OUR MISSION

The mission of Friends of Camp Colton is to cultivate exceptional outdoor learning experiences that instill the value of preserving our natural world and inspire growth and discovery. Started in 2001, Friends is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded by a group of community members committed to the ongoing success of Camp Colton.

The strategic partnership between Friends and Flagstaff Unified School District ensures that Camp Colton remains a transformative learning experience. In addition to raising significant funds for general operating support, Friends expands student access by reducing economic barriers, leads program innovation, develops community partnerships, and creates a sustainable future for Camp through endowment building and master planning.

OUR IMPACT

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Kids to Camp through the Fellowship Program
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Partner Schools in Flagstaff and Northern Arizona
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New Environmental Education Programs

OUR KEY PRIORITIES

Friends of Camp Colton wants as many students as possible to experience the wonders of Camp Colton. Our Fellowship Program contributes to equity by ensuring that all 6th grade students can attend Camp, regardless of financial circumstance. This program is available to public and charter schools in Flagstaff and across Northern Arizona.

Once students get to Camp, Friends wants them to learn about themselves and their local environmental through outstanding outdoor education programs. We create and develop programs, always collaborating with classroom teachers and connecting student experiences to the work of community experts. In the past few years we have revamped the 6th grade curriculum to focus on climate change, forest health, and local ecology. We have also started 1st and 2nd grade day expeditions, the SEED (STEM Environmental Enrichment and Discovery) Summer Experience, and the High School Leader program.

Friends wants Camp to be an exceptional environmental education center, now and for another 50 years. Through our master planning efforts, led by a design team, we are connecting with hundreds of community leaders, teachers, students, and alumni to create and realize a plan for the future of Camp, including programs and facilities. We are committed to the ongoing success and sustainability of this amazing local resource. 

Through all of this work, we partner closely with Flagstaff Unified School District and Camp leadership. In addition to raising funds for general operating support, we have developed a Camp endowment and partner with Kahtoola each year to put on the GORE-TEX Kahtoola Uphill, a fantastic winter race and our biggest fundraiser of the year. With your support, amazing things happen at Camp!

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Neil Chapman

President

Samantha Field

Vice-President

Heidi Wolford

Secretary

Alan Francis

Treasurer

Clare Aslan

Kerry Bennett

Dolores Biggerstaff

John Giovale

Norm Lowe

Karen Malis-Clark

David Maren

Soonie Wilson McDavid

Brittany Montague

Thom O'Hara

Aisling Pomeroy-King

Jim Wine

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

Geoff Barnard

Neil Chapman

Samantha Field

Ginger Giovale

David Maren

STAFF

Ari Wilder

Executive Director

[email protected]

Jackson Carranco

Camp Colton Director

[email protected]

Callie Harward

Camp Colton Program Coordinator

[email protected]

THANK YOU TO OUR MAJOR PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS