March 2021 Newsletter

 Another Virtual offering of Colorado Roots Music Camp

Here we go again. After the success of camp’s first online program offering of Roots Winter Weekend in January, a second group of instructors whose camp (Colorado Roots Music Camp II) was cancelled last summer are all signed up and looking forward to Roots Spring Weekend, Saturday & Sunday, April 10-11, 2021.

Class offerings related to guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass, vocal, and song writing are facilitated by instructors for individual 75 minute classes. Students register online and pick one or more classes on an a-la-cart basis of their choosing. Other Roots Spring Weekend information includes:

• Classes will be offered for $30 each.
• Registration deadline is Friday, April 9th, 12:00 p.m. (MST).
• A Zoom link for classes (and free concert link) is sent to registered students soon after the Friday, April 9 registration deadline.
• Non-students are invited to participate in the Instructor concert Sunday, April 11th, 5:00 p.m. (MST). Register online like a student and chip in a $10/person support for the future success of Colorado Roots Music Camp.
• A “tip jar” will be made available during the concert for those who would like to show additional appreciation to the concert musicians beyond visual clapping or standing ovation. We think those work on Zoom!

PICTURED: Doug Smith here playing on the porch of the Dining Hall/Lodge from 2019 will be offering two guitar classes including Fingerstyle Fundamentals (Level 2 players) and Fingerstyle Guitar: Expanding on Pattern Picking (Level 3-4 players) as part of Roots Music Camp Spring Weekend, April 10-11, 2021.

Paying The Legacy Forward Campaign Update

Thanks to all the donors who have generously contributed to raise $165,500 out of our $180,000 goal. Only 4 more months to raise the remaining $14,500 before the June 30th, 2021 conclusion. These gifts are critical in sustaining the RMMC ministry over the 12 months since the campaign began on July 1st, 2020. The $15,000 per month from donors represents half of the $30,000 needed each month to sustain and care for staff, program offerings, guest groups and facilities through this coronavirus “storm”.

Additionally, camp is investing in improvements to better serve our campers, guests and staff AND respond to guidelines that restrict the number of people that can be inside together. Again, the outside is our friend and always has been! See picnic table and shade “sails” below.

PICTURED: This is an image of the picnic tables that have been ordered to offer outside dining, activity and gathering space for social distancing this summer at RMMC around camp (i.e. BBQ patio, Trading Post, Park Ridge, etc.). They will be made of the same material, color and quality as the deck furniture currently enjoyed on the porch of the Dining Hall/Lodge and Pleiades.

PICTURED: While not a scene from Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, the image does offer a glimpse of how sail shades will be added to cover the BBQ patio next to the Dining Hall/Lodge. The idea is to offer comfortable outside dining, activity and gathering area for all who come to camp this summer. The sail shades on the porch next to the dining halls have been greatly appreciated the past two summer seasons.

PICTURED: In January, the Teller County COVID Relief Grant Fund made the change from a porcelain drinking fountain to a touchless bottle fill station in the Dining Hall/Lodge possible. RMMC was awarded $13,000 in the areas of Business Interruption (cancelled camps and guest groups), Business Assistance (supplies & equipment) and Technology. The grant was specifically to help with the impacts and operation responses to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to funding the water station, the grant also provided for motion sensing light switches and stand-alone air filtration units in both dining halls. Special thanks to Matt Lehman Wiens (SOOP Volunteer offering fundraising/grant writing experience) and camp staff for the successful grant application and installation.

Who’s been helping

Thank you to all of our volunteers this month:

• None

Come volunteer

RMMC relies on the help of volunteers to keep the ministry going. Your help with any camp tasks is greatly appreciated! If you have interest in volunteering, call (719-687-9506) or email ([email protected]) RMMC.

• • Long-term volunteers: help in Food Service, Maintenance, and Housekeeping. Service term can be for up to a year if so desired.

you’ve been spotted

We spotted two gray foxes here at camp, one who sat long enough for a photograph (second photo with RMMC labeled item 😀 – hit black arrow). The gray fox is mainly distinguished from most other canids by its grizzled upper parts, black stripe down its tail and strong neck. The gray fox typically weighs 7.9 to 15.4 lb. It is readily differentiated from the red fox by the obvious lack of “black stockings” that stand out on the latter, a stripe of black hair that runs along the middle of its tail, and individual guard hairs being banded with white, gray, and black (From wikipedia.org).

One of the foxes was seen heading to the den just above the camp shop. With two of them, might we see grey fox “kits” this spring?

Share your “spotted” photo with an RMMC labeled item (i.e. clothing, water bottle, etc.) from camp or anywhere in the world and email it to [email protected].

Mark your calendars

• Mennonite Quilter’s Retreat (Spring): April 22-25, 2021
• Memorial Day Work & Play Retreat: May 28-31, 2021

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