YMCA of the Rockies |
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Summer Vacations: A to Z
Yis for YMCA of the Rockies: "Family Camp"
YMCA of the Rockies has two centers in Colorado-- Snow Mountain Ranch and Estes Park Center-- and both offer a bonanza of recreational activities during summer-time. Participate as much or as little as you like in scheduled programs, sign the kids up for outdoorsy day camps; or just go take a hike in the woods.
Both locations offer lodge accommodations, and cabins of many sizes, fully equipped with cooking and eating utensils, linens and towels. The 5-bedroom cabins can sleep 12. Estes Park options range from low-priced "rustic cabins" to 4-bedroom vacation homes, to 8-bedroom Reunion Cabins. Check YMCA of the Rockies for rates. (Tip: you may have a better chance of booking a cabin if you become a YMCA member first.)
Snow Mountain Ranch
The Snow Mountain Ranch has 5100 acres, summer day camps, and way too much to do. Here's a sample:
- Kiva Center indoor recreation offers (at no additional charge) find roller-skating, basketball, volleyball, ping-pong, foosball, weights, stair stepper and exercise bike
- craft shop (-fees vary by activity)
- indoor swimming pool with wading pool
- canoeing (small rental fee), fishing
- mini-golf, tennis, volleyball, , horseshoes, softball, biking, 18-hold disk golf course, archery, horse-riding
- family zip line, High Challenge Course, climbing wall
- day camps and childcare, ages 2 years to 16 years
Estes Park Center
Estes Park has 860 acres 65 miles northwest of Denver, and close to Rocky Mountain National Park. It's equally impressive activities include:
- campfires
- craft shop with two sections, one for kids 9 years old and younger, the other for kids 10 years old and up. An adult must accompany kids under 12
- indoor swimming pool, wading pool
- lake fishing (kids 14 and under)
- roller skating, basketball, volleyball, mini-golf, tennis, horseshoes, game room (pingpong, foosball, etc.), library with kids' books, museum in a 1924 guest lodge and a 1905 log cabin
Many of these activities are free except for an equipment deposit.
Other family activities include:
- rock-climbing (age 12 and up)
- rafting trips
- Challenge Courses (ground level, and "High elements" 35 feet of the ground with wire cables and platforms between trees)
- family programs such as: Animal Detective, archery, hikes, bingo, night hikes, family relays, and lots more
Weekly day camps are offered kids are offered during summer, for ages three right on up to high-school kids.
Note that travelers on the move can drop in for the day (at a membership fee of $3 a family). But you'll probably wish you were having a much longer stay!
For more info, see the YMCA of the Rockies site, and check TripAdvisor.com for visitor comments -- seems like a well-loved place.
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