Water Major Rising 5th- to 12th-graders

The Experience

Swim, paddle, and splash on our beautiful Colorado waters!

If you like getting wet and staying cool, the A/U Ranches Water major is the answer for you! In addition to several lakes on our property and a junior Olympic-size pool, we are a short distance from high alpine lakes and the Arkansas River, with a full range of rapids and a world-class river park. Swim, canoe, raft, kayak, and have the time of your life!

Feeling at home, not homesick

"

It’s such a beautiful place, and I feel like that’s a perfect place to have these healings because it really just shows how much you trust in God and how much God can do.

"
Liam, camper

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Learn more about our Water programs

PROGRAMS OFFERED
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Waterfront Rising 5th- to 8th-graders

You'll learn a range of waterfront skills appropriate to your abilities and grade level. Learn to navigate water craft, including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Practice common swim strokes and develop your water treading capacity with drills and games in our junior Olympic-sized pool. Then take your skills on the road for your three-day outtrip, where you will explore alpine lakes like Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake. Rising 7th- and 8th-graders will also get a taste of rafting on the Arkansas River! Previous water experience is not necessary to join this program.

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Whitewater Rafting Rising 9th- to 12th-graders

Experience the most popular whitewater in Colorado – the Arkansas River. Our river guide counselors are certified by the State of Colorado and will teach you all about river safety and rafting techniques. You, too, have the awesome opportunity to learn how to be a raft guide! But rafting is not a solo job – you'll paddle as a “boat family” while developing your skills and confidence. Campers in this program will be required to pass a swim test at the beginning of the session. Welcome to the Arkansas River!

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Rafting Outcamp Rising 9th- to 12th-graders Session 3 only

This unique program – new in 2025 – offers campers all the amazing experiences of our Whitewater Rafting program, with the added bonus of participating in a five-day river trip. Come journey down the Arkansas River, conquer rapids, camp under the stars, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Campers in this program will be required to pass a swim test at the beginning of the session.

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Whitewater Kayaking Rising 9th- to 12th-graders

Our kayaking program is perfect for campers comfortable with the river and ready for a new challenge. Start off on the camp lakes and in the pool as you learn paddling techniques, kayak rolling, and rescue skills before moving on to the Arkansas River. Local river parks are perfect for developing river confidence and skills before moving to moderate sections of the river and a culminating paddle. Campers in this program will be required to pass a swim test at the beginning of the session.

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Check out Dates & Rates

Dates & Rates

Come for one, two, or all three sessions!

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2025 Dates

15-day session

  • Session 1: June 19 - July 3

  • Session 2: July 5-19

  • Session 3: July 21 - August 4

8-day session

  • Session 1: June 19-26

  • Session 3: July 21-28

*Note: The 8-day option is not available for horsemanship programs, Conquerors, or Rafting Outcamp

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2025 Rates

  • 15-day session: $2,520
  • 8-day session: $1,600

*The first 100 campers to enroll will receive an early enrollment discount of $200/session

Additional fees:

  • Horsemanship programs: $300/session
  • Mountain Biking programs: $200/session
  • Kayaking program: $200/session
  • Acting & Theater free choice add-on: $60
  • Artist’s Workshop free choice add-on: $60
  • Stay over between sessions: $150

*Note: All 2-week campers are also charged a laundry fee of $25 upon enrollment

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Register for Youth Camp

Register

Registration for Youth Camp 2025 programs is open!

Register now to reserve space in the program of your choice.

1 Gather required info

Filling out the registration form should take 10-15 minutes. Before you start, gather the following information:

  • Employment information for each parent or legal guardian (work address and phone number)
  • Christian Science Practitioner’s name, phone number, and address
  • Emergency contact information for two people who are different from the camper’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s)
    (name, phone number, address)
  • Payment information (credit card or e-check)

2 Fill out camper application form

Using the link below, fill out the camper application form. After you enter your name and email address, our system will either prompt you to log in to your existing CampInTouch account (if you’ve registered for one of our programs before) or create a new account. If you’ve forgotten your password for your existing account, you’ll be able to reset it during this step.

Remember to hit save after each page of the application, so you don’t lose information you have entered.

Register

Questions? Call us at 888.543.4849 x201.

3 Complete additional forms

After registering, return to your CampInTouch account to fill out required information:

  • Transportation information
  • Camp store account setup
  • Medical exempt or immunization forms

Log in to Campintouch

Questions? Call us at 719.395.2468 x201.

4 Explore financial aid options

Financial aid is available through The Campership Fund (TCF), an organization that supports individuals attending any Christian Science camp. To apply for funds, fill out TCF’s campership application. They can meet up to 75% of tuition costs (including program and stayover fees). If TCF awards less than what you request, the additional need is passed along to us – no need to fill out a separate A/U Ranches campership application.

Campership Fund application

Got Questions?

If you have any questions, or need additional information, feel free to contact us:

Refer a friend, earn a discount

Do you know of a camper who you think would enjoy A/U Ranches programming?

Send them our way!

If the camper you referred attends Youth Camp, you will receive a $300 discount toward your own camper’s tuition (within the same year).

Preparing for Camp

No doubt you have lots of questions! And we have answers.

As the saying goes, this is not our first rodeo! We have gathered information to help your youth camper(s) plan for the best possible experience at the A/U Ranches.

Youth camp planning guide, which includes a link to the packing list
Summer camp menus
Parent webinar

How to prepare for your adventure

After you’ve registered your camper for campwe recommend you read through all the resources that follow, even if they've attended youth programs at the A/U Ranches. Times change, and so do we!

Forms to be completed

All registered? Go into your CampInTouch account to complete the following forms:

  • Transportation information
  • Camp store account setup
  • Medical exempt or immunization forms

Log in to your Campintouch Account

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Check out photos from camp!