Bear Trap

Many of you have heard by now that a long and wonderful program may be winding down after 32 years.

Bear Trap Ranch is a beautiful camp nestled in a valley about 7 miles west of Colorado Springs. Seven miles doesn't seem like far, but on this twisty road it's like going to heaven. Far, far away, yet still close enough to realize you can always return to the busy and hectic world in just 45 minutes.

I have been going to Bear Trap Ranch for 21 years spending 5-6 weeks there every fall with a local school districts outdoor education program. Every week a different group of 6th graders would load school buses for the trek up the mountain. It was the unknown for them, and often very scary. The sense of excitement when they got off the bus was amazing.

For many of the kids, this was their first time away from home, not to mention many miles into the wilderness....... Or so it seemed.

The students would then make their way down the road to the main cabins and lodge, where they would await their teachers for cabin assignments. I too awaited to see which students would be assigned to my cabin. Sometimes I would get to choose a student who needed a little encouragement and then there were the other trips that I got the luck of the draw. Typically it would be me, my high school pride leader and as many as 12 students in my cabin! Fun times for sure.

I bring this all up now, because just a few minutes ago I was looking up at the stars and thinking that right now during this very time during the school year I would be getting prepared to spend the next month or so at Bear Trap Ranch. Not this year unfortunately.

The outdoor education program was moved to the summer of 2012 and Bear Trap Ranch has closed due to lack of funding with no real word on the camps future. It saddens me to even think of this. For so many years I have been participating with thousands of kids enjoying the experience. And now, nothing.

I have a huge place in my heart for BTR, and now a large hole exist there because things will never be the same for me or the children in Colorado Springs. They will never get that experience of hiking by the waterfall, climbing to the summit of Devils Slide, rappelling, playing in the pond, the ghost stories and sing-a-longs. For me, I think I will miss the trusting and close conversations that I had with my students. It was a time to bond, and mentor. To make new friendships, that as I look back now are life long.

I want to spend this fall looking back at my experiences at Bear Trap. The times of real pride, and some of the events that inspired true positive self esteem. I have stories of the sick and injured and then the stories of tragedy too. Mostly what I remember are the fun times and again those amazing relationships with my students and the adults that cared for them.

Twenty one years of outdoor education at Bear Trap..... Worth more than all the money in the world, because of all the lives that have come and gone thru that very beautiful place. I will do my best to recreate and paint the picture of this amazing location that so many people treasure in their hearts!

Location:My Back Porch