Letters from Camp:

Each week during camp, students are required to write about a predetermined theme that will explain their experience at Camp Colton. Thanks to the Arizona Daily Sun, these letters are then published in the local newspaper. Take a look at what our students had to say.

Spring Term:

Coming Soon...

Fall Term:

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Sunday September 30, 2007

Bandit Supplemental

Sunday September 23, 2007

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Many character traits are reinforced during a week at Camp Colton. Last week at Camp students wrote in their journals specifically about the responsibility and respect. Here is what students from Sechrist and Cromer Elementary School had to say about respect about responsibility in regard to their time at Camp Colton.
******************************************

Camp Colton teaches sixth-graders how to become responsible adults. Camp Colton has taught me how to be responsible for my own things and to pick them up without being told. At Camp Colton I learned that to be respectful to everyone and everything around me; to respect wildlife and nature. At Camp Colton respect is a big thing because you need to respect yourself, your teachers, the children at camp, the wildlife and nature. Camp Colton is a camp that helps you respect all the things around you.

-- Taylor

At Camp Colton I learned that respect and responsibility are very important things in life. You have to respect the environment and the people you live with in your tent. For responsibility, I learned that you have to take care of your things and things you will need for the day. Camp Colton was a fun experience. I liked all of the classes. I learned a lot about nature, that we must respect nature, and we must take responsibility for nature, too. Like not stepping on flowers and by cleaning up litter. Camp Colton was really FUN.

-- Dinnea

Camp Colton is a wonderful way to learn how to be responsible because here your parents can't remind you to clean up or tell you to remember all you gear. Without adults watching you constantly we have to make our own choices. In camp you must be on time for all classes. You must respect the environment and other people without being told to. I am learning to collect all my stuff, keep track of time, watch out for where your group is, listen carefully to instructions, and not be told twice. We must also have enough responsibility to complete all our projects. I believe that Camp Colton was a great experience for me because I can really take responsibility for myself and the environment. All Camp Colton graduates are becoming mature young adults. This is one of my best school events ever. I hope that Camp Colton goes on for many years! Thank you, Camp Colton. We love you!

-- Logan

We learned responsibility because we had to take care of our tent and us. We are responsible for our trash after we eat. If we did not take responsibility for ourselves we would get hurt and get into trouble. Respect at Camp Colton is important because we have to respect the environment or it would get destroyed. We also have to respect our camp counselors and teachers because they are the ones teaching us. We also have responsibility for our tent friends. Camp Colton helps kids learn respect and responsibility.

 

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Students from Marshall, Kinsey and Sechrist elementary schools attended Camp Colton last week -- we even saw frost on the peak. For the second week we send you poems from the hills -- filled with our thoughts, adventures and thrills.
**************************************

'A Day at Camp Colton' by Jasmine

Seven in the morn, and the chicken music is born.
From east to west, Camp Colton always knows best.
Its bacon today; chilly cold mornings even in May.
At tent inspection, don't forget to sweep, for if it's not clean,
You'll have a dirty sock with which to weep.
Morning classes are always fun,
Only two-and-a-half hours until you're done.
When you get back it's time for lunch,
As you go crunch, crunch, crunch.
After afternoon class
It is time for a tasty snack,
So Catch your apple and don't slack.
Presenters come with birds or trees,
They teach about fire and Raptors, each with different breeds.
When they are finished, it's time for dinner,
Remember your manners and you could be a winner.
Come see the sunset on our nighttime hike,
In the clouds you see ships, castles and all the like.

'Camp Colton Is the Best' by Julianne

Camp Colton is the best
They won't let you fail the test
I'm in a good mood
Cause I eat the yummy food
When we get up its very cold
Then we make our sleeping bags fold
The food is yummy
It goes in my tummy
Sometimes it rains
I'm not very ashamed
We go on hikes
All day and all nigh
I would always run
And of course, have lots of fun!

On a more difficult note, last week the Camp Dog passed away. Bandit, was his real name, but thousands of kids knew him as D5, Galaxy, Comet, Spot, among others.

Thank you alumni for years all the wonderful letters addressed to and acknowledging Bandit as among the highlights of Camp Colton. Thank you Bandit for being the most awesome Camp Dog, friend and companion. I am convinced that Bandit was so incredible because Camp Colton is so incredible. Bandit, a true friend of kids, family and Camp Colton. The following poem I felt obliged to include.
**************************************************

Bandit by Becky

Inverted spots Dalmatian
Canine of many names
A gentle spirit amongst children
frolicking with those kids
whose day was made a little brighter.
An ESP sense of obedience
Already knowing the next move.
Uniquely, unwavering loyal
Loving a master who loved him
Becoming a companion in sync
Experiences jammed full in a wink of time
Too soon to leave this world
Bandit good-bye for now.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Students from Marshall, Kinsey and Sechrist Elementary Schools attended Camp Colton last week. During the week, students reflected on their camp experience through poetry. Although acrostics are the usual camp favorite, here are a few others that reflect the magical experience of holding class at 8,500 feet.
****************************************

Camp Colton is the greatest by Matt

Camp Colton is so nice
You get to eat spaghetti with lots of spice.
On Tuesday night we have a fire
It just gets higher and higher.
You go on lots of hikes
But you don't use any bikes.
I hope you come to Camp Colton
It's really bangin'!

Camp Colton poem by Mackenzie

Camp Colton is fun
Because you play in the sun
Camp Colton is a blast
But you wish it didn't go by so fast.
The teachers are fun
But they teach a ton

A Camp Colton Haiku by Kayla

We love Camp Colton
We learn about everything
We got to do chores
I loved Camp Colton
I learned photosynthesis
We got to play games
We played tug-o-war
We loved to go to classes
We loved Camp Colton
Camp Colton Diamante by Nikaila
Serious fun
Very cold weather
Sleeping in the tents

 

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Character traits such as respect are instilled and reinforced during a typical week at Camp Colton. This last week students from Christensen Elementary School attended Camp Colton, here is what they had to say about respect:
***************************************

Some kids don't know what respect means, but I do. Respect is like when someone says please and thank you, or when someone just holds the door. Respect can also be applied to the earth, like not littering or conserving water. Camp Colton taught us to respect our surroundings and the tents we live in at Camp. Respect is very important.

-- Spencer

At camp we respect all the wild animals and pets, you also have to respect the rules of Camp Colton. We all respect the other people here, the property and its surroundings.

-- Dillon

Before I came to Camp Colton, I thought respect just meant to be nice to people but when I got here I found out that respect means things like not picking the flowers at Camp so that other sixth-graders that will be coming can enjoy them too. At Camp we all learned to respect the supplies, now when I use something I will keep that in mind.

-- Jayla

I think that respect is very important. I think people should be treated the way you want to be treated. Respect people that are older than you, your parents, teachers and Camp Colton.

-- Lupe

I respect Camp Colton for letting kids come up here and have fun. I like the way everyone at Camp respects the tents, basketball court and volleyball court. Thank you for all the stuff you teach us and what you know about respect. At Camp they let us play with practically everything because they know we will respect it.

-- Jesse

Here at Camp Colton respect means a lot. Every time we go to classes or go outdoors we need to have respect. We have to respect the plants, animals and we have to respect each other. I respect Camp Colton for what it does for children. Everything deserves respect.

-- Audee

I think all children should come to Camp Colton. Camp is a wonderful experience in many different ways. Camp Colton teaches us about maps, how to use a compass and survival. They also teach you about plants, animals, water and respect. I think when children visit Camp Colton they will go home telling other people about their exciting, most excellent trip; they will also tell them about lessons in respect.

-- Audria

Sunday, August 26, 2007

School has started and so has Camp Colton. This week students from Moencopi Day school and Killip Elementary school write about starting school with Camp Colton:

Camp Colton has been a major experience for me because I have never been to a camp like this. My first day was tons of fun because I got to meet new people I have never seen before. So far everything and everyone has treated me well especially the staff and the teachers. They've been like family to me.
********************************************

Camp Colton is like a school except it is near wildlife. The outdoor classes are great because we move around a lot and we also learn a lot about the environment. In conclusion, I think that Camp Colton is helping us young adults prepare for the future.

-- Domingo, Moencopi Day School

Camp Colton is the best, most interesting experience I have ever had in the outdoors! At Camp Colton, you can meet new people, make friends and have fun. At Camp Colton they have snacks twice a day and they have magnificent food. At camp there are cool activities and fun hobbies to do. There is volleyball, basketball and of course gaga ball. There are really beautiful hikes and the coolest plants and most beautiful flowers. It is great at Camp Colton. This is probably going to be the best week of sixth grade.

-- Audrie, Killip

Camp Colton is a nice place for kids. Fun is the theme for kids. You meet other people from the state of Arizona and make new friends. A child can see different creatures here at Camp Colton and your child will be filled with food. Camp Colton is a must for sixth-graders I am having the fun of my life here. I hope gets to go to Camp and meet new people and learn about plant life and the environment. Camp Colton is so much fun!

-- Jammer, Moencopi Day School