John Boone

21 Jul

GVR CAMP SEASON ENDS WITH FAMILIES

In

RMCNews with John Boone – Ward, Colorado … Glacier View Ranch, for one final week this summer, is buzzing with the excitement and noise of children and those who are still children at heart at Family Connect Camp.

The popularity of this camp was evident on July 18 when 100 campers arrived at GVR with an eager outlook for a week of new friendships and the rekindling of old connections while becoming Fully Alive in Jesus, the theme for the camp.

Attendees began their venturesome week with a program designed to entice them with what the week ahead held. It began with a staff video followed by everyone’s favorite camp songs. The first of many skits entertained the crowd and the evening concluded with a message from Bob McAlpine, Alamosa district pastor and GVR pastor for the week.

The reactions overheard from the Phillips family after attending the initial gathering included “They are geared for the young; they are fun with high energy; and they are inspirational. The pastor’s part has been applicable to all ages, wherever you are in life.”

Another camper, Emily Albertson eagerly shared her reaction to the opening event. “My favorite part was the play.”

As campers retired to their cabins, they were filled with anticipation for what was to come when activities began in the morning.

The choices were many for the campers to decide on Monday morning. Would they be adventurous, and choose mountain biking, rock climbing, or horseback riding. Or would they choose something more relaxed as a morning by the poolside or crafts, archery, survival skills, exploring the nature center or maybe lake-front activities. One thing was evident regardless of the activity that was chosen–fun was in the offering for all ages.

“Survival class is really fun because we got to try different edible plants! And we got to learn about basic living out in nature,” camper Ruben Rivera, commented.

The week also provided opportunities for family units to grow closer together while expanding their family circle. This was evident when one large extended family celebrated a birthday.

“This is possibly my best birthday ever because I was surrounded by the people that I love most on this planet. It’s even more special because we live far apart from each other. It’s special that we could meet here,” Paul Rivera, family camper exclaimed.

While family camp unfortunately has to come to an end soon, campers will be taking with them memories of a week with the opportunity to enhance their walk with Jesus and enjoy summertime together as an extended family.

The adventure of summer camp doesn’t end yet as next week, Mills Spring Ranch on top of Casper Mountain comes alive with Engage Base Camp. If you are interested in registering, please visit https://www.millsspringranch.com/summercamp or email [email protected] or just show up on July 25.

–RMCNews with John Boone; photos supplied

08 Jul

IGNITE CAMPERS LIGHT UP GVR

In

RMCNews with John Boone – Ward, Colorado … After a quiet week at Glacier View Ranch after its closure by the threat of Covid, the excitement returned on July 4, when 80 Ignite campers arrived for five days of fun-filled adventures.

Ignite Camp, designed for ages 12 to 14, gives campers variety and choice in the activities that interest them. They have the opportunity to participate in outdoor rock climbing and can step up to the challenge of Rocky Mountain biking.

The week began with a boom. To celebrate Independence Day, the camp was filled with music, food, and fireworks. No explosions, but the evening concluded with a gymnastics show.

After the day of celebrations, campers dug in to the numerous activities that awaited them, while learning that “because God sees me, I know I’m His child.”

One of the ventures some decided on was the Shredder’s Pump Bike Track, an action-filled mountain bike track with many obstacles.

One camper exclaimed, “The pump track is awesome!”

Joy came for the staff in the simple moments. “I got to teach a camper how to ride a bike for the first time,” Nathaniel Sanchez, mountain bike instructor at the camp, said.

Ignite Camp wraps up on Friday, July 9, in time to prepare GVR for Summit Camp, created for teenage campers ages 13 to 17.

To learn more about GVR check out their website www.RMCYouth.org/camp

–RMCNews with John Boone who is GVR’s camp PR and marketing intern; photos supplied

29 Jun

GVR CAMP PAUSED FOR A WEEK DUE TO COVID CONCERNS

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RMCNews with John Boone – Ward, Colorado … Explore campers ended their June 20-25 week at Glacier View Ranch with memories of an abundance of fun.

The camp staff hosted 75 Explore campers (ages 8-10) and will long remember providing a ministry to one of the campers for which GVR is known. Ashley Halvorson, girls’ counselor and Arts & Crafts director, enthused, “I taught one of my campers how to pray for the first time.”

But not all news is positive.

Late on Saturday, June 26, camp organizers received a report that an Explore camper had tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving home.

“Our hearts ache for the affected camper and their family. You are in our prayers,” said John Boone, GVR’s camp PR and marketing intern. Following the report, the COVID-19 Protocol Action Plan from Boulder County Public Health was enacted. It put several staff members on a seven-day quarantine.

The impact the quarantined staff would have on the program was reviewed and after taking into consideration the poor weather forecast for the following week, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s coupled with rain every day, the staff decided, according to Boone, that “it was in the best interest of our campers to cancel Adventure week for ages 10-12. Unfortunately, the GVR facility is not equipped to facilitate a “best summer ever” experience indoors while also upholding the COVID policy.

Parents were notified of the cancellation of Adventure Camp early Sunday morning. “Thank you for all the thoughtful decisions you have made,” said one parent. Rachel New, mother of one of the disappointed campers commented, “Prayers for the exposed, sick, fearful, and all the children who miss out on camp this summer.”

The organizers are grateful to camper families for understanding the difficulty of this decision and to our staff for taking it in stride. Ignite camp for ages 12-14, starting July 4, is still on and the staff is excited to see GVR camp become Fully Alive again on that date!

To learn more about the spots available in future weeks of camp, check out our website at: RMCYouth.org/camp

–RMCNews with John Boone who is GVR’s camp PR and marketing intern; photo supplied

22 Jun

GVR COMES ALIVE

In

RMCNews with John Boone – Ward, Colorado … The campers are back! We are mid-week in our first session of the summer with Explore Camp, ages eight through ten, and the reports are coming in … wait … they’re in. The kids are loving being at a camp

In just a matter of hours, Glacier View Ranch was transformed into a hive of joy and energy. “It was cool to hear the camp come alive again,” said Kimberly Hansen, summer camp nurse coordinator.

For many this is their first experience at camp but parents prepared them for the experience. “My little Rosey went off to camp this past Sunday for the first time.  It is a big deal to go to camp for the first time.   To prepare her we have been having what I like to call, ‘camp chats.’  We discuss everything from friendships, to hygiene, to taking care of your personal belongings, to dressings appropriately for the weather, eating healthfully, and listening to her counselor. It is our job as parents to equip our children with the best possible advice,” Alise Weber, parent of an Explorer camper said.

Campers are having a great time experiencing GVR. “Archery was so fun,” commented an attendee staying in Blackfoot cabin.

Another cabin mate was overheard saying, “Jesus, we hope You have fun with us today.”

It’s hard to believe that is has been two years since campers have been at GVR, but now they are making up for lost time. There are 77 campers at GVR. They have been playing games, making new friends, watching skits, learning about Jesus, and even sharing His love themselves. The 2021 camp is Fully Alive and the kids are having the best summer ever!

To learn more about spots available in future weeks, go to RMCYouth.org/camp

RMCNews and John Boone who is GVR’s camp PR and marketing intern; photo by Calvin Serban

16 Jun

GVR READY TO WELCOME BACK SMILES, HUGS, AND LAUGHTER

In

RMCNews with John Boone — Ward, Colorado … After a lonely, quiet summer in 2020, Glacier View Ranch is ready to once again welcome the laughter, smiles, and adventure that summer camp brings.

The GVR staff began arriving on June 9 and has been busy preparing the camp to welcome youth and young adults to the site.

The staff is glad to be back at GVR and to enjoy the picturesque setting.

Last year, even though there was no camp, a small group of dedicated workers were able to complete several upgrades and new attractions.

A brand-new corral and Shredders’ pump track, an adventurous mountain bike track, were put in and awaits camper exploration this summer. Among these new attractions, the campers will enjoy a remodel of the camp store and aquatics locker rooms.

Nathaniel Sanchez, GVR mountain bike director, is expectant as he waits for the campers to try out the new track. “The pump track is going to be a really cool vessel to connect with campers in different ways!” he comments.

Very soon, the campfire worship, nature exploration, and youth hugging old friends and making new friends will fill the grounds.

The summer camp season begins Sunday, June 20, with Explorer camp. The good news is that spots are still available for future weeks. To reserve a spot or be placed on a waiting list, please visit www.rmcyouth.org/camp

— RMCNews with John Boone,  GVR’s camp PR and marketing intern; photo supplied