead of the upper right-hand corner of the envelope.  Addresses were incomplete, illegible and also found in strange and confusing places.  It was a shock to realize that many young people (including staff!) do not know how to write and post a letter.  Is Letter-Writing becoming a lost art?

Imagine what the world would have missed if the correspondence between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had been via e-mail?  What if Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning had communicated via text message?  And, how sad it would be if Jane Austen, Henry James, Abraham Lincoln, and Benjamin Franklin had tweeted, instead of producing the volumes of elegant prose which preserve and enhance their legacy.

The Arrival of the Pony Express!

Camp is one of the few places where letter writing is still encouraged (and taught!).  Campers are required to turn in a letter to their families to gain admission to lunch each Sunday.  Counselors compose hand-written letters each week to send home to the parents of each of their campers describing the camper’s achievements and adjustment to the camp community.  Hand-written letters flow freely between the girls’ camp and the boys’camp.

Parents have told us for many years that they value these letters written by campers and counselors and save them along with other treasured mementos of childhood.  Some parents have shared them with us, and these are a valuable piece of the history of the camps and of the family history of each camper.

Technology today is encouraging short, superficial messages, rather than the deeper, more meaningful communication which occurs when letters are written. Text messaging is fine for letting your Mom know when soccer practice ends, and tweeting works to find out how Lance Armstrong is doing in the Tour de France.  But if you want to let your parents know how it feels to stand on top of a 14,000’ mountain, or you want to tell them about your new friends, or you want to describe the sunset you saw last night from Top of the World, then letter writing is the only way.

Letters for EVERY Lady at High Trails

This summer, campers and counselors in both sessions have participated in a fun and exciting “Pony Express” activity.  Originating at the Big Spring Barn, campers and riding staff painstaking wrote letters to every “fine lass and lady” at High Trails Ranch.  On the day of the Pony Express’ long-anticipated arrival, the riders battled “banditos” who threatened to relieve them of their Important Delivery.  After bravely defending their priceless parcels, the riders rode triumphantly to the High Trails Lodge to deliver their precious cargo.  The ladies greeted them with cheers and showered them with praise.

Letter writing might be slightly antiquated…but it has never been so much fun.

High Trails has been very interesting lately.  For example, the Pony Express came today at lunch.  Apparently, they are showering us High Trails girls with letters and gifts this Friday.  The Pony Express is basically a bunch of Big Springs boys riding horses.  They seem like the comedic type of group. 

Another interesting event coming recently is the river all day which I will be attending.  You get driven to the river and you take tubes and go tubing down the whole river.  It is a very fun and time consuming activity.  I am very excited.

-Ellen Chapman

For our cabinside overnight, we went to Quicks Homestead.  So first we got there and we set up our tents.  Then we went to the homestead.  We went inside of the house and then we headed for the barn. 

We went to the end of the field and saw the bones of a dead cow about middle age.  It was kind of creepy.  Then we had lunch and made ice cream.  It was SO GOOD!!! 

Then we had dinner and played sardines.  Before we went to bed, we saw horses grazing.  Then we woke up and had breakfast crepes and then packed up and came back.  That was our cabinside overnight.

-Maddie LeClercq

At Sanborn Western Camps, one thing that we do a lot is horseback riding.

At the barn, you get to saddle up your own horse, brush your own horse, and get ready for trail-rides, all days, or overnights.  It’s very fun! 

You can trot, walk, lope, or canter with your horse.  You can go many places while riding.  For example, the candy cane, the 4-story tree-house, Hummer Spring, or you can just ride around in the Gymkhana ring.  It is very fun!

-Autymn Bradshaw

So far, my most enjoyable memory has definitely been horseback riding.  I am doing so much of it, it’s crazy!

Last week I rode about 5 times!  My many activities include a Saturday Special (riding), a horse overnight, 2 riding all days, one for the cabin, and one I just do, and A FOUR DAY HORSE TRIP!  But of course the best part of camp is Gymkhana! 

I can’t wait!

-Talia Miller

High Trails has been fun lately.  We are getting excited for Thursday and Friday because we are going on our first 14,000 foot OVERNIGHT. 

We have gone on 14,000 foot LONG TRIPS, but never an overnight.

We are summitting Mt. Quandary.  We are anxiously counting down the hour…no….minutes….no…seconds until our departure.  We are nervous yet excited–WOO-HOO!

-The Dynamic Duo, Caitlin Sweeney and Hanna Ohaus

On cabinside overnights, Cedar Lodge East explored the remains of a dead calf, we we had first mistaken for an aardvark.  Though very upsetting, we were glad to have gained the knowledge of the difference between a baby cow and an aardvark, and is showed us a piece of the circle of life.

-Kara Sinkankas

Happy Campers: An essential ingredient

Beyond the incredible opportunities for personal growth, exposure to the natural world, and the connection (or reconnection) with one’s sense of wonder, camp provides campers a unique opportunity to build a community from the ground up.

Building these communities is a little like baking at high altitudes: there are plenty of modifications to the recipe you can try…but you are never sure exactly which one is going to work.

Take our recipe for a FANTASTIC cabin/unit community at Sanborn:

9-10 happy campers
2 dedicated, attentive counselors
1 personable, knowledgeable assistant counselor
3 tons of positive attitude
1 ton of mutual respect
100 lbs. of integrity
18 gallons of flexibility
10 quarts of compromise
80 lbs of problem solving techniques
5 buckets of perseverance
5 buckets of resilience
1 truckload of empathy
A bunch of new experiences
A dash (or 200) into the outdoors  for new perspective
An infinite number of amazing opportunities and fun to be had!

Teambuilding activities build community

That said, sometimes campers or staff unintentionally modify our ideal recipe.  Occasionally, some snarky comment gets spilled in, or a selfish behavior is added, or—in some cases—an entire ingredient is forgotten or substituted.  And, like the high altitude cake with incorrect modifications, you find yourself with a crumbly, grumbly, salty mess on your hands.

Yet unlike the adult world, where it is sometimes more admissible (and far easier) to just cut your losses and walk away…at camp, these are the people you are living and working with for the rest of your summer.  You have to figure out what went wrong and try to fix it…otherwise, your summer simply won’t be as sweet.

You never expect the first cake you bake at 8,600 feet will turn out perfectly (though you do hope it will be edible)—similarly, you cannot expect the desires, wills, values, beliefs, emotions, and hormones of 13 unique individuals to always line up and converge in perfect harmony.  So you tinker with the ingredients: you teach the staff some new problem solving techniques, spend time getting to know each camper very well, and you show everyone support, gratitude, forgiveness and empathy along the way.

Fun and silliness at camp!

It is easy to get frustrated with a crumbly cake or with someone you are living with…but the cake won’t respond to your irritation or anger any better than a person.  So, through the daily mix of ingredients in our living units, on trips, on activities, and everywhere at camp, we create a unique and ephemeral “Daily Special.”  Because of all the factors involved, a day at camp cannot be repeated.  Each day is unique, it never has been, or ever will be the same again.  Some leave a bit of a sour taste in your mouth, others will represent the high point of your life for many years to come.

At the heart of camp, just like at the heart of cooking, is the playful spirit and desire for fun, wholesome experiences—the experiences that all campers and staff are seeking from their summer in the Colorado mountains.

And the best part?  There are NEVER too many cooks in this kitchen.

Signing up for trips in the yurt

As parents (and, perhaps, former campers ourselves), we have so many expectations for our own child’s camp experience. Thus, if we receive a sad letter from our child while he or she is at camp…we are truly disappointed.

Our first instinct is to call camp and make sure everything is alright (visions of our son or daughter sobbing alone under a tree are not uncommon). This, in most cases, results in a calming conversation with either Mike or Julie, or our child’s counselor or ridge leader.

Many children, and plenty of adults, suffer from some degree of homesickness while they are away from home. How we, as parents, deal with the occasional “sad” letter speaks volumes to our child about how much we believe in their ability to deal with adversity. That said, it is INCREDIBLY hard for us as parents to stand back and allow our child to develop his or her own resilience…especially when WE were the one who put them in this position in the first place.

A letter from a first session parent accurately describes this emotional dichotomy in an incredibly healthy way. By communicating her concern, providing specific information, and asking for the necessary reassurance from camp, this mother was able to get past the “sad” letter and get solid information about the health and well being of her daughter without directly impacting the daughter’s camp experience.

Always laughing at High Trails

I have received two letters from my daughter so far.   One of the best things she wrote was that she and one of her cabinmates were laughing so hard so couldn’t breathe.  I can imagine her having SO much fun!  In the second letter though, she expressed some homesickness.  I am sure you guys deal with this every day but I just wanted to pass it along so you can share it with her counselors.  She  can often hold her feelings inside and no one would even know she might feel sad.

In her letter she wrote, “I miss you SO much. It hurts so bad. I want you to come visit and I need you. Please come!” Of course as a mother, I want to step in and give her a big hug and make her feel better. So perhaps, you can give me some guidance. I cannot drop everything and come visit, and I am guessing that would not be a wise solution. Maybe she is doing fine and just wrote at a moment of sadness.

I am not sure if you ever allow kids to phone their parents or if that would help. Please pass this along to her counselors and any advice you have for me would be greatly appreciated.

On the whole, phone calls home are even harder than sad letters for both the campers and their parents. It is not unusual, if a child does call, for there to be much sobbing and begging…only to be followed by that child joyously running out of the lodge with an enormous grin on her face ready to go on her river trip….and a very distraught mom or dad on the other end of the phone.

We encourage parents who may be concerned about possible homesickness to avoid making promises like, “If you can’t make it the full term, I’ll come pick you up whenever you want.” This sets the camper up for failure because he or she will have a hard time seeking personal strength and seeing their own positive growth if the camper knows he/she has an easy way out.

As youth development professionals and parents ourselves, when our campers are homesick it hurts us as much as it hurts you. We have trained ourselves and our staff in effective homesick management techniques, and our directors and senior staff are constantly supporting the staff with the implementation of those techniques.

Loving every minute of camp!

The insight shared when our first session mother said, “Maybe she is doing fine and just wrote at a moment of sadness…” is outstanding. We all have our “moments,” and we all turn to those we love and trust most during our challenging times. So think of the “sad” letter as a gift—the recognition from your child that you ARE the safe haven and pillar of strength they need…even in spirit…to help them get through this challenge and grow stronger on their own.

In the end, we received a short follow up from our homesick camper’s mom, “She had a BLAST at Sanborn!!! She is ready to go back next year. Thanks again for everything, you all are awesome!”

…and being ready to come back to camp next year?…THAT is the best (and only) cure for “campsickness” around.