Why Camp Santa Maria?
More Than a Summer. A Foundation for Life.
Nestled in the breathtaking wilderness of the Platte Canyon, Camp Santa Maria is more than just a destination - it is a community designed with a singular purpose: to help young people discover the best versions of themselves.
Drawing inspiration from the finest traditions in camping, we combine the rugged spirit of the Rockies with a deeply intentional program focused on character, connection, and confidence.
The Power of Intentionality
We pursue development, not just experience.
At Camp Santa Maria, we teach our campers and staff to CARE, an acronym representing our four core values that help us to achieve our mission of pursuing a feeling of belonging, purpose, and connectedness:
- Curiosity: Be curious about the people around you, your own strengths and weaknesses, and the surrounding natural wonders of the world.
- Awareness: Without the constant draw of electronics and screens, camp is a natural environment for children to begin to be aware of the people and places around them, while also gaining a deeper sense of self.
- Responsibility: The camp experience is the responsibility of all participants. We’re all here to create and care for our time together.
- Execution: With a deeper understanding of community, purpose, and the world around us, execution is a call to action for our campers and staff to use their strengths to make the world a better place.
A Mission-Driven Heart
We operate on a model of radical generosity.
What truly sets Camp Santa Maria apart is our unique operating heartbeat. We believe that the transformative power of a Colorado summer should be a bridge to a brighter future for every child.
Through a visionary collaboration we are able to provide the gift of the camp experience to the community. This creates a diverse, vibrant camper body where children from all walks of life sit around the same campfire, learn from one another, and realize that our commonalities are stronger than our differences. When you choose Camp Santa Maria, you are choosing a camp that values people over profit.
The Great Colorado Classroom
We provide the setting; the kids provide the spark.
Our backyard is the Pike National Forest. Whether it’s hiking through the Rocky Mountains, mastering archery, or reflecting by the lake, we use the natural beauty of the surrounding environment as a catalyst for growth.
Expert Mentorship
We don’t just watch your children; we invest in them.
We hire more than just “counselors.” We hire role models. Our staff is trained in the “Growth Mindset” philosophy, ensuring that every scraped knee is a lesson in persistence and every cabin dispute is an opportunity for leadership and growth.