Spring Canyon Conference Center

RMH #2 (International Week)
2023-06-10 - 2023-06-17 | Spring Canyon Conference Center, 26000 County Road 344, Buena Vista, CO, 81211
Lead Mentor:
COL Andy MacLean, USA (Ret.)
Co-Mentor:
CPT Jonathan Dotson, USA
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Summer Celebration #2: Leavenworth Week
2023-06-10 - 2023-06-17
Speaker(s):
CH(COL) Scott Koeman, USA
Chaplain (COL) Scott Koeman served as an enlisted Soldier in the Michigan Army National Guard for 12 years before commissioning as a Chaplain Candidate in 1997 and entering active duty in 2003. Prior to active duty, he served as an Associate Pastor at EverGreen Ministries Church in Hudsonville, Michigan. His academic education includes a Master of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Religious Education from Reformed Bible College.
Chaplain Koeman has served as a battalion, brigade, and garrison chaplain; and as an instructor, trainer, and course manager at the Chaplain Center and School, Fort Jackson, SC. He has pastored Soldiers and family members at Fort Bliss, TX; Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar; Fort Knox, KY; Fort Lewis, WA; Schofield Barracks, HI; Detroit Army Arsenal, MI; and Fort Leavenworth, KS; and during multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chaplain Koeman has been married to Benita Haak for 27 years. She is a first generation Canadian of Dutch immigrant parents. Benita is the website founder/editor of operationwearehere.com. They have three children, Ian (23), Luke (21), and Kerrisan (19).
Topic:
“Rewards and Benefits of the Kingdom of God”
Guest Ambassador:
LTC Jim and Christina Harbridge, USA (Ret.)
*If you are graduating from Fort Leavenworth CGSC, Summer Celebration Week 2 is ideal for you!
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FTA #3 (Father-Son)
2023-06-17 - 2023-06-24
Lead Mentor:
Rick Kuhlman
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RMH #3
2023-06-17 - 2023-06-24
Lead Mentor:
LTC John Cross, USA (Ret.)
Co-Mentor:
Rob Allen
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Summer Celebration #3: Homeschool Week
2023-06-17 - 2023-06-24
Speaker:
Lt Col Kevin Boden, ANG
Kevin and his wife, Wendi, have 8 children and became homeschooling parents in 2008. Kevin is a graduate of Wheaton College (IL) and received his J.D. from Seattle University. Kevin served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force for 10 years a Judge Advocate, allowing he and Wendi to homeschool in three different countries and five states. Kevin has served three years in the Alaska Air National Guard he continues his service as a Lt Col as a drill-status Guardsman. Also, as HSLDA staff attorney and Director of Global Outreach, Kevin serves as the primary contact for members in 12 states and directs HSLDA’s international program, working to expand homeschooling freedom around the world. He is passionate about the freedom to homeschool, the blessings of being a husband and dad, and most things outdoors.
Topic:
“Gospel Seasons: Building Blocks for Home Schoolers”
Stacking blocks is often the first skill a baby learns. Why? It’s an important skill because it requires coordination. Similarly, balancing the building blocks of homeschooling families also entails a synchronicity that often seems out of reach. This week will provide practical, whole-family approaches to schooling at home from a Christ-centered worldview. Come and be encouraged as we consider the building blocks unique to home schooling families.
Guest Ambassador:
Lt Col Aaron and Sarah Lynch, USAF
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FTA #4 (Father-Son)
2023-06-24 - 2023-07-01

RMH #4
2023-06-24 - 2023-07-01
Lead Mentor:
Lt Col Jon Krause, USAF (Ret.)
Co-Mentor:
LT Brent & LT Bridget Sacks, USN
Cancelled, call 719-395-2328 if this is the only week you can attend.
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Summer Celebration #4
2023-06-24 - 2023-07-01
Speaker:
Lt Col Leemon Baird, USAF (Ret.)
Leemon served 24 years in the Air Force, first as an Air Force Academy cadet, and later a professor there. After retirement, he has worked as a researcher and started several companies. He has been a member of OCF since 1985, and enjoys studying the Bible, and teaching Bible studies for groups from children to adults.
Topic:
“Knowing the Lord”
This week, we will explore through scripture how we can know the Lord. This includes knowing his nature, knowing his will for the decisions we make, knowing his work, his plan, his promises, and his presence. Join us as we discuss and seek him together.
Guest Ambassador:
Lt Col Adam and Robin Spitler, USAF (Ret.)
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FTA #5 (Father-Son)
2023-07-01 - 2023-07-08

RMH #5
2023-07-01 - 2023-07-08
Lead Mentor:
Lt Col Michael Weeks, USAF (Ret.)
Co-Mentor:
LT Keith Holmes, USCG
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Summer Celebration #5
2023-07-01 - 2023-07-08
Speaker(s):
Dr. Del Tackett, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.)
Dr. Tackett served over twenty years on active duty in the United States Air Force, including four years on the faculty of Air University and as Deputy Commander of the 47th Communications Group supporting the multinational NORAD command. He also served on the White House staff during the George H. W. Bush Administration, and as Director of Technical Planning for the National Security Council. He served as Senior Vice President of Focus on the Family and President of Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs, CO. He Dr. Tackett developed and is the speaker of the Truth Project. He lectures extensively on developing a Christian world view and America’s Christian heritage for Summit Ministries and at conferences and churches around the country.
While Del was working in national security at the White House under US President George H. W. Bush, the Lord began breaking his heart for the state of the nation and the church. He was burdened that so many believers had lost their biblical worldview—they weren’t looking at the world around them through the lens of Scripture.
After leaving the White House, Del helped start a seminary where the founders hoped to begin addressing these shortcomings. To systematically teach a biblical worldview, Del compiled a comprehensive curriculum that became the basis for the Truth Project, a DVD curriculum distributed by Focus on the Family.
Topic:
The Engagement Project
In the Engagement Project, Dr. Tackett answers two important questions, Why did Jesus leave? and Why does God send? The answers to these questions may turn your world right-side up. In this new series, Dr. Del Tackett takes us on a series of worldview tours that reveal God’s endgame for all of us… what He is after. You’ll discover God’s world-changing mission for yourself and for your family and that Jesus has told us exactly what He wants us to do. In the Engagement Project, you’ll learn why & how this will change everything.
Find out more about the Engagement Project here.
Guest Ambassador:
Maj Ryan and Sarah Cross, USAF (Ret.)
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Father Teen Adventure #5
2023-07-06 - 2023-07-13
Speakers: TBD
Topic: TBD
Guest Ambassadors: TBD
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FTA #6 (Father-Son)
2023-07-08 - 2023-07-15

RMH #6
2023-07-08 - 2023-07-15
Lead Mentor:
Maj Tim Tormey, USMC (Ret.)
Co-Mentor:
Maj Emily Holcomb, USA
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Summer Celebration #6
2023-07-08 - 2023-07-15
Speaker:
Chris Plekenpol
Chris graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1999 and served in the Army for seven years, including commanding a company in combat in Iraq. earning a Bronze Star. Upon God’s call in his life to ministry, Chris attended Dallas Theological Seminary and received his Masters in Theology (ThM). Chris traveled as an evangelist and missions group trainer with iamsecond.com for two years before becoming the Lead Pastor of Wells Branch Community Church in 2012.
Chris is married to his beautiful wife Adrienne, a graduate of Abilene Christian University, the Children’s Ministry Director at Wells Branch Community Church, and his best friend. They have four incredible boys: Austin, Jett, Titus and Paxton. Chris loves watching sports – especially Army Football – dancing with Adrienne, and thinking of creative and innovative ways to communicate the love of God.

Topic:
“Everyday Christianity”
God was at work in the everyday life of the church at Thessalonica. We will explore the parallel between this New Testament church of Greece, compared to the American church today. You will be astonished how nothing has really changed in combating the influence of culture on the church. Pastor Plek will challenge all to impact the culture – whether military or civilian – with the love of Christ.
Guest Ambassador:
LTC Steve and Angela Kreh, USA (Ret.)
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FTA #7 (Father-Daughter)
2023-07-15 - 2023-07-22
Mentors: Col Dale Holland, USAF (Ret.) & Mrs. Leah Bowman (née Holland)
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RMH #7
2023-07-15 - 2023-07-22
Lead Mentor:
Col. Hous Waring, USAF (Ret.)
Co-Mentor:
Col. Jackie Breeden, USAF (Ret.)
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Summer Celebration #7
2023-07-15 - 2023-07-22
Speaker:
Keith Peck
Keith has served in pastoral ministry for the past 45 years. For 30 years, he and Gale ministered in Annapolis, where their church supported the Nav, Cru & OCF ministries at USNA. Keith and Gale now serve OCF in the role of Pastoral Care. They are blessed with 5 children and 17 grandchildren (who live in 5 different time zones).

Topic:
“Ecclesiastes: When All You Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough”
Ecclesiastes begins with “the words of the Preacher”. Yet as you read, it is unlike any sermon you’ve heard. The sermon’s theme is “meaningless, meaningless”. This seems so strange. And yet its strangeness provides an honest portrayal of the common human experience of people everywhere as we grapple with the perplexities of making life work “under the sun”. Solomon’s strange sermon invites us to engage this perplexing life more fully “under the SON”.
Guest Ambassador:
TBD
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RMH #8
2023-07-22 - 2023-07-29
Lead Mentor:
Col. PK Carlton, USAF (Ret.)
Co-Mentor:
Aaron Sherbondy
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Summer Celebration #8: Medical Week
2023-07-22 - 2023-07-29
Speaker:
Roc & Bev Bottomly
Roc and Bev Bottomly have been providing marriage training nationally and internationally to both singles and couples for the past 20 years. Roc is a USAFA ’69 grad who majored in Astronautical Engineering. After graduation, Roc received his M.S. at Purdue, finished UPT, and served as a flight instructor in T-37’s and a transport pilot in C-141’s. Bev grew up in southern California. She trusted Christ in college; and after graduating, she joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) where was the first staff woman in their military ministry. Soon after graduation, Roc met Bev; and after a lengthy long distance friendship (Georgia to California), Roc finally “awoke” and they married. After completing military commitment, Roc graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary, and spent the next 35 years as the Senior Pastor of four churches and the Senior Fellow for Marriage Studies at the Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs. In 2016, Roc “retired,” and he continues to work with Focus on the Family providing marriage training to Arabic speaking pastors in the Middle East and coaching to pastors, ministry leaders and young businessmen in Oklahoma City. Roc and Bev have been married since 1974. They have our grown children and thirteen grandchildren.
Topic:
“Building a Thriving Marriage”
As all know well, the pressures on military medical marriages can be enormous. The combination of long hours, heavy workloads, difficult work situations, promotion requirements and repeated deployments can take a heavy toll on the best of marriages. This year the theme will be “Building a Thriving Marriage” and the sessions will provide an opportunity to heal your bruises, refocus your direction, and rekindle your passion. Whatever the state of your marriage – from “Really Good” to “Struggling Mightily” – come join us, and give your marriage the opportunity to really thrive.
Guest Ambassadors:
Dr (COL) Arnie Ahnfeldt, USA (Ret.) and Dr (COL) Jeff Ginther, USA (Ret.)
Note:
We are prioritizing medical personnel (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.) for Medical Week reservations until May 15. If you are not a medical professional, please consider signing up for a different week of Summer Celebration. If this is your only available week to attend Summer Celebration, please contact our Front Office team at (719) 395-2328 or reservations@springcanyon.org, and we will assist you with reservations.
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Climb Together #2
2023-09-15 - 2023-09-17
Join Us Today!
If you are ready to join us for an amazing weekend with your 8- to 13-year-old children in Colorado’s stunning Rocky Mountains, please sign up online.
Find out more here.
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Aspentime 2023
2023-09-22 - 2023-09-24
Speaker:
CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA
Chaplain Jacob Snodgrass is a native of Ames, OK, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He was commissioned from ROTC in 2002, and has served as a Chaplain since 2009, endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention. He currently serves as the 10th Special Forces Group Chaplain and as the lead pastor of Agape Carson, Fort Carson, CO.

Chaplain Snodgrass has served numerous assignments as a chaplain, pastor, and church planter, including Camp Humphreys, Korea; Fort Lewis, WA; and Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was named U.S. Army Chaplain of the Year in 2019.

Chaplain Snodgrass has been married for 18 years to the former Heather Dostal of Leakenheath, UK and they have six kids, Manuel 24, Karmen 22, Gage 15, Boyce 14, Jovie 11, and Bennett 8.

Topic:
“Spiritual Formation: A Counter-Cultural Approach to Spiritual Renewal”
In this transformative weekend, participants will explore the profound concept of spiritual formation through the lens of renowned authors such as John Mark Comer, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and Donald Whitney. Attendees will uncover principles and practices that challenge contemporary ideals, emphasizing the necessity of community in the pursuit of spiritual growth. Through interactive discussions, activities, and real-life applications, leaders will discover how to build and sustain a vibrant military ministry while fostering personal renewal in an increasingly secular world and military.
Guest Ambassador:
COL Steve and Miriam Shambach, USA (Ret.)
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Climb Together #3
2023-09-29 - 2023-10-01

OCF Leading Women
2023-10-06 - 2023-10-08
Uniformed female leaders, past, present and future, from all branches of service, are welcome at Spring Canyon to be encouraged, equipped, and inspired in your Christ-like service and leadership! We have lined up an amazing female veteran who will lead sessions focused on the topic of “Jesus is Our Cornerstone,” all based on passages of scripture.

Speaker:
Marie Hatch
Marie is the Deputy Division Director (West) for The Navigators Military Mission, where she coaches, leads and develops key personnel and leaders. She has a passion for Jesus Christ and imitating how He ministered to those around Him. She is also a Professional Executive Coach with the consulting firm FMI and leader development firm Thayer Leadership, facilitating at the Leadership Institute and coaching leaders to maximize their potential and impact.
Marie graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, where she met her husband Shawn through OCF, while he was on exchange from the U.S. Air Force Academy. She served five years on active duty with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), with whom she deployed to Afghanistan in 2002. Marie and Shawn have 4 children (2 in college; 2 in high school) and reside in Colorado Springs.
Topic:
“Jesus is Our Cornerstone”
Ephesians 2:19-22 – We will dive into how we live and respond to our current situations and realities, shooting our azimuths from Jesus Christ. We will also learn how we can “join together,” relate and partner with one another as believers.
Price:
$225 per person
Discounts:
Company Grade Officers qualify for discounts that lower costs to $125 (plus tax).
Cadets, midshipmen and enlisted members qualify for discounts that lower costs to $80 (plus tax).
Limited needs-based scholarships are available. Please contact reservations@springcanyon.org or (719) 395-2328 regarding scholarship requests or any other Leading Women Retreat inquiries.
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OCF @ USAFA 50th Anniversary Retreat at Spring Canyon
2023-10-27 - 2023-10-29
Join our USAFA OCF Cadet Retreat at Spring Canyon as we celebrate 50 years of OCF ministry at USAFA. All grads and supporters of the ministry are welcome to attend. Space is limited so please reserve your spot!
Price:
$125 per adult (18 and above)
$75 per teen (13-17)
$50 per youth (3-12)
$0 per infant (0-2)
Rates are already discounted so no further discounts apply.
Speakers:
Terry and Artha Stokka (USAFA Field Staff 1993 to 2003) &
Steve and Rita Wade (USAFA Field Staff 2003 to 2020)
Topic:
“Leaving a Legacy for Christ”
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Connections and Conversations Retreat #1
2023-11-09 - 2023-11-12
The Connections and Conversations Retreat is for homeschooled students in grades 9-12 (ages 14-18). This retreat is designed to connect high school students to a larger community while engaging them in the art of discussion and building fun, new relationships. There will be opportunities for fellowship, discussion, games, rock climbing, hiking, possibly tubing if there is enough snow and more. This retreat is geared toward those enrolled in the Classical Conversations Challenge I-IV programs, but all homeschooled students are welcome.

Andy Truitt, former Classical Conversations National Director, will be leading the sessions and the parent chaperones will lead the breakout groups. Past students who have attended this retreat have said it was “life-changing” and “…wish I could do this several times a year.”
Our discussion will be based on the book “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck. This is an excellent, thought-provoking book that will also provide for great discussion. Every attendee (students and chaperones) MUST read the book BEFORE arriving on the first day of the retreat. You will not get much out of the retreat if the details of this book are not fresh in your mind, so even if you’ve read it before please do so again to refresh your memory. You’ll also need to bring a hard copy of the book to the retreat with you.
Please plan to arrive between 6pm and 7pm on Thursday (no dinner available on the first night) and depart at 10:00am on Sunday.
Cost: $280 (plus tax) per student. $220 (plus tax) per chaperone. Due upon sign up. The cost includes: 3 nights lodging, 7 meals, and all activities. Transportation is on your own.
Read “Of Mice and Men” prior to arrival at Spring Canyon.
If you have any questions please call/text (303-406-8908) or email (heidi.truitt@springcanyon.org).

Register a StudentInterested in chaperoning? As a chaperone you will need to read the assigned book ahead of time (before arriving for the retreat) so you are ready to guide the small group discussions during the retreat. Also, please be prepared to help supervise the free time activities and help where needed throughout the weekend. No advance training is needed and all instruction will be given during the chaperone meeting on the first night of the retreat.
Register a Chaperone

Winter Retreat 1
2023-12-19 - 2023-12-23
Winter Retreat #1 will be 4 nights.
Speakers:
CH(COL) Bob Phillips, USA (Ret.)
Chaplain (COL) Bob Phillips (Ret) is a 26 year active duty veteran of the US Army. After retiring from the Army he served seven years as the Chaplain to the Corps of Cadets at the Virginia Military Institute. He and his wife Tracy have been married 36 years, they have five children and seven grandchildren. In June of this year Bob and Tracy became full-time RVers. Since then they have been traversing the nation, seeing new things and visiting old friends. Bob also serves on the OCF Council.
Topic:
“Meet Simeon”
Luke 2:22-35 is the least referenced part of the Christmas story, yet it may be the most powerful, life changing, and personally equipping part of the story. Join us as we “Meet Simeon” and see how this part of the Christmas story can help us develop godly character, enhance our prayer life, and live our Christian values in an unbelieving world.
Guest Ambassadors:
Royce and Shawn Bervig
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Winter Retreat 2
2023-12-23 - 2023-12-28
Winter Retreat #2 will be 5 nights.
Speaker:
COL Kris Howell
Colonel Kristopher “Kris” Howell is an active-duty Armor Officer who has been fortunate to serve as a leader in many organizations, staffs, and locations over the past 25 years. He currently serves in the military as the Chief of Operations Group Charlie in the Mission Command Training Program at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where he and his team teach and train army divisions and multi-star commands on contemporary warfighting. He is a husband of Julie, father of Alexandrea and Elisabeth, and growing leader in the military and in his Christian life supporting the chapel and OCF at Fort Leavenworth and beyond.
Topic:
“God’s Gift to Us – Christ in Our Lives”
During Winter Retreat 2, we’ll discuss God’s gift of Christ in our lives and what that means to us as His children. What does it mean for Christ to be “God with us” here on Earth? Do we understand our new image and new identity in Christ? How do we live and act as the body of Christ’s Church? Finally, we’ll talk about loving Christ and being loving Christians in action.
Guest Ambassadors:
Col Keagan and Dottie McLeese, USAF
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Winter Retreat 3
2023-12-29 - 2024-01-03
Winter Retreat #3 will be 5 nights.
Speaker:
Lt Col Scott Crabtree, USAF (Ret.) & Col Ben Schill, USAF
Lt Col Scott “Weed” Crabtree, USAF (Ret.) is a federal employee flying the QF-16 at Holloman AFB, NM, since 2019. He and his wife, Colleen, have been married 22 years. They have been participating in Spring Canyon events nearly every year since discovering it in 2012. Colleen recently returned to military service as a traditional Air Guardsman to fly the KC-135 for the AKANG. Having finally escaped the dark ages of diapers and car seats, they seize joy in the trials and blessings of their five children (16, 15, 13, 11, & 9) and associated homeschool and extracurricular activities.
Col Ben “Showdown” Schill is the Commander of the 149th Operations Group in San Antonio, TX, training F-16 pilots for the U.S. Air Force. He has over 3,100 flight hours and more than 150 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. His wife of 21 years, Stacey, and their five children live in Boerne, TX, where Stacey finds time for volunteer nursing, real estate work, and homeschooling.

Topic:
“Philosophical Tools for Developing a Christian Worldview”
We will consider implications and applications from Nancy Pearcey’s book “Total Truth – Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity.” Nancy explains that since the time of the ancient Greeks, western philosophical concepts have divided the abstract (faith, spirituality, character) from the material (observation, ends, means). This bifurcation can hamstring how we approach military service as Christians, as well as handicap the survivability of our children’s faith when they leave home. We’ll discuss key principles from her book to lay a foundation for future study and reflection.
Guest Ambassadors:
CH(MAJ) Tom and Jeri Strong, USA (Ret.)
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Connections and Conversations Retreat #2
2024-01-25 - 2024-01-28
The Connections and Conversations Retreat is for homeschooled students in grades 9-12 (ages 14-18). This retreat is designed to connect high school students to a larger community while engaging them in the art of discussion and building fun, new relationships. There will be opportunities for fellowship, discussion, games, rock climbing, hiking, possibly tubing if there is enough snow and more. This retreat is geared toward those enrolled in the Classical Conversations Challenge I-IV programs, but all homeschooled high school students are welcome.

Andy Truitt, former Classical Conversations National Director, will be leading the sessions and the parent chaperones will lead the breakout groups. Past students who have attended this retreat have said it was “life-changing” and “…wish I could do this several times a year.”
Our discussion will be based on short articles or stories read while at the retreat. There is no need to read a book ahead of time for this retreat.
Please plan to arrive between 6pm and 7pm on Thursday (no dinner available on the first night, so eat before your arrival) and depart at 10:30am on Sunday.
Cost: $280 (plus tax) per student. $220 (plus tax) per chaperone. Due upon sign up. The cost includes: 3 nights lodging, 7 meals, and all activities. Transportation is on your own.
If you have any questions please call/text (303-406-8908) or email (heidi.truitt@springcanyon.org).

Register a StudentInterested in chaperoning? As a chaperone you will guide the small group discussions during the retreat. Also, please be prepared to help supervise the free time activities and help where needed throughout the weekend. No advance training or reading is needed and all instruction will be given during the chaperone meeting on the first night of the retreat.
Register a Chaperone
