Spring Canyon Conference Center

Summer Celebration #1: Leavenworth Week
2024-06-08 - 2024-06-14 | Spring Canyon Conference Center, 26000 County Road 344, Buena Vista, CO, 81211
If you are graduating from Fort Leavenworth CGSC or SAMS, Summer Celebration Week 1 is ideal for you! Fort Leavenworth OCF Members attending Spring Canyon for the first time qualify for a special 20% discount this week. Contact our Guest Services Team at (719) 395-2328 or reservations@springcanyon.org to confirm your eligibility.
Since this week is slightly shorter, the costs are $650 for Adults/Teens (13+), $390 for Youth (6-12), and $195 for Children (3-5).
Speaker: CH(MAJ) Josh Grimes, USA
Topic: Topic: “A Praying Life”
Guest Ambassadors: LTC Jim and Christina Harbridge, USA (Ret.)
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Summer Celebration #2: Homeschooling Week
2024-06-14 - 2024-06-21
Speaker: Tegan Truitt

Tegan Truitt is a father, homeschool graduate, and PhD student in George Mason University’s Department of Economics, where he teaches undergraduate economics. His passion for teaching led him into academia, and he and his wife Bethany (another homeschooler) intend to homeschool their children. While he had to pick one discipline to specialize in (Econ), he maintains interests in music, poetry, philosophy, history (especially church history), and chess. When not reading aloud together, the Truitts enjoy hiking, board games, and hosting friends.
Topic: “Education and the Cultivation of the Soul”
Tegan brings his experience as a lifelong student and professional educator to bear on two chief questions of homeschooling: Why you should consider homeschooling? How to homeschool well? Tegan argues for a vision of education where its material aims — things like getting a good job, or going to a good college — take a backseat. Instead, teachers should primarily order education toward helping the student to see God in His creation, and His image in other persons, and parents are often the best-positioned to become this kind of teacher.
Guest Ambassadors: Lt Col Scott Crabtree, USAF (Ret.) and Capt Colleen Crabtree, USAFR
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Rocky Mountain High #2
2024-06-15 - 2024-06-22
Mentor: COL Frank Rubio, USA
Co-Mentor: 1LT Ethan Weaver, USA
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Father Teen Adventure #2 (Father-Daughter)
2024-06-15 - 2024-06-22
Mentors: Col Kim Hawthorne, USAF (Ret.) & Mrs. Erin (Hawthorne) Dickman
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Summer Celebration #3
2024-06-21 - 2024-06-28
Speaker: Brig Gen Gwyn Armfield, USAF (Ret.)

Gwyn Armfield served for nearly three decades in U.S. Air Force Special Operations, retiring as a Brigadier General. Gwyn now runs a consulting business and is the co-author of the book “Lead to Serve and Serve to Lead: Leading Well in Turbulent Times.” He works each week with at-risk teenage young men to prepare them for future success and is on the board of two Christian non-profit organizations. During his time in the military, Gwyn was the Deputy Commanding General of Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan and commanded Air Force Special Tactics units at all levels in garrison and on 11 combat deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations. Gwyn’s wife Catherine is a former school teacher who is active in both women and children’s ministries. They have been married for over 30 years and have three adult children; one is a school teacher and two are serving in the military.
Topic: “Living a Life of Godly Purpose”
During the week we will explore how to purposefully love God and love others wherever we are called to serve. The discussions will center on applying biblical principles in real life – whether at home, work, on deployment, or after the military. “But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.” Isaiah 32:8 (ESV)
Guest Ambassadors: Col Jason and Shelby Bell, USAF
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Rocky Mountain High #3
2024-06-22 - 2024-06-29
Mentor: Col Tony Kim, USAF (Ret.)
Co-Mentor: SrA Cameron Kerkes, ANG
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Father Teen Adventure #3 (Father-Son)
2024-06-22 - 2024-06-29
Mentor: Col Rick Kuhlman, USAFR (Ret.)
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Summer Celebration #4
2024-06-28 - 2024-07-05
Speaker: COL Kevin Bouren, USA (Ret.)

Kevin Bouren is a Soldier in the Lord’s Army and served as a front-line ambassador for Christ while wearing the uniform of our Nation’s Army for more than 30 years. A native of Phoenix, AZ, he is a 1997 Graduate of West Point, commanded Soldiers in combat in Iraq, and served in numerous combat and peacekeeping operations throughout the world. Kevin is passionate about making disciples and helping them to fulfill the Great Commission. His service to the Nation and our Lord is enabled and enhanced by a thriving marriage to Adra, his lovely wife of 26+ years, who changes the world one child at a time as a homeschool mom to their four delightful children: Kayla, Brady, Annalise, & Luke. The Bouren Family is passionate about Christian filmmaking and using their gifts to serve together on movie sets as they proclaim Christ to the world. In March 2023, Kevin co-founded Set Shepherds, a nonprofit ministry designed to shepherd the movie cast and crew for Christ. He’s co-produced two feature-length films: Birthright Outlaw (October 2023); and The Forge which hits theaters in August of 2024. Kevin produced his most recent movie called EMBER (March 2024) with his oldest son, Brady, who wrote and directed this short film. EMBER won Runner-Up for Best Young Filmmaker at the 2024 Christian Worldview Film Festival. The Bouren Family has been lifelong OCF members and currently makes their home in Northern Colorado.
Topic: “Discipleship”
Guest Ambassadors: Col. Chet and Michelle Arnold, USMC (Ret.)
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Father Teen Adventure #4 (Father-Son)
2024-06-29 - 2024-07-06

Rocky Mountain High #4 (International Week)
2024-06-29 - 2024-07-06
Mentor: COL Andy MacLean, USA (Ret.) & Mrs. Corrie Frederickson
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Summer Celebration #5 Work Week
2024-07-05 - 2024-07-12
Work week volunteers must be 14 years or older, and should be physically able to work at least 8 hours each day, completing manual labor tasks such as fire mitigation, wood splitting, building repairs, climbing ladders, and more. We will schedule a half-day off for all volunteers, with optional activities (some with an additional cost) like whitewater rafting, indoor climbing wall, and hot springs. Volunteers, guests, and staff will gather for meals and engaging teaching sessions with our guest speaker during the day.
We will offer a limited children’s program for ages 0-13. Two of the evening teaching sessions will include separate children’s program sessions; the other sessions will not include a children’s program. We will also offer optional babysitting (additional cost) on two separate mornings.
Cost:
For volunteers (ages 14 and up) who work the full week, there is no cost! Volunteers still get the scheduled half-day off.
For all other guests who are not working the full week, we offer a 20% discount from our standard Summer Celebration rates:
Adults (14+) $608, Youth (6-13) $365, Children (3-5) $183, Infants (0-2) $0. No other discounts are compatible with these rates.
Please register online and email reservations@springcanyon.org if you plan to attend Work Week. Let us know whether members of your family or group will attend as volunteers workers or guests. This will help us accurately plan and organize our work projects.
Thanks for considering helping Spring Canyon tackle some larger projects to benefit the property and better serve our guests!
Feel free to contact our guest services team with any additional questions: (719) 395-2328 or reservations@springcanyon.org
Speaker :

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: “Grace, Grit, Glory and Good: A Study in The Book of Titus”
The book of Titus teaches us how to: find our identity, live and lead with uncompromising Christian values, and stand for truth — even when we’re immersed in a world filled with division, arrogance, and moral decline. Paul’s letter to Titus, though short, is filled with many practical, life-affirming principles that empower us to live our faith boldly and to make an impact on the world around us.
Guest Ambassadors: TBD
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Rocky Mountain High #5
2024-07-06 - 2024-07-13
Mentor: Maj Tim Tormey, USMC (Ret.)
Co-Mentor: CDR Lars Tormey, USCG
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Father Teen Adventure #5 (Father-Son)
2024-07-06 - 2024-07-13

Summer Celebration #6: Optional Fly Fishing Track!
2024-07-12 - 2024-07-19
Speaker: Brig Gen Jeff Hurlburt, USAF (Ret.)

Brig Gen Jeff Hurlbert is a sinner saved by grace. He has been an OCF member since the late 1990s and currently serves on the OCF Council. Jeff and his wife Stephanie have been blessed with 8 children, ranging in ages from 23 to 5. Jeff retired from the US Air Force in 2023 after 32 years of service. In his last military assignment, he served as the 32nd Commandant of the National War College on Ft. McNair in Washington DC. Jeff is currently the Chief Security Officer for Applied Materials, a global leader in the semi-conductor, display, and solar panel industries. He and his family live in Austin, Texas.
Topic: “Biblical Humility”
Biblical humility is a practical application in marriage, family life, and career. “…And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.” Micah 6-8
Guest Ambassadors: TSgt Ryan and Krisha Padgett, USAF (Ret.)
New! Optional Fly Fishing Track
Our Guest Ambassador, TSgt Ryan Padgett, USAF (Ret.), and guides from Bold Face Fly Fishing will lead Spring Canyon’s first-ever Summer Celebration Fly Fishing Track. Experience the beauty, wonder, and delight of God’s amazing creation while building fun new skills under exceptional instruction. Bold Face Fly Fishing is a nonprofit that thanks “everyday heroes” (military, first responders, and healthcare workers) and introduces them to the peace, excitement, and fellowship of fly fishing.

This optional track includes 2.5 days of hands-on instruction and fly fishing experience at Spring Canyon and the nearby Arkansas River Valley.

Day 1 (Spring Canyon Ponds): Gear assembly, knot-tying, and casting fundamentals
Day 2 (Arkansas River): Nymphing and dry fly fishing, visiting a local fly fishing outfitter, approaching the water, fishing on site!
Day 3 (Arkansas River): Care and release of fish, knowing and respecting local regulations, fishing on site!
Bring your catch back to Spring Canyon and let our kitchen team cook and serve them for you!

Cost: $100
Limited to the first eight signups. Minimum age 14.
You’re welcome to bring your own gear, or Spring Canyon and Bold Face Fly Fishing will provide gear
Guests will need to purchase a Colorado Parks & Wildlife fishing license.
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Father Teen Adventure #6 (Father-Son)
2024-07-13 - 2024-07-20

Rocky Mountain High #6
2024-07-13 - 2024-07-20
Mentor: Lt Col Paul Homan, USAF (Ret.)
Co-Mentor: Lt Col Patrick Jackson, USAF
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Summer Celebration #7
2024-07-19 - 2024-07-26
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: Proverbs: Living Wisely in an Age of Folly
Multiple sources for knowledge abound at our fingertips today – Google, social media, AI – yet we live in an “Age of Folly”. Like the prophet Jeremiah’s day, right is called wrong, wrong is called right, and God’s wisdom is called foolishness. To His people God says, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise” (Eph. 5:15). But living wisely is challenging in life’s complexity. Proverbs practically instructs us on the nature of wisdom, its purpose, and its application.
Guest Ambassadors: COL Steve and Miriam Shambach, USA (Ret.)
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Father Teen Adventure #7 (Father-Daughter)
2024-07-20 - 2024-07-27
Mentors: Col Hous Waring, USAF (Ret.) & Isobel (Waring) Sallah
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Rocky Mountain High #7
2024-07-20 - 2024-07-27
Mentor: LTC John Cross, USA (Ret.)
Co-Mentor: Mr. Rob Allen
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Summer Celebration #8: Medical Week
2024-07-26 - 2024-08-02
Speaker: Gene Rudd

Gene Rudd completed a military residency is OB/GYN. He later served as a teaching attending, and then provided OB/GYN care in an underserved area of the US. Following that he served Samaritan Purse by providing care in crisis areas of the world. For 25 years he served as Senior Vice President for Christian Medical & Dental Associations. While technically retired, he continues to volunteer for CMDA as well as serves on the pastoral/preaching team at his local church. Gene and Brenda Gay have 4 children and 11 grandchildren.
Topic: “Close Encounters with Jesus”
Gene Rudd completed a military residency is OB/GYN. He later served as a teaching attending, and then provided OB/GYN care in an underserved area of the US. Following that he served Samaritan Purse by providing care in crisis areas of the world. For 25 years he served as Senior Vice President for Christian Medical & Dental Associations. While technically retired, he continues to volunteer for CMDA as well as serves on the pastoral/preaching team at his local church. Gene and Brenda Gay have 4 children and 11 grandchildren.
Guest Ambassadors: Dr (COL) Arnie Ahnfeldt, USA (Ret.) and Dr (COL) Jeff Ginther, USA (Ret.)
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Rocky Mountain High #8
2024-07-27 - 2024-08-03
Mentor: Col Hous Waring, USAF (Ret.)
Co-Mentor: Lt Col Mike Weeks, USAF
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Climb Together #2
2024-09-13 - 2024-09-15
Come join us for a weekend full of mountain adventure with your 8-13 year olds!
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Aspentime 2024
2024-09-20 - 2024-09-22
Speaker: Dean Rizzo
Dean Rizzo is a long time OCF member from the 1980s when he was active duty Army. God used OCF to change his life. His wife, Susan, has been an OCF member even longer and it was Sue that encouraged Dean to attend a local OCF Bible study when they were first married and stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. Dean attended with lots of reservations, but God pursued and Dean finally surrendered his life to Christ in 1988 as a newly promoted Captain. Dean and Sue have a long relationship with Spring Canyon also. They would love to tell you the story if you are interested. Dean currently works as a federal govt civilian at Evans Army Community Hospital on Fort Carson and attends an OCF Bible study with young LTs and ROTC cadets in Colorado Springs.
Topic: “Soulwork Everyday”
We can experience God’s presence each day. We should and we can. We need God’s Word and His Spirit — that’s what changes us and shapes us to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This is truly soul work — deep down to the depths of our being. God’s presence strikes a chord within us like no other. Come enjoy a weekend of fellowship OCF-style with plenty of God’s Word and prayer and iron sharpening iron.
Guest Ambassador: COL Steve and Miriam Shambach, USA (Ret.)
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Climb Together #3
2024-09-27 - 2024-09-29

Connections & Conversations Retreat #1
2024-11-14 - 2024-11-17
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 a book, short articles or stories.
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.
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Winter Retreat 1
2024-12-18 - 2024-12-23
Speaker: Colonel Dale Holland, USAF (Ret.)
Colonel (Ret.) Dale Holland is a 30-year U.S. Air Force veteran from Hooper, CO. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1987 and has commanded Special Operations Forces in Iraq, Africa and Europe as well as serving some of our nation’s key civilian leaders in the Pentagon. He is a seasoned combat pilot with over 6,700 hours of flying experience in both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft and continues to serve today as an airline pilot. His leadership experience over the last 40 years ranges from small teams to large complex organizations, both overseas and here at home. Serving as the Vice Commandant of Cadets for the U.S. Air Force Academy was one of the highlights of his career and an amazing opportunity to pass on his passion for leadership to the next generation. His greatest blessing; however, is his lovely wife, Debi, and their 5 children.
Topic: “Joy in Obedience”
Moving away from the feeling, “I have to obey” towards, “I get to obey.” How do we find joy in obeying when we really don’t feel like obeying what we know God is calling us to do?
Guest Ambassadors: Maj Joel and Pat Heath, USA (Ret.)
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Winter Retreat 2
2024-12-23 - 2024-12-28
Speaker: Chaplain (COL) Steve Peck, USA (Ret.)
Chaplain (Colonel) Steve Peck, USA retired in 2024 after 40 years of serving in the Army Reserve (5 years), ROTC (2 years) and Active Duty (33 years). He has served as enlisted helicopter Crew Chief and Infantry officer, including Operation Desert Storm, and served his last 27 years as a chaplain. He is a graduate of Texas A&M, earned a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, an MMAS from the U.S. Command & General Staff College, and studied as an Army War College Fellow. He and Suzanne have been married 23 years and have four great military kids. They serve on the Club Beyond Board of Directors and volunteer with their local church, Younglife, and The MomCo.
Topic: “Rescue”
God’s “arrival” on earth at Christmas initiated the rescue plan that defines all of history. God has rescued his people, both collectively and individually, and he continues working through his people to extend the reach of that rescue plan and his coming kingdom.
Guest Ambassadors: Byron and Lisa Sims
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Winter Retreat 3
2024-12-29 - 2025-01-03
Speaker: CH(MAJ) Tom Strong, USA (Ret.)
Tom & Jeri celebrated 40 years of marriage in May 2024 & reside in Colorado Springs. They have two adult sons & one grandchild.
Tom has a background of strategy, projects, and leadership for personnel and organizational development. He *graduated* (retired) from the military in 2018 having served as a US Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer & a US Army Chaplain. He invested the last 6 years developing & coaching leaders in the construction industry.
Tom’s education includes a BSc. in Chemical and Petroleum Refining Engineering from Colorado School of Mines, an MDiv from Trinity International University, and a Master of Executive Leadership from Liberty University.
Topic: “Bringing A Kingdom of God Mindset into Your Arenas of Life”
Jesus said our top priority is to … “seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6.33). But what does that mean to us individually? How does it work in the arenas of life? What role is the church to play? How do we keep the LORD primary in the busyness of life? What happens when we don’t get it right? Our aim is to understand & practice more of a Kingdom-mindset in our approach to life.
Guest Ambassadors: Dr (COL) Luke and Karen Hofmann, USA, MD
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Connections & Conversations Retreat #2
2025-02-06 - 2025-02-09

RMH Mentor Retreat
2025-02-14 - 2025-02-16
Our Spring Canyon Outdoor staff is inviting all past, present, and future RMH Mentors to attend the Rocky Mountain High Mentor Conference. 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 mentors that are unified in supporting the OCF/Rocky Mountain High mission (Psalm 133). If you cannot attend in person, let us know so that we can make sure you have the link for portions of the conference that will be live streamed. During the conference, we will engage in workshops concerning these issues:

Understanding the scope of the OCF RMH ministry.
Discussing the current cultural climate in the military, and learning how to mentor RMHers with regard to the issues they will face.
Relationship building, benchmarking, and networking for the sustained encouragement and mentorship of our cadre of RMH mentors.

Make a ReservationIf you’d like to be a mentor for summer 2025, please fill out the appropriate application below. However, you are not required to complete an application in order to attend this retreat.
2025 First time mentor application2025 alumni mentor application
