2020 Summer Outdoor Programs
Hey everyone, this is Stephanie here.
Many of you might remember me as the Registrar, and others of you might also know that currently I’m the Interim Director of Outdoor Programs here at camp while Daniel is away on sabbatical and paternity leave. The past few months have been an adventure to say the least! Thankfully, even though I had no idea that a global pandemic and very modified summer programs were what was in store for this year, God knew, and He has more than equipped and enabled us to thrive in it. It has meant that nearly every plan A, became a plan B… and then C… and then on and on until we can no longer remember which letter of the modified plan we are currently on. But it is good, and God is good. God has done, continues to do, and will do so many great things through this ministry and we are excited to see what He has in store.
We have a great group of COLTS who have been the first in Crow’s history to learn and grow and adapt to what camp ministry can look like during a pandemic, and I am so excited to see how God is going to work through them this summer! And speaking of the summer, we have a schedule, we have a plan! Well actually God has a plan, and we are doing our best to follow Him into that plan. So, we can now present to you the schedule for the summer and invite you to join us!
Camp will look very different this year, but it will be good, and we are so thankful that we are even able to run programs. We are eager to see the PIT training program run, Family Outtrips - potentially including a Married Couples Outtrip - Youth Outtrips, Day Programs and Back Country Clean Up Events. The COLTS are excited, I am excited, and we sure hope you all are excited too! So, without further ado... THE PLAN!
An Overview
- PIT Program Begins
- Back Country Clean Up #1 – July 8
- Youth Outtrip #1 – (3 Nights) – July 10-13
- Family Outtrip #1 – (1 Night) – July 11-12
- Youth Outtrip #2 – (4 Nights) – July 16-20
- Family Outtrip #2 – (2 Night) – July 17-19
- Back Country Clean Up #2 – July 22
- ABOT – (8 Nights) – July 24 - Aug 1
- Family Outtrip #3 – (1 Night) – July 25-26
- Day Programs: Archery and Canoeing – July 28
- Day Programs: Archery, Canoeing, and Day Hikes – August 2
- Back Country Clean Up #3 – August 3
- Youth Outtrip #3 – (3 Nights) – August 6-10
- Family Outtrip #4 – (2 Night) – August 7-9 – (Married Couples)
- PIT Program Ends
- Back Country Clean Up #4 – August 12
- Youth Outtrip #4 – (4 Nights) – August 14-17
- Family Outtrip #5 – (1 Night) – August 15-16
- Back Country Clean Up #5 – August 19
- Day Programs: Day Hikes – August 21
- Day Programs: Archery and Canoeing – August 22
Outtrips
We are going to run family, couples, ABOT and youth backpacking trips this summer to explore the valleys, plateaus and mountain peaks of these beautiful Rocky Mountains!
There will be four different 3 to 4-night Youth Outtrips you can register for this summer. These will be for Senior aged campers, ages 14 – 17. The outtrip sizes are kept small at only 6 participants, maximizing the opportunity to explore more areas as well as build relationships. Have a look at the different options below:
- Youth Outtrip #1 – (3 Nights) – July 10-13
- Youth Outtrip #2 – (4 Nights) – July 16-20
- Youth Outtrip #3 – (3 Nights) – August 6-10
- Youth Outtrip #4 – (4 Nights) – August 14-17
There will be four different 1 to 2-night Weekend Family Outtrip options you can register for this summer. There is also the option of a special Married Couples Outtrip. The capacity limit for our outtrips is 6 participants, so that would be three married couples on the Married Couples Outtrip and one family on the Weekend Family Outtrips. Have a look at the different options below:
- Family Outtrip #1 – (1 Night) – July 11-12
- Family Outtrip #2 – (2 Nights) – July 17-19
- Family Outtrip #3 – (1 Night) – July 25-26
- Family Outtrip #4 – (2 Nights) – August 7-9 – (Married Couples)
- Family Outtrip #5 – (1 Night) – August 15-16
We will also be running the All Boys Outtrip this summer, which is an 8-night backpacking trip for young men ages 16-25. The capacity limit for this outtrip will also be at 6 participants.
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ABOT – (8 Nights) – July 24 – August 1
It will take will take some time to sort through the registrations that come in, so you will be able to register for your first choice and also select a second or third choice if other dates could work for you. We will then sort through the registrations that have come in and let you know if you were able to get in on one of the outtrips or put on a waitlist.
Day Programs
We also are excited to be able to offer some Day Programs this summer for families! This will include Canoeing, Archery, and Day Hikes. Have a look at the different dates below:
- Day Programs - July 28 – Archery and Canoeing
- Day Programs - August 2 – Archery, Canoeing, and Day Hikes
- Day Programs - August 21 – Day Hikes
- Day Programs - August 22 – Archery and Canoeing
These won’t take place until mid to late summer, so registration will open up a bit later on for these programs, but stay tuned for details on that and keep these dates in mind.
Back Country Clean Up
And finally, we are planning on doing not one, not two, but five Back Country Clean Up events this summer! We have done one each year for the past few years and have found it to be a very great way to connect with others in the community and be good stewards of these beautiful Rocky Mountains that God has placed us in. This is a great opportunity for previous staff and volunteers to come out and serve for the day, hang out with other camp friends, or come out with the family and give back. We will have more details to come on how to sign up for that, so stay tuned for more details on that and keep the following dates in mind:
- Back Country Clean Up #1 – July 8
- Back Country Clean Up #2 – July 22
- Back Country Clean Up #3 – August 3
- Back Country Clean Up #4 – August 12
- Back Country Clean Up #5 – August 19
Outtrip Class System
Another thing that I am very excited about is the Outtrip Class System that we have developed to try to clearly gauge where those coming this summer are at and tailor our outtrips as best as possible to the group we will be serving! We are hoping this will help bring more clarity to the expectations of our outtrip programs. Have a look at it below:
Outtrip Class 1.0 – Relaxing
Hiking Distance:
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2 – 6 kilometers per day
Terrain & Trail Conditions:
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Smooth, mostly level and easy. Likely on an established road or trail.
Outtrip Class 1.5 – Exploring
Hiking Distance:
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4 – 8 kilometers per day
Terrain & Trail Conditions:
- Minimal elevation gain
- Short sections of rough and or steep trail.
- Possible loose rocks and minimal unstable footing.
- Possible simple shallow creek crossing(s).
- Likely on an established trail or game trails.
Outtrip Class 2.0 – Growing
Hiking Distance:
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6 – 10 kilometers per day
Terrain & Trail Conditions:
- Moderate elevation gain
- Some sections of rough and or steep and exposed trail.
- Possible loose rocks, talus, and unstable footing.
- Possible small creek crossing(s) that require good balance.
- Possible rough off trail hiking or bush whacking.
Outtrip Class 2.5 – Challenging
Hiking Distance:
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8 – 12 kilometers per day
Terrain & Trail Conditions:
- Moderate to significant elevation gain.
- Long sections of rough and or steep and exposed trail.
- Likely loose rocks, talus, and unstable footing.
- Possible moderate creek crossing(s) that require good balance or wading.
- Likely rough off trail hiking or bush whacking.
Outdoor Programs COVID Protocol
And finally... I’m sure that many of you are wondering how on earth all of this is all supposed to work with this pesky pandemic that we are dealing with. We have had two months to test things out during our COLTS training program, and we are confident that we will be able to run wonderful and effective outdoor programs this summer. Have a look at the outline of our Outdoor Programs COVID Protocol for this summer outlined below:
- Before arriving, each participant must clear the Alberta Government Online COVID Self-Assessment, as well as show no signs or symptoms of COVID-19 such as a fever or dry cough.
- Each participant must commit to and will be expected to maintain a minimum of 2-metre physical distancing from everyone in the group, except for members of the same household or cohort, as per government regulations.
- Participants will be expected to use proper hand washing and sanitizing.
- Use of common or shared items will be limited as much as possible.
- Participants on overnight outdoor programs will be sleeping in a separate shelter from those not in their household or cohort.
- Participants on overnight outdoor programs will have their own individual bearline bag, for personal items such as mug, spoon, and personal hygiene items.
- Masks must be worn by all individuals during transportation to and from outtrips and as required by the Outtrip Directors.