Spring Canyon Conference Center

ROTC Retreat
2022-02-18 - 2022-02-20 | Spring Canyon Conference Center, 26000 County Road 344, Buena Vista, CO, 81211
Come grow as a “Servant-Leader” who integrates faith and profession. Receive Encouragement as a future Christian military officer. Connect with other ROTC Cadets and Mids in the Rocky Mountain Region.
Speaker:
Kevin Bouren, COL, USA
Topic:
“Having a Bold Witness in Command”
Price:
Cadets/Mids: $100
All other attendees: $210

OCF Local Leader Conference
2022-03-11 - 2022-03-13
Gather with current and potential leaders of OCF local fellowships to advance God’s kingdom within the military community and to equip lay leaders with practical tools for everyday ministry. These conferences are hands-on experiences: attendees are participants, not just recipients. Participants can attend a variety of workshops presented by leaders in the field. Opportunities to exchange lessons learned are vital to ministry efforts. Come rediscover how your grassroots ministry contributes to the worldwide ministry of OCF!
Please note there us a children’s and teen’s program provided at no extra charge.
Keynote Speaker:
Col Houstoun Waring, V, USAF (Ret)
Hous and his wife, Tami, are both US Air Force Academy graduates who were introduced to OCF during our cadet years. This introduction brought them into marriage desiring to do military ministry together. The vision of living an integrated life informed Hous’ professional role as an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, commander, and staff officer. Together they matured in faith and in OCF ministry work through the training of OCF staff, retreats and conferences, staff visits, OCF council service, but especially through the weekly gathering of saints wherever they were assigned. Hous and Tami are now in their 9th year as staff with OCF.
God has blessed their family with children and grandchildren who are scattered across eight states. Hous states, “I have a hard time sitting still as I enjoy working with my hands and being outside. Tami and I travel to visit and encourage those who are serving, or who have served, in the military. We also meet with leaders of local churches and like-minded partners who are connected to the military community.”
Pricing:
Adult (13+): $150 – Youth (6-12): $90 – Child (3-5): $45
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Spring Break Service & Adventure Week
2022-03-19 - 2022-03-26
Students, Cadets and Midshipmen – Join Us for Spring Break Service & Adventure Week!
Spring Canyon Retreat and Conference Center
March 19-26, 2022
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!
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
Register Here!

2022 OCF Chaplains' Family Conference
2022-05-06 - 2022-05-08
Speaker:
CH(MG) Doug Carver, USA (Ret.)
Chaplain (Major General) Doug Carver, US Army, retired, is the Executive Director of Chaplaincy for the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board. An advocate for the religious liberty of service members, veterans, and their families, he oversees the professional and pastoral support to 3700 Southern Baptist Chaplains who minister in various institutional settings in the United States and around the world.
Prior to joining the North American Mission Board, he was the Army’s 22nd Chief of Chaplains (2007-2011), leading and serving over 2900 chaplains supporting the religious and pastoral needs of our 1.2 million soldiers and families. Chaplain Carver served at every level of the Army, from platoon to the Department of the Army Staff. At the beginning of the Iraq War in 2003, he served as the senior military chaplain in the combat theater of operations.
A native of Rome, Georgia, he and his wife, Sunny, celebrate 48 years of marriage and reside in Charlotte, North Carolina near their two daughters and four grandchildren.
Topic:
The Christian’s Secret Weapon
The weapons we use in our fight are not the world’s weapons but God’s powerful weapons…” (2 Cor. 10:4). The most effective weapons that God has given us for living out our Christian life in a fallen world aren’t always the most prominent, the most noticed, or even the most clearly understood for their importance. These include prayer, worship, spiritual disciplines, biblical literacy, Christian witness, perseverance, and rest. One of the most important, and seldom addressed, is the fear of God. Our Chaplains’ Family Conference will provide a fresh understanding of the fear of the Lord, “the beginning of knowledge.” (Proverbs 1:7).
Guest Ambassadors:
COL and Mrs. Arnie Ahnfeldt, USA (Ret.)
$100/adults (13 and above) and 30% off for kids (3-12); Free 0-2
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Climb Together #1
2022-05-06 - 2022-05-08
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.
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Summer Celebration #1 (Homeschool Week)
2022-06-04 - 2022-06-11
Speaker:
Wesley Dickinson
Wesley Dickinson is a rare homeschool parent, because he’s a stay-at-home, homeschool dad. Moreover, he directs a Classical Conversations Foundations and Essentials community of almost 30 families near Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska, where his two daughters attend. His educational background, outside of homeschooling, includes a bachelors degree and a masters degree in civil engineering with teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He and his wife, Mindy, will celebrate their 13th anniversary this year. She is patient, and his daughters are adventurous. Wesley also enjoys spending time in the woods, drinking strong coffee, studying Latin, reading old books, and cooking as often as possible.
Topic:
Practicum Plus: Home Education and the Classical Model
Family Celebration Week 1 will encourage and equip homeschool parents with the tools for classical, Christian home-centered education and help parent-teachers gain confidence for the upcoming school year. During this week we will explore the tools of learning and practice them together. The skills acquired are sure to enrich your family’s educational experience!
During this week-long family adventure at Spring Canyon, homeschool families will enjoy family worship time, delicious family style meals prepared by a professional chef in the dining room, very comfortable lodging, parent practicum sessions, Biblically-based youth and teen programs, and combined family time, which can include optional adventures like horseback riding, whitewater rafting, hot springs relaxing, or guided fly fishing. Family-centric activities pack the evenings, such as a talent show, a bonfire complete with s’mores, and a western barn dance. Another highlight of the week is parent date night, where dad and mom get to escape to town for dinner while the staff take care of your children.
While parents spend time together in practicum sessions, students participate in a fully staffed youth program. Your students will enjoy vacation Bible school: Colorado mountain style! In addition to age-scaled Bible studies, younger students have the opportunity to kayak, rock climb, fish, hike, take local field trips, and shoot arrows at the archery range, while teenagers can spend time with other teens and certified Spring Canyon staff kayaking, rock climbing, completing the high ropes course, cooperating on the team challenge course, and enjoying an overnight camping adventure.
Guest Ambassador:
David Punt
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RMH #1
2022-06-04 - 2022-06-11
Lead Mentor:
Col Tony Kim, USAF (Ret)
Co-Mentor:
Lt Col Jon Krause, USAF (Ret)
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Summer Celebration #2
2022-06-11 - 2022-06-18
Speaker(s):
Dr. Berkley Baker
Berkley Baker served as an Army officer and has worked in healthcare for approximately twenty years. He serves as an elder at Hope and Life Fellowship and enjoys studying the Scriptures and teaching. He holds a doctorate from Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business, an MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University, and a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Berkley lives in Lawrenceville, Georgia, with his wife and three children.
Topic:
“Purpose-Filled Living”
Purpose can be defined as “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” Understanding purpose enables individuals and organizations to act consistently with who they are. But in the absence of purpose, there is a void. There is nothing like observing something doing what it was designed to do. And like the eagle, snake, and ship, our authored purpose allows us to accomplish amazing things. While living a life absent of purpose leaves us, like King Saul, grounded, broken, and bottomed-out.
This session is about awakening to purposed-filled living. It begins by exploring how an intimate knowledge of who we are predated our design. Together, we will explore the foreshadowing of purpose amid an origin story—the hints of personal meaning. We’ll consider purpose and progression while looking at how immaturity can cause us to stumble along the way.
We will discuss practical steps to recognizing purpose by examining frequency, focus, and faculty. Specifically exploring, what happens early, often, and habitually in our lives. What we pay attention to and what distracts us. We’ll explore the role of physical and mental aptitudes in purposeful living, as well as so-called luck. In this journey, we’ll take the time to consider purpose derailed through surrender, failure, and shortsightedness. And finally, we will conclude by discussing how purpose reinforces our connection with God and others.
Guest Ambassador:
Col Chet & Michelle Arnold, Jr., USMC (Ret.)
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RMH #2
2022-06-11 - 2022-06-18
Lead Mentor:
Col PK Carlton, USAF (Ret)
Co-Mentor:
TBD
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Summer Celebration #3
2022-06-18 - 2022-06-25
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:
“All for Christ”
We are called to do everything for Christ. God wants us to be living for him every moment. So how can I serve in the military or do my job for Christ? Take care of the kids for Christ? Go to school for Christ? Wash the dishes for Christ? Let’s explore the scriptures together to see what it really means to do everything for Jesus.
Guest Ambassador:
LTC Jim and Christina Harbridge, USA (Ret.)
*If you are graduating from Fort Leavenworth CGSC, Summer Celebration Week 3 is ideal for you!
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FTA #3 (Father-Son)
2022-06-18 - 2022-06-25
Lead Mentor:
Rick Kuhlman
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RMH #3
2022-06-18 - 2022-06-25
Lead Mentor:
Lt Col Mike Weeks, USAF (Ret)
Co-Mentor:
LTJG Brigit Jogan, USCG
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Summer Celebration #4
2022-06-25 - 2022-07-02
Speaker(s):
Lt Gen Bruce Fister, USAF (Ret.)
Bruce Fister reigns from Cincinnati, Ohio, was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force for over 32 years, commanded multiple units, and has had leadership roles in global military operations and in Christian nonprofit organizations. His wife Melissa of over 57 years is a high school sweetheart who has supported him since he graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1964. Bruce has commanded multiple military organizations and has visited every continent in the world, and he and Melissa have lived in Europe and visited countries from Europe to the Pacific. He has been in business, and perhaps most important, served as Executive Director of Officers’ Christian Fellowship for 10 years. The sparkle in their eyes is their two sons, their wives, and three grandchildren. Bruce and Melissa reside in Niceville, Florida. Bruce is the President of the Robert and Christine Steinmann Family Foundation and serves as a Coxswain in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Read about his experience leading OCF at www.growingandbuilding.com.

Topic:
“Welcome Home”: Your Journey of Faith
The coming 60th anniversary of the acquisition of Spring Canyon is our celebration of how the Lord has blessed this conference center and all who have attended over these many years. How many times have you or others been “Welcomed Home” to Spring Canyon to join family, grow in your faith, be encouraged to walk as a follower of Jesus, and deepen your trust in our Lord so you can continue to be His hands and feet in your family, our military and throughout the world? The “Welcome Home” series will recount the journeys of faith at Spring Canyon and incorporate the history into the deep lessons of God’s Word.
Guest Ambassador:
Maj Dan and Lisa Abney, USMC
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FTA #4 (Father-Son)
2022-06-25 - 2022-07-02

RMH #4
2022-06-25 - 2022-07-02
Lead Mentor:
LTC John Cross, USA (Ret)
Co-Mentor:
Col Jackie Breeden, USAF (Ret)
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Summer Celebration #5
2022-07-02 - 2022-07-09
Speaker(s):
Col Scott Fisher, USAF (Ret)
Scott Fisher recently retired from the United States Air Force after more than 27 years of faithful military service. He and his wife Christie bring a strong passion for the Lord and love for His people with experience across six continents. They have been involved in OCF ministry for over 25 years to include service as local leaders across the globe, on Council and to our chaplains. Scott and Christie have been married for 27 years and have three daughters and two sons, one of which recently became a Marine. Scott has led Bible studies for diverse groups for over twenty years, including youth, Harvard graduate students, young couples, fighter pilots and generals. He has also served as a youth pastor and lay minister. Christie has co-hosted Bible studies with Scott for over 15 years and served in leadership with Bible Study Fellowship for 11 years.
Topic:
Declare His Mighty Acts!
For over 60 years, Spring Canyon has refreshed military members and families on their journey, equipped them with excellent biblical teaching, and inspired them to serve where God has called them. In every decade, God has used ordinary people to bring about extraordinary results! Today Spring Canyon remains true to its founding vision: a Christ-centered sanctuary and training ground for Christians who live and minister in the military society – a “home away from home” on a sometimes turbulent journey. Join us in celebrating 60 years of God’s life-saving and life-changing work at Spring Canyon. Let’s pass this legacy on to the next generation of military leaders and families: “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4). Adventure awaits!
Guest Ambassador:
COL Steve & Miriam Shambach, USA (Ret.)
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FTA #5 (Father-Son)
2022-07-02 - 2022-07-09

RMH #5
2022-07-02 - 2022-07-09
Lead Mentor:
Maj Tim Tormey, USMC (Ret)
Co-Mentor:
LT Keith Holmes, USCG
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60th Anniversary Celebration
2022-07-02 12:30 - 15:30 UTC
Topic:
Celebrate 60 Years of Ministry at Spring Canyon
Join us this summer in celebrating 60 years of God’s life-saving and life-changing work at Spring Canyon! Every week of our summer programs will include fun celebratory activities, but Summer Celebration Weeks 4 and 5 are especially dedicated to recognizing this important milestone. We will officially commemorate Spring Canyon’s 60th anniversary at 2pm on Saturday, July 2. We encourage guests attending Summer Celebration, RMH, and FTA Week 4 to extend their stay for a few hours and join us for lunch and this special ceremony! Likewise, guests attending Summer Celebration, RMH, and FTA Week 5 are encouraged to arrive early to join us for lunch and the anniversary ceremony.
Please note that this sign up does NOT include lodging. Lunch and ceremony are available to all at no charge.
Lunch begins at 1230 and the ceremony begins at 1400.
Register for EventA home away from home for the past 60 years…
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW WE’RE CELEBRATING

Summer Celebration #6
2022-07-09 - 2022-07-16
Speaker:
Greg St. Cyr
Pastor Greg St. Cyr has a passion for global missions and the local church. He spent 13 years with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) where he met his wife of 36 years, Mary Kaye. Greg served as a missionary for 8 years in Poland largely during communist days. For the last 27 years, he has served as the lead pastor of Bay Area Community Church in Annapolis whose global ministry extends throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry in missions from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife have four grown children and six grandchildren.
Topic:
“Victory in the Valley, Courage in the Cave”
All of us go through valleys of discouragement and trials. The longer the trial and disappointment, the darker the cave. How do we experience God’s victory and courage in times like this? We will look at David’s experiences in the cave of Adullam and Engedi, as well as how to walk through the valley of trouble, the valley of weeping, and the valley of the shadow of death. Learn how God often does His best work in valleys and caves!
Guest Ambassador:
COL Keith and Sharon Morgan, USA (Ret.)
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RMH #6
2022-07-09 - 2022-07-16
Lead Mentor:
Lt Col Paul Vanderweide, USAF (Ret) & Capt Cindy Vanderweide, USAF (Sep)
Co-Mentor:
LCDR Lars Tormey, USCG
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Summer Celebration #7
2022-07-16 - 2022-07-23
Speaker:
Keith Peck
Keith has served OCF as a conference speaker for the past 38 years. He recently retired after 45 years of pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church of America. Thirty of those years he and Gale served in Annapolis, MD, ministering to and with the Navigator, Cru and OCF staff at the US Naval Academy. Keith has been married to Gale, his ministry partner, for 48 years. Keith & Gale have five children and seventeen grandchildren.

Topic:
“Daniel: Engaging a Polarized, Hostile Culture as Salt, Light & the Aroma of Christ”
In our current cultural moment, outrage has become more expected than surprising, more normative than odd, more encouraged than discouraged, more rewarded than rejected. Outrage over election “fraud”, COVID politicized government “overreach”, mask & vaccine mandates, “social justice”, LGBQT legislation. We no longer discuss. We rage, cancel and shame…too often mean-spirited and quick-triggered. In this culture of outrage, Bono, the front man for the rock band U2 warned, “We must be careful in our efforts to confront the monster not to ourselves become the monster.” So how do we engage this culture with a different spirit, the Spirit of Christ, and become the kingdom-influencers and culture-shapers we are called to be? Daniel illustrates God’s answer to that question.
Guest Ambassador:
CH(CDR) Jim and Shirley Ellis, USN (Ret.)
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FTA #7 (Father-Daughter)
2022-07-16 - 2022-07-23
Lead Mentor:
Col Kim Hawthorne, USAF (Ret)
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RMH #7
2022-07-16 - 2022-07-23
Lead Mentor:
Col Hous Waring, USAF (Ret)
Co-Mentor:
LTJG Jon Cardinal, USCG
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Summer Celebration #8 (Medical Week)
2022-07-23 - 2022-07-30
Speaker:
Mike Chupp, MD, CEO of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA)
Mike is a US Board certified General surgeon who completed his pre-med chemistry degree at Taylor University in 1984, his MD degree at Indiana University in 1988 and then completed a five-year surgery residency at Methodist Hospital of Indiana in 1993. He then joined Southwestern Medical Clinic in Berrien County, Michigan where he practiced for three years as a general surgeon and remained a partner in the practice through 2016. In 1996 Mike and his wife Pam began a 20-year career as medical missionaries with World Gospel Mission at Tenwek Hospital in southwest Kenya. There he practiced general and orthopedic surgery and served as the Medical Superintendent for many years. In 2016, Mike accepted the invitation of Dr. David Stevens of CMDA USA National ministry to become the Executive Vice President of CMDA and in September 2018 the Board of CMDA selected Mike to become the next CEO of CMDA in September 2019.
Topic:
“Connecting to the Father with a 5G Heart”
Join us for a five-part series with a deep dive in Scripture on growing and maturing our hearts to be in line with the example and wisdom from two Kings, David and Solomon. One of my favorite prayers for brothers and sisters in Christ these days, like you, comes from 2 Thessalonians 1: 11, 12 (NLT): “We keep on praying, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good deeds your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.”
Guest Ambassadors:
Dr (COL) Arnie Ahnfeldt, USA (Ret.) and Dr (COL) Jeff Ginther, USA (Ret.)
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RMH #8
2022-07-23 - 2022-07-30
Lead Mentor:
COL Andy MacLean, USA (Ret)
Co-Mentor:
TBD
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Climb Together #2
2022-09-16 - 2022-09-18

Climb Together #3
2022-09-23 - 2022-09-25

Aspentime 2022
2022-09-23 - 2022-09-25
Speaker:
CH (COL) Mark Stewart, USA
Chaplain (Colonel) Mark Stewart serves as the Fort Carson Senior Command Chaplain. He received his commission as an Engineer officer upon graduating from ROTC in 1986. He became a Chaplain in 2002. He has pastored four garrison congregations, two combat theater congregations, and one joint forces chapel. Chaplain Stewart has been happily married to his wife, Laurie, for 27 years. They have three children: Nathan (graduate student, age 24), Kaylyn (college senior, age 21) and Audrey (college freshman, age 18).
Topic:
“TFL” – Trust, Faith, Love
CH Stewart will explore the correlation between TRUST and FAITH, as well as their enhancement of Christian living. A brief survey of biblical theology, current scholarly research, and proven application methods will deepen the participants’ understanding of the subject matter. More importantly, it should enhance one’s walk with Christ and personal relationships. The presentation will include audience dialog, small group break-outs, and a few corny dad jokes.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV
Guest Ambassador:
Dr (COL) Arnie and Lois Ahnfeldt, USA (Ret.)
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OCF Council Meeting Fall 2022
2022-10-13 - 2022-10-16
OCF Council meetings are open to all OCF members!
Meals include Thursday dinner – Sunday breakfast
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