OUR CAMPS

ADVENTURE CAMP:

Every summer, Straight Ahead Colorado hosts a one or two day long Adventure Camp inside the grounds at Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center in Golden, Colorado. Their facility is transformed into a "summer camp" for the residents who have earned the privilege of attending the camp. Up to 75 youth participate in daily sports activities, and listening to Christian music and speakers in the evenings. Local restaurants donate the evening meals.

Our July 2009 Adventure Camp was a great time. We began by grilling up and serving hamburgers and hot dogs to the 240 residents and staff at Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center in Golden. In the afternoon, 80 residents were allowed to attend the camp, which featured inflatables, water games, jousting, and softball games that pitted residents against volunteers. We won't say how many games the volunteers won, but let's just say the residents are good softball players!

The first evening, Everfound entertained us with a rock concert. The kids really enjoyed them, and this group, brothers who immigrated from Russia, are great guys, not to mention very talented.

On that Friday, the camp kids and staff feasted on Dickey's BBQ, with all the trimmings.

The evening was wonderful with "Wayne and Wingnut", a popular local ventriloquist and entertainer. The night ended with 37 kids coming forward, eager to know more about the Lord and Savior we serve. Now the follow-up process begins.


WINTER CAMP:

In the past, we have had the privilege of taking up to 10 youth out of the facility for a 5-day Winter Camp. With facility escorts, some residents are able to leave the facility. These youth take part in winter sports, like downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing, during the day. They stay in a private lodge in Breckenridge, Colorado each evening, having Bible studies, discussions and learning how to grow God's way. Many, many of these have come to Christ through this camp. It is also an opportunity for volunteers to get involved.


RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CAMP:

Watch for this year's dates for the Restorative Justice Camp in late Spring 2010. This is a 5-day camp, held at a local area camp, and up to 8 residents will participate, along with escorts and Straight Ahead volunteers. In the past, they have performed voluntary community service such as scraping an old house that was to become a museum, removed huge trees in a ski area to make a bridge, and learned the value of taking care of the hiking trails in Colorado by helping to repair them. Participants learn about Biblical Restorative Justice, while performing voluntary community service for the town. They stay in a private lodge and participate in Bible studies, discussions each evening. This is also another great volunteer opportunity to get to know the kids!