Summer Celebration #7
2025-07-20 - 2025-07-27 | Spring Canyon Conference Center, 26000 County Road 344, Buena Vista, CO, 81211
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: “The Gospel According to Romans 8”
Romans 8 is one of the most beloved chapters in the Bible. The British pastor/author, J.I. Packer, calls Romans 8 the “Mt Everest of the New Testament”. Ascending the chapter, we will explore the good news of your identity in Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit in living this identity, and how this identity brings hope in suffering.
Guest Ambassadors: Col Scott and Carolynn Johnson, USAF
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Rocky Mountain High #8
2025-07-27 - 2025-08-03
Mentor: LTC John Cross, USA (Ret)
LTC John Cross graduated from West Point in 1993 and entered the Army as an Infantry Officer. He served in leadership positions from the platoon to division level. He commanded two companies in the 101st Airborne Division and an infantry battalion in the 1st Infantry Division. Following battalion command, he worked with college students at West Point and in ROTC. During these seven years, the Lord gave him a passion to continue developing future officers – but from a faith perspective – upon his retirement. John now serves with Valor, a campus ministry that focuses on ROTC & service academy students as they seek to integrate their faith with their future service as military officers.
Co-Mentor: Lt Col Mike Weeks, USAF (Ret)
Lt Col Michael Weeks was commissioned through ROTC at Auburn University. After pilot training, he was assigned to C141s at Charleston Air Force Base. During his 21-year Air Force career, he flew C-141s, T-38s, and T-3s. He also taught in the Management Department at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He currently serves as the Dean of the Baker School of Business at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. As a long-time mentor for RMH he always wants to help cadets and midshipmen strengthen their relationship with Christ during their time at RMH.
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Summer Celebration #8 (Medical Week)
2025-07-27 - 2025-08-03
Speaker: Lt Col Del Tackett, 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 Ambassadors: Dr (COL) Arnie Ahnfeldt, USA (Ret.) and Dr (COL) Jeff Ginther, USA (Ret.)
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Fall Climb Together #1
2025-08-22 - 2025-08-24
Come join us for a weekend full of mountain adventure with your 8-13 year olds!
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Fall Climb Together #2
2025-09-19 - 2025-09-21

Aspentime 2025
2025-09-26 - 2025-09-28
Speaker: LTC Todd Plotner, USA (Ret.)
Todd Plotner has served as the Spring Canyon Director of Operations for the last five years. He and his wife Andrea have been married over 30 years and have three adult sons: Everett, Brian and Nate. Todd is a 1993 graduate of West Point, where OCF and the Navigators helped him take ownership of his faith and begin leading small groups. Todd served 21 years as an Army engineer officer, retiring as the ROTC Professor of Military Science at Washington State University. The Plotners love traveling and hiking amazing Colorado with their dog Tucker.
Topic: “One Thing: King David’s Life and Leadership”
Shepherd, Son, Songwriter, and Servant. Warrior and King. Absent Father. Adulterer and Murderer. Man after God’s Own Heart. David is one of the most complex, enigmatic, frustrating, and inspiring characters in the entire Bible. Yet despite his failings, Scripture presents David as the ideal leader and king. David’s story attests that all of life is an interaction with God. His purpose and priorities can equip us to live well – as military leaders and beyond: “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life…” (Psalm 27:4)
Guest Ambassador: COL Steve and Miriam Shambach, USA (Ret.)
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Winter Retreat 1
2025-12-20 - 2025-12-27
Speaker: Lt Col Del Christman, PhD, USAF (Ret.)
Topic: “The Eight Facets of Spiritual Maturity: A Systematic Approach to Biblical Discipleship”
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Winter Retreat 2
2025-12-28 - 2026-01-04
Speaker: Col Keagan McLeese, USAF
Colonel Keagan McLeese is the current 9th Reconnaissance Wing Commander and the installation commander of Beale AFB, CA, the home of the U-2 Dragon Lady. He’s an alumni of the USAFA class of 2002, having flown the T-6, T-38, F-15, F-22, F-35, F-16, E-11, KC-135, and U-2 with seven deployments in the Pacific and the Middle East. In April 2025, Colonel McLeese returned from a successful combat deployment to Saudi Arabia, where he was the wing commander of the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing and the installation commander of Prince Sultan Air Base.
Colonel McLeese has been married to his high school sweetheart, Dottie McLeese, for over 23 years and has four teenage children: Quarton (USAFA ‘28), Carilyn, Madilyn, and Cavan. They all love the Lord Jesus Christ. They have been members of 13 different churches, pouring themselves into each one through various ministries, including OCF. In their spare time, when they aren’t with the kids or in the church, Keagan loves running and lifting weights, and Dottie loves to craft, crochet, and knit.
Topic: “The Full Armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-18”
At the end of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul makes one final charge to the church “Be strong in the Lord,” and “put on the full armor of God,” reminding the church not to battle mankind, instead focusing our effort “against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” What does that look like in application? What does the Bible teach us about wearing the full armor of God? Come rest in the Word of God and let Him prepare you for the spiritual battles you are facing and the ones that are bound to come, so that (in Paul’s words) “and having done everything, to stand firm.”
Guest Ambassadors:COL Rob and Tami Jassey, USA (Ret.)
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Outdoor Mentor Retreat
2026-02-13 - 2026-02-15
Our Spring Canyon Outdoor staff is inviting all past, present, and future RMH and FTA Mentors to attend the Outdoor Mentor Retreat. If you get here, your room and board will be covered by Spring Canyon. Attending this conference does not require, nor does it guarantee, that you will be a mentor for the upcoming summer. The purpose of this annual conference will be professional/spiritual development for a growing cadre of RMH and FTA mentors that are unified in supporting the OCF mission (Psalm 133). During the conference, we will engage in workshops concerning these issues:

Understanding the scope of the OCF Outdoor Program ministry.
Discussing the current cultural climate in an effort to prepare mentors for engaging our two audiences: Military officer candidates and junior officers; and teenagers with their fathers.
Relationship building, benchmarking, and networking for the sustained encouragement and mentorship of our cadre of RMH and FTA mentors.

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Rocky Mountain ROTC Spiritual Fitness Retreat 2026
2026-02-13 - 2026-02-15
Come grow as a “Servant-Leader” who integrates faith and profession. This retreat is for you as future Christian military officers! Contact Lt Col Tom Falconer, USAF (Ret.) with questions at (719) 661-2442 or tbirdUSL75@gmail.com.

Speaker: TBD
Topic: “TBD”

Price:
$100 for Cadets, Midshipmen, and Enlisted
$150 for Company Grade Officers
$240 for Adults
Schedule:
Session begins Friday at 1830
Ends Sunday at 1330 (after lunch)

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Spring Break Service and Adventure Week
2026-03-20 - 2026-03-29
Students, Cadets and Midshipmen –
Join Us for Spring Break Service & Adventure Week!
Spring Break Service & Adventure Week at OCF’s Spring Canyon Conference Center is a win-win event geared for you!
Work side-by-side with fellow future leaders in a variety of maintenance and construction projects. Be equipped and encouraged by Spring Canyon staff who have “walked the walk” as Christian military leaders. Enjoy great local activities in the Rocky Mountains: skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, hot springs and more! Your service helps make life-changing ministry possible!
If you plan to only attend part of the week, please come for at least 4 nights. Contact reservations@springcanyon.org with your exact dates.
Participants pay for their own travel and adventure excursions.
All meal and lodging costs are covered by Spring Canyon.
Questions? Call (719) 395-2328 or email reservations@springcanyon.org
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Spring Climb Together #1
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-03

Chaplains’ Family Retreat
2026-05-08 - 2026-05-10
Speaker: CH (MG) Doug Carver, USA (Ret.)
Chaplain Carver is the Executive Director of Chaplaincy for the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board. He retired from military service in 2011 with 38 years as a commissioned officer, serving at every level of the Army. He and his wife, Sunny, celebrate 50 years of marriage and live in Charlotte, NC, near their two daughters and five grandchildren.
Topic: “You’ve Got A Friend: A Study in Biblical Friendship”
Life’s hardest moments, even if they may seem impossible to overcome at the time, are not devoid of purpose. They are profound opportunities for spiritual growth and a renewed awareness of God’s faithfulness to those who trust in Him. However, we can quickly feel isolated without having faithful friends to come along beside us during difficult times. That’s why God’s Word encourages us to embrace covenant friendships.
Session 1: The Friendship Factor
Session 2: Finding a Faithful Friend
Session 3: A Friend Helps You Fight Loneliness
Session 4: What a Friend We Have in Jesus!
Guest Ambassadors: Lt Col Tom Falconer, USAF (Ret.) and Dean Rizzo
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Summer Celebration #1 (Leavenworth Week)
2026-06-06 - 2026-06-13
If you are graduating from Fort Leavenworth CGSC or SAMS, Summer Celebration Week 1 is ideal for you! Those not currently living at Fort Leavenworth are also welcome!
Speaker: CH(COL) Seth George, USA
Chaplain Seth George currently serves as the Combined Arms Center Chaplain, Fort Leavenworth, KS. He graduated from high school in Murphysboro, IL, attended Covenant College, and was commissioned as a Chaplain in 1997 at Sangre de Cristo Seminary in Westcliffe, CO.
He has ministered as a chaplain at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Tripler Army Medical Center, HI; Hohenfels and Schweinfurt, Germany; 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Lewis, WA; 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Carson, CO; Special Operations Command South, Homestead ARB, FL; Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD; and multiple roles as a chaplain and pastor at Fort Leavenworth, KS. In these roles, he has deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Poland, Romania, and Germany.
CH George holds a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies from the University of Kansas and a Doctor of Ministry from Covenant Theological Seminary. He and his wife Sarah have three children: Katherine (19), Timothy (17) and Anne (14).
Topic: “Designed for Discipleship”
Our study will consider the design of discipleship beginning with the significance of Jesus words to his own disciples, “Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” The disciples were holding tightly to a cultural faith that was fractured and fading away when Jesus entered their lives with new and unsettling questions. If the old temple design was to fall away, what new tools would the disciples need to build a living temple stone by stone? Our daily discussions will explore how Jesus uses elements of vision, pressure, testing and sacrificial love as the discipleship tools to build His church.
Guest Ambassadors: LTC Jim and Christina Harbridge, USA (Ret.)
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Summer Celebration #2
2026-06-14 - 2026-06-19
Looking for a private retreat or simple family vacation? Summer Celebration #2 will offer great optional activities, short small group devotional Bible study, and optional children’s program/babysitting with plenty of time for personal reflection or family time. This modified schedule will allow for an even slower pace and simple time away in the beauty of God’s creation at Spring Canyon. All meals included. Two-night minimum required.
Contact our Guest Services team with any questions (719) 395-2328 or reservations@springcanyon.org
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Rocky Mountain High #2
2026-06-14 - 2026-06-21
Mentor: TBD
Co-Mentor: TBD
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Father Teen Adventure #2 (Daughters)
2026-06-14 - 2026-06-21
Mentors: TBD
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Summer Celebration #3
2026-06-21 - 2026-06-26
Speaker: LTC & Mrs. Joel Eberly, ARNG (Ret.)
After doing some really cool stuff in the Army, Joel decided to return home for college and had a 10 year successful career in the corporate world while serving in the Army National Guard part-time. Joel felt the calling to volunteer for an active duty deployment after 9-11 and stayed active until he retired at 31 total years (Legion of Merit, Bronze Star,…).
Joel has been mentioned in articles and a book, on the news several times and radio, the featured speaker or contributing presenter at numerous events, published articles, founded and led an activity group for special needs kids in the Raleigh area, volunteered in high school as a soccer coach, volunteered with numerous non-profits through the years beginning in college, is a former WMD advisor for 2 state committees – worked with Secret Service/FBI at Super Bowls and Presidential events as Commander of a special Army unit, has a Master’s Degree, started an annual 200 mile bike ride to help wounded troops/military kids,… and started numerous other events through the years. Joel is/was on the council of a non-profit, board member of another, former President of another, speaks weekly at 2 drug/alcohol addiction centers and cooks a pig for them monthly, started 7 Bible studies,… and is constantly helping people behind the scenes. Those around him truly can’t keep up with all he has done and still does that people have no clue about – people drop in/text/email/call him for encouragement/advice often.
He loves making others laugh (at his expense and doesn’t care much about what people think of him), can fix about anything, hangs out with all types of people, is an avid outdoorsman (takes people fishing and hunting), loves to play (not watch) sports, and is crazy (rode bulls in the rodeo and illegally jumped solo out of civilian planes with no formal training/certification). He reminds people he has made a ton of mistakes and still does-says he is not special and thinks he does not do enough for others but I say he is a one of a kind.
Author of The Three Hardest Things In Life (Amazon)
Topic: “The Three Hardest Things In Life”

Part 1 – Most people think they are a good person, even if not religious, but are you? Also, should we settle for being average or try to be great at a few things? Who defines “good person or good Christian” and why is it so hard?
Part 2 – People in relationships/marriage for a long while will tell you that it is tough to always call it “great” and some will even sadly say it was often bad. We will share deep tips from each other and of course, the Bible.
Part 3 – Any idiot can have kids and put in little effort to raise them to the point where they can take care of themselves – the third hardest thing in life is to raise them right. How do you define “right”?

If you are not married or don’t have kids, you will still enjoy those parts of the presentation because the information can be used to help others (God may bring you a soulmate, you may be an aunt/mentor/…). Also, sadly all of us adults need a refresher in the various topics.
Guest Ambassadors: CAPT Jim and Sandy Speicher, USN (Ret.)
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Rocky Mountain High #3
2026-06-21 - 2026-06-28

Father Teen Adventure #3 (Sons)
2026-06-21 - 2026-06-28
Mentor: Col Rick Kuhlman, USAFR (Ret.)
Rick Kuhlman is a lifelong Knoxvillian. He graduated from West High School and achieved Eagle Scout. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. At UT he served as president of his fraternity and Commander of the Arnold Air Society in Air Force ROTC. Kuhlman served over 30 years (active and reserve), retiring in the rank of Colonel. Rick still serves as an Air Liaison Officer for the United States Air Force Academy.
Kuhlman was active during the World’s Fair in 1982, when it was held in Knoxville. Kuhlman was active in business, owning and operating 4 pizza restaurants, Stefanos, from 1986-2003. In 2006 Kuhlman pioneered the Knoxville Fellows Program to enable recent college graduates to spend 10 months in Knoxville learning how to integrate their Christian faith in the marketplace.
Rick has a passion for encouraging the next generation. He was active in Scouting, his church youth program, chapter advisor for his college fraternity, and high school Bible studies. Rick has had the opportunity to mentor the Father Teen Adventure at the Spring Canyon Conference Center through Officers’ Christian Fellowship since 2004.
Rick has been married to his college sweetheart, Beverley for 50 years. They have one son Rick III, wife Jamie and 2 granddaughters, Ella Katherine, and Charlotte.
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Summer Celebration #4A
2026-06-28 - 2026-07-03
Speaker: Brig Gen Robert G. Armfield, USAF (Ret.)
Brigadier General Robert Gwyn Armfield, USAF (ret) served as a special operations leader in units and assignments around the world before he and his wife Catherine settled in northwest Florida. In this season of life, they are serving in their local church leading a program for at risk students and enjoy mentoring young military families. Gwyn is the co-author of the book Lead to Serve and Serve to Lead: Leading Well in Turbulent Times with former OCF Executive Director Lt Gen Bruce Fister (ret).
Topic: “Philippians: Finding Purpose and Joy”
Philippians offers us the opportunity to center our lives on Jesus by humbly putting others first and discovering the deep joy of relying on Christ’s strength. During our time together at Summer Celebration 4A, we will explore and discuss Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi and how we apply this wisdom to our lives.
Guest Ambassadors: Col Scott and Carolynn Johnson, USAF (Ret.)
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Summer Celebration #4B (Women's Track)
2026-06-28 - 2026-07-03
Uniformed women and military wives will spend time building friendship connections, enjoying time to hang out as women who are experiencing the breadth of life’s ages and stages – all while being equipped to face their next set of challenges.
Speaker: LTC Brittany Simmons, US Army (Ret.)
Brittany (USMA ‘02) served in the US Army Military Police for 20 years, leading at multiple levels, including Platoon Leader, Company Command, and Battalion Commander. She is married to Jack Simmons (USAF Reserves). They currently reside in Fishers, Indiana with their sons, Peter (13) and Luke (9). Brittany currently serves as the COO/CFO and a coach with Arrowhead Leadership Consulting. At Grace Fishers Church, she serves on the governing board, as a member of the Women’s Groups Leading Leaders Team, and as a women’s small group leader. She enjoys traveling with her family, watching/coaching sports, listening to podcasts, and occasionally decorating a cake. She has a passion for developing women leaders and equipping fellow Christians to positively engage the world around them for Jesus.
Topic: “Armor of God”
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Rocky Mountain High #4
2026-06-28 - 2026-07-05

Father Teen Adventure #4 (Sons)
2026-06-28 - 2026-07-05

Rocky Mountain High #5 (USAFA Week)
2026-07-05 - 2026-07-12
If you are not from USAFA, please contact reservations@springcanyon.org if this is the only week you can attend. If you are from USAFA, please contact Paul Homan for details on registering.
Mentor: TBD
Co-Mentor: TBD
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Father Teen Adventure #5 (Sons)
2026-07-05 - 2026-07-12

Summer Celebration #5
2026-07-05 - 2026-07-12
Speaker: COL Jim Brown, USA (Ret.)
James (Jim) Brown is a graduate of West Point and served for 31 years as a Military Police and Foreign Area Officer. He has an M.A. from Georgetown University and the Naval War College. Jim commanded two brigades in Iraq and a battalion in Germany and Kosovo. He was also the Defense Attache to Germany and is German linguist. He served 11 years in the Intel Community and is currently a Strategic and Defense Advisor and German cultural advisor. An avid marathoner and world traveler, Jim loves to give back and mentor or coach where called. Jim is married to Cindy for over 40 years and they have two children and three grandchildren in Vicenza, Italy.
Topic: “Committed to Christ: Peter’s transformation from fisherman to Church Father”
Like Peter, God’s plan for our life often expands the vision and scope of our own faith journey. Together we will reflect on key points in Peter’s life that transformed the way he followed Christ and served others.
The life and ministry of Peter and the comparisons of his journey and our journey of calling; service with challenges and sacrifice; blessings of seeing lives changed; and being refined and changed ourselves. Peter lived in a period of unprecedented change, globalization, and political turmoil. He was called to be a key leader in serving as one of the 12 disciples of Christ and in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and establishing His Church. We serve in a time that has many similarities to Peter’s and we are charged to continue the legacy of his service with our own. Through this week, we will journey together to explore key wave points Peter’s journey and to consider our own.
Guest Ambassadors: TBD
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Rocky Mountain High #6
2026-07-12 - 2026-07-19

Father Teen Adventure #6 (Sons)
2026-07-12 - 2026-07-19

Summer Celebration #6
2026-07-12 - 2026-07-19
Speaker: Pastor Keith Peck
Keith and Gale currently serve OCF in the role of Pastoral Care. They have ministered at White Sulphur Springs for the past 40 years and more recently at Spring Canyon. Keith is currently pastor emeritus at Mercy Presbyterian Church. He and Gale ministered in Annapolis for 30 years, serving the Nav, Cru and OCF ministries at the USNA. They enjoy 5 children and 19 grandchildren.
Topic: “Knowing, Trusting & Following the God Who Leads”
The God revealed in Scripture is a God who guides His people. But sometimes His leading leaves us perplexed, angry, confused. God, what in the world are you doing? Other times our problems are too thorny, our decisions too complex and our perspective too narrow for us to find our own way. God, show me your will? Give me wisdom to follow you.. Together we’ll explore the Bible’s call to walk by faith, trusting our Great Shepherd whose leading is constant.
Guest Ambassadors: CMSgt Vance and Pam Clarke, USAF (Ret.)
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