January 30, 2020

Mountaineering Reunion 2020: Registration Is Open

 

Hey mountain-loving alumni: Are you making plans for this summer? You’ll want to add the Mountaineering Reunion at Adult Mini Camp, August 16-22, to your calendar.

In addition to welcoming everyone who loves participating in all aspects of Mini Camp, the A/U Ranches is inviting to the reunion past and present alumni (campers and staff) who hiked, peaked, backpacked, rock climbed, navigated the ropes course, caved, mountain biked and more.

Grab your friends and come to the Mountaineering Reunion

Mountaineering Roots at the A/U Ranches
Ready to brush up on some camp history before heading to the reunion?

In 1970, Mountaineering officially became a major at Youth Camp, although the Conquerors Society, a high-achieving program that included peaking a fourteener with overnight bivouac on the summit, launched in 1966. Opening Windows to God: The History of Sky Valley Ranch, Round-Up Ranch, Adventure Unlimited, and DiscoveryBound describes the origins of the program, starting in the late 1960s:

Mountaineering was not a major, nor even a regular program. It was an add-on activity – special hikes, peak climbs, and overnight camping trips. Rock climbing was introduced when “Johnny” Andrews (John, Jr.) repelled off the roof of Chuckwagon after returning from a trip with his avid-rock-climber Uncle George.

Backpacks have come a long way in 40 years

Reunion Activities
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 time for that, too.

Here’s some of what you can expect during the Mountaineering Reunion:

  • Day hikes
  • Backpacking
  • Peaking (August 20)
  • Denny Creek Run and BV Run
  • Rock climbing
  • Rock gym
  • Ropes course
  • Caving
  • Challengers dip
  • Mountain biking
  • Swimming
  • Mountaineering speaker (stay tuned!)

Invite your mountaineering friends, register for Mini Camp and tell your mountaineering friends about it on social media using #AUMtnReunion.

Mountaineering Reunion

Also, for those who want to come to the reunion and be part of the staff team (in exchange for a tuition reduction), we have options for working part of the week. Contact Alison Peticolas, Ranch director, at [email protected] or 888.543.4849 x105 to learn more. (Financial aid is also available through The Campership Fund.)

Instead of this feature, you’ll find a state-of-the-art ropes course at the A/U Ranches

If you’d like a call from a member of the National Alumni Board or just want to update your contact information to make sure you receive communication about the reunion, email [email protected].

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