Posts Tagged ‘High Trails Ranch’

News and Views: Insights from High Trails

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

PERSONAL BLOG THOUGHTS

At Sanborn, each cabin side has a 15-17 year old JC. We get a few hours a week to just hang out with them and have fun doing whatever we want to.  During the month, our JC’s kinda become like older sisters, best friends, someone to look up to and love. Over the years, you never get two JC’s that are the same. Having a JC is a great experience!! –Millie E.

As someone who never got the chance to experience an overnight camp, coming to Sanborn to work as a counselor seemed like the next best thing. Turns out, I was right…I always like it when that happens. While I’ve only been in Colorado for three weeks, I’ve already experienced countless adventures. I’ve gone on dozens of hikes, seen beautiful views of the Colorado mountains, run into two bears and have even survived sharing a cabin with 10, nine and 10-year-olds. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer will bring. –Kelly M

At Camp Sanborn I learned about friendship and courage. My friends showed me that friendship is kindness, trustworthiness, and being respectful! My counselors taught me that courage means taking risks and succeeding in life. Here, Sanborn has different words throughout the week to help us grow strong. These powerful words push us to all be better girls. –Kelsey M.

At camp today, I went to the Art Barn and made dream catchers and journals in the morning. I like how you can go to the Art Barn whenever you want and make any craft. What I’ve really enjoyed about camp so far was the all day river trip. When we went there we got a chance to inter-tube down a river through some rapids! It was really fun and I want to do it again! Nicolette M.

My most favorite thing in Sanborn is riding horses! Love horses, my favorite horse would be Ruby. I like loping and trail riding. I’m going on a horse long trip. It’s going to be fun! I hope to get to ride Ruby, then I could feed her, brush her and do all kinds of stuff! I really like doing farm chores like feeding, brushing and mocking. The wranglers are my favorite people. Someday I want to be a wrangler! –Sera C.

I love Sanborn because it’s very beautiful. You’re allowed to do anything that you want to do. Overnights and long trips are great experiences and teach you a lot about the outdoors. Having something at morning, afternoon and in the evening keeps us busy and entertained. You make so many amazing friends here, too. Sanborn is an amazing camp . –Mariah L.

I love Sanborn because it has a lot of free choice activities. Most campers like to be able to choose what they do every day, which is why Sanborn is so great. People sign up for a different activity each morning and afternoon which is good for giving a variety of activities for a camper to try. My personal favorite activity is the pool. With Sanborn’s free choice activities I am able to go to the pool all of the time. –Molly A.

Sanborn Western Camps! I love camp! Because…it’s fun! You get to do lots of great activities like river rafting, hiking and meeting new people. Getting to know other people is such a great experience and learning how to agree on something with another person that you don’t typically get along with is truly remarkable. You get to learn how to live with all sorts of different people that you HAVE to respect. –Shea N.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

At Sanborn, we hike a lot to be fit. In our free time we play sports like swimming, soccer and nuke ‘em. We have tons of official activities that include tennis, swimming, hiking and field games. Every session, both Big Spring Boys Camp and High Trails do, “Hike the Pike,” to walk as many miles as they can to make money for charity. The nurses here are also very nice. They take very good care of us here at High Trails.

FOOD..is happy at High Trails

There is a salad bar that you can get, and there’s always a bowl of apples and oranges for a healthier snack. The meals are balanced and healthy. This helps us keep up the energy we need for other Sanborn experiences. Our amazing cooks help to prepare us for the day. Sometimes they even come out for a, “Cook’s parade,” where they walk outside of the kitchen to wave at everyone at the tables.

CABIN SIDE OVERNIGHT

For our cabin side overnight in Ponderosa East, we went to Tie Cabin. It was a full moon so we slept outside. In the middle of the night we decided to pull a prank on a good friend and dragged her a couple of feet from our campsite. She didn’t wake up so we decided to take her out of her sleeping bag…but THEN she woke up. Now she is planning her revenge…who knows what will come next in Ponderosa E. –Taylor C and Sarah D.

CABIN SIDE ADVENTURE

As I walked into my cabin and sat down on my bed, I saw animal droppings but I didn’t know what it was. Later on more droppings started to appear. I told the counselors and we found out that there was an animal in our cabin! We looked all over but couldn’t find it. Then the droppings stopped appearing and we figured that the animal had somehow escaped. We don’t know what it was but we think it was a Ninja Squirrel.  Some people though think it was an Indonesian Bear-Squirrel named Bob. –Taylor C and Sarah D.

Camp Game of the Week: Dip

One of my favorite games to play at camp is called Dip. The way Dip works is that everyone circles up and one person starts by pointing and saying to another person, “Dip, dip, dip, dip.” Then the two people surrounding that person turn towards the person the last person had just pointed to and say, “Dipity, dipity, dipity, dip.” While those two say that, the person who had been pointed to points to another person and says, “dip, dip, dip, dip.” It’s really fun and the first person to mess up loses! I love to play this game.

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Posted in Benefits of Summer Camp, Children and Nature, Fun Activities, Sanborn Western Camps, Summer Camp for Kids, summer camp in Colorado | No Comments »

Camp News Update: June 26, 2011

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

What a busy week we’ve had!  On Monday-Tuesday and again on Thursday-Friday both Big Spring and High Trails had a wide variety of overnight and all-day trips on and off the Ranch.  A number of campers chose overnight horse trips while others went mountain biking, rock climbing, mountain climbing or canoeing.  Still others enjoyed tubing on the South Platte River, hiked on the west side of Pikes Peak, and fished for trout at Lost Lake. Some of our older campers chose the challenging and service-oriented SOLE (Sanborn Outdoor Learning Experience) and CORE (Community Outreach Experience) programs for the week—some worked with the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative doing trail work on Mt. Elbert, while others hiked the Colorado Trail.  Two groups chose a rock climbing experience while three groups selected a horseback riding 5-day, all of which included service components.

On Wednesday, the boys enjoyed a Unit All-Day where each living group selected an activity to do together—fishing, horseback riding, games, the fossil beds, rock scrambling.  The girls had an active in-camp program as well as additional all-day trips.

The Juniors demonstrated outstanding outdoor skills when they camped out on Monday night at High Trails and Thursday night at Big Spring –they are experienced outdoors people by now!  High Trails Juniors had a great time tubing on the South Platte River on Thursday while the boys had fun on their Bat Caves/Fossil Beds All Day on Wednesday.  The Explorers and Mavericks were excited about their all-day horseback ride while the Pioneers and Roughriders saddled up for half-day rides.  Both groups also had time for swimming, crafts and Interbarn activities. We were sad to see this wonderful group of campers leave today but are grateful for our time together.  We look forward to greeting our Second Session Junior campers on Tuesday.

Highlights of the week’s evening programs at High Trails included a Crazy Utensil Mystery Dinner,  Silent Trails, a “Just Glow with It All Camp Sunset Hike” and a Drive-In Movie on the Lodge Lawn.  Big Spring had fun with “A Minute to Win It” and “How Well Do You Know Your Counselor? Nights, as well as games in the field and a Unit Activities Night..  Both camps enjoyed the “Hike the Pike” walk for charity on Saturday afternoon and the dance on Saturday Night.

Next week the girls will leave camp for three-, four- and five-day trips.  Some will head out on horse pack trips; others have chosen four- and five-day high mountain backpacks into some of Colorado’s most pristine wilderness.  Other trips will be based in spectacular alpine areas like the Buffalo Peaks and Leavick Valley near Fairplay.  Many groups will have the opportunity to climb mountains.

Big Spring has planned an exciting program of overnights and all-day trips including mountain climbing trips to Pikes Peak, Mt. Princeton, Mt Ouray, Mt. Shavano and Tabeguache Mountain. The boys will also be horseback riding, fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, camping on the ranch and canoeing.  Their “long trips” are scheduled for the week of July 4.

Until next week….

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Posted in Children and Nature, Education, Fun Activities, Leadership and Teambuilding, Sanborn Western Camps, Summer Camp for Kids, summer camp in Colorado | No Comments »

A Parent’s Guide to a Sanborn Camper’s Letter

Friday, June 24th, 2011

SANBORNISMS: Over the years many words have crept into the camp language that are not found in Webster’s. If you are receiving letters from a camper this summer, here are a few definitions to help you with translation.

ABLE WAITERS. Campers at Big Spring who choose to come to each meal 30 minutes early, eat early, and then serve food to other campers when the main meal starts. Benefits include an excellent salary (chits which may be used at the camp store); special treatment from the cooks; and a high degree of prestige. MABLES are the servers at High Trails and everyone takes a turn. Benefits are the same.

ASSISTANT COUNSELORS. Commonly called ACs, these staff members wash the dishes after each meal and keep camp buildings clean. They also work in many areas of the camp program and add a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to every aspect of the camp community.

BOMBER. A long, day hike which can be chosen from the trip sign up sheet and sometimes from the in-camp program. These hikes range in length from 5-25 miles and cover a lot of beautiful territory. Near the end of the term there is even a Bomber Hike to climb Pikes Peak offered to older campers.

CHIT. The currency at Sanborn Camps, chits are accepted at the camp stores. They may be earned by excellence in tent or cabin clean-up, able or mabel waiting, and a variety of other good deeds.

CHIPPY DIPPY BARS. A delicious chocolately homemade dessert.

FLUBBER. A magical substance which is a solid one minute, a liquid the next. Named after the amazing goo which starred in several Walt Disney movies, this stuff is lots of fun to experiment with.

GORP. A high energy trail snack which is used on camp trips.  It usually consists of M&M’s, raisins, and peanuts although creative trip leaders may also add granola and other special treats.

INTERBARN, THE. A large science center located between Big Spring and High Trails, the Interbarn houses fun, creative displays like the giant walk-in replica of a living cell and the Talking Rock. A lot of fun activities take place here during the summer—including flubber-making bubble-blowing, “Mad Scientists”, hot air balloon making and much more.

JUNIOR COUNSELORS. Commonly called “JCs”, these are the oldest campers at High Trails. In addition to participating in an advanced activity program, their program includes leadership training and opportunities.  OUTBACKERS are the same campers at Big Spring.

RIDGE LEADER. A senior staff member who supervises several tents/cabins. They are here to support staff and campers, lead trips, organize program areas, and many other behind the scenes jobs.

SCHMERLTZ “THE WORLD’S GREATEST GAME”. Invented at Big Spring, in the 1950s, this game which began with socks packed with dirt has achieved fame as the “Foxtail” game which is now commercially sold. Although we’ve replaced the dirt with a ball, we still use a sock. Two teams face each other on the playing field and throw the schmertlz toward a goal — there are a wide variety of ever-changing rules — but it is always “the world’s greatest game”!

SIERRA CUP. A metal cup with a handle which is used on camping trips for eating and drinking. Easy to clean and carry, it is the only dish you’ll ever need!

VESPERS or SUNDAY ROCKS. On Sundays Big Spring and High Trails each hike to a high point to watch the sunset, reflect on the week, sing songs, and share inspirational quotes. This is a non-sectarian service that celebrates camp values and the beauty of the natural world.

WRANGLER. A staff member who specializes in teaching horseback riding. They lead great horse trips and are exceptionally good at helping everyone from beginning to advanced riders improve their horsemanship skills. They are renowned culinary artists of the back-country.

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Posted in From the Campers' Mouths, Parenting, Sanborn Western Camps, Summer Camp for Kids, summer camp in Colorado | 1 Comment »

Camp News Update: June 19th, 2011

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Unit Overnights: Hiking in the CO High Country

What a great week!  As always, we feel so fortunate to work with such a wonderful group of young people, and enthusiasm has been high for all of our trips and activities.

We have enjoyed sunny skies and warm temperatures throughout the week, perfect weather for our many outdoor activities.  Monday and Tuesday included many introductory activities as groups headed out for hikes and horseback rides, learned archery or fly-tying, practiced rock climbing, and worked on creative projects at the Arts and Crafts buildings, the Interbarn, and the photo-darkroom.

Watching the sunset at Top of the World

On Wednesday, High Trails put on their backpacks for cabinside overnights and hiked to campsites around our property to spend the night camping out.  Big Spring left for their unit overnights on Thursday.  Campers and staff returned in high spirits and shared excited stories of their adventures.  On Friday, the girls began their all-day trips with a river trip,  technical rock climbing, rock scrambling, and horseback rides.

Chatting with Ranger Will at the Florissant Fossil Beds

Junior campers also participated in overnight camp outs during the week.  In addition, they went horseback riding twice, enjoyed several hikes, and spent time at the swimming pool, the crafts shop and the Interbarn.  The girls visited the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument while the boys were enthusiastic about their all-day tubing trip at the South Platte River.

Everyone enjoyed several all-camp events throughout the week.  Both camps celebrated the arrival of campers with opening campfires on Monday evening.  At High Trails, the Adventure Race on Tuesday afternoon and the Counselor Hunt on Tuesday evening were great fun.  Big Spring’s wild and crazy Bomber Relay was also held on Tuesday night.  Both camps held skit nights where each living unit dramatized their adventures on the overnights.  On Saturday evening, the camps came together at Big Spring for an ice cream social and Decades Dance.

Campers in both camps have been offered a wide variety of all-day and overnight trips and a number of these are scheduled for next week.  Horseback overnights, tubing on the South Platte River, fishing all-days, mountain climbs and hikes to several spectacular locations are only some of the adventures that await. There will also be a busy in-camp program and some of our favorite special events.  Juniors at both camps will experience another campout, more horseback riding, swimming, tennis, and a number of fun, creative in-camp activities.  High Trails Juniors are looking forward to their trip on the South Platte River while Junior Campers at Big Spring will enjoy the Bat Caves/Fossil Beds All Day.

Many of our older campers have signed up for SOLE (Sanborn Outdoor Leadership Experience) or CORE (Community Outreach Experience) next week—these 5-day adventures include service projects as well as challenging activities.  One group will work with the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative to build trails on Mt. Elbert, while another will hike along the Colorado Trail and work with CFI on Oxford/Belford.  Two separate trip groups have chosen a rock climbing focus.  During the week they will learn climbing skills and build trails at our climbing site on Wild Goat Mountain. Both the CORE and SOLE programs are also offering 5-day Horsemanship experiences–these will emphasize improving horseback riding skills as well as community service.

If you haven’t already done so, check out the living unit photos taken early last week by clicking on “Check out photos from Summer 2011” under “Camp Dates” on our home page.  We’ve also posted some new activity photos taken last week.  Photos from either Big Spring, High Trails, or Sanborn Junior will load automatically in the photo gallery.  To access photos from the other camps, click on the gallery button on the bottom left of the photos and choose the photos you would like to see.

Beyond reading these weekly updates and our Sanborn blog online, you can follow Sanborn Western Camps on Facebook. We would love to have parents, friends, and family follow our (almost!) daily updates about camp events, trips and activities.  We also post links to great “children and nature’ organizations and activities.

Until next week…

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Posted in Benefits of Summer Camp, Colorado Front Range Summer Camps, Education, Fun Activities, Leadership and Teambuilding, Outdoor Education, Sanborn Western Camps, Summer Camp for Kids, summer camp in Colorado | 1 Comment »