RMCNews – Ward, Colorado … The 2025 Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) youth summer camp season kicked off with a 5k race and a free community fun day at Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado, June 8.
“We are here to let [our community] see what we have to offer here at camp, raise money for campers who can’t afford to come to camp, and just have a good time,” remarked Jonathan Carlson, RMC Camp Ministries director, just before the race began.
The starting and finishing line for the 5k race was near GVR’s iconic Lake Minnie and gave participants a moving tour of the lake, stables, and surrounding forest areas of the camp. Three aid stations were set up along the course to make sure that the participants were well hydrated at the high elevations of the camp and to give encouragement. Race participants spanned three generations and included entire families.
From the proceeds of the registration fees, almost $500 was raised to help subsidize GVR’s Campership Fund that provides financial support for summer camp session fees to children whose families are experiencing financial hardship.
After the race had completed, the free community fun day commenced. Many of the participants headed straight for the camp’s stables to take a short ride on one of GVR’s resident horses, taking several turns to ride.
Back in the main part of camp, another popular activity was to take out a kayak, canoe, or paddle boat on Lake Minnie. Younger participants had the chance to traverse the lake in their own watercraft guided by one of the summer camp staff. While the lake normally offers exceptional views of the surrounding mountain-scape, the relatively clear skies of the morning gave way to a thick midday fog that settled in the valley.
“It was kind of spooky in a fun way being in the middle of the lake with all of the fog,” remarked Didrik, a young attendee of the event. “You couldn’t see much past the shore at some points, so it was just a weird feeling.”
There was also a gaga ball pit and ArrowSoft archery battlefield to entertain and give attendees a feel for what some of the recreational activities at camp would be like as well as meet camp staff.
There were several families that attended who have children who are registered for a summer camp session who wanted to give their children a chance to get familiar with camp and connect with camp staff for questions. Three of the families had never been up to GVR prior to this event, and there was even one family that registered their child for a summer camp session that day after the experience. “Just think of the impact of that,” reflected Carlson. “He may give his life to God [at camp], and that may forever alter his life. That is just extremely special and powerful.”
“These interactions we have are super impactful,” Carlson continued. “It was one of those events where you never know who’s going to show up, and that’s what it is all about—just having community come and see what we’re about.”
—RMCNews. Photos by Liz Kirkland.
