The New Colton Adventure Camp
Friends of Camp Colton and Camp Colton partnered to create and offer a new summer program for rising 4th and 5th graders this summer.
Explorations at Red Mountain.
Through the Colton Adventure Camp, kids explored Camp Colton and other sites of interest around Northern Arizona. With small groups, dedicated counselors, and days packed with fun and learning, this program was an instant hit with kids and parents alike. As with all programs at Camp, the generous support of our community through Friends of Camp Colton eliminates financial barriers to participation. We were honored to provide this experience at no cost to all interested families with demonstrated financial need.
Making bread in the wood-burning stove at Camp using the first Camp Colton Director’s, the late Lamar Haines, recipe.
Donate to Friends of Camp Colton.
Students started the week at the Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course, building community and confidence on the ropes course. Through hikes and visits to Viet Springs, the peaks, and Red Mountain, students learned about the geologic and human history of our area. This program also included journaling, art projects, bread-baking, and games and culminated in a day at Oak Creek in Sedona.
Notes From Camp Colton Program Coordinator Callie Harward:
Friends of Camp Colton Executive Director Ari Wilder, Camp Colton Director Jackson Carranco, and Program Coordinator Callie Harward out in the field planning for the Colton Adventure Camp.
Coming from teaching science in the classroom, it was a unique experience to write the curriculum for our Colton Adventure Camp. Being able to focus on an entire week’s experience that is outdoors and hands-on allows for so much creativity. Not only have we designed the week to focus on Flagstaff’s geologic and human history, but to help students conquer fears, bond with each other, and become leaders. Letting their curiosity guide the science is a big goal. For example, rock scrambling around the hoodoos of Red Mountain and finding the freshwater spring and pictographs at Viet Springs primed students to get excited to discover the history of those places. When the students found the cave at Viet Springs, not only did they hoot and holler, but they also wanted to find the counselors and share their enthusiasm.
At the ropes course.
One of my favorite highlights was at the ropes course. One student finished the course quickly, and instead of sitting down, he followed everyone else from the ground and cheered them on. Another moment was after a guest speaker brought up handmade ancestral spear throwing tools called atlatls and let students practice this skill. A student was then determined to build his own during lunch and scavenged for materials. We also baked bread on our 200-year-old cast iron wood stove. The students were invested in the entire day-long process and amazed at how the fire powered the stove. They were so proud of their delicious bread!
Making boats in Sedona.
It was also unexpected and much appreciated to see how this program helped the 4th and 5th graders build confidence for spending the night at Camp as 6th graders. They were excited to see the tents where they will sleep. And, they made their plea that the same counselors from this week be there in one to two years when they are 6th graders. It is special that the students and counselors can build this kind of connection and trust over the week.
