The Casa Teen Outdoor Leadership Experience Helped Participants Build Confidence, Strengthen Friendships, and Prepare to Mentor the Next Generation of Campers
For the past few days, our group of Casa de la Esperanza teens has been getting ready for our camping adventure. We spent our time getting to know each other even better (no small feat for a group that already comes from a close-knit community!), practicing camping skills, planning meals and activities, and figuring out exactly what to pack. By the end of the week, they had become tent-setup pros. So much so that they could put up a tent blindfolded! All who were participating in this teen outdoor leadership experience were now ready for their overnight camping adventure.
When Thursday finally arrived, it was time to put all of that preparation into action. We kicked off the trip with a stop at Waneka Lake, where we spent the afternoon paddle boating, fishing, swimming, and enjoying some much-needed beach time. For many campers, this ended up being one of the highlights of the trip.
The paddle boats made quick work of crossing the lake on the way out, and before long everyone was exploring the far shore and casting fishing lines into the water. But the trip back was a different story. As the wind picked up, our swan-shaped paddle boats suddenly felt a lot less speedy. What started as a leisurely ride turned into a teamwork challenge, with boats joining forces and paddlers working together in a united front against the wind. There was plenty of laughter, a lot of determination, and proud teams by the time everyone made it back to shore.
Between the paddle boats, the fishing rods, and the beach time, it was one of those afternoons that felt like summer at its best. We shared lunch on the shore before packing up and heading into the mountains.
Once we arrived at our campsite, campers got right to work creating their ideal tent setups. As if on cue, a pair of curious ponies wandered into camp to check out our progress, making for a pretty memorable welcome.
After settling in, we headed out on a hike to scout the perfect location for a game of Camouflage. If you’ve never watched a group of teenagers disappear into the woods with surprising skill and enthusiasm, you’re missing out.
Back at camp, it was time for one of the most anticipated events of the trip: our camp meal cook-off. The challenge? Make the best pasta dish. The results were impressive. From a chicken fettuccine alfredo to a green chile crema sauce, everything was made from scratch and absolutely delicious. The competition may never be fully settled, but everyone agreed dinner was a success.
As the sun set, we gathered around the campfire for s’mores and jokes before pulling out the telescope for some stargazing. We wrapped up the evening with a night hike, taking turns walking portions of the trail alone. It was an opportunity to experience something many of us don’t get much of in our daily lives: true darkness, quiet, and solitude.
The next morning was slow and relaxed, and brought another unexpected animal encounter. As campers enjoyed breakfast and a leisurely start to the day, a small herd of alpacas wandered into camp alongside their protector llama. The campsite owner stopped by and treated us to a lesson on the differences between alpacas and llamas, explaining everything from their personalities and care needs to the important role llamas can play in protecting a herd.
After spending some time with our fuzzy visitors, we soaked in a little more time outdoors and squeezed in one last round of camouflage before packing up.
On the drive home, this incredible group learned one final outdoor skill: how to deissue gear after a trip. Not only did they tackle the challenge, but they also broke records for both speed and organization. Everything was cleaned, sorted, and put away with impressive efficiency – a skill that will serve them well on future adventures.
And speaking of future adventures, all of this teen outdoor leadership preparation was leading toward an exciting next step: helping plan and lead a backyard camping experience for the younger members of their community. We can’t wait to see them take everything they’ve learned and share it with the next generation of campers. Read more about that next adventure here.
We want to thank our funders that helped make this program possible, including Boulder County Housing Authority, Colorado Health Foundation, Great Outdoors Colorado, Nature Kids Longmont, Ronald and Carol Moore Family Foundation, and Thorne Nature Experience!
If you are inspired by this program and want to help make it possible again next summer, consider making a donation to Cottonwood Institute today!
