Located less than an hour from Denver but a world away from the hustle of modern life, Camp Santa Maria sits on a sprawling, pristine acreage in the Platte Canyon. Surrounded by the towering peaks of the Pike National Forest, our setting serves as the ultimate “outdoor classroom” where the air is crisp, the water is cold, and the possibilities are endless.
Recreation
Camp Santa Maria boasts a variety of outdoor and recreational facilities that allow for optimal engagement and child development.
Grassy fields span the main grounds of the campus, allowing for field sports. A basketball court and a gaga pit are also available for campers to play team-sports.
For water sports, the camp has both a swimming pool and a lake on-site. The lake provides an opportunity for campers to use watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards.
Hiking and mountain bike trails also span the campgrounds.
An archery range is located on-site, just across the river.
St. John’s Hall provides a multipurpose room for indoor activities, including a stage for theatrical productions.
Arts and Crafts
A dedicated arts room is where creativity shines. Campers construct nature crafts, lanyards, and friendship bracelets. They also craft visual art in a variety of media, such as fingerpaint, pencil, charcoal, and chalk.
Dining
Designed by the famous Denver architect, Temple Hoyne Buell, the Dining Hall comes alive at meal time. It features ample seating for campers, a full-service commercial kitchen, handwashing stations, and bathrooms.
Sleeping and Bathing
The campground has ten cabins where up to a dozen campers and two counselors sleep. Cabin life is jovial and creates a sense of togetherness for campers. Whether this is your camper’s first time sleeping away from home, or they are a well-seasoned camper, the cabins provide a warm and safe environment, allowing for a restful night before engaging in the fun daytime activities of camp.
Bathing facilities include hand washing stations, showers, and ADA compliant toilets. An additional, brand new, bathhouse is under construction.
Historical Features
Before becoming a summer camp, the campgrounds of Camp Santa Maria was once the last railroad stop west of Denver. Remnants of the old rail line still stand as a testament of the longevity of this place.
On the mountainside above camp stands Christ of the Rockies, a prominent statue of Jesus. Christ of the Rockies is more than just a statue; it is a place of quiet reflection and a powerful symbol of the grace, inclusion, and peace that we strive to foster in every camper’s heart.
Other statues, ranging from the mythical to the natural, dot the landscape.
