Posts Tagged ‘Outdoor Fun’
Friday, September 16th, 2011
We just finished a great week with the 6th graders from Challenger Middle School. The students arrived Tuesday morning and jumped right into their outdoor ed experience with their first discovery group that afternoon – Setting the Mood. Led by trained facilitators, the students learned about using their 5 senses more, as well as about the High Trails sixth sense – Wonder. The students were split in half Tuesday evening – one group going to the hoedown (a fun and silly set of dances led by the High Trails staff) and the other went to the Interbarn our hands-on science center.
Students Arrival at High Trails
Wednesday morning was adventure-filled with the first themed discovery groups. Students learned about Homesteaders, Prospectors, Mountaineers, Innovators, and Woodsmen to name a few. After a delicious lunch, students headed back out for their second themed discovery group. Unfortunately, a little rain cancelled the cookouts, but everyone enjoyed burgers in the lodge followed by an entertaining skit night.
The groups made it out for all-days yesterday and lots of fun was had by all. The HTOEC staff expanded on the activities done during the shorter discovery groups – Cowboys see our working ranch, Innovators tried some solar cooking, Woodsmen go to the working sawmill, Explorers go to the Bat Caves, and Mountaineers rock scramble on several of the bluffs around the main property. To finish off the day, the students that went to the hoedown on Tuesday headed to the Interbarn, and the students from the Interbarn went to the hoedown.
After a great rock session this morning, students went for their last discovery group – Putting It All Together. The students seemed to enjoy their week and learn a lot of interesting facts about nature, themselves, and Colorado history. We had a lot of fun this week and hope the students enjoy the rest of the school year. We look forward to Mountain Ridge Middle School coming next week!
Tags: Challenger Middle School, Children in Nature, High Trails, High Trails Outdoor Education Center, nature awareness, Outdoor Education, Outdoor Fun, Youth Development
Posted in Children and Nature, Colorado Outdoor Education Center, Education, High Trails Outdoor Education Center, Outdoor Education | No Comments »
Monday, August 22nd, 2011
Camp has sadly come to an end for the summer of 2011. Things are very quiet at Big Spring and High Trails! While we are already looking forward to next summer, we want to share a few more stories from this summer…
Today we went horseback riding. We all put on our jeans and boots and walked to the barn. First we talked to our wrangler about how to saddle our horses before our ride. The sun was blazing hot, but luckily we all finished saddling quickly. My horse was named Popcorn. She is dark brown and pretty tall. We walked through all the pretty trees and mountains. At about noon we stopped for lunch. YUM! We tied our horses to trees and enjoyed a delicious meal. Turkey sandwiches and fruit. After we ate, we got back on our horses and started to head back to camp. On the way back we took a different trail and saw colorful flowers and lots of trees. After an all-day ride, we got back to the barn and untacked our horses. This was probably the best horseback riding trip ever all because of SANBORN!!
Abby G.
One day early in the morning we got up and dressed to go on our all-day horse ride. It was really fun! When we got to the barn I looked on the sheet and I got Rafter. Rafter was a tall horse. He was really sweet and listened to everything I told him to do, and he loved to trot fast. I loved him so much. When we got back, we put the horses in the pen. Rafter dropped on the ground and started to roll in the dirt. I said “Rafter I just brushed you” and he just looked up at me, stood up, and came up to the fence and licked my hands.
Alexandra D.
There are lots of fun things to do at Sanborn. The fun thing I just did was the Artsy Overnight. It is a hike to Tie Cabin and we make art. It took us about twenty minutes to get ready with our backpacks full of food and tents. And then we were ready to go. It took about two hours to get there and set up our tents. Then we started to draw, make key chains, rock necklaces, and so much more. The day went by so fast. It was time to go to bed. I was sad to leave the fun things that we were doing, but I knew that a bunch more fun things await me and my campmates!
Addie T.
We just got back from our very fun overnight, the Artsy Overnight. When we got back, we went to outcamp to wash dishes and put away the food. We had a delicious lunch of hamburgers, french fries, and root beer floats. We met at the lodge for our afternoon activities – I chose blogging. I know we are going to be very sad to leave our new friends we made at Sanborn. But most of us are coming back for another summer of fun!
Taylor L.
Tags: Benefits of Summer Camp, Children in Nature, colorado summer camp, Friendship, High Trails, impact of summer camp, Outdoor Activities, Outdoor Fun, Sanborn Western Camps, summer camp, summer camp in Colorado
Posted in Benefits of Summer Camp, Colorado Front Range Summer Camps, From the Campers' Mouths, From the Horse's Mouth, Fun Activities, Sanborn Western Camps, Summer Camp for Kids, summer camp in Colorado | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 10th, 2011
CORE (Community OutReach Experience) Horse was a very educational, growth encouraging, and fun-filled experience for me. A lot of people think riding a horse is very simple. But it takes a lot more work than just sitting in a saddle and pushing the horse forward. My group learned things from how to scoop manure to how to do Key Hole in gymkhana. You learn how to face your fears of riding bareback on a horse and how to communicate with your horse through your body, not just your actions. We learned how everyday wranglers, like Jessie, Will O., and Maren, wake up at 5am to feed and pull horses for us campers throughout the day. And then they don’t get to sleep until 10pm. CORE is a great experience and I will never forget it. Thank you Sanborn!
Mimi C.
Sanborn is the BEST camp ever! You meet lots of great people here and they are very nice to you. My favorite part of camp is the good. The chefs are amazing! And nice. 
The one thing that is great about this camp is that you get to choose almost everything you do here! I can’t wait to climb a 14er! The view is beautiful everywhere you go. There are trees everywhere! We follow a practice that is “Leave No Trace.” That basically means don’t litter, leave stuff behind, or carve your name into trees. I most certainly can’t wait for my 2nd year in 2012!
Lauryn G.
There are so many things to do at High Trails, and fishing is one of them! We went fishing and it was so much fun! We learned how to fish in 3 simple steps. Cast, reel, and viola! You probably have a fish. We used marshmallows as bait. There were a lot leftover, so we ate them. We heard that the boys caught a 19in fish in the pond, so we were hopeful! In the end, everybody had caught something – reed, sticks, themselves. Overall everybody enjoyed themselves and were full of marshmallows!
Mia M.
I am a junior at HIgh Trails, but I wish I were here for a month because it is so much fun here. One of my favorite things is the horseback riding, which I absolutely love, but everything at Sanborn is fantastic so I’m not picking favorites! Today we came back from our last overnight at Tie Cabin, which was awesome. It’s amazing that eleven days have done by because it feels like two days. I am definitely coming back to Sanborn!!!
Katherine S.
Tags: Benefits of Summer Camp, Children in Nature, Colorado Camps, colorado summer camp, Friendship, High Trails, impact of summer camp, Outdoor Fun, Sanborn Western Camps, summer camp for girls and boys, summer camp in Colorado, Youth Development
Posted in Colorado Outdoor Education Center, From the Campers' Mouths, Sanborn Western Camps, Summer Camp for Kids, summer camp in Colorado | No Comments »
Thursday, July 28th, 2011
Camp is like a home away from home. Every year is full of fun, adventure, and excitement. I have been with the same group of girls that now feel like family; I can be as crazy as I want to around them. Camps is also the only time I really get out into nature and no amount of technology can compensate for living with nature.
The Warrior Dash
The warrior dash was such a blast! We had all these different teams and challenges that we had to complete. These are just some of the things we got to do. First we went to the warrior sing and had to make up a song for our team. Next I went to the 4-story treehouse and had to save “King Arthur” by choosing the right silver cup. We tossed shrunken heads (water balloons) back and forth in front of the lodge.
Hope Pohlman
Sanborn Camp is not about sitting around. Sanborn is about determination, courage, and responsibility. Sanborn is about getting in touch with nature, hiking the tallest mountains, riding a horse as fast as you can, and pushing yourself to the extreme! Sanborn is a new beginning and it never has an end. Sanborn camp is happiness, pure happiness.
Victoria Mak
In the world,
we get lost in the commonality
we forget to look for the beauty
we miss the glow of life
Then we come to nature and
we are afraid to look, love, listen
we are afraid that something might be perfect and true
we are terrified that something is real
That’s why together we can accept that
this might be what we’ve been searching for
this might open up our eyes to it all
Then we go back to the world
never to be the same.
S.S.
Swimming
Grab your towel, grab your goggles, bring your smile, and run to the pool. Cruise down the slide, and splash in the water. There’s so much to do at the POOL! Paddle around in the blow-up tubes! Use the noodles as any sea creatures. Adventure through the whole pool, there’s so much to do! You can play in the pool or out of the slide. I love the swimming pool! My favorite thing is to hang out in the sun and talk to my friends! Mis loves to go down the slide on a sleeping pad because it goes so fast! Addie loves to go down on a tube! I love the pool! There’s so much to do!
Emily Driscoll
Tags: Benefits of Summer Camp, Camper Post, Colorado Camps, colorado summer camp, Friendship, High Trails, impact of summer camp, nature awareness, Outdoor Fun, Outdoor Play, Sanborn Western Camps, summer camp in Colorado
Posted in Benefits of Summer Camp, Children and Nature, From the Campers' Mouths, Fun Activities, Kids and Technology, Sanborn Western Camps, Summer Camp for Kids, summer camp in Colorado | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
I was new at camp the year. When I came I was scared and got homesick. Then everything got better, everyone was really nice!! My counselors were nice too! One of my favorite activities is horseback riding! You get to learn how to put the saddle on and learn how to brush your horse. Skit night was fun. It’s where you and your cabin make up a skit and perform it and everybody at High Trails watches. I like singing songs here like “Rocky Mountain High.”
Katie Neal
High Trails is like a second family to me. We all come here from different parts of the county and come from different backgrounds. But once we are surrounded by all of these beautiful mountains and trees and nature, none of that matters. Every new person is welcomed with hugs and smiling faces. And old friends are never forgotten. You are never bored because there are a variety of things to do. You can horseback ride, mountain bike, technical rock climb, rock scramble, swim, arts and crafts, and much more! High Trails gives me something to look forward to every summer and when it is over I know there are more girls enjoying the Rocky Mountain High.
Mimi Chapman
High Trails at Sanborn Camps is a summer worth of fun. There is something for everyone. Horseback riding, drama, hiking, climbing, pottery, and so much more. Sanborn is a safe environment where kids can learn and grow in the outdoors. We welcome new campers with open arms. Sanborn has become a second home to some and hopefully to you too. Sanborn is an experience you do not want to miss. Have you ever heard the wind dance in the aspen leaves? Have you ever slept out under the stars? Have you climbed to the top of a mountain peak? Have you ever gone tubing down a river? We guarantee you will have a blast! Throughout the term you will learn new things, meet new people, and do things you may not have. I tried Sanborn and I know I am a better person for it. Sanborn is the camp to go to. We hope to see you here next summer!
Kate Ratliff
It’s only the first week of Sanborn, and I can already tell you that walking uphill is A LOT easier. I’m sure by the end I will have gained so much muscle! Hiking a mountain will be a breeze. Then I will spend more time actually seeing the beauty of the Rockies. The hills gently roll, and the mountains…Oh the mountains! Last year when I was hiking up Quandry we got up at 3 in the morning. I can tell you it was well worth the early rise. In the light of the moon, the dew on the pines sparkles and glistened. It was probably one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.
Not using technology was hard at first, but when you get to know how many things you can do without it, it gets easier. There is so much to do here, you really don’t have time for technology. If there’s anything to be said of Sanborn, it’s that you never get bored!
At Sanborn there are 2 sections. One is Big Spring, where the boys live. And I live at High Trails with the girls. It actually makes camp more enjoyable to be separate, you spend less time worrying about looks and boys and more time enjoying the outdoor experience. There are coed events where you get to see the boys. Best of both worlds!
Coming to Sanborn is a wonderful experience, and the people you meet always become your friends. It’s like a family away from family. Cliques don’t exist here. Everyone is there to help you out. If I could spend every summer here, I would say yes without even batting an eye.
Jen
Tags: Benefits of Summer Camp, Big Spring Ranch for Boys, Camper Post, Children in Nature, colorado summer camp, Community building, Friendship, High Trails Ranch for Girls, impact of summer camp, nature awareness, Outdoor Fun, Sanborn Western Camps, summer camp for girls and boys, summer camp in Colorado, Youth Development
Posted in Benefits of Summer Camp, From the Campers' Mouths, Fun Activities, Kids and Technology, Sanborn Western Camps, Summer Camp for Kids, summer camp in Colorado | No Comments »
Thursday, January 6th, 2011
Camps have known about the importance and power of play for a long time. As outdoor educators and youth development professionals we do all that we can to promote children’s use of imagination, creative play, developing relationships, understanding of self and others, self-esteem, and appreciation for the outdoors (to name a few).
Research has been done and published promoting these lessons and the chance for children to play and explore. The New York Times published an article today about efforts made to promote play. This article supports our parents’ efforts to encourage their children to use their imaginations, disengage from video games, computers, and TV. We have long recognized and try to share the importance of free play and getting kids outdoors as a way to take advantage of imaginative play. Children need recess, camp, time in the backyard to develop and refine the life and relationship skills that are hard to learn in the classroom or on the soccer team.
Central Park hosted the Ultimate Block Party in October to promote the importance of play in children’s lives. While the party’s over, the Web site provides additional resources and research for parents. Just looking at the number of sponsors and endorsements the group received was inspiring for me to see the number of people and organizations that support the movement to get children playing.
Throughout the past year we have shared ideas and benefits of creative and imaginative play with our readers. As I searched our archives and reread what we’ve written, I realized that I couldn’t share every post that we’ve written, so I tried to limit the links (as hard as it was). These are just a few links to check out some of our ideas for helping children and parents helping their children get back to unstructured (while supervised) play: Snowy Day Activities, Bring on the Sunscreen,Parent Lessons from Camp, Go Play Outdoors, Hooray for the Wild Child, More Play, Time for a Special Place, Adventures with the 5 Senses, and Reconnect With Your Sense of Wonder. Sometimes children just need props to get their creative juices flowing and other times we try to provide limited guidance to help children feel comfortable with the idea of free play.
With greater recognition, support, and effort we can all help children reconnect with their childhood and enjoy playing again.
Tags: Benefits of nature, Benefits of Summer Camp, Children in Nature, Community building, Friendship, Imaginary Play, impact of summer camp, life lessons, life skills, nature awareness, Outdoor Activities, Outdoor Fun, Outdoor Play, Parenting, Sanborn Western Camps, Winter Activities, Youth Development
Posted in Benefits of Summer Camp, Children and Nature, Education, Fun Activities, Nature Activity, Nature Stories, Parenting, Sanborn Western Camps, Summer Camp for Kids, summer camp in Colorado | No Comments »
Friday, November 5th, 2010
We had a great day at High Trails! Everyone had good early morning hikes. It was a beautiful sunrise this morning and we could still see the smallest sliver of the moon. We enjoyed another delicious breakfast – french toast, sausage, cereal, milk, and apple juice.
Everyone had fun on their all-days today. The all-days are always a good opportunity for the students to spend an extended amount of time with their themed discovery groups. They get to know the groups very well, do extra activities, and eat lunch out on the trail. The students came back this afternoon excited about what they had learned and ready to share their highlights from the week with their families at home.
After a little downtime, the students were able to choose their recreation activity. Students were again able to spend time with classmates who are in different cabins and discovery groups. Recreation options included 4-Square, nuke-em, marshmallow baseball, 4-story treehouse, and A-Bluff. Students enjoyed running around and playing games with their High Trails staff, high school counselors, and teachers.
Everyone went to the Hoedown for evening program. The High Trails staff and counselors dress in crazy costumes and lead silly, choreographed dances. The students all had a good time skipping and dancing around. Before bed, the High Trails staff went back to the cabins to talk about the highlights from the day and prepare the students for tomorrow. In the morning the staff will go to the cabins to help the students pack and clean before breakfast and their last discovery group.
Tags: Benefits of nature, Children in Nature, Community building, Discovery Canyon Campus, Friendship, High Trails Outdoor Education Center, nature awareness, Outdoor Activities, Outdoor Education, Outdoor Fun
Posted in Children and Nature, Education, High Trails Outdoor Education Center, Outdoor Education | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010
We woke up to a great day here at High Trails. The students had fun on their hikes this morning – heading to B-Bluff, the Lost Treehouse, Top of the World, A-Bluff, Candy Cane, and Z-Bluff. The students were hungry when they came to breakfast. We enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, milk, cereal, and juice this morning.
Everyone is out on their first themed discovery groups this morning. For 2.5 hours, the High Trails staff, teachers, and high school students teach the sixth graders about what it would have been like to be a Homesteader, Trapper, Prospector, Woodsmen, Indian, or Crafter. The discovery groups are always fun, the students get to take on the role of a person from their discovery group, complete challenges, be creative, learn their imagination, all while learning about Colorado history. The High Trails staff do a very good job of making learning fun and interactive!
After lunch the students will go on a second themed discovery group, followed by a cookout for dinner, and cabin night. It is a busy day, but we have good weather and everyone is very excited to be learning in the outdoors!
Tags: Children in Nature, Discovery Canyon Campus, High Trails, High Trails Outdoor Education Center, Outdoor Education, Outdoor Fun, Youth Development
Posted in Children and Nature, Education, High Trails Outdoor Education Center, Outdoor Education | No Comments »
Thursday, October 28th, 2010
We woke up to another sunny day! It is warmer today and no wind – perfect for all-days. Morning hikes went well. Students went to the barnyard, 4-story treehouse, Top of the World, B-Bluff, on an animal search, Little Blue, exploration hike, the unknown hill, or the switchbacks. All hikes went well and the students were ready for breakfast. We enjyed blueberry and pumpkin pancakes, sausage, apple juice, milk, and cereal.
The students are out on their all-days now. This is always a good opportunity for the students to spend more time with a specific discovery group, really getting to know the group of people they are studying. The groups are more indepth with more activities. Plus, it is always exciting to eat lunch on the trail! The all-days are really a highlight for both students and staff. The students are able to spend more time in character, working together as a team, and exploring the High Trails property.
After returning from all-days today, the students are able to choose a recreation activity. Students can choose from different hikes and games, a chance for them to spend time with students from different discovery groups and cabins. Dinner will definitely be full of stories and learnings from the day!
Tags: Benefits of nature, Children Activities, Children in Nature, Community building, Discovery Canyon Campus, Friendship, High Trails Outdoor Education Center, nature awareness, Outdoor Education, Outdoor Fun, Outdoor Play, Youth Development
Posted in Children and Nature, Education, Fun Activities, High Trails Outdoor Education Center, Nature Activity, Nature Stories, Outdoor Education | No Comments »
Thursday, October 28th, 2010
We had a great day at High Trails! Everyone had a lot of fun on both their morning and afternoon discovery groups. During lunch, one of the staff members sang a silly song that everyone enjoyed. The sun stayed out all day and it wasn’t very windy (it felt much warmer than yesterday!).
Students enjoyed a little down time after the afternoon discovery groups. It was a good chance for students to head back to the cabins and relax for a few minutes. For dinner tonight, the students went on themed cookouts. The groups went out and did several of the activities that corresponded to the discovery group, and then ate a dinner of burgers, chips, apples, and brownies around a campfire. Everyone had a great time. One group even looked at Jupiter through the telescope!
The High Trails staff are in the cabins right now, helping the students get ready for bed. They are debriefing the highlights from today, and preparing the students for tomorrow. In the morning students are able to choose which early morning hike they want to go on. The hikes are not as long as today, but are still going to some of the best places on the property. Everyone is looking forward to the all-days tomorrow, and even warmer weather!
Tags: Children in Nature, Discovery Canyon Campus, District 20, Friendship, High Trails Outdoor Education Center, Outdoor Activities, Outdoor Education, Outdoor Fun, Youth Development
Posted in Children and Nature, Education, High Trails Outdoor Education Center, Nature Activity, Outdoor Education | No Comments »
