Colorado Kids' Outdoor Bill of Rights

Before they grow up ALL Colorado kids should have the opportunity to:

1. Camp out under the stars.

2. Follow a trail, ride it or walk it, and be respectful of everyone’s right to use the trail.

3. Play in a creek or river: fish, wade, paddle, or skip a stone.

4. Experience the wonders of Colorado’s four seasons: wildflowers, abundant sunshine,

the changing aspen leaves, and fresh powder snow.

5. Visit a working farm or ranch.

6. Enjoy the view from the top of a mountain.

7. Identify Colorado’s official state wildlife and plants in their natural habitat.

8. Explore one of the dozens of local, state, and national parks in Colorado.

9. Play in the dirt and learn about the world from the ground up.

10. Plant a seed for other Colorado kids to enjoy in the future.

Developed by Colorado’s youth and the Office of Lt. Governor Barbara O’Brien

2nd Session Camper Posts

We have already had a blog writing activity this session and the girls were excited to share their stories of the first few days with you!

At camp we went on our cabinside overnight! All of the campers had a LOT of FUN! When we came back from our overnight we had hamburgers, fried, and sodas. In Ponderosa West we went Beyond A-Bluff for our overnight. The people that are in Ponderosa West are Vivi, Hannah, Savannah, Natalie, Rachel, Emily, and me Katie! We had a really fun time. We were going to go squirt water guns at Silver Spruce West! Also, we were going to steal their s'mores. Instead we went to Top of the World and got turned around. When we got back to our tents we went to sleep. Zzzzzzzzzzzz!!!A lot of the campers dressed up in camouflage and went to steal candy from the Big Spring boys today. I think they had a lot of fun.
-Katie O'Hara

On the first day of camp, I was both psyched and nervous. I was worried that I wouldn't get along with my cabinmates. Naturally, I wasn't the first person in my cabin. That's when I met Hanna and Mackenzie, both from different parts of Connecticut. They seemed really nice, and I was glad at least 2 people could be good friends with me. It also helped a lot that Hanna has been to camp before. We hung out in the cabin for awhile and Caitlin and Meghan arrived. I was pretty surprised that there are so many people from different states in my cabin. Caitlin is from Alaska and Meghan's from Iowa. At my other camp, the majority of the campers were from Colorado. I was one of the only ones from Texas. We went to eat lunch after they arrived. At 2 or 3 we all had to go down to the barn to go riding prep and learn how to tack up our horses. That's when we met up with Anna and Carley. We later returned to the cabin. Around 4 o'clock, Calire came. She's very quiet, but extremely nice. Everyone that hadn't already unpacked did, and we headed to dinner at 6 o'clock. That's where Lea met up with us. We ate lasagna, which was phenomenal. By then, we were all curious as to where Ellen was. She was supposed to show up at the same time as Claire. Then at 5:30, then 7, then 9. She ended up arriving at 10:30. We were all ready for bed. That's pretty much my whole first day. I've found Sanborn to be extremely fun!
-Shylie Miller

Today we got back from our cabinside overnight where we had so much fun. Yesterday, after eating a big breakfast of pancakes and sausage, our whole cabinside set off on our first camping trip of the session. We hiked for a little while before we arrived at our campsite. At first glance, it seemed like a random spot by the edge of an aspen grove. Within a few minutes it would look like a whole lot more! We quickly set about pitching our tents. Lunch never tastes as good as when you have just finished a hike. We spent the afternoon talking and relaxing in tents before we met up with two other cabinsides to play Capture the Flag and relay races. Then we returned to our campsite for dinner and s'mores. The evening was great, from a debate of golden brown vs. black marshmallows to a peculiar outbreak of uncontrolled laughter. Some of us chose to spend the night in the field to see the stars and find constellations. When rain started to fall, we moved back into the tents with the hopeful thoughts of wishes upon shooting stars.
-Claire Dolin

On Friday, July 18 the risky girls of Silver Spruce West wrote a letter to a Big Spring cabin and got a letter back 4 days later. On the letter the girls sent they included the following sentence: "We now have to go ride pretty ponies over sparkling rainbows!" Do you think that the boys would take that seriously? Well they didn't and they started to joke with us too. "We want to ride our white stallions with you girls." The girls did write another letter back and said they would like to meet them at the dance. I wonder what the boys will say next.
-Jordan Claire Wagner

On our cabinside overnight we ate s'mores and they were really delicious. It was so fun to sleep outside. We ate McDonald's lunch when we got back. When I first got to camp I was nervous. But now camp is really fun because we do things that are really active and fun. I get to do a lot of fun stuff here that I have never done before like eating s'mores and sleeping outside. I am having a really good time. All of the campers are having fun. The counselors are really having fun with us.
-Camila Bouffier

The Art of Letter-Writing

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.

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 that 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.

More Camper Posts

Again, this week we want to share some of the things our campers are doing and writing about!

Rain, Emily Burnham

On some day, we had an outdoor dance party in the rain with Cedar Lodge. It was fun! Then we all took hot showers. YAY!!

How to play Pass The Cup

1. Clap 2x

2. Tap the cup

3. Clap

4. Pick it up and set it down

5. Clap

6. Swipe your hand and set the open end against your hand

7. Set it down

8. Hand it to yourself

9. Put your hand down

10. Pass to the next person

First 2 Weeks, Alex Wyeth

My first two weeks at High Trails were fun and eventful. During the first week I rode a new horse, Justin, had a water fight, and learned where more states are (California). During the second week, We played a hardcore game of Capture the Flag, bonded with cabinmates, had fun in drama, saw deer, and heard coyotes. Overall, Sanborn has been amazing and super fun!

First 2 Weeks, Catherine Shepherd 

I just finished my first two weeks at High Trails. Since it doesn't rain very much in California, I love to see the rain. Here, it rains a lot. I love it when it thunders and lightnings! Yesterday, it hailed! A few days ago they picked us up in vans for dinner because there was a storm. It was really fun! I love the rain!

Overnight Trips, Mariah LeBeau

When we were on a horse overnight, we saw cows and rounded them up until they were on a hill. When we were on our cabinside overnight, my friend and I couldn't sleep, so we told each other stories. 

Riding, Gloria Deignan

I take riding lessons for my Saturday Special and I got to ride the most amazing horse! Usually, I ride a white mare called Cirrus. This Saturday I got to ride Tiny!! One of the biggest horses I know. He's supposed to be difficult to ride, but I loved him and requested him!!

Cabin Bonding, Jessie Foreman

Half way through the week, Ponderosa West lost a pet inch worm. Luckily, Cedar Lodge West had a kind heart to make them happy. Soon the girls in Ponderosa West were dancing! The next day Ponderosa West decided Cedar Lodge West were their bcffl (best camp friends for life)! One of the girls said, "Their awesome bcffl!" So now they always say, "hi," walk to each other's cabin, do make-up, and more! And now they are bfffffff (best friends forever forever forever forever forever forever)!

Camper Posts

We're going to share a couple of stories that our campers wrote about the last week at camp. During an activity this week they wrote down their ideas and memories of trips and all-camp activities. As you can tell, we have been very busy in our first two weeks of camp!

 

Mueller Ranch by Clara Butler

On Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 2 girls and 2 counselors went on an all-day trip to Mueller Ranch. Mueller Ranch is a state park where animals can take refuge. The scenery was truly amazing; you could see Pikes Peak to its full extent. Everything in Mueller Ranch is completely wild, so children are kept close to adults, because of bears. It is so full of wild animals and flowers that would be hard to find anywhere else. We rock scrambled, explored secret trails, and just looked at the views. When we got to the top of the rocks we scrambled on, we ate lunch and just looked at the amazing view. In my entire life, I've never seen a view as beautiful as that one. You could see everything: ponds, valleys, mountains, and even wild animals. 

All in all, it was an incredible day; I couldn't have asked for a better one.

 

Miss Sanborn by Elena Wirth and Jessie For,am

On Wednesday night High Trails Ranch for girls hosted the 1st session 2009 Miss Sanborn Pageant. The contestants were Chit Giving Cowgirl from Juniper West, Gardening Mama from Juniper East, The Energizer Bunny from Ponderosa West, Gymkhana Mama from Ponderosa East, Tony the Tiger from Silver Spruce West, the Sanborn Yodeler from Silver Spruce East, and the High Trails Store from Cedar Lodge West. On the South Ridge, we had Duct Tape from Crystal Palace West, Patty the iPod from Crystal Palace East, Pita Pizza from Kinnikinnik West, Fanny Fire from Kinnikinnik East, Nelson and his squirrel were from Columbine, and from Gold Hut we had Cheryl. But there could only be one winner and it was...

Duct Tape was 1st session Miss Sanborn.

 

Miss Sanborn by Abby Klonsinski

On Wednesday, June 24, the annual Miss Sanborn Pageant was held. All the contestants and cabinsides were eager to get started. Everyone put on a wonderful performance and had great talents, but in the end there was only one winner. It took time and the judges had a hard time deciding the winner, but Miss Duct Tape took the gold and is now the new Miss Sanborn. She had an amazing performance and was very quick with answering her hard questions. Although everyone had their hearts set on winning, it seem that they were fine with Miss Duct Tape being the winner. Not only was there a Miss Sanborn, but a runner-up, Cheryl from Wisconsin; a second runner-up, Nelson Fitzgerald and his ninja squirrel; A Miss Universe, the Sanborn Yodeler; and two other finalists, Miss Pita Pizza and Miss Gardening Mama. Everyone had a wonderful time and is looking forward to next year.

 

Miss Sanborn by Kylie Archer

At High Trails, the competition was fierce. Some of the contestants were Tony the Tiger, the Energizer Bunny, the Pita Pizza, Patty the iPod, and the Sanborn Yodeler. But in the end, Mrs. Duct Tape was crowned Mrs. Sanborn. Mrs. Duct Tape (Beth) was the obvious choice with her easy and efficient uses. Mrs. Duct Tape’s talents include: fixing broken bones, patching up canoes, quieting the ninja squirrels, and preventing car accidents.

 

P-Dubz Cabinside Overnight by Lizzie Harris, Kiara Brothers, and Antonia A.R.

Beyond A-Bluff (aka Ladybug Village) was very fun! We played Whiffle Ball and created our skit. Our JC, Evy, fell in love with a rock. That rock went through a lot that day. He married Evy, he won a wet t-shirt contest, and his wife “died” in the circle of death. After his many adventures, he died a gory death of being split in two by a stick. A Pine tree branch fell on him while he was “sleeping.” We could not start a fire because it was too windy. Ranger Ryan started it for us. We slept outside under the stars. Some of us saw 30 shooting stars. Antonia saw the Big Dipper. Then we ate Breakfast Crepes and went back to camp.

 

Capture the Flag Overnight by Sarah Covington

Last night I was on the Capture the Flag overnight. My team won, but we tied the other team because it was starting to rain and lightning. We got in the tents and sat in lightning position. Then Savannah, Clare, and I sang High School Musical. Abby helped us start the songs while she read. We had cold Pita Pizzas because it was raining. The van came and got us so we slept in Heisler Hall. We made s’mores and hot chocolate. Then we went to sleep. In the morning we ate Breakfast Crepes in the fireplace. It was AWESOME!!!

 

Art Barn by Georgia Evans and Eve Ozog

Have you gone down to the Art Barn? Well if you haven’t, you’re crazy, girl! There is sooo much to do like…

Paint, make pottery, nature activities, bracelets, candles, stepping stones, bracelet weaving, masks, watercolor postcards, and cool collages. And who may you ask is the creator of this “art palace”?! Miss Joyce Maier of course!! “She is very nice. She is fun and crafty,” says Jessie from Ponderosa West. As well as being crafty indoors, you can be crafty outdoors and still have fun, like flower pressing and flowered pinecones. Whatever you do and wherever you do it, art in the Art Barn is ALWAYS fantastic!!:) 

The Deluge and Resulting Growth

A fun poem a staff member wrote last year:

Most people break

When you put their lives at stake

But the ones who grow up

Through adversity are great…

 

CRACK! CRACK! BOOM!

 

The lightning screamed

As it shook us in our jeans

Which were wet and soaked through

Like our packs and all our things

 

We hung our heads and dreamed

Of a place that’s warm and green

But the sky was cold and blue

And the sun was all but seen

 

We were wet and we were cold

But determined, we were bold

So we lifted all our chins

While our horses heads hung low

 

“Sissy horses”, I was told

By a child who wasn’t old

And he shot at me a grin

Only grown folks hold

 

The grin made me feel warm

In that fearsome, awesome storm

For the man in me had quit

And my spirit all but torn

 

“Just go home!” it warned

On our backs the hail was thorns

Then I saw my men’s teeth grit

Oh, the leaders in them born

 

In that aspen grove we sat

While the rain drops hissed and spat

But we drank ‘em one by one

And we kindly tipped our hats

 

“Thank you for the pat

Of rain upon our backs

For we cannot love the sun

If we haven’t first felt that

 

We asked Miss Nature, “Please!

Will you put our will at ease

We feel like we are stumps

That are old and long deceased

 

The rain and lightning ceased

So we got up off our knees

And as we all stood up

We were taller than the trees!

 

Most people break

When they put their lives at stake

But the ones who grow up

Through adversity are great

Is a surfboard just a piece of equipment?

A few months ago, the good old Postal Service delivered the Patagonia Surf 2009 catalog. As I took my first glance at the pages, my eyes locked onto  a title of an article, “The Value of Craftsmanship”. What does craftsmanship mean to you and where can you find it? 

 

Fletcher Chouninard writes, “I’ve always thought one of the coolest things about surfing is that there are so many different ways to do it.  No two waves are the same and, until recently, no two boards were the same.” Chouninard then continues to write about how handmade surfboards are unique and impossible to duplicate. You have a better chance of getting a surfboard that’s pure magic than you do of getting one thats a lemon. Behind every handmade surfboard their is an individual who lives and breaths surfing. Who learns what works and what doesn’t. He or she reads and studies every bit of information that they can get their hands on about surfboards. This passion is essential to crafting something magical. Chouinard wraps up his article by writing, “If you love surfing, your surfboard is the most important piece of equipment you own.” 

 

The Sanborn Experience is craftsmanship and we the staff are the craftsmen. The coolest thing about camp is that there are so many different adventures to go on. No two programs/trips are the same. Our handmade experience is unique and impossible to duplicate. Children have a better chance to grow into more successful, happier, and healthier adults because the craftsmanship of our programs.  Behind every trip and program their is an individual who lives and breaths camp. Who learns what works and what doesn’t. He or she reads and studies every bit of information about youth development. This passion is essential to crafting an experience that is pure magic. You love camping. What is your most important piece of equipment you own?