News from Camp: April 1, 2018

by Jane Sanborn on April 01

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Significant rain and snowfall during the last week has provided wonderful moisture Despite the snow, a few of our summer birds, including bluebirds and robins, have returned to the Ranch so we know spring is on the way. Our first wildflowers, the hardy Mountain Candytuft and the Pasque flower have also been spotted on south-facing slopes. We know that summer will be here before we know it and are inspired to work harder than ever on our many pre-summer projects. The summer staff will begin arriving in less than two months.

Speaking of staff, we have some great people returning for 2018! At Big Spring, returning staff include Ian Anderson, Drew Barnicle, Ayden Bolin, Tijler deJong, Kyle Gilbert, Tyler Kurten, George Langston, Ben Miller, Travis Monroe, Dylan Morris, Chris Nunziato, Mikey Rainey, Brendon Riley, Emerson Underwood, Stephen VanAsdale, Walker West and nurse Phil Hackmann. Among year-round staff, Martie Adams will again be the Program Director, and Oliver Fisher is the Head Wrangler. Mike Adler and Mark Rutberg will direct Big Spring, with Mike Mac, now the Executive Director of COEC, always available for consultation.

At High Trails, returning staff include Kelly Ahman, Megan Blackburn, Natalie Bodian, Emily Burnham, Nell Davis, Li Downs, Anna Elder, Katelyn Faubel, Emily Gates, Hailey Gelzer, Rachel Goodale, Leah Herring, Emily Holt, Sarah Loring, Molly Malone, Gretchen Meister, Anna Middleton, Alex Oberg, and Cassidy Rhodes. Among our year-round staff, Anne Shingler will be Program Director, Val Peterson will again be a Program Specialist, Carlotta Avery will direct support services, Maren MacDonald and Briann Roat will direct the riding program, Jessie Spehar will take plenty of canoe and river trips and Ariella and Elizabeth will keep everyone organized. We also have a great group of former campers returning as staff members, and some wonderful new staff who will join us for the first time.

We have begun our Spring outdoor education program and are excited to provide experiential, nature-based classes for 4th– 6th graders from 15 schools over the next six weeks. We are very excited to open our new Jumping Juniper cabin next week!

Our April will be filled with putting the finishing touches on improved programs and trips for this summer, renovation projects to improve our facilities, hiring the last few summer staff and counting the days until camp begins. We’ll be painting, cleaning, flying tents, and planting flowers in no time.

Our 2018 community is really coming together. We only have a few openings left in select grades at Big Spring and in the First and Fourth terms of Sanborn Junior at Big Spring. Families interested for the summer of 2018 should call to check availability. As always, we are happy to send our brochure and references to any interested families.

We can’t wait to begin creating the fun, adventure, and friendship of camp 2018!

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Jane Sanborn
About Jane Sanborn

Jane began her career as a counselor at High Trails and has worked with the camps and COEC since graduating from Colorado College with a degree in English and Education. She served as the Director/Program Director of High Trails from 1970-99, and as the Executive Director of COEC for many years. She retired as Executive Director in October 2017, and assumed the role of Director of Development. Jane is also active in the American Camp Association and has served in many leadership roles. Currently, she is the Program Chair for the ACA National Conference and sits on the National Public Policy Committee.