Converse County School District Gifted and Talented Kids

The setting was the Medicine Bow Mountain Range, Ponderosa pines, and a trickling stream in September where students from the Douglas Advanced Learner Program at CCSD#1, visited the Wilderness Camp located at HR Camp near Esterbrook, Wyoming. They participated in leadership training activities that teach students to work as a team in order to solve complex problems requiring multiple skills in order to be successful. The activities were geared specifically toward age groups of students in grades three through ten and encouraged kids to use all their senses while learning in an experiential “classroom” setting that most people can only dream about. Students made drawings in their journals of things they could hear or things they could smell, challenged themselves physically, and worked as a team to overcome barriers in an obstacle course; all the while learning how to be supportive of and value the differences in each other.

Here are some of the things the students had to say about their day at camp, “I didn’t know my friend was good at balance, we were able to make it because she helped me”, “I didn’t know some of these kids very well but we have a lot in common”, “I learned that if I’m really quiet, I can hear the forest”, “Did you know there are green frogs in the creek?”, “Small people can work with big people and make a good team”, “This is like summer and school all at the same time”, “I thought there were things I couldn’t do, now I don’t think so”.

Letter from Dubois

Here is a copy of a letter of acknowledgment of the work that has been taking place at Wyoming Wilderness Camp.

The text:

Dear Pat - On behalf of our organization and the families we serve, please allow me to thank you and your staff for the excellent work that you do at the HR Camp. Every time one of our students returns from HR Camp, we not only hear stories of challenges met and friends made but we see positive changes in the individuals themselves.

There is no doubt in my mind that the programs offered at HR Camp are among the highest quality to be found anywhere and we consider the camp to be one of the best uses of our funding and essential resource for our own program.

As a former director for a national wilderness-based education program and as a member of the Association for Experiential Education, I can say without equivocation that your program is a model for all such organizations and the camp and it's facilities rival any that I have ever seen. As for the location and scenery of the HR camp, 'awe inspiring' and 'magical' are two terms that come readily to mind.

Please convey our thanks to Pam and Steve and all other wonderful staff at HR camp for their hard work and dedication to the physical, emotional, and spiritual development of our children. We look forward to seeing you this winter for another adventure. Thanks again and God Bless!

Sincerely yours,

Tom Christian
Director - Dubois Youth Activities, Inc.
PO Box 65
Dubois, WY 82513
307.455.2235
dyaine@dteworld.com

Platte POWER - Wyoming Wilderness Outreach

The Community Youth Foundation was organized in the Spring of 2006 to address the needs of youth in Wheatland and Platte County. We are a grassroots community development pilot project primarily funded by Wind and Wings, a charitable foundation of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming. Our objective is to become self supporting through private donations and grants from other charitable organizations.

Our principal projects consist of a variety of mentoring programs and work on a community center. We were recently awarded a $25,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Wyoming Business Council to conduct a feasibility study for a community and recreation center! Additionally, in August we were awarded $15,000 from the Daniels Fund for Platte P.O.W.E.R. (Positive attitudes, Overcoming challenges, Willingness to try, Encouraging others, and Respect for all)! The Daniels fund operates the Daniels Fund Scholarship Program and the Daniels Fund Grants Program in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The fund was established in 1997 by Bill Daniels, a pioneer in cable television known for his kindness and generosity to those is need. Bill Daniels liked youth programs that build character, teach right from wrong, have structure and discipline, and instill personal responsibility and accountability. He wanted kids to be patriotic and good citizens. The Daniels Fund honors his direction by supporting programs that provide youth with the opportunity to develop character, achieve academic success, and build skills that will enable them to become successful adults. Platte P.O.W.E.R., a collaboration of the Community Youth Foundation, HR Camp, Own-It and Platte County School Districts #1 and #2, is just such a program. It is designed to allow young people in our schools the opportunity to develop good leadership and teambuilding skills, with the ultimate goal of helping them to become better students, better citizens, and better employees for the future.

In the past, this program has included leadership and mentor training for Wheatland High School juniors and seniors and a day-long ropes course experience for all Wheatland Middle School students at HR Camp. Guernsey schools have also participated in a similar camp experience. This year, with the help of the Daniels Fund grant and Mustard Seed donations from Our Saviour’s Hartville and All Saints’ Wheatland, Chugwater and Glendo schools will be joining this program along with 5th graders from West Elementary in Wheatland. However, Platte P.O.W.E.R. is more than just a one day event for students. Following their experience at camp, Pat Walsh and his staff help Wheatland’s Middle School in providing follow-up activities at the school approximately once a quarter. Platte P.O.W.E.R. will give Chugwater, Glendo and Guernsey schools the opportunity to participate in local-follow-up activities as well. Wheatland High School student mentors continue working throughout the school year in conjunction with PLC teams (Professional Learning Committees.) PLC teams and mentor teams meet on a regular basis to closely monitor individual students and provide support as needed to ensure academic and social success. This has become a vital part of school improvement at Wheatland High School. High School student mentors are also given the opportunity to volunteer their time to help the middle school students in their camp and follow-up activities.

Platte County School District #1 has participated in this program for four years and has seen a significant decrease in bullying and hazing at the middle school, an increase in freshman, sophomore and junior academic success at the high school and anticipates a decrease in the drop-out rate. Platte County School District #1 is very pleased with this project and wants to continue to make it an ongoing yearly program. Other school districts are coming on board with programs at HR Camp scheduled for Converse and Niobrara counties this fall as well.

2nd Boys and Girls Club Camp - 2009

This was the second camp at WWC for the Boy's and Girl's Clubs. We had 9 young people and one adult from the Douglas and Glenrock Clubs. As you can see from the photos, the kids had a great time. The kids were able to raise some money themselves, but were also supported from Mustard Seed money from St. Francis in Wright. - Pat Walsh

Bethany Boyd - "Wyoming Wilderness Camp is Wild! Kids lives were changed at WWC this past summer. Walking out the cabin door each morning, we saw a new day where everything is possible and kids could be themselves. Why is that important? Many of the campers come to this beautiful place, not knowing what to expect. Some are weighed down by life, even at this early age. But they are able to shed their problems and fears, and live in the “now” of trees and mountains and peace found at our camp. Friendships are made, confidence is built, and goals are achieved in Godʼs creation. Campers can come with eyes looking down and leave with smiles and memories of fun.

This past week we had the privilege of hosting our second Boys and Girls Club camp. I had the opportunity to interview each camper and the volunteer supervisor for the Club."

The following are quotes about the campersʼ experiences at Wyoming Wilderness Camp:

Becky (Volunteer Supervisor from Douglas)---No girls want to leave; they had a great time.

Lexi (Douglas)---It was fun, and I want to come again. I really donʼt want to leave. My most memorable moment was when I jumped in the swimming hole.

Grace (Douglas)---My most memorable moment was swimming and listening to Steve talk about Smokey Bear.

Taner (Douglas)---My most memorable moment was swimming and the view at the outdoor chapel.

Kara (Glenrock)---Camp was good. My favorite was the outdoor chapel.

Cierra (Douglas)---My favorite was just everything. I love everything about this camp.

Cloe (Glenrock)---My favorite was everything.

Jonah (Douglas)---My favorite was swimming and roasting marshmallows.

George (Douglas)---My favorite was roasting marshmallows.

Brook (Torrington)---My favorite was the swimming hole.

This younger group made excellent progress in the Leadership Camp, and went back into their communities with new skills and confidence. It was fun to participate with them in this great experience.

Big Horn Blast - Final Reflections 2009

Samuel Singleton- Wheatland, WY- Staff -

“Wednesday was very satisfying by being able to do service for others and having time to relax. I had a pretty good day (Thursday). The horseback ride was fun. Seeing the Golden Eagle and 2 different kinds of hawks and learning about the geology of the area with Jess. The hike was also fun. I was able to get really close with the wild by having my face within an inch of a big pile of grizzly bear poop. I also enjoyed the nature.

I saw God in all the friendships that I have built this week and the beauty of God’s creation."

Allison Strube – Laramie, Wyoming , (Staff) -

“I really enjoy loading the trailer with hundred of bags of clothing for donation to developing countries. During that time I was able to learn about the cycles that the used clothing goes through. Thursday was full of nature and beauty with on foot and horseback. It was great to be deep in the mountains. It was easy to see God in all of the terrain."

Bethany Boyd- Wright, Wyoming, (Staff) -

“I really enjoyed this summer and I just love working with the other staff and the campers. I love this job and I hope to be back next year. My favorite part of the service project was finally getting the huge trailer loaded. That was extremely satisfying to help so many people in that way. I saw God everywhere this week but I think I saw Him the most in the campers and the other staff. I’m so excited for next year! I really want to thank the other staff members and the campers for a great week!"

Echo Roemmich – Cody Wy Camper -

"I think that the heart mtn. Tour was great ,and the hike around at the 7D ranch was really great. My favorite was riding horses but what makes me sad is leaving and im going miss every one. I saw god in all my friends and the friend I made and all the fun we had I just wish it would never end."

Sam Saunders- Cody Wyoming camper -

"I had fun cleaning the statues I made good friends with another camper and we joked around while we cleaned. But it was sad when the camper had to go home early. At heart mountain, I learned new stories and they were interesting to listen to. I absolutely loved riding the horses. Im a true cowgirl at heart. I’ve seen god in all the scenery around all the places and things we’ve done and seen. I’m sad to be leaving but I will for sure come back next year."

Jessika Martinez- Worland Wyoming camper -

"During our service project I wasn’t expecting it to be so hard but after finishing it I was very proud of what our staff and campers had accomplished and at the end of the day it was well worth the sweat. After looking back it wasn’t even that hard it was fun. I would most definitely like to come back next year. Heart Mountain was especially cool I really enjoyed learning the history. As for the hiking and 7D ranch it was pretty amazing seeing all of the view and it was pretty amazing learning how to ride horses.. so overall I am very thankful of this trip and I encourage any young people out there reading this to come out to Big blast because you will sure have a blast."

Tyne Jackson-Gering, Nebraska, (Staff) -

"The last two days of this camp have, by far, been the best of the week. We got a chance to change the world, in a small way, by helping others, and gaining pieces of history to pass on to others.

I have witnessed god this week in the beauty of his creation, by being surrounded by it, and by speaking, in our newly formed community freely without fear. We discussed our thoughts and feelings and shared how we all witnessed god."

Juli Cartwright-Douglas,Wy Camper -

"The past two days have really been great. Starting off Wednesday with community service. Here I learned that there are two things in life you should value, education and hard work, both things that can get you places in life. Also Heart Mountain, I learned the history of something so dreadful. Also I learned that there are somethings in life that can happen. Today we went to the 7-D ranch and rode horses and went on a hiking trip. The horses was really amazing because being able to see the animals and the scenery. I loved it. And the hiking was great especially seeing Samuel get up close and personal with some bear scat.

You know I saw God eveywhere. There was no specific place. Yesterday in the morning knowing you are doing something good. The smiles the laughs. Also I saw him today in the scenery the trees, the animals, even in the rain, knowing that God is able to do something so amazing and that it can survive for so many years.

Heart mountain was fun. I learned a lot more than I have ever known about it. I learned so much that it seems like I didn’t know it was there. The service project was an amazing workout. Who knew that throwing and catching bags would be so hard? It felt good though, knowing that I was going to help some poor family in a third world country. Thursday was the payoff day for me for the day prior. Although the hiking gave me a little bit of a head ach, the horses where worth the pain. The riding was amazing and when I got to the top…beauty beond belief. That was the cosest iv felt to god the entire week.

On Wednesday I worked to fill a 40ft trailer full of clothes to be shipped to third-world countries. Afterwards the whole group went to Heart Mountain and saw what was left of a camp that imprisoned Japanese and Japanese-American born people by the President at the time through Executive Order instead, I smelled him(God). When the group went river rafting on Tuesday, I smelled him (God) by way of the Sulfer."

Marissa Cheney, Mountain View WY, (Counselor) -

"Wednesday when we did the service project of loading a semi trailer with bags of clothes and toys that people had donated to help people in need in other places in the country. Just seeing the amount people were giving for people they didn’t know was very satisfying to help those people out. Heart Mountain makes me wonder what will happen in the future, will we learn from our mistakes or will we repeat them? Riding horses was rewarding because we got to see new country and also bond with each other through that.

I saw god in each person, and each deed done for another human being. I did not however stop seeing god in any of my waking moments this week."

Marshall Kelly, Laramie Wyoming, (Counselor) -

"The service project on Wednesday here in Cody was a great opportunity for us as counselors to come out and help with other things in the community and not only as a counselor but also the kids of the camp. During this service project the children were able be a part of something that is great. We were able to help people in need of help and it was a great feeling when it was all said and done. Heart mountain was also another great learning opportunity for the kids and also for us counselors. I was able to learn something about U.S. history that I have never learned before.

All week long we do so many amazing things that I am able to see god in so many different ways but the one place that really sticks out in my mind was during the last night of the camp. It was when we were all gathered around the dinner table talking about the way we have changed over the summer and a lot of the kids began to describe how they have just changed over the week, but what really hit me and where I was really able to see God was when some of the kids began to cry because they did not want to go home. They all love and enjoy coming to this camp and I am so happy to say that I was a part of this summer’s camp counselor crew."

Family Camp - July 3-5, 2009

We came from all over the diocese: Cody, Torrington, Cheyenne, and Casper - plus a cousin from Texas. There were just four families there - but what a crowd.

There were the Caucutts from Cody - three of them. There were the Smiths from Torrington - four of them. There were Catherine and Kevin and friends from Cheyenne - four of them. And the Osborn tribe was there - Osborns, Burketts, Flores, and Conner Rae from Texas - thirteen of us. We range in age from mid-70s down to 22 months.

Carole Buckingham and I served as spiritual directors for Family Camp.

We met on Friday, July 3. We ate dinner in the dining hall. After a boundary walk, we met at St. Tim's for our first gathering. I told the Parable of the Mustard Seed since the theme of camp this year is the Mustard Seed. We wondered together about the story.




After that it was time for a campfire and marshmallows!

A peaceful night was had by all, and we awoke to another beautiful day at Wyoming Wilderness Camp. Families decided which activities to pursue.

Some chose horseback riding, while others enjoyed the ropes course.









Finally - it was time for lunch. Many of us chose naps in the sweet mountain air, but those who still had energy were encouraged to try something new. I joined my three grandchildren for a nap, so I don't know what all happened that afternoon.









After dinner -another telling of the Parable of the Mustard Seed. This time the tree was MUCH bigger, and the birds were drawn by all the campers. We wondered together about our day and about the mustard seed. We talked about day using questions from our diocese's Evangelism Project.

On Sunday, we ate breakfast, and tidied our cabins, and worshiped together. The Rev. Carole Buckingham and I led worship. Our gospel story, The Parable of the Mustard Seed, included a huge tree designed by staffer Kelly McDonald. One camper gasped, "The tree just has to grow bigger and bigger." Carole thanked God for God's work in creation and for God's revelation to us, and praised God for the salvation of the world through Jesus, using words she chose just for this occasion. We shared Eucharist in the outdoors, under the trees, in God's beautiful creation.

We said good-bye to our new friends and made plans for next year.

Do YOU want to join us next year? We plan to hold Family Camp the weekend after July 4 during 2010, and all are welcome. Like 4 year old Nigel says, "I love that place."

God's peace,

Kay Flores
Spiritual Director

Big Horn Blast - 2009

The kids have been rock climbing with Kenny Gasch, (Jackson Hole Mountain Guides) from Christ Church, Cody, and River Rafting with Wyoming River Trips, Rick and Dave Blanchard of Christ Church.

Ally. I like doing those intense activities that build relationships by doing things that involve working together. I saw God in the formations of the earth along the river.

Bethany I can’t really pick. It’s been a blast…the rafting, the horses, going around town. I saw God in everything we did today…and I mostly just saw Him in all of you.

Dylan I love the water, and it was a blast. I saw God when I was sitting on the stairs, playing my guitar and looking at that great scene of Heart Mtn. Today was different from yesterday, and my appreciation of people who are honest and open with you…freedom to be me if I want to be me. I may never see you again, and the embarrassing things won’t be spread!

Echo I loved to see how close they got…the baby colt. I saw God in how much fun we had today and how much beauty we got to see.

Ian The rafting…it was calming…being threatened to be pushed overboard! I saw God probably in the calm points of rafting and right before I hit the water. I believe people are afraid to be hurt by what others might say, but this is a small group…no way to seclude yourself. I’ve been very busy with music. Camp is relaxing, fun, not hassling in any way…nothing to learn, to do…socialize at this camp. A lot to learn spiritually, not boring stuff like theory.

Jess Seeing God’s for a lot of folks is a tough thing…more not so much being unable to see Him, but being occupied. I remember one incident today…a special moment for me. We began returning. The chatter was wonderful and sharing the rafting trip..it was fun to watch. Then everybody crashed!

Jessica I think all of it too. I enjoyed the whole, entire day. I didn’t get splashed as much as everybody else did. Watching the horses play was fun, too. I saw God through the horses and the newborn and when we were rafting, in the animals and the deer.

Juli The rafting was really fun, especially the water fight when Ally and Sam S got splashed. The horses actually getting up close and personal. Last year we had to squint to see them. I saw God today in the horses..in their designs…how He made them…how they made their groups. Like Ian, I’ve been on the go all summer, and I don’t really know what home is like this summer. This camp… it’s a slowdown. The schedule’s done for you. Being with friends. Being here it is like being like everyone else, not excluded.

Marissa My favorite part was the horses walking up to us. I thought that was really cool. I just enjoyed hanging out with all of you guys a lot. I saw God in most parts of the day. There wasn’t a time when I didn’t see Him working.

Marshall I had fun walking through town. All of our crew had a blast. I saw God in each and every place today. When done ofnthe river, one of our guides pointed out how Heart Mountain looks like the face of a man, and then I could stop and see God’s work in nature and the world. It’s a place of comfort and feeling safe here. To answer about change…I’m looking of it as a whole for the staff for the summer. We’ve been through a lot. We’re winding down to the end. We stuck it out. We’re still strong and pushing…we know we can trust. Someone’s got your back and you’ve got theirs.

Pam I guess I didn’t have a specific high point. I just liked being outside all day. I saw God in the sunset today.

Pat I liked seeing the horses up close and how peaceful they were. The second high point was tonight’s sunset. In 2 places…in you guys your laughter and actions…in your stillness with the horses. You were mesmerized, fixated on the horses.

Sammy S. The day flew by today. I think it was an even toss up with the rafting and the horses. I saw God in the beauty of the nature in the river …how it forms the land. Then out to the horses, changing from the river to the desert. The staff. Building relationships together. We’ve had a good summer. It can happen for the campers, too. This week. My attitude kind of changed. Kind of a rough start with driving up here. It’s turned out to be good.

Samantha I enjoyed the river rafting trip. The splashing, though I didn’t think I’d get that wet, but I did. I went in, too! And I enjoyed the horses. Last year they weren’t that close. This year you could see the designs on their bodies. Walking around town was good, too. I saw God in the sunset and how the light was coming down from the clouds. I feel that I’ve gotten closer to God. Last couple years I’ve tried, and I feel strong this year. I feel the Spirit. It’s awesome…

Tine The river trip this morning was amazing. We had a lot of time to sit and float, seeing the animals. Reflecting on the summer, what other camp can you experience what we have here? I saw God today by being able to go out and see the world He created.

Tyler It had to be jumping into the river. I saw God in the sounds and the smells. I like seeing everything different. Everyone He’s in the sulphur’s mouth at the river. At first you just don’t like that smell, but then it warms up on you.