Family Vacation Favorite,YMCA of the Rockies Prepares for 2012 Summer Season

April 3, 2012 - PRLog -- YMCA of the Rockies
CONTACT: Laura Field
PHONE: 970-586-4444 x6062
EMAIL: info@ymcarockies.org
WEB: www.ymcarockies.org
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ESTES PARK, Colo.- Colo.- YMCA of the Rockies has been a vacation favorite with families for more than 100 years. Estes Park Center, Snow Mountain Ranch, and Camp Chief Ouray are preparing for another great summer season. In 2012 a few new programs are being offered alongside many traditional favorites.

New this year, families staying at Estes Park Center can try evening camp, which gives kids ages 3-10 a chance to play camp games, crafts, and mini golf while being supervised by YMCA of the Rockies counselors. This allows Mom and Dad a chance to relax or explore nearby Estes Park. Kicking off the summer season, a 27-hole mini golf course will be unveiled. The first 9 holes will be the Toddler Course, with easier obstacles for younger golfers. Also new this summer at EPC, is an official outdoor rock climbing program. Running until Labor Day, this program will take guests, groups, and day campers sport climbing with top ropes at Mary’s Lake. Cost is $30/person. Participants must be 12 or older. Hotel-style lodges at Estes Park Center offer an affordable alternative to area hotels, and include extras like complimentary breakfast and activity passes, free wifi, and decks with sweeping views of the mountains.

Families staying near Grand Lake at YMCA of the Rockies’ Snow Mountain Ranch can take to the water or participate in the area’s growing mountain bike activities. Grand Lake is a popular summer destination for Coloradoans looking to keep cool in the water. Fishing and canoeing are available at SMR at the Gaylord Reservoir. Just down the road, the ski resorts of Winter Park transform during the warmer months into mountain biking parks. Snow Mountain Ranch has a pump track for practicing skills and guided mountain bike rides that explore miles of trails.

Located at Snow Mountain Ranch, Camp Chief Ouray welcomes back campers of all ages. Traditional overnight camps, lasting about a week, have special themes that are woven into the week’s activities. Themes for this year include the Olympics, Wild Wild West, and Pirates vs. Ninjas. For teens, CCO has Challenger programs which are added on to traditional overnight camps, Wilderness Adventure Camps held in the backcountry, and Trekker programs which involve travel to the California coast or Peru. Adults can join the fun at Women’s Fitness Camp or Active Older Adults Camp. Both feature favorite camp activities alongside special evening programs. Families are invited to Family Camp over Labor Day weekend. This is a great introduction to camp for smaller children. http://www.campchiefouray.org

Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch are full service, resort-style vacation centers operated by YMCA of the Rockies. Estes Park Center, surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park, is an 870 acre property with family activities ranging from guided hikes in the national park and an 800ft zip line to open-air concerts and arts and crafts. Snow Mountain Ranch is a 5,100 acre property nestled in the mountains near Winter Park, CO. Summer activities at SMR include archery, campfires, horseback riding, and sand volleyball. Available accommodations include hotel-style lodge rooms, 2-4 bedroom cabins, 3-5 bedroom vacation homes, retreat cabins, and a newly expanded yurt village. Camp Chief Ouray offers camp programs for youth, families, and adults.

For more information about YMCA of the Rockies visit www.ymcarockies.org or contact Laura Field at lfield@ymcarockies.org. To make reservations call 888-422-3515 or email info@ymcarockies.org