There are no on-site activities during the day on Friday and Sunday. Event attendees are expected to select one full-day or two half-day (one morning, one afternoon) off-site activities.
Lawyers, Guns and Money. **CANCELLED** We’ll head out to Colorado Springs to visit some of the local museums. We’ll start at the historic Ghost Town Museum, a fun and historic look back at the kind of old west town that used to dot this region during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The museum boasts authentic stagecoaches, building facades and interiors faithfully reconstructed. From there we’ll travel to the Pioneer Museum in the beautifully restored 1903 El Paso County Courthouse. This elegant and historic structure is surrounded by inviting green lawns, colorful flowers, outdoor sculptures, and a splendid granite fountain. Guided by a mission to collect, preserve, research, and interpret the history and culture of the Pikes Peak Region, the Museum features permanent exhibits on the history of the area and changing exhibits on topics of broad interest. We’ll break for lunch, eating outside the museum in the gorgeous gardens, and then we’ll head over to the Money Museum for a guided tour. This unique museum includes exhibits in three main galleries, where visitors can find spectacular rarities and learn about the history of our nation and the world as seen through its money. Cost: $15 **This activity has been cancelled due to lack of interest**
All Day Horseback / Pan for Gold at the Stables of Broadmoor. Trip includes a 2-hour guided trail ride up a mountain to gorgeous views. Then we’ll descend to a stream where we’ll have lunch, learn to pan for gold and try our hand at it. Then we’ll take a one hour trail ride through an onsite game preserve where we’ll see bison and elk up close. A great day in the saddle. Please note: Guests must be under 250lbs. Long pants and closed toe shoes required. Includes lunch (sandwich, chips, apple and cookie/brownie. Vegetarian option available. Lunch is not kosher so if you need kosher, please pack lunch from camp). Cost: $115
Easy/Moderate 3.2-mile Hike in Castlewood Canyon State Park. The park features gorgeous views of Castlewood canyon which is mottled with scrub oak and large, massive rounded boulders, pine trees and the occasional cluster of wild flowers. It is a good park for bird watching too. After exploring the Visitor Center, we’ll descend to the Inner Canyon Trail and meander along the creek. We’ll join up with the Lake Gulch Trails, making a loop in this spectacular rock-walled canyon. After having lunch in the covered picnic pavilion near the Visitor Center, we’ll walk along the paved Canyon View trails to take in beautiful overlooks into the canyon. Included.
Moderate 4-mile Hike on the East Canyon Preservation Trail in Castlewood Canyon. Explore the canyon’s newest trail. Start at the Visitor Center and head out along the rim of the canyon. The trail drops into the canyon for a loop that includes rock formations, pools of water, and pristine flora and fauna. Stay on the trail as this area is part of a preservation effort. You’ll climb back up and back along the rim to complete this “lollipop” hike. Included.
**SOLD OUT*** Moderate Hike approx 5 miles on the Blackmer Trail in Cheyenne Mountain Park and see Prairie Dogs in Their Habitat. Hike 4.7 miles of moderate trail with 525 ft. elevation gain. A park staff favorite because of great pines and rock gardens along the way. Visitors can even view a stunning pine growing out from a boulder. After the hike, we’ll hop in the van to check out a prairie dog village at the beginning of the Sundance Trail. Minutes after starting down the trail you’ll hear their high-pitched barks and see them flicking their tails. Watch them stand atop their burrows, then duck below ground for safety as you approach .Included. *THIS HIKE IS SOLD OUT AND YOU CAN NO LONGER REGISTER FOR IT.***
8-Mile Moderate-Strenuous Hike in Castlewood Canyon State Park. This longer-loop hike follows the Cherry Creek through the canyon and has it all: rock formations, historic dam ruins, waterfalls, flora and fauna, a historic homestead and more! You’ll descend onto the Inner Canyon trail, and follow it along the river to the Dam Ruins trail. Cross over the creek before the dam to pick up the Creekbottom trail which continues downstream past many pools of water and small waterfalls. Once you get up to the historic homestead, you’ll cross back to the RimRock trail, and come back along the upper rim of the canyon. By the dam, you’ll drop back down and head back along the Lake Gulch trail to complete your full circumnavigation of the canyon. Included.
**CANCELLED**Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon. Participants will be invited to climb cliffs up to 100 feet high with experienced, certified guides from The Colorado Climbing Company. Enjoy the adventure of safely climbing outside with the opportunity to learn the basics while overlooking the Colorado Springs skyline. All levels welcome (outfitter has taken people as old as 80 on this trip!) NOTE: This activity will not go unless we have a minimum of 4 people. Price includes four hours of instruction and climbing, and all group equipment such as climbing shoes, helmets, harnesses, and the guides with their equipment. Cost: $58 **This activity has been cancelled due to lack of interest**
There are no on-site activities during the day on Friday and Sunday. Event attendees are expected to select an off-site activity. In addition to a half day morning activity, you will want to choose a half day afternoon activity.
Easy Hike in Garden of the Gods. Garden of the Gods Park is a registered National Natural Landmark. Imagine dramatic views, 300' towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. We’ll begin our exploration of this gorgeous area at the North Parking lot. There is a free nature walk that meets at 10 a.m., and we can hook up with them to learn some interesting tidbits about the park. After the 30-minute program, we’ll explore the paved Perkins Central Garden Trail, which meanders among towering red rock formations. Don’t forget your camera! We’ll then head over to the world class Visitor & Nature Center via the Gateway Trail. While there, you can opt to pay $5 onsite to watch a 14-minute HD movie: "How Did Those Red Rocks Get There?” Total hike length is less than 2 miles on flat trails. Included. Guided One-Hour Horseback Ride through Garden of the Gods. "WOW!" "Incredible!" "Awesome!" are just some of the more common words heard at Academy Riding Stables. Your adventure begins 45 minutes prior to ride time, when you are matched with a horse that will ensure your ride is the best it can be. As you wind along the scenic trails of historical Garden of the Gods, your eyes will feast on the natural beauty that inspired one of America’s most revered and timeless anthems, “America the Beautiful.” Cost: $46.00 One-Hour Segway Tour in Garden of the Gods. A great way to experience one of nature's greatest treasures, Garden of the Gods. Originating at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, unobscured views and a mellow pace will ensure your visit to this beautiful city park is memorable. We’ll make several short stops (Kissing Camels, Praying Hands, panoramic overlook, etc). Your guide will point out Red Tail hawks, red necks, bird poop, eagles’ nests, billion year old geologic formations, exotic plants and wild life, unique caricatures hidden in the rocks and characters climbing on the rocks, cultural history of the park and Colorado Springs, tall tales and true stories of the old west. You may even see a cougar or big-horned sheep. All tours include a 15-minute training session to hone your Segway skills. OUTFITTER NOTES: Guests over 250lbs or under 100lbs need to be pre-approved for the tours. Sturdy flat-soled shoes are required, NO HIGH HEELS, a light jacket or sweatshirt is recommended and helmets are required and will be provided. The Segway is not a Toy. After your tour, you’ll have time to explore the Visitor & Nature Center. Cost: $68.00
For those returning from Castlewood Canyon mid-afternoon, enjoy the camp facilities, participate in a nature walk, volleyball, ga-ga, or relax in the lounge (air hockey, foosball, etc). Details to be provided at a later date.