Mountaineering Reunion
Come back home to the A/U Ranches for our Mountaineering Reunion during Mini Camp, August 22–28, 2022! If you were a camper or staff member who hiked, peaked, backpacked, rock climbed, navigated the ropes course, caved or mountain biked, grab your friends and make some new memories. Everyone is welcome!
Create Your Own Mountain Adventure
If you’re still an avid mountaineer, we’ll have a full menu of options for you to create your own adventure in the beautiful Colorado outdoors during your week (or half-week) at the A/U Ranches. And if you’ve hung up your hiking boots but can’t wait to see your long-time camp friends, there’s plenty of opportunity for that, too. Plus you’re welcome to participate in all Adult Mini Camp activities as well.
Available Mountaineering Activities
- Day hikes
- Peaking
- Denny Creek Run & Buena Vista Run
- Rock climbing
- Rock gym
- Ropes course
- Challengers dip (you know it)
- Mountain biking
- Swimming
- Mountaineering speaker (stay tuned!)
To participate in the Mountain Reunion, sign up for Mini Camp:
Housing
Your stay at the A/U Ranches will be comfortable and cozy, and will wrap you up in the nostalgia of bunking with your friends. Guests can request housing 1) in the men’s and women’s cabins, 2) with family members and friends, or 3) in a private cabin (for an additional fee). Limited upgraded housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Don’t want to stay in a cabin? Click here to check out the accommodations in Buena Vista. (No tuition discount is offered for staying off property.)
Invite Your Friends
Reunions are a great way to see longtime friends and meet new people. Tell your mountaineering stories and get the word out in your network! Share on your own social media accounts and in our Alumni Facebook Group and Instagram page using #AUMtnReunion:
Questions?
Registration: Linda Clarke, enrollment manager/office manager, 888.543.4849 x201
Program: Alison Peticolas, Ranch director, 888.543.4849 x105
Order a Shirt
Support the A/U Ranches Mountain program and show your Mountaineering pride with a synthetic, long sleeve hiking shirt! Note: they are athletic/slim cut and the sizes run small.
Share Your 14er Memories
We all have fond memories and stories from the first time we peaked a 14er, and the healings and inspiration that came along with that accomplishment. Our National Alumni Board is collecting these memories, in both written and image form, and will feature them at the reunion!
If you have a memory of peaking a 14er that you’d like to share, email it to [email protected]. We’d love your photos of reaching the summit, on your own or with a group. (If you know the year or decade and mountain, please include that info.) Or any written accounts of what the experience was like for you. We want to see how much things changed throughout the decades, and how much they stayed the same.
Work and Play
Do you want to come to the reunion and be part of the staffing team (in exchange for a tuition reduction)? No matter how long you’ve been gone, we want to welcome you home! Not only is it a great way to give back to camp, it’s also the perfect time and place to sharpen some skills and develop new ones. Talk to your friends – get the gang back together!
Staffing Options
We have several opportunities for supporting the Mountaineering Reunion as part of the staff:
- Work the complete program | Requires specific skill sets (see below). Paid position: Apply here
- Instruct specific sessions | Requires a specific skill set. Tuition discount handled on individual basis; contact Alison Peticolas, Ranch director, 888.543.4849 x105
- Mountain-support alumni participants | Requires some skill set. Help with logistics, lead some activities, transport participants. Tuition discount for part work/part play handled on individual basis; contact Alison Peticolas, Ranch director, 888.543.4849 x105
- Program-support alumni participants | No specific skill sets required. Help in the lodge/dishroom. Tuition discount for part work/mostly play handled on individual basis; contact Alison Peticolas, Ranch director, 888.543.4849 x105
Skills needed
Mountaineering Reunion staff members looking for a role that requires specific skills should have recent experience in any of these areas:
- Belaying: rock gym, ropes course, rock climbing
- Hiking: peak climbs, comfort leading a group
- Mountain biking
- Certifications (not required): First Aid, CPR
Arrival and Departure Dates
Check back later.
Questions and inquiries: Alison Peticolas, Ranch director, 888.543.4849 x105
We can’t wait to see you!