8th & 9th Grade Wilderness Camp II

(ages 12-15)

 

June 29-July 4, 2025

Arrival: 4:00–5:00pm Sunday
Departure: 9:00am Friday

 

8th & 9th Grade
Wilderness Camp II

(ages 12-15)

 

June 29-July 4, 2025

Arrival: 4:00–5:00pm Sunday
Departure: 9:00am Friday

RMMC offers an affordable wilderness experience with a unique blend of destinations and activities. Each camp is limited to 10 campers. Campers participate in rock climbing and rappelling on Monkey Rock, backpack a few miles to the destination, experience the beauty of remote wilderness areas, play games, set up a campsite and learn skills of camping outside.

Campers will be challenged physically and mentally (Previous experience is strongly encouraged). RMMC provides all technical equipment unless a camper has personal gear they wish to use. It is required that each camper is capable of carrying their own pack (Approx 30+ pounds), is able to follow instructions provided by the staff, and has a desire to make the most of the week. This ensures a fun and enjoyable week for all participants!

Faith Formation

2024 Summer Theme: What’s the Forecast? 

No matter the weather, God is always with us; in the calm, in the storm, and everything in between. How can we see God amidst it all? Looking to Joshua 1:9 and Matthew 28:20, join in for fun weather-themed games and activities and learn how to see God in all situations, no matter the forecast!

Activities

A few examples of the activities campers can experience during their week at camp. View camp activities page.

Rock Climbing & Rappelling
at Monkey Rock

Tent camping

Full Day Whitewater Rafting Trip with
Noah’s Ark in in Brown’s Canyon

3 Day Backpacking Trip to Bushnell Lakes

Trip Information:

  • Miles (round trip) : 5.5
  • Elevation gain : 3,300ft
  • Steep grades
  • Rapid weather changes

See more photos and videos from previous year’s on our Facebook page.

Schedule & Packing List 

Schedule

 

Sunday

Registration Begins
Leave to Park Ridge
Supper
Rock Climbing and rappelling
Staff Introductions
Devotions
In Cabins
Lights Out

Monday 

Wake-up Bell
Breakfast
Leave for trailhead
Lunch
Horizonatal Hour
Supper
Games
Devotions
In Cabins
Lights out

Tuesday

Wake-up Bell
Breakfast
Pack up and start hiking
Lunch
Play Games
Horizonatal Hour
Supper
Games
Devotions
In tents
Lights out

Wednesday

Wake-up Bell
Breakfast
Hike out
Lunch
Set up camp near Bushnell Trailhead
Horizonatal Hour
Supper
Games on the dunes
Devotions
In tents
Lights out

Thursday

Wake-up Bell
Breakfast
White Water Rafting!
Lunch on the water
Supper in town
Slideshow
Devotions
In Cabins
Lights out

Friday

Wake-up Bell and Pack up
Breakfast
Closing Devotions
Farewell
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

Packing List

SUMMER WEATHER – Each day offers a sample of the seasons: spring in the morning; summer in the afternoon; fall in the evening. Even winter can be represented in early June with snow! Rain and hail storms can also come at a moment’s notice just to keep things interesting. Being prepared with appropriate clothing is the key to enjoying the variety of weather the Rocky Mountains offer!

What to bring

  • For Base Camp:
    • Normal Casual Clothing
    • Warm Sleeping Bag (mummy bag best)
    • Pillow
    • Towel
    • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, chapstick)
    • Small Flashlight or Headlamp
    • Sunscreen
    • Optional: Money for Trading Post (visit www.rmmc.org for available items and prices)
  • For Back Packing:
    • Backpacking backpack (not a day pack 65L or more)
    • Sleeping pad
    • 1-2 Water bottles (32oz recommended)
    • 1 Baseball cap
    • 1 Rain Coat
    • 1 Pair of Hiking Boots or Shoes
    • 1 Pair of Sandals
    • 3 Pairs of Socks (preferably wool)
    • 1 Pair of Athletic Shorts
    • 1 Pair of Athletic Pants
    • 1 Pair of Sweat Pants/Long Underwear
    • 2 Pairs of Underwear
    • 1 Short Sleeve T-shirt (preferably not cotton)
    • 1 Long Sleeve T-shirt (preferably not cotton)
    • 1 Fleece or Sweatshirt
    • 1 Pair Light Gloves
    • 1 Stocking Hat

 

  • For Back Horseback Riding (as applicable):
    • Jeans
  • For Rock Climbing / Rappelling:
    • Tennis Shoes or Hiking Boots
  • For Rafting:
    • Swimsuit (one piece or tankini for females and swim trunks for males)
    • Water shoes (sandals with heel straps or tennis shoes that can get wet)

What RMMC can provide (if you don’t have it)

    • Backpacking backpacks
    • Sleeping pads
    • Plastic rain covers
    • Water bottles

What NOT to bring

    • Electronics (phone, camera, watch, etc)
    • Pets
    • Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana
    • Illegal substances
    • Fireworks
    • Firearms
    • Knives
    • Candy/Gum
    • Drones
    • Clothing with drugs/alcohol/tobacco references or logos

registration fees

Online registration opens one year prior to the camp. Register before June 1st to receive a discounted price for registration. After June 1st, interested campers need to contact RMMC directly for availability.

Online registration opens one year prior to the camp. Register before June 1st to receive a discounted price for registration. After June 1st, interested campers need to contact RMMC directly for availability.

good rate

After May 31

$625

Better rate

March 1–May 31

$605

Best rate

Before March 1

$585

REGISTRATION FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions as it relates to registration.

Deposits

A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at registration. This represents our promise to save you a space to attend (and turn away others as necessary) in exchange for your promise to come!

Payments

Payment options available through online registration include:

  • Payment in full
  • $50 deposit (non-refundable) with remaining balance due prior to arriving at camp
  • $50 deposit (non-refundable) and remaining balance paid in monthly installments between registration month and May

Payment options include eChecks (ACH), checks by mail or credit card.

Discounts

Sibling Discount: when siblings attend one or more youth camps, each camper is eligible for a $10 discount off each camp. This discount is automatically applied during registration.

Multiple Camp Discount: when one camper attends multiple camps in the same season (ie: Resident and Wilderness camps) you may select a $10 discount off each camp during registration. 

Camper Scholarships

Rocky Mountain is blessed to have scholarships funded by donors who want to ensure money is not a barrier for a youth to enjoy a summer camp experience. The challenge with these limited funds is to find the right balance of helping as many campers as possible (less money per request to help more campers) while also helping as much as needed (more money per request to help less campers) with the scholarship funds received.

In this spirit (with the Spirit), we ask families to consider the amount that fits their financial circumstances best. Scholarships of 15%, 25% 35% up to a maximum of 50% will be considered understanding that what we are able to offer may be less than what is requested. We do the best with what we have. Your request may be for the camp fee itself and/or include financial assistance with transportation options offered.

Step 1: Please contact the Executive Director, Corbin Graber (719-687-9506 or [email protected]) and share what amount of assistance is requested.

Step 2: A scholarship code will be offered for the agreed amount.

Step 3: When registering camper, use the "Discount Code" field to reduce the camp fees by the percent of the scholarship code entered (note: this is step 2 in the registration steps).

Transportation

While families are responsible to make arrangements for getting campers to and from RMMC, camp offers the following transportation options as part of online registration:

VAN TRANSPORTATION LOCATIONS
To/From Hesston, KS

  • Price: $55 each-way per camper.
  • Location: Hesston Mennonite Church, 309 S. Main - south canopy entrance

To/From Salina, KS

  • Price: $55 each-way per camper.
  • Location: Spangles Restaurant, 1720 W. Crawford St.

To/From Colorado Springs, CO (contact if interested)

  • Price: $25 each-way per camper.
  • Location: REI, 1376 E Woodmen Rd.

Sunday Itinerary
7:00 a.m. – Load vans at Hesston Mennonite Church (Central Time)
7:30 a.m. – Depart for RMMC (Central Time)
8:15 a.m. – Pick up campers in Salina, Kansas (Central Time)
2:45 p.m. – Pick up campers in Colorado Springs, Colorado (Mountain Time)
3:45 p.m. – Estimated arrival at RMMC (Mountain Time)
4:00 p.m. – Camp check-in (Mountain Time)

Friday Itinerary
9:30 a.m. – Depart RMMC (Mountain Time)
10:30 a.m. – Estimated arrival in Colorado Springs, CO (Mountain Time)
6:45 p.m. – Estimated arrival in Salina, KS (Central Time)
7:30 p.m. – Estimated arrival in Hesston, KS (Central Time)

Register by May 15th to let us know if additional vehicles and drivers are needed and available for transporting campers. Currently, two vans with 20 available camper seats are available each week of youth camps. In any case, spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis with a deposit required to save your space.

OTHER VAN INFORMATION

  • Arrive at pick-up/drop-off locations 1/2 hour prior to listed itinerary times to maintain schedule as best possible. Cell phone updates from campers and/or van driver can be offered as needed.
  • Campers should have money for scheduled meal stops and/or are encouraged to bring water bottles and snacks for the journey.
  • Health details from from online registration will be used to care for campers as part of the trip.
  • Pack efficiently as space in the van(s) will need to hold both passengers AND belongings (i.e. bag, sleeping bag, pillow).
  • Grade 3 camp and Sr. High Wilderness Camps I & II are NOT served by van transportation.

OTHER TRANSPORTATION

To/From Colorado Springs, CO is offered on a case by case basis. Please contact the camp for more information.

Documents & forms

Please upload the following required forms to the Register For Camp link by May 15th.

PHYSICAL EXAM - a current (within 24 months) health physical is required to attend all week-long youth camps. This must be completed in order for your camper to attend camp. The physical may be sumbitted on any form but must include the camper's name, date of the exam, camper's condition and the physician's signature (electronic signature is ok).

AUTHORIZATION FOR MEDICATION (only if applicable) - all medications, prescribed or over-the-counter (including vitamins, homeopathic medication and essential oils) must have authorization of the prescribing practitioner to be administered.

If bringing medications, please follow the required steps:

    • All medications, prescribed or over-the-counter (including vitamins, homeopathic medication and essential oils) must have authorization of the prescribing practitioner to be administered.
    • All medications must be sent in the original container (including inhalers). No ziplock bags or unlabeled containers.
    • Medications prescribed for campers shall be from a licensed pharmacy; labeled with the name, address, and phone number of the pharmacy; name of the camper; name and strength of the medicine; directions for use; date filled; prescription number and the name of the practitioner prescribing the medicine.

COLORADO CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNIZATION - When a school, child care, or camp receives a Certificate of Immunization from the list of states below, schools may accept the document as a valid certificate waiving the requirement to transfer immunization information onto the Colorado Certificate of Immunization with approved certificate.

Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming

If from a state listed below, information must be provided on the Colorado Certificate of Immunazation form and is required for a camper to attend camp.

Arizona, Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin

For immunization exemption information, please see: Colorado Certificate of Medical Exemption or Colorado Certificate of Nonmedical Exemption

EPI PEN - If your child will be bringing an EpiPen to camp, an emergency health plan with healthcare provider signature is required. You may use your child's plan from school if signed within the past year. This plan will need to be in place on the first day of camp in order for the EpiPen to be used.

INHALER - If your child will be bringing an asthma inhaler to camp, an emergency health plan with healthcare provider signature is required. You may use your child's plan from school if signed within the past year. This plan will need to be in place on the first day of camp in order for the inhaler to be used.

 

Frequently asked questions

What does registration look like on the first day?

Upon arrival, campers go to the Dining Hall/Lodge patio (look for umbrellas) to check-in. Check-in smoothness and efficiency is impacted by help with the following details BEFORE arrival:

  • online payment of camp fees
  • online deposit of trading post spending money for the week
  • uploaded physical exam form
  • uploaded certificate of immunizations
  • uploaded authorization for medication
  • if bringing medications:
    • All medications, prescribed or over-the-counter (including vitamins, homeopathic medication and essential oils) must have authorization of the prescribing practitioner to be administered.
    • All medications must be sent in the original container (including inhalers). No ziplock bags or unlabeled containers.
    • Medications prescribed for campers shall be from a licensed pharmacy; labeled with the name, address, and phone number of the pharmacy; name of the camper; name and strength of the medicine; directions for use; date filled; prescription number and the name of the practitioner prescribing the medicine.

During the check-in process:

  • campers willl meet the health director and turn in any medications for the week.
  • confirm camp payments and review trading post balances.
  • meet program directors with final checks (i.e. pick-up authorization info., etc) before receiving their cabin assignment and meeting a staff counselor.
  • counselors will accompany campers to get their belongings from their transportation (typically) and after a farewell to family and friends, the staff and camper will make their way to the cabin area and settle into their accommodation.

How are grades considered in selecting a camp session?

The grades for camps listed represent the grade campers will be going into for the next school year. To offer campers and families more options when selecting a week of camp, we have expanded the camp sessions to include an age range to permit campers a grade above or below the listed grade level to attend. Select the camp session that works best.

How are cabinmate requests considered?

Being with old friends and making new friends is a wonderful part of the summer camp experience here at RMMC. To intentionally allow for both opportunities with respect to cabin assignments, campers may request to be with one friend, and have that friend request them to be their cabinmate. While all participants are asked to follow this guideline, special considerations may be communicated during the registration process.

While groups of campers who come from the same school or neighborhood may enjoy hanging out with each other, campers in a cabin who are not part of such groups may find it overwhelming and challenging to join in and make new relationships. Overall, while cabin groups share the same cabin and have an afternoon cabin activity together and rest time, the rest of the day allows all campers to interact with each other at meal, activity and worship times.

What about correspondence with my camper?

CORRESPONDENCE – Family and friends are encouraged to write to their camper through mail or email ([email protected]) by adding their name in the subject line. Only emails with text (no pictures) with a minimum of one sentence (vs. one word) will be printed. Campers can send letters and postcards (the stamped kind) through the camp mailbox. Wilderness campers will receive all letters and emails on the days they are on camp property. Messages sent before 4:00pm on the last full day of camp will be delivered in time for supper mail call.

STAFF & CAMPER CORRESPONDENCE – All camp staff are encouraged to be a positive role model to the campers during and after camp. All communication after camp should be initiated by the camper and with permission from their parents. Staff are instructed to view all post-camp communications with campers as if they were still present at camp. 

What if my child gets sick or has an injury?

A qualified Health Supervisor (RN) is on duty throught the week to care for campers and staff. Emergency care is available within 15 minutes in Woodland Park at Pikes Peak Regional Hospital. For the Wilderness program, staff have training and RN oversight while out on the trail. A satellite GPS device is along for communications with camp and if needed emergency assistance. 

How does Trading Post work?

Trading Post offers time together in community visit, play games, and enjoy items from the store while at camp. New in 2021, purchases and a running balance for the week is tracked in the same system as camper registrations. This offers the option to return to your campers Register For Camp link and see the trading post balance in real time AND add money to the balance if so desired. Please visit our online Trading Post to see the range of items offered (and prices), including but not limited to snacks, drinks, water bottles, clothing, flashlights and more.

At the end of the week campers can choose one of the following options for any unspent trading post money:

  • Spend before leaving camp on last day of camp.
  • Move balance to another camp of the camper OR to a sibling going to a future camp.
  • Donate remaining Trading Post balance to the RMMC Camper Scholarship Fund which helps ensure that money isn't a barrier to another camper enjoying a summer camper experience here at Rocky Mountain.
  • Refund to camper (i.e. spending money for the ride home on the Kansas vans).

    Who are your Summer Staff and program leaders?

    Our summer staff are typically students from Mennonite colleges and universities. We run background checks on all of our summer staff and require an application and three references which guide our hiring decisions. A week of staff orientation focuses on the well-being of campers and staff to ensure their physical and emotional safety while at camp. Hike leaders receive Wilderness First Aid and medication administration training. Rock climbing and rappelling supervisors are trained and certified by a professional instructor.
    Camp program leaders are identified for their gifts in ministry and facilitating retreat and community at RMMC. Many are part of a Mennonite Church congregations from near or far. For program leadership (i.e. camp pastors and program directors), individuals are required to fulfill self-disclosure requirements and checks with the sending organization or conference to ensure the pastor’s credentials have never been suspended or terminated due to sexual misconduct (annually). The screening process is intended to ensure that program leaders found to have committed sexual misconduct are not invited to a leadership position.

    Can campers bring electronic devices?

    We ask that electronic devices not be used and either left in the camper's bag or left at home. Our hope is to offer a unique experience away from the normal routines of life in the beauty of God's creation. Devices will be taken, stored in the office, and returned at the end of the week if a camper chooses to not follow this policy. Lost or stolen items are not the responsibility of RMMC. 

     

    Do first time campers get a free t-shirt?

    All first time campers and the friend they come with will receive a t-shirt as a thank you for coming to RMMC. T-shirts will be given to campers during the week of camp. Grade 3 campers will recive a camp pillow.

    How can I see photos from a specific camp week?

    To see photos from camp be sure to check out our photo albums on our Facebook Page.

    Can you accommodate special diets?

    Maybe. Our foodservice is able to accommodate dietary restrictions including: lactose intolerant, dairy free, gluten intolerance or sensitivity, vegetarian and veganism. We also accommodate food allergies including: wheat, nuts, peanuts, fish. While we can accommodate these for served meals, please know that RMMC is not a peanut/nut free location serving a variety of campers and guest groups.

    Beyond this list, we may/may not be able to accommodate a camper's dietary needs. Our Food Service Director is available for questions.

    Do you have to be Mennonite to attend camp?

    While teachings are Bible-based and from a Mennonite perspective, campers of all faiths are respected and welcome to attend.