Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp

In 2012, Sky Ranch started out the summer evacuating under the threat of the High Park Fire. The video above demonstrates the resiliency of the Sky Ranch Spirit that summer. 8 years later, in the Fall of 2020, the Cameron Peak fire, the largest in Colorado's history, forced a near 3 month evacuation as it claimed 238,000 acres of surrounding forest land and took with it our high ropes course, archery range, nature trail, streamside sauna and the platform tents at Beaver Meadows. It burned right up to our beloved outdoor chapel, scarring the font, a powerful reminder of the protection of our baptismal promises over the forces for evil in this world.

                

Returning to the site we discovered that the trees were blackened, the cabins quiet and blanketed in ash, and it felt as though the beauty, safety and sacredness had been lost. But here lies the miracle of the forest — and of faith: Some seeds ONLY open through fire. In the heat and ash, God was already at work planting renewal. Today, green shoots are pushing through the soil. Campers are laughing again. And the Spirit is calling us to nurture what’s growing.

This Colorado Gives Day, we’re inviting 75 friends of Sky Ranch to become part of our CIRCLE OF RENEWAL by starting a monthly gift 
— any amount, any size. Your monthly support helps faith take root, month after month, until the mountain is alive again with song, prayer, and new life. Together, we can grow something enduring. Together, we can bring Sky Ranch FULLY back to life

                        

For 62 years, Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp has been a beautiful mountaintop where thousands of people have come to encounter Christ. It is a sacred place where generations have gathered to lift their voice in celebration, worship and praise. Many come to the mountaintop to find and strengthen their faith and build a relationship with God. For some, it is a spiritual journey that encourages finding purpose in living life with kindness and serving others.

Since the fire we have rebuilt our ropes course and seen the completion of our beautiful, multi-purpose, all weather pavilion- in the heart of our site. This is where we welcome families on Sundays, and the children and youth entrusted to our care worship, sing, play and learn throughout their week with us.

                                                                   

Dreams for the near future include renovation of Christ Lodge to include new, indoor dining space, repairs on the beautiful and historic Backpack Center, building camp housing for fulltime/year-round staff, and acquiring "new to us" reliable vehicles for our traveling day camp teams, urban immersion teams and for recruiting travel.

But more important than building or infrastructure dreams are the dreams we have to fill our site again with children, youth and families. dream of being a place where campers from across the country can come for a mountaintop experience, to remind them or have them hear and experience for perhaps the first time, that they are beloved, brave and capable in an ever-increasingly challenging and divided world. We dream of being a place of safety, acceptance and true joy for campers and staff as one of the few Reconciling in Christ camps. 
We dream of providing welcome and empowerment for staff from urban settings across the country and the world- a place to explore the mountain peaks and stare in wonder at a campfire for the first time, all while being surrounded with an experience of family and community that can restore and uplift for the future.

Your generosity can make an impact on the lives of many who experience our unique and special ministry here at Sky Ranch. 
YOU can be part of these dreams! For more information or to meet and dream together, please call Missie Bonser 719-651-5907 
or email missie@skyranchcolorado.org