Colorado Overnight Camp

Follow this list and you will have everything you need by the time camp rolls around! 

Pro-tip: Screen shot this list so you have it anywhere!

Now

• Log into your Online Account to:
  • Confirm your account is paid in full.
  • Complete your Health Form, Terms & Conditions.
  • Answer the “Additional Questions.”
  • Add Authorized Pickups for your camper.
  • Pre-Order Shirts, Skypacks, and Snack Packs.
  • Add funds to your Store Card.
• Set up a doctor's appointment for your camper:
  • The Physician's Form and Certificate of Immunization must be signed by a doctor. (School forms will not be accepted.) Upload them under the "Forms" tab on your camper's registration. Most smartphones have a scan function to make this process easier. Check out the tutorials for iPhones and Androids.

Two weeks before camp

• Check the packing list.
• Prepare Camper Mail & Care Packages.
• Download the Bunk1 App and log in using your Sky Ranch account information - no invitation code required! Make sure notifications are turned on to receive important updates about camp.
• Ensure your additional forms are complete.
  • Quest Colorado: Physician's Form and Certificate of Immunization
  • Sigma: Fill out all of the forms below:

One week before camp

• Plan night event outfits.
• Camper Medication must be in a labeled prescription bottle. Learn more about medication and health policies here.

Day before camp

• Make sure you have everything ready to go (check the packing list again)
• Facial Recognition - upload a clear photo of your camper’s face to the Bunk1 App to be notified when new photos of your camper are uploaded!

Day of camp

• Parents bring your driver’s license to check in. It’s required.
• Fill out your camper’s Sky Ranch luggage tags and attach them to your camper’s luggage.
• Don’t forget your camper mail/care package.
• Head to your favorite place on Earth! (Sky Ranch in Van, TX!)

During camp

• Send your camper emails and view photos with the Bunk1 App.
  • You do NOT need an invitation code. Simply log in with you Sky Ranch email and password!
  • Expect to see a handful of photos of your camper throughout their time in Colorado. Check out our philosophy on Camper Photos for more info.

What to Bring

Clothing

• Please make sure that you clearly label all of your camper's belongings.
• Daily temperatures average about 75 degrees. Nights can dip to 30. Campers will need warm clothing for nights, as well as warm layers for mornings and evenings. Please pack enough clothing for the trip, as there is no laundry service during our time together!
• Quest Colorado: Pack either bedding for a twin sized bed, or a comfortable sleeping bag.
• Sigma Junior and Sigma Senior: Pack a sleeping bag rated for 30 degree temperatures.

Here are some awesome videos to help you understand how to pack for multiple weeks in Colorado!

Quest Colorado

Sigma Junior

Sigma Senior

Camp Life

• Bring a backpack for the bus ride.
• Warm bedding - we recommend a 20-degree-rated sleeping bag and a pillow.
• Flashlight/Headlamp and watch.
•  $20 for snacks during the bus ride to and from Colorado. Campers cannot use Ranch Bank funds during travel.
• DON'T FORGET your Bible, a journal (a spiral notebook is fine), and a pen.
• Sunscreen, bug spray, and toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, etc).
• Disposable camera (phones will not be allowed).
• Stationery and stamps.
• Two towels (one for a shower and one at the river).
• **Water Bottle** As campers move into the mountains, drinking plenty of water will help avoid altitude sickness. Please make sure your camper arrives with a large, full water bottle or at least two bottles of water. 
• For Sigma Seniors: Top of the World is an amazing hike and outdoor campout. Warm clothing will be very important for this. Also, bring your "My Story" wood round you started at Sigma Jr. last summer. If you have lost it, we will provide another one for you.

Care Packages: Make sure to read up on guidelines for bringing care packages. Sky Ranch also offers the option to purchase pre-made SkyPacks for on-camp delivery. See options and purchase pre-orders in your Online Account.

What NOT to Bring

Any electronic device that can access the internet breaches our security policy. If discovered by a counselor, it will be collected and stored until the end of the camper's session. Sky Ranch cannot be responsible for lost or broken articles. Please do not bring anything that would break easily or cause loss if misplaced.

Helpful Hints

• You are traveling by bus, so space is limited. Each camper is limited to one large duffel bag or suitcase (not to exceed 50lbs), a sleeping bag, and a carry-on backpack. NO TRUNKS, please.
• We have special guidelines for care packages. Be sure to check them out.
• Don't buy a lot of new clothing - this is camp, and we will most likely get wet and dirty!
• Use ziplock bags to waterproof items.
• Don't send anything that you consider irreplaceable.
• Clearly label all of your belongings.
• Strapless clothing, mini-skirts, or t-shirts with large cutouts are not allowed.
• All shorts must be a modest length (fingertip length) and we have a NO ROLL rule.

Opening Day

Though our Quest Colorado, Sigma Junior, and Sigma Senior campers are ultimately destined for Colorado, all will start at our Van, TX location. Many camper families show their Sky Ranch spirit by decorating their car for the trip to camp. Window paint and streamers are some of our favorites! 

Sunday Arrival Schedule

Multiple campers? You are welcome to arrive at the earliest time.

• 2:30pm-3:30 pm
  • Sky 1
  • Sky 2
  • Young Riders
  • Sky Fillies 
• 3:30pm-4:30pm
  • Sky 3
  • Sky 4
  • Morph
• 4:00-5:00pm
  • Quest Van
  • Quest Colorado
  • Sigma Junior
  • Sigma Senior

Upon arrival at Sky Ranch, we'll direct you where to park.

• Before you get out of your car, be sure to grab your Photo ID, your camper's medications, your printed waivers/forms, and (if you are bringing one) the care package! Bring everything with you!
• From there, we'll help load your luggage, and take you and your camper to their drop-off location. 
• At their drop-off location you will:
  • Drop off your camper's care package
  • Turn in medication with the Health Center Team
  • Drop off any printed waivers/forms, or complete anything that is missing
  • Finalize any registration details - including adding a Sky Pack or Camper Tee to their experience!
• Once you're done, you can head to Legacy to shop in our store, grab a cold refreshment and popcorn, and then hop on a trailer back to the parking lot. We'll see you at Closing Show!

Google Maps

Camper Pick-Up

NEW FOR SUMMER 2024:

The Camper Code

• After Sunday check-in, the Administrator (the person who received your pre-camp emails) will receive an email with a Camper Code specific to each of your campers! Make sure this email is the best way to contact you! 
• Screenshot the Camper Code and save it to your camera roll!!
• Show us the image at check-out to pick up your camper.
  • If someone else is picking up your camper, send them the image! We WILL NOT release your camper to anyone who does not have this image!
  • Verbal codes will not be accepted. We must see the image as branded in the email.
  • If there is an emergency and you are not able to send the Camper Code to a designated person, Authorized Pickups can be added through your Online Account and will require a Photo ID on Saturday.

Closing Show Details

Quest Colorado:

Day: Tuesday - Week 2

Where: Citizen's Church - Plano, TX

When: Begin arriving at 4:00 PM for preliminary check-in, and Closing Show will start at 4:30!

Sigma Junior: 

Day: Saturday - Week 2

Where: Frontier Hall at Sky Ranch - Van, TX

When: 9:00 AM (gate opens at 8:00)

Sigma Senior Brunch:

Join us for an incredible time of sharing as we celebrate the accomplishment of completing Phase 2 of the Life Map. 

Day: Saturday - Week 2

Where: Oak Haven Dining Hall at Sky Ranch - Van, TX

When: 8:30 AM. (Gate opens at 8:00)

Campers travel by Charter Bus

After checking in at Van, they will depart for Colorado:

• Quest Colorado – Campers will have dinner on camp, attend the Opening Show, spend Monday on camp and depart Monday evening for Horn Creek.
• Sigma – Campers will have dinner on camp and depart Sunday evening for Horn Creek or Ute Trail.

Bus Updates

Download the Bunk1 App to receive updates on our trip to Colorado! We will send you a notification when we leave Van, in the morning on the road, and when we arrive at Horn Creek/Ute Trail. Use your Sky Ranch Online Account information to log in. No invitation code necessary! And make sure your notification are ON!

Delays

Leadership staff on the bus will contact the Leadership Camp Manager if there are any serious delays in travel due to weather, emergencies, or other unforeseen situations. Parents will be notified if there is any emergency involving the bus. Head counts of campers and staff are taken many times during stops.

Bus Rules

All campers are required to follow the guidelines and rules explained by the bus driver for the charter bus company and implemented by the Leadership Camp staff.

What is a night event and what does that mean for packing?

Make sure to watch the video to learn what night events are and see examples of costumes! Check out the awesome themed Night Events below!

Mail from friends and family is one of the highlights of camp! Here’s everything you need to know!

The DIY Method

• Delivery
  • Due to limited space on the bus, please only send one package with your camper - no larger than a shoebox. Make sure your camper's name is legible on the top!
  • Do not send mail through UPS, FedEx, or USPS. Mail often does not arrive in time due to the mobility of Quest Colorado, Sigma Junior, and Sigma Senior and the delay in mailing between states. Instead, the Bunk1 app is a great option to send your camper a note during their first week.
  • We deliver letters in flat envelopes every day, so feel free to write a few kind words for your camper and let us know which day to deliver it!
• What goes inside a package?
  • Snacks, a journal, small trinkets or games, or just a sweet note. Food must be sealed. Please do not send gum! For the safety of all campers and staff, do not include snacks with common airborne allergies such as peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, etc.
  • Please package all food in a resealable container.
• Drop-off
  • On Sunday, drop off your letters and package when checking in your camper.

The Kick-back and Relax Method

We offer amazing pre-made care packages (SkyPacks and Snack Packs) that can be purchased through your online account (select Pre-Orders) and delivered directly to your camper while they are in Colorado!

While we recognize that trips to the health center are not completely unavoidable, we work diligently to minimize any time spent away from camp activities. This means that we take a proactive, holistic approach to caring for your camper. Ways that we do this include, but are not limited to, focusing on the importance of:

• handwashing
• bug spray
• sunscreen
• hydration
• rest

Our health centers are staffed by licensed health professionals as well as health care assistants. A physician acts as the medical director of each site, providing a yearly review of our policies and treatment protocols.

A note about Emergency Contacts

On your camper's health form, you will be asked to list additional Emergency Contacts. These individuals can be any trusted adults in your life in addition to you. In the event of an emergency, if we cannot reach you or any other administrator on the account, we will contact the Emergency Contacts listed here. We recommend letting those people know you have named them on this form, as the expectation is that someone could be at camp in Van, TX within 2 hours in the event of an emergency, or within 24 hours in Colorado.

Health Tips for Camp Prep

A healthy camp starts at home! As you prepare to send your child to camp, here are some ways that you can ensure they have a wonderful experience:

• Prevent the spread of illness:
  • If your child shows signs of illness, please keep them home. This greatly reduces the spread of illness at camp.
  • Teach your child to sneeze in his/her sleeve and to wash hands often at home and at camp.
• Staying Hydrated: Send a reusable water bottle so it can be refilled frequently during the week
  • The altitude of our Colorado Camps can lead to Altitude Sickness if you are not proactive about being ready for Colorado! Drink plenty of water in the week leading up to camp to prevent feeling unwell while there!

Medications

Commonly Used Medications 

Each location stocks commonly used medications, such as Tylenol, for as-needed use.

Bringing Medications

If your child takes medication on a regular basis, the medication will be stored in our health center and dispensed by a licensed health professional. All medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) must be checked in when you drop off your camper.

**No camper should have any medication with them in their personal belongings.**

To help expedite your check-in process on Sunday, please follow the instructions below:

• Original packaging is required for all medications
  • Both prescription and over-the-counter medications are required to be in the original packaging and contain only the medication identified on the container.
  • Do not put medications in pill containers.
• Legible prescription label
  • If your child requires a prescription medication, the prescription label must be legible with the camper’s name on it.
  • Do not use old bottles or those belonging to another family member as they will not be administered per state law.
  • Prescription label instructions will be followed. If your child’s doctor has recently changed the timing or frequency of the medication, make sure the prescription label is up to date.
• Non-FDA-approved medications need an order by a licensed provider
  • Non-FDA-approved medications include most vitamins, oils, and dietary supplements and will only be accepted and administered to your camper if accompanied by an order that is signed by a licensed provider (MD, DO, NP, or PA).
  • This order must instruct us on when and how much to give. This is to ensure the safety of your camper and to comply with the Nurse Practice Act.
• Check the expiration date: Expired medication will not be administered per state law.
• Rescue Inhalers and EpiPens
  • The ONLY medications that are permitted to be kept with the counselors are RESCUE inhalers (along with spacer) and EpiPens. These are the only medications that our counselors are trained to administer. Campers are not allowed to keep rescue medications themselves for safety reasons.
  • A counselor who has your child’s rescue medication will be with your child at all times. The counselors are allowed to keep glucometers.
  • If you have any questions, please contact our Healthcare Director prior to camp.
• Picking up medication:
  • All medications can be picked up by parents on the last day of camp.
  • Medications that are not picked up will be disposed of so please be sure to stop by our medication return table.
  • If your child has a rescue medication kept by the counselor (EpiPen or rescue inhaler), it is your responsibility to obtain these from your child’s counselor when you pick up your child from camp.

To serve your family with excellence, we follow the regulations for Colorado and Texas Youth Camps and subscribe to the American Camp Association standards.

Special Dietary Requirements

We will gladly work with you regarding special dietary restrictions and food allergies. When completing the online registration for camp, please complete the portion related to food allergies and dietary requirements. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact our food service department directly by emailing FoodService@SkyRanch.org.

Required Forms

All Colorado campers must have a Sky Ranch Colorado-specific Physical Form and Certificate of Immunization. A general school or athletic physical form will not be accepted.

Based on Colorado State Law and the requirements of the Colorado Department of Human Services, every medication that the camper brings to camp, including over-the-counter medications, must be listed on the hard copy physical form and signed by a provider. 

On-Site Nurse

A nurse is on-site at our Colorado Camps; however, a nurse is not present for all of the off-site activities that occur during these programs. If you have specific questions regarding this, or if your Colorado camper has specific health-related needs, please contact our Healthcare Director, Jennifer Watters at JenW@SkyRanch.org to discuss further

Bed Bug Prevention

Bed bugs have become more common in the United States and worldwide over the past few years. Sky Ranch takes several precautions to ensure facilities are free of these pests, but as with all hospitality businesses we have no control over the potential of guests bringing in bed bugs.

Schedule

Each day is jam packed with activities, fun, food, night events, and rest! Here's the general schedule for our time together!

Quest Colorado:

• Monday
  • Spend the day in Van participating in the awesome activities there, then head to Horn Creek Monday evening!
• Tuesday - Monday
  • Time at Horn Creek. Activities, fun, small group time, awesome night events! The possibilities are endless!
• Monday Night
  • Depart for Dallas. Closing Show at Citizen's Church in Plano!

Sigma

• Sunday Evening
  • Depart for Horn Creek and Ute Trail

• Monday - Monday
  
  • Time together in the mountains!
  • Sigma Senior will hike to Top of the World all day on Friday to camp out and catch the sunrise on Saturday morning! Be sure to bring your 20-degree-rated sleeping bag!
• Monday Afternoon - Tuesday Afternoon
  
  • Noah's Ark! We'll sleep at Noah's Ark, as well!
  • Don't forget your Noah's Ark waivers!
    • Sigma Junior
    • Sigma Senior
• Tuesday
  •  Check into Colorado Christian University
    
    • Here we will introduce the Sigma Defense, which is a time of prepping and equipping Sigma to learn to defend their faith. 
• Wednesday
  
  • Sigma Junior will volunteer at The Food Bank of the Rockies.
  • Sigma Senior will volunteer at the City of Golden Community Garden.
  • We'll end the night with a campfire.

• Thursday
  • More details to come!
  • That evening, we'll load up on the buses and head towards Van.
• Friday
  • Arrive in Van and hang out for the day!
• Saturday Closing Shows 
  • Sigma Senior will have Sigma Brunch at 8:30 to commemorate their time as Sigmas and their experience with Sky Ranch!
  • Sigma Junior's Closing Show will be in Frontier Hall at 9:00

Camper Photos & Parent Emails

Photos - See camp in action!

• Because of the remote area of the camp and limited access to the internet, there are fewer photos, and they are not uploaded as frequently as our other camp locations.
• You can expect to see a handful of fun pictures of your camper participating in activities and posing with their cabin throughout their experience.
• Pictures are uploaded as internet allows to the Bunk1 App for you to view, purchase, and share.

Bunk1

• Download the Bunk1 App using your Sky Ranch login information - no invitation code required! Make sure notifications are turned on so you can receive important updates about camp!
  • Apple Store
  • Google Play Store

Emails

In the Bunk1 App, you will also have the opportunity to use Credits to send your camper a letter during the week. Update them on what's happening at home, their favorite sports team, or a funny thing the dog did! We'll print it out and give it to them. Letters are printed at 10:00 am each day, so be sure to submit it through the app before then!

Roommate Requests

Skip the Roommate Requests for our Colorado campers! The counselors at camp will assign them their bunks!

Store Account AKA Ranch Bank

Each camper will be given a wristband that is linked to their Store Account (Ranch Bank). We do not allow campers to carry cash on camp, so they use their Ranch Bank to purchase snacks, souvenirs, gifts, books, apparel, and much more.

We recommend depositing $75 for Quest Colorado and $120 for Sigma Junior and Senior. This can be done at any time through your online account by selecting Store Account from your camper’s itinerary. Unused Ranch Bank funds can be donated to the Sky Ranch Scholarships Program. If not selected as a donation, any amount over $5 will be refunded two weeks after their session of camp.
 

Resources