Howdy! Welcome to Trail West Lodge! We are so excited that your family will be here at Trail West this summer! The following information will help you prepare for your time here. Office Hours: Our summer (May 26 Aug 16) office hours are: Monday through Friday 8:00am to 7:00pm Saturday Closed Sunday 12:00pm to 7:00pm Our off-season (Aug 17 May 25) office hours are: Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm Saturday, Sunday Closed welcome packet. How To Reach Us: Phone: 719.395.2477 After Hours Emergencies: 719.966.9516 Fax: 719.395.6833 Email: trailwest@trailwest.younglife.org Web Site: www.trailwest.younglife.org Mail & Telephones: You can receive packages while you re here at camp, or even send a few items prior to your arrival. Just remember, mail takes a few extra days to get out to the mountains, so tell your friends to send their letters to you early! The Trail West mailing address is: Young Life s Trail West Lodge Attn: Guest Name 18800 Trail West Drive Buena Vista, CO 81211 Our guest rooms do not have telephones. All incoming calls are received in the main office. If you receive a call, we will get the message to you. There is cell service in most areas of camp if you need to use your phone during your stay. Wireless internet is also available in the lodge, condos and chalets. Medical Services: Trail West Lodge has a full time nurse on staff. We are able to provide general first aid, consult about illnesses and provide emergency response to accidents and injuries. The camp infirmary has medical supplies and a small selection of medication if needed. We do not have a doctor on property, but there one medical clinic in Buena Vista and the nearest hospital is 30 miles away in Salida, CO.
Laundry: We have a guest laundry space with 4 washers and 4 dryers if you need to do a little laundry while you re here. Detergent and fabric softener are available for purchase. We have a change machine available! Pets: Trail West cannot accommodate pets of any kind. Service animals are welcomed with proper documentation. Please notify us ahead of time if you have a service animal so we can make sure to accommodate you appropriately. Smoking & Alcohol: Smoking is not permitted inside any building on the property or on the decks. There is a designated smoking area in front of the lodge. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted anywhere on Trail West property. Packing List & Tips: packing list. Comfortable shoes - including close-toed shoes for horseback riding and the ropes course. Hiking shoes Comfortable casual clothing Swimsuit Light jacket for cool weather and occasional rain, warm layer (fleece or sweatshirt) Western duds (cowboy boots & hats, pearl snap shirts, etc.) There will be a themed event where these come in handy! Rafting wear shorts/t-shirts made of quick-dry synthetic materials, swimsuit, (avoid cotton on the river) - wet suits & booties are included in the rafting package. Christmas clothes (anything from Christmas jammies to ugly Christmas sweaters, to red/green clothing, to fancy festive attire!) for our Family Christmas Feast and Photo Booth! Family Unity Outfit please see the Family Challenge description toward the end of this packet. Adults you may want to dress up a bit for a dinner without the kiddos ROUND UP KIDS (ages 11 and up, or those entering 6th grade in the Fall): Neon clothes (t-shirts, headbands, leggings, etc.) or white t-shirt AND one set of clothes that can get messy and wet. Camera Sunscreen - We are at an elevation of 8,800 feet. You will burn quickly, so please take precautions. EARLY SUMMER GUESTS (late May and early June) should be prepared to experience cold and possibly snow on hikes into the high country. FOR THOSE WITH SMALL CHILDREN: We can provide the following items upon request. Baby monitor and batteries. Strollers & baby backpack carriers - we have a few available at the front of the lodge for shared use Pack-n-Plays and high chairs - please let us know if you will need either or both. Mini fridges are available upon request.
High Altitude: Please keep in mind that Trail West is at an elevation of about 8,800 feet. As you prepare for a trip here please keep the following tips in mind to get acclimated to the high altitude: Start drinking a lot of water a week or so prior to your trip here and continue doing so during your stay. To avoid dehydration it is suggested that you drink water even when you re not thirsty. The most common symptoms you may experience from the altitude are a headache, slight fever and/or slight upset stomach. If you experience this, DRINK WATER! Weather: general information. Day temperatures range from 50º to 80º with unpredictable but brief rain showers. Evening temperatures are generally 40º to 50º, however they occasionally drop into the 30 s. Photographs: The Colorado mountains provide a wonderful backdrop for family portraits! There will be a camp photographer available all week to capture all of your family s candid moments. You don t have to miss out on any of the fun with your family trying to capture memories- it will be done for you! Before you leave, you will receive a thumb drive full of your family s memories. Arrival & Departure: Trail West Lodge is located about 90 miles west of Colorado Springs and 120 miles southwest of Denver. The drive from the Colorado Springs Airport is approximately 2-2 ½ hours, while the drive from Denver International Airport is 3-3 ½ hours. ARRIVAL: Please plan to arrive between 4:00pm and 6:00pm for our Welcome Celebration on Sunday, the first day of camp. DEPARTURE: Please plan on departing after breakfast on Saturday, the last day of camp. If you have reserved seats on the Trail West airport shuttle, you will receive a separate email which will give you instructions on arrival and departure times, meeting location and parameters for booking your flight. The shuttle is booked on a first come, first served basis and is $40 per person roundtrip.
Camp Transportation: Trail West Activities Trail West Lodge will provide transportation to all of your camp activities throughout the week. Just show up to the designated pick up location at the time specified on your schedule to catch a ride to your activities! scheduled activities. Activity Sign Ups: Before your arrival, we will schedule your family for all of our camp activities (horses, ropes course, jeeps, wrangler breakfast). All of those activities are included in your stay & you ll receive a schedule upon arrival to let you know when your family will have the opportunity to participate in each of those activities! Initially, we will sign each family up for one experience on each event, but depending on availability, you may be able to do your favorite again! Just visit the front desk at camp to inquire about availability. The only extra excursion is our Whitewater Rafting trip, which you ll sign up for once you get here to camp! We do suggest that you complete the online waivers prior to your arrival at camp. You can access the online waiver through the link sent in this email. Completing the online waiver form does not commit you to go rafting, but it will save you some time filling out one paper copy per person while you are here! Trail Rides: Scheduled Activities Each family member 8 years of age and older will be scheduled for one trail ride. Meet at the front of the lodge 15 minutes before your ride to take our shuttle, Big Red, to Rancho Caballo. It s about a 5-minute ride to the barn at Rancho Caballo. Each ride lasts about 1 hour. Jeans (or long pants) and closed-toed shoes are required. Backpacks, water bottles, cell phones and cameras are not allowed on Trail Rides. We will provide child care with our Kids Klub Wranglers for any children 7 and younger. A parent is required to accompany children 8-12 years old on the trail ride. Wrangler Breakfast: Enjoy an early morning, outdoor Wrangler Breakfast. Those 8 and older may ride to the Wrangler Breakfast site on horseback. Children under 8 years old must ride with a parent in Big Red (a hay-less Hay Ride). If you are riding horses please be at the main entrance of the lodge no later than 6:00am to ride Big Red to Rancho Caballo. If you are riding Big Red please meet in at the front entrance of the lodge no later than 6:45am.
Jeep Tour: Tour the Rockies in a 4x4 Jeep Wrangler! Each jeep will hold 4-5 passengers (including the driver). A seat belt is required for each passenger. A Trail West staff member will drive the lead jeep. Guests will drive the additional jeeps and follow behind. Drivers must be 20 years old or older and have valid car insurance. A car seat is required for children under 4 years/40lbs. Please bring your child s car seat with you. We will have a limited supply of car seats available. free time activites. Challenge Course: The Trail West ropes course includes a multi-vine bridge, burma bridge, twoline bridge, and a double zip-line. The ropes course elements are a fun test of skill and nerves! Climb a 25-foot climbing wall, choosing an easy, medium or hard option! Guests ages four and older may participate as long as they adequately fit into a harness, our harnesses fit guests up to 300 lbs. The Trail West staff will make this determination and reserves the right to not allow participation if a proper harness fit cannot be attained. **Ride Restrictions ** Pregnant women and guests with neck, spine, heart conditions, or other serious medical conditions may not participate in horse, challenge course or rafting activities. Weight restrictions may apply on horse and challenge course activities. Horseback riding is for kids and adults ages 8 & over. Pony rides are available for younger kids. Challenge course is for kids and adults ages 4 & over. Pony Rides: Free Time Activities For our future COWBOYS and COWGIRLS! Pony rides are for children ages 7 and under. When pony rides are open, just take your child to the pony pen in front of the Aspen Hotel. A parent must stay with the child during the pony rides. No sign up required check the schedule for ride times! Western Horsemanship "Arena" Ride: Designed for those who wish to learn more about horsemanship. You ll learn skills in the arena: how to handle horses, turn them, guide them, drills, etc. Visit the Front Desk to sign up for this activity Please meet in front of the lodge 15 minutes prior to your scheduled ride to catch the shuttle to Rancho Caballo. Each ride lasts about an hour. Jeans (or long pants) and closed-toed shoes are required. The minimum age to participate is 11 years old but 12 and under must be supervised by a parent.
Pool & Hot Tub: As you enjoy the pool and hot tub, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines: Swim at your own risk. Pool will be staffed periodically by a lifeguard. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times, including when a lifeguard is on duty. Pool towels are available in the guest laundry room. Please use these towels rather than the towels from your room. No one should ever swim alone. The pool is open from 8:00am to 10:00pm Game Room: Our game room is located just off the pool deck. You will enjoy ping pong, air hockey, pool, foosball and shuffle board. Game room hours are 8:00am to 10:00pm. free time activites. Fitness Center: Our fitness center is located across from the Rayburn room and is open from 6:00am to 10:00pm. You will enjoy stunning views of the Arkansas Valley while working out. We have treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, weight equipment and pull up bars. Children 12 and under must be supervised by an adult in the fitness center. Frisbee Golf: This is a Trail West favorite! An 18-hole Frisbee golf course is sure to provide exercise and fun for the whole family. Frisbees, course maps and score cards are available in the Frisbee hotel located on the main lodge deck by the first tee. Volleyball, Octoball, Basketball: These courts are located in the Aspen Grove. Volleyballs, basketballs and octoballs are provided at the courts. Challenge your new friends to a friendly game! Children's Playground: A playground is located in the Aspen Grove. Swings & slides are a big hit with toddlers and younger children. Fort Chisman: Our very own Trail West fort located in the Aspen Grove, complete with swings, lookouts, see-saws, and toy canons for kids of all ages to enjoy!
Gift Shop, Snack Bar, Coffee Shop, Craft Cart: The Trail West gift shop (Rusty Spur), snack bar (Tin Cup), coffee shop (Goldbricks), and craft cart are open periodically throughout the day. Hours for each will be posted upon your arrival. At the craft cart you may purchase supplies and make a necklace, bracelet, or other special memento of your Trail West vacation with help from our craft cart worker. For your convenience, Trail West uses a cashless system for purchases at all of these locations. All of your purchases will be closed out and charged to you at the end of your stay. Trout Pond: The trout pond is located in the woods about 400 yards west of the lodge for catch and release fishing. Fishing poles and bait are available for your use. Any child 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. If you bring your own fishing gear, please use barbless hooks. all camp activites. BB Gun Range: Enjoy the Gunsmoke BB Gun Range! Located near the Trout Pond, you and your family can learn to aim like a pro as you line up shots and hit targets. Guns can be checked out at the front desk. An adult must be present to check out guns and must be present while any child under 18 is shooting at the range. Whitewater Rafting: All Camp Scheduled Activities During your stay at Trail West you will have the opportunity to take a rafting adventure on the Arkansas River. The half-day whitewater trips are offered through Noah s Ark Whitewater Rafting Company. The minimum age limit for rafting is 6 under normal water conditions, but it can vary from day to day depending upon the water level. Occasionally the minimum age limit may be as high as 18 years old, and in rare circumstances, the river may close completely due to extreme water conditions. Age guidelines will be announced prior to rafting. Kid s Klub is provided for your younger children. Use plenty of sunscreen! Your feet will be in the water for the entire trip. You may wear old tennis shoes or water shoes. Wetsuits & booties are included in the rafting fee and are available at Noah s Ark. Cotton clothes including shorts, socks, and t-shirts are not advisable. Swimwear and nylon clothing/quick dry material is recommended. Cost per person is $75.00. Your rafting photos are now included in the rafting fee, and will be provided at the end of the week!
Young Life's Frontier Ranch: Visit one of Young Life s premier camps for high school kids. Enjoy the hot tub, HUGE waterslide, and natural hot springs pool. Bring your swimsuit - towels are provided. Have a snack at the Silver Heel Snack Bar. Challenge a friend to a game of pool, ping-pong, table shuffleboard, or foosball in the game room. Please note, this activity may not be available depending on the rate of snowmelt early in the summer. High Country Hike: All camp adventure to hike into the wilderness behind Trail West. Wear close-toed shoes or hiking boots. We have some baby-backpacks for the little ones. This is a Kodak moment so bring your camera. Kids Klub wranglers will be available to help with children. all camp activites. Family Challenge & Rodeo: Is your family up to the challenge? Your entire family will participate in a fast-paced, fun-filled, FAMILY CHALLENGE. You ll complete a list of silly, but family bonding, activities. If you REALLY want to take the challenge, we encourage each family team to stand out. Dress your family in a simple family unity outfit. This can be anything from Family T-shirts, to favorite sports team jerseys, to mono-chromatic colorful outfits, to matching bandanas! Is your family also up for a wild west rodeo? The Trail West rodeo offers several fun events for the young and young at heart. You won t want to miss this. Horses make you nervous? Not to worry - we do our rodeo without them! You will be separated into teams once you get here to camp. Upon your arrival, you will be provided with a bandana to borrow, according to your team color! Barbeque & Square Dance: Enjoy finger-lickin good barbeque chicken, ribs and pulled pork in the Aspen Grove. After dinner our program team will round everyone up for dancing the entire family will enjoy! Young Life Club: Each day, your entire family is invited to join us in the Rayburn Room for singing, skits, and a Biblical message from our camp speaker. The whole family will start this time together, then, just before the camp speaker begins, kids ages 0-10 will get to join their Kids Klub groups for a similar Biblical message and lesson on an age appropriate level. Round Up kids (middle school & high school) will stay in the club room with the parents to listen to the camp speaker s talk.
Kids Klub: Trail West Kids Programming Kids Klub is our camp programming for our kids who are infants through 10 years old. Giving children the attention and care they require and deserve is an integral part of our program. Trail West is committed to making Family Camp the best week of your child s life. Although traditional babysitting is not provided, Kids Klub activities throughout the week will allow parents some leisure time of their own knowing that their children are well cared for. Kids Klub is a camp within a camp! It s a place where kids encounter Christ through building relationships in a safe, fun, high-adventure environment. Adventures include: nature hikes, swimming, fishing, crafts, pony rides, a visit to a real working ranch, and much more! kids programming. COWPOKES AGES 0-2 BRONCOS AGES 3-5 MUSTANGS AGES 6-7 MAVERICKS AGES 8-10 *Kids Klub age/group breakdowns are subject to change depending on numbers of kids booked each week. Round Up: Round-Up is our camp programming for kids who are 11-18, or those entering 6th grade in the Fall. Round-Up kids will have the opportunity to hear our camp speaker during club, then have the option to participate in a few late night activities with other middle and high schoolers. These times together range from cabin time like gatherings where kids are given the opportunity to talk through their thoughts on what the camp speaker has shared to games in the Aspen Grove and maybe even a surprise or two from the Program Team. Make sure you bring some neon clothes (or white t-shirt) and a set of clothes you don t mind getting messy or wet.