Great Adventure Camps in New Mexico

Summer camp is not just a way to send your kids off to have fun for a few weeks in the summer. Many times parents don’t even realize themselves that a summer camp can change a kid’s life, even redirect it in ways they never imagined. Accredited camps are run by people who know and love kids and who have training to teach them in their activities. But what is really accomplished at a great camp is a blossoming self-awareness of any child’s own potential, a greater willingness and the ability to face hard challenges. Some parents say in testimonials that their child matured almost overnight from their camp stay. Many others say their child returned happier and more confident and secure. Whatever the change, though, it will be for the better and it will most likely surprise you. New Mexico is a great place to send your kid for a summer adventure because of the stark beauty and ruggedness of its mesas, mountains, hot- springs, and bubbling creeks–all the adventure spots anyone could wish for.

Southwest Discoveries is just what its name says–places of discovery. Camp here is all about diving into the history of the southwest and experiencing the past and the present through exploration, rafting, adventures into canyons and up mountains, experiences around campfires, sharing of Indian lore and beliefs, and just plain hands-on fun. Southwest Discoveries, for teens 13-18 years of age, is a “mind/body experience” that takes them to Chaco Canyon and the Taos Pueblo for a journey into a land that was sacred to the tribes living there centuries ago and still is today. Everything they do, from rafting in rushing whitewater streams, to fishing, hiking and riding horseback lets them traverse a part of our country that is a part of our national culture–the great deserts and mountains of the Southwest. This family-owned camp is geared to creating a love for the area in boys and in giving them a reverence and respect for the beautiful land occupied by indigenous peoples for hundreds of years before us. Special features of this camp are its small group sizes (no more than ten campers), adventure activities that are truly challenging, and exploration of cliff dwellings in the area. No experience is required of campers. Tobacco and alcohol are not tolerated. In addition, it’s requested that campers do some light physical training to prepare for the sessions. The camp will send you a list of suggested exercises that will help a child prepare. Money is only necessary if and when a camper wants to make a purchase in Taos or Santa Fe. A fourteen-day session is $2,200 and the first trip begins June 24th. You can apply online and also contact the group at Southwest Discoveries Teen Adventures • 383 Glorieta Mesa Road • Glorieta, NM 87535 • 505.231.0704

Next is Deerhill Expeditions Camp http://www.deerhillexpeditions.com/ Deerhill Expeditions is another camp in the New Mexico Wilderness country. It’s been around since 1984, taking folks into treks in the Southwest. The have wilderness camps, native culture camps and community service camps all over the entire area and also in Costa Rica! Expeditions range from 15-34 days in length for 7th through 12th grade students. They invite kids to “Find Yourself in the Middle of Nowhere.” Clicking on the Adventure Summary link you’ll see many options on the sorts of trips and adventures that are open to campers. I chose River and Mountain, which lasts for 15 or 18 days and is open for 7th and 8th graders. It’s a great introduction to all the other Deerhill expeditions because of the limited time frame. Costs are $2,550 and $3,050 for the respective trips. Campers raft and kayak on the San Juan River and commit to 8-12 hours of archeological service in the Ute Mt. Tribal Park in Colorado In the second expedition they also backpack and climb in the San Juan Mountains. Day 1 is spent in orientation of all campers at the Deerhill base camp, teaching them the itinerary and what to expect of the trip. This is true wilderness experience since all campers sleep and cook out in the open in tents or at temporary camps they set up for the different trips. At one point near the end of River and Mountain II, campers will even scale the 13,062-ft. summit of magnificent Centennial Peak. Good friends are made on trips that through them into dependency on each other and mutual respect. Deerhill is a great way to introduce kids to self-sufficiency, survival, service and respect for nature and native peoples. They practically guarantee that your son will come home a changed person! Look over the site and apply online, but call or email them if there are any questions that may not be addressed on the web site. info@deerhillexpeditions.com
Deer Hill Expeditions
PO Box 180
Mancos, CO 81328
Toll Free: 800.533.7221

http://lonetree.org/folders.asp?action=display&record;=2 Lone Tree Adventure Camp is part of Lone Tree Ministries and as such, bases its experiences on reverence of God’s creation, service to others, and “high adventure activities” to bring campers closer to each other and to God. The Ranch headquarters can be reached at (505) 354-2523 or nmranch@lonetree.org for more information. The full camp program is appropriate for the parent sending an individual child or children. They provide Biblical teaching, all food, lodging and activities. They say to call them for the summer camp dates for the full program. Kids have the opportunity to sign up for the afternoon activities they prefer, so the camping experience is less about teaching a range of skills and more about letting a kid excel in what he loves best. There is a lot to choose from too: mountain scooters, Alpine tower, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and much more. Look at the more adventurous Challenge Courses as well. These involve climbing in High Elements and Low Elements and also taking on the Alpine Tower. Summer camp at Lone Tree is totally ACA certified and Health Department-approved. All precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of the kids. Parents can sign their children for five full nights of lodging, meals and activities for only $294. This is quite a bargain, compared with costs at other camps. Of course, its up to parents to make the choice suitable for their kids.