“It is a beautiful property all around. It was my second visit, and I’m even more impressed this time around.”

“The facilities are integrated into nature very well, and there’s lots of open space for activities.”

“I thought that the campus, cabins and lodge were beautiful. There were multiple moments when I felt a sense of awe and magic. The facilities were clean, comfortable and thoughtful.”

“Rustic, clean, beautiful and organized.”

“The buildings are very clean, nice and well-appointed. There is lots of indoor space for activities. We LOVED the gaga room with music playing!”

“Incredible! The staff went out of their way to make everyone feel loved and important. Staff always had a positive and encouraging tone. They were educated about natural history and were teachers.”

“Very patient, kind, organized, knowledgeable and helpful. The staff would just appear with fun games, songs and dances for the group.”

“Huge shoutout to [one of the staff members] who listened to our suggestions, took them to heart, and really made the students feel loved and valued. His passion and energy were infectious!”

“Respectful, kind and inspiring. I loved how they tied the elements or objectives into how it relates to their own lives.”

“The staff are super friendly, professional and strong when they needed to be.”

“Every staff member made my stay here fun. Everyone was really helpful, kind and patient. All of the leaders supported me during each activity, and they were very descriptive about what to do. Every staff member was caring, and I appreciated that they all wanted me to succeed.”

“Some students realized their ability to lead and make valuable contributions. There was time for them to process physical and mental challenges!”

“Fantabulous. What I loved was the combination of content and structure, plus free time. After every activity, staff debriefed and connected learning to life.”

“I absolutely loved this place. Our kids are so happy, and most don’t want to leave. Almost no one experienced homesickness because they felt so loved. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“I think the pace and content went well. It was all challenging enough for everyone to try something, and it surprised me how brave these kids could be. It flowed well, and the time was used extremely well.”

“The trip was fun and memorable in a lot of ways. I appreciate each of you for taking time out of your lives to help us understand and love the outdoors. The trip was a reminder to be thankful for the place we live in.”

“All the meals were delicious. The choices were great, and all the kids could find something they would eat.”

“Thank you so much to all the staff and to Matthew’s incredible cooking and his team’s tolerance and flexibility. The meals were fantastic, and the dining experience relaxed and enjoyable.”

“Fantastic! Chefs Matthew and Chad were both very approachable and accommodating. The food was delicious and healthy, and it was great to have so many options.”

“Yum! The meals were both kid- and adult-friendly. All the kids ate and complimented the food!”

“I’m thankful for having the staff join at meal time. It was very special sharing time and inspiring to learn about them.”

“One of the greatest challenges you all helped me overcome was my fear of trusting others. You all helped me when during the Leap of Faith. After doing it, I learned that trust is a valuable resource in the world. During my experience, I learned many new skills, including trust and teamwork. None of this could have happened without the 100 Elk staff.”

“I want you to know that it was a great experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could. I was a bit nervous for the ropes course, but thanks to you I became more confident in myself. Thanks to you I was able to enjoy myself more and not be so worried. Your positive energy was a great kickoff to my 8th grade year!”

“You can ask my friends and they would say that I’m not the type of person to take on challenges. But, this time, I grew mentally and went outside my comfort zone. I am so happy I got to face this challenge head on. Overall, this trip has helped me learn who I want to be and who I am. I will use these new skills in my everyday life from now on.”

“I think the Leap of Faith and Giant’s Ladder really changed a lot about how I see myself and how my friends see me. The Leap of Faith showed me that even after I said, ‘No, I can’t do it,’ I shouldn’t have doubted myself because I made it. And, the Giant’s Ladder helped me see how much my partner and I trusted each other…it wouldn’t have been the same without him. It really was a team effort.”

“During team building, I loved all the games we played including the marble race and hula hoop challenge. I felt like I left with a better understanding of how to work in a team and how even being a silent leader is doing a big part.”

“I appreciate your helpfulness in bonding our group as a whole. You changed my outlook on many subjects. You showed me not to judge people at all and to look deeper into things. Thank you so much for teaching me new ideas on life.”

“I have been working with the team at the 100 Elk Outdoor Center for over 10 years with my organization, Denver Urban Scholars, formerly known as Colorado Youth at Risk. The staff are flexible and consistently go above and beyond to support our large group of high school students and adult volunteer mentors and staff coming in from Denver to stay multiple days.

“For many of our students, the trip to 100 Elk is their first experience away from home, their first time being in the mountains, or both. It is always powerful for our young people, who are dealing with many challenges that could limit their potential, to have the experience of leaving their usual environment to have time and space to reflect and consider what’s possible for their future. The team at 100 Elk is always willing to be creative and work in true partnership with us to set the stage for powerful transformation in the lives of our students.”

— Sarah McGill, LCSW, Program Manager, Denver Urban Scholars

“The 100 Elk staff see people without limitations. This makes participants themselves more likely to overcome fears and get way beyond labels that others might place on them.

“Stepping out of their comfort zone – breaking from a normal routine and trying something new – is extremely challenging. The 100 Elk staff have this gentle approach in working with our people, offering encouragement and simple little steps. Before they know it, they realize they’re doing something they never knew they were capable of.”

— Todd Herzer, Former President, Rainbow Valley Resource Network

“The special thing about the 100 Elk session was its inclusiveness and its flexibility. Staffers were going the extra mile to accommodate special requests (in our case, preparing different food for my daughter). Anywhere else, that would have been too much to ask. But here, meeting our needs seemed to be all part of the plan.

“I think what impressed me the most was the atmosphere of elevated thought, joy, expectation, and genuine love. I heard that several campers with special needs were breaking through limitations and doing new things at 100 Elk. But of course, that is to be expected!”

— Julie, Participant, Rainbow Valley Resources Network’s Annual 100 Elk Program