Work and Play Retreats

 

Memorial Day: May 26-29, 2023
Labor Day: September 1-4, 2023

Arrival: 7:00pm Friday
Departure: 11:00am Monday

 

Work and Play Retreats

 

Memorial Day: May 26-29, 2023
Labor Day: September 1-4, 2023

Arrival: 7:00pm Friday
Departure: 11:00am Monday

 

Spend your holiday weekend at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp for the annual Work and Play Retreats! In exchange for your help with camp projects during the retreat, there is no charge for the weekend.

On Saturday, participants will help with a variety of projects (spring cleaning, outdoor projects, painting, setting up summer recreation equipment, helping in the kitchen, and more!).  There will be work projects for all ages, even for children as appropriate. Parents with small children are asked that one parent cares for their child while the other parent works. 

Sunday is the “play” part of the weekend including a morning worship service and brunch, leaving the afternoon for hiking, playing on the pond, or taking a nap! 

Schedule & Activities

RETREAT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY
7:00pm – Arrive (move in)
7:30pm – Welcome / mixer game / work project orientation
8:00pm – Snack / games / free time

SATURDAY WORK DAY
6:30am-2:30pm – Kitchen/HK work projects
8:00-8:30am – Breakfast
9:00am – Morning HK/maintenance projects
10:30am – Drink/Snack Break (Bern Room)
11:00am-7:00pm – Kitchen/HK work projects
12:30-1:00pm – Lunch
1:30pm – Afternoon HK/maintenance projects (project swap)
3:30pm – Drink/Snack Break/Project Check-in (Bern Room)
5:30-6:30pm – Supper
7:00pm – S’mores (Bern Room) / games / free time

SUNDAY PLAY DAY
7:30am-12:00pm – Kitchen/HK work projects (Sun. workday, Sat. play day)
8:00-8:30am – Continental breakfast
9:30am – Morning worship
10:30-11:00am – Brunch
11:30am – Food available for afternoon snack/sack lunch
12:00pm – Free time Activities

Group activities

  • 12:00 Rock Climbing / Rappelling (minimum of 5 people @ hut)
  • 12:00 Hike to . . .
  • 4:00 Four square / kickball / disc golf

3:00pm-7:00pm – Kitchen/HK work projects (Sun. workday, Sat. play day)
5:30-6:00pm – Supper
7:00pm – Kettle Corn / games / free time

MONDAY
8:00-8:30am – Breakfast
9:00 Clean cabins

THANK YOU & farewell

registration fees

Online registration opens one year prior to the retreat.

Online registration opens one year prior to the retreat.

No Charge

just your hard work and time

$0

REGISTRATION FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions as it relates to registration.

Deposit

A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at registration. 

Payments

Payment options available include payment in full, deposit with remaining balance due at the retreat, or deposit and remaining balance paid in monthly installments prior to the retreat. We accept cash, checks or credit cards. 

Scholarships

Scholarship funds are available to help ensure that finances are not a barrier to attending camp. For scholarship assistance please contact the Executive Director, Corbin Graber (719-687-9506 or [email protected]).

Cancellations

To receive a full refund, cancellations must be received no later than two months prior to the retreat. The deposit will be non-refundable for all cancellations received within two months of the retreat. 

Accommodations

Housing is assigned based on available facilites not being rented by other guests. The possible options are Pleiades and Emmental or a Chalet (Lower Aspen, Heidi or Jungfrau). About a week prior to the retreat a housing assignment will be emailed so you know where you will be staying.

To see detailed information about these facilities please go to our Facilities page.

Documents & forms

To prepare for your retreat with us, please check out the information about things to know before you arrive (ie: high altitude, weather conditions, ammenities, etc).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have wi-fi or cell phone reception?

A wi-fi signal is available in most facilities. Because of camp’s remote location and limited availability of high internet speeds, video or music streaming is not available. With cell phone reception limited at main camp, a land line phone is available in the office foyer of the Dining Hall/Lodge. Ridge accommodations (Eagle’s Nest, Rocky Ridge, Sky-Hi-View, Solitude Center) have limited service based on individual carriers.

What foodservice is offered? Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Camp is pleased to offer a great selection of food choices which include a main dish option, vegetarian option, salad (lunch & supper), and dessert (lunch & supper). Cold beverages (water, orange, apple, grape, crabapple) and hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) are also provided.

As much as possible, the camp will accommodate dietary restrictions. An option will be given to list all of your dietary restrictions during registration. We cannot accommodate dietary preferences.

RMMC is not a peanut/nut free location since we serve a variety of campers and guest groups utilizing their own kitchen facilities.

What should I bring to camp?

  • Friends!
  • Warm clothing for tubing, snowshoeing, broomball, & human curling
  • Toiletries
  • Sleeping bag and pillow (for those staying in Main Camp accommodations)
  • Bible & notebook / journal
  • Musical instruments (optional)
  • Snacks to share (optional)
  • Camera (optional)

What should I NOT bring to camp?

  • Pets (large or small)
  • Firearms
  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco
  • Illicit drugs
  • Marijuana
  • Dirt bikes
  • Firework
  • Four Wheelers
  • Drones

How can I prepare for altitude and weather at camp?

ALTITUDE - Camp’s elevation is 9,620 feet so it is important for campers and guests to take time to adjust to the high altitude. About one in four visitors to Colorado suffer from acute mountain sickness, the mildest form of altitude illness. Common symptoms include headaches, shortness of breath, fatigue and dry throat. Things you can do to minimize or avoid altitude sickness include:

Drink plenty of water before and during your time here to prevent dehydration.
Avoid strenuous exercise (hiking, jogging, etc.) and salty foods when you first arrive.
A good first night’s rest is very helpful in giving your body time to acclimate.
If coming from sea level or low elevation, a day or night spent in Colorado Springs (6,035 ft) will help allow your body more time to adjust to the change in altitude.

SUNBURN – The sun is more intense at this altitude so be mindful of how quickly sunburn can occur. Use adequate sun protection including sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) or clothing (long sleeves, hat or cap) for outdoor activities. Reapply sunscreen periodically throughout the day as needed.

SUMMER WEATHER – Each day offers a sample of the seasons: spring in the morning; summer in the afternoon; fall in the evening. Even winter can be represented in early June with snow! Rain and hail storms can also come at a moment’s notice just to keep things interesting. Being prepared with appropriate clothing is the key to enjoying the variety of weather the Rocky Mountains offer!

WINTER WEATHER – Colorado winter temperatures range from -10°-0°F at night to a high of 35°-45°F during the day. Because of low humidity (8-10%) temperatures feel like 45°-65°F. Sunshine makes all the difference with an average of 300 days of sun per year. Clothing items to bring include: warm winter coat, snow pants, gloves, snow boots, and hat.

PATHS & WALKWAYS (WINTER) – Be aware that paths and walkway conditions (especially on slopes) are a direct result of changing weather conditions (snow, melting & freezing temperatures). While the camp will do its best to remove snow and spread gravel, we need your help to take care and caution as you walk.

WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS – Be aware that road conditions are a direct result of changing weather conditions (snow, melting and freezing temperatures). While we plow the road to camp and to facilities, plan for the conditions to be snow packed and slick. Four-wheel drive vehicles and two-wheel drive vehicles with chains or bands are recommended.

LOST & FOUND – Any item left behind by a guest will be kept for two weeks and then donated to charity.

QUIET HOURS – In consideration of others, noise should be kept to a minimum between 10:30 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.

SMOKING – RMMC is a smoke free facility. Smoking is only permitted in the outside designated areas, and only when a fire restriction is not in place. Every precaution must be taken to prevent a forest fire.

What are your creation care practices?

STREAMS & POND – Please keep the mountain streams clean and do nothing that would pollute them. While clean, it is unsafe to drink from the stream and pond.

TRAILS – Please stay on trails and roadways when hiking. This allows the plants to maintain a strong root system and prevents the fragile hillsides from eroding away.

TRASH & RECYCLING – Litter should be put in trash receptacles to maintain the natural beauty of the mountains. Recycling bins are located in the foyer by the Dining Halls and in cabins with kitchens or kitchenettes.

WILDFLOWERS, TREES, & ROCKS – Please do not pick wildflowers or other plants. Leave natural and historical objects in their place for others to observe and enjoy. Standing trees, living or dead, must not be cut or carved. Rocks are not to be rolled or thrown from high places or thrown at any time.

WILDLIFE – Please enjoy wildlife from a distance and leave wildlife alone in their habitat. Do not leave food outside for animals of any size (chipmunks, foxes, deer, bear) for your safety and theirs.

Do you have to be Mennonite to attend camp?

While teachings during the retreat are Bible-based and from a Mennonite perspective, campers of all faiths are respected and welcome to attend.