Program Overview
Camp Wojtyla, nestled amid the Rocky Mountains on a beautiful 1,200 wilderness property, runs fifteen single-sex summer sessions for middle and high school students, each offering the opportunity to live life to the full! We believe in a God of Adventure. He has a story and a plan for each of us. At Camp Wojtyla, we teach about God and the teachings of the Catholic Church through authentic and life-changing adventures. We take time and silence to reflect on these adventures and listen to God moving in our hearts. In a culture that inundates us with noise, time away on the mountain helps us understand who God is and who He has made us to be. While here, campers experience expertly designed and sequenced programming that helps them understand that they are called to sainthood. Our carefully selected team of staff and counselors are joyful role models and are highly trained in areas of wilderness first aid, faith formation, and adolescent development.
“Many camps and outdoor programs offer incredible high adventure experiences like rock climbing and mountaineering. Still, other camps offer faith formation and inspire growth in one's relationship with God. Some even offer them all throughout the same week...after you rock climb you'll learn a little about Jesus. We wanted to teach about our Lord, Jesus Christ and the life to which He has called us to WHILE rock climbing— engage the big questions of life AS we whitewater raft— know what it is to depend on your brother in Christ WITHIN the adventure experience at hand. We wanted BOTH the amazing adventure experience AND the faith formation— TOGETHER.
We know first hand just how much adventure can teach us about Jesus Christ, the Church He founded and the life He has called us to. We know how important it is to know one's faith, to read and understand the scriptures and to have solid fellowship with other Catholics. We also know that extensive research points to the positive effects of well-facilitated outdoor experiences on self awareness, confidence and leadership skills. Our lives are not compartmentalized, so why should camp be? St. Therese of the Child Jesus is quoted as saying "I choose all" when faced with a choice of many extreme goods. At Camp Wojtyla, we choose ALL— adventure and faith formation, integrated seamlessly— and that is what makes all the difference.” — Annie Powell, Camp Wojtyla Director
The mission of Camp Wojtyla is to lead and challenge young people through adventures in the wilderness into a joyful and transformative relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.
Middle School Program: Wilderness Adventure
During this 6-day program on Camp Wojtyla’s 1,200 acre wilderness property, middle school campers will encounter God and deepen their Catholic faith in a stunning wilderness environment! They will build friendships and gain experience and skills to last them a lifetime. Sleeping in teepees, hiking through the beautiful Rocky Mountains, sleeping under the stars, and learning how to shoot a bow and arrow are just a few of the many adventures these campers will enjoy during our middle school program!
High School Program: Alpine expedition
During this 9-day program on Camp Wojtyla’s 1,200 acre wilderness property, high school campers will embrace a week of living life to the full in the mountains of Colorado! They are invited to come to a deeper understanding of how God created each of them as a unique and irreplaceable gift. In addition to experiencing many adventures at our picturesque basecamp, campers will venture off-site for various expeditions, including rock climbing, a summit attempt in the Rocky Mountains, and a camping trip that includes a day of white water rafting on the Arkansas River! Campers are invited to grapple with the important questions of life, finding the answers in the joy of Christ and the richness of their Catholic faith.
high school Program: outpost adventure
During this 6-day program, which takes place both on and off Camp Wojtyla’s 1,200 acre wilderness property, campers experience a program that blends elements of our Alpine Expedition Program with a more self-sufficient experience of life in the backcountry. They will hone old camping skills and learn new ones! In this smaller program with its own unique pace, campers have the opportunity to form a close-knit community while growing closer to our Lord and His Church through epic adventures!
High School Backcountry expeditions
During this 9-day program, which takes place in the backcountry of the stunning Rocky Mountains, campers carry their “home” on their backs, including their food, sleeping bags and clothes. Led by experienced instructors with Wilderness First Responder certifications and wilderness first aid training, campers will experience the raw beauty of the Rocky Mountain wilderness in a unique way: on foot. Along the trail, they will surprise themselves as they overcome challenges they did not think possible. Time together on trail and around the camp kitchen offer unique opportunities to form bonds of friendship. A day of white water rafting is a welcome “packs off” adventure at the end of the trip. Due to the nature of life in the backcountry, this program offers unique physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Not sure if backpacking is a good fit for your child? Our Backpacking Readiness Questionnaire can help you decide!
Camp Wojtyla, Inc is authorized to operate under permits from the National Park Service in Rocky Mountain National Park, and from the United States Forest Service in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests Indian Peaks Wilderness.
Camp Wojtyla is an equal opportunity service provider.