Who We Are
Camp Santa Maria is dedicated to providing high quality camp programming in the scenic environment of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. We provide a traditional overnight camp experience for children from all walks of life, and proactively seek out underserved populations that wouldn’t get to experience camp, whether due to financial reasons or otherwise.
Mission, Vision and Core Values
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Camp Santa Maria exists to create spaces for people to find a sense of belonging, purpose, and connectedness with each other, nature, and the principles of our camp philosophy.
As an organization committed to integrity, service, and inclusivity, we use the CARE Model:
- Curiosity | Ask questions, let your sense of wonder take over, be creative
- Awareness | Be aware of the people and things around you, show compassion
- Responsibility | Take ownership of the camp experience, it’s everyone’s job.
- Execution | Know when it’s time to act, be courageous, do what’s right
We strive to infuse our guiding principles into everything we do at Camp Santa Maria, and our goal is that the work we do at camp extends into the communities of the campers and staff when they return home as well.
The Camp Santa Maria Collaboration: A Century-Old Legacy Meets a New Frontier of Adventure
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Camp Santa Maria is a rare gem in the world of American camping. Our ability to provide a world-class experience at the foot of the Rockies is made possible by a unique, mission-aligned collaboration between two dedicated organizations: The Dower Foundation and Sylvaneers.
The Dower Foundation: A Century of Stewardship
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The story of Camp Santa Maria begins nearly 100 years ago. Our camp was founded in 1930 by Mary M. Dower with a singular goal: to ensure that the majesty of the Colorado wilderness was accessible to all children, regardless of their financial circumstances.
The Dower Foundation continues her legacy and consists of respected members of the Colorado camping community along with three generations of Mary’s descendants. We carefully maintain Camp Santa Maria’s historic facilities and ensure that Mary’s legacy of generosity remains as enduring as the Rocky Mountains themselves.
Sylvaneers: Architects of the Outdoor Experience
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Founded in 2025 by a team of veteran camp leaders and experts in youth development, Sylvaneers is the heartbeat of our daily operations.
A sylvan landscape is one steeped in natural beauty - think of wooded forests, babbling brooks, and the wildlife that live there. Camp Santa Maria exemplifies the sylvan landscape thanks to its location along the Platte River in the the Rocky Mountains.
Fellowship in the outdoors is the basis for Camp Santa Maria’s programming. Sylvaneers carries out this mission by teaching children how to responsibly enjoy the outdoors. In return, children gain the benefit of becoming their authentic selves through their interactions with each other and with nature.
The Sylvaneers board consists of camp leaders, recreational enthusiasts, and other like-minded individuals. Sylvaneers runs the programming of Camp Santa Maria.
Our Unique Organizational Relationship
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The relationship between the Dower Foundation and Sylvaneers is what makes the charitable mission of Camp Santa Maria possible.
The Dower Foundation maintains the facilities and grounds of Camp Santa Maria and Sylvaneers creates and carries out the camp’s high-impact programming. Except for ongoing costs, the agreement between our organization provides access to Camp Santa Maria’s historic campgrounds and facilities and grounds free of charge.
By removing the burden of facility costs, we are able to put 100% of our passion and resources into what matters most: the campers. Through this longevity and support, we aren’t just running a camp; we are honoring a century-old promise to the children of Colorado.
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Johnny Domenico
Executive Director, Johnny Domenico, has worked in the camp industry for nearly 3 decades, primarily at Geneva Glen Camp in Indian Hills, CO and Sanborn Western Camps in Florissant, CO. His experience at these two camps provides the know-how required to offer robust, creative, inspiring and fulfilling programs.
His goal is to build a camp experience in which children feel loved and taken care of, as well as create an opportunity to campers to love and care for the beautiful natural environment of Colorado, all while learning how to safely take advantage of the amazing outdoor recreational activities that are possible in the mountains of Colorado.
Ashley Hermes
Camp Director, Ashley Hermes, has over 15 years of experience working with children and families. A social worker since 2011, Ashley has worked with a variety of agencies across Colorado and strives to connect families with helpful resources. She is an expert in child safety and healthy child development, with specialties in mindfulness and neuro linguistic programming. She thrives working in environments where she can support youth to be their best selves.
Prior to her work in social services, Ashley worked as a professional nanny and a camp counselor/wrangler on a ranch in Colorado - an experience which profoundly impacted her life. Ashley aspires to pay her experience forward and to connect youth with nature. Her passion and purpose is to create a camp environment for children to be their authentic selves.