High-quality gear is provided by Wilderness Ranch. This includes backpacks, sleeping bags, ensolite pads, rain flies and everything your child will need to be safe and have the best experience possible!
Personal clothing (base layer, mid layer, outer layer) and proper socks/footwear are all your child needs to bring to Wilderness Ranch.
New as of 2026: E-Gift Cards - Give your camper spending money for camp without sending cash!
On footwear: For backpacking trips, your camper will be hiking with heavy packs and will need quality backpacking footwear that provides good ankle support. New footwear is more likely to cause blisters and must be properly fit and broken in to reduce the chance of blisters and sore feet, which is the most common first aid need on the trail. Your local outdoor retailer can help.
For adventure camp trips, there is hiking but without the heavy pack.
On Cotton: When cotton gets wet, it takes much longer to dry than synthetic and wool fabrics, leading to severe discomfort and an inability to keep your camper warm in the outdoor elements. We encourage our campers not to bring any cotton clothing when possible.
If your child is planning a trip to Wilderness Ranch, we want you to have the information you need to rest easy while he or she is away. There are many activities at camp in which your child may be participating. Whether they are challenged while hiking, rock climbing or simply sitting around a fire with friends, their safety is a top concern for us, while minimizing risk as much as possible.
What to Bring:
High-quality gear is provided by Wilderness Ranch. This includes backpacks, sleeping bags, ensolite pads, rain flies and everything your child will need to be safe and have the best experience possible!
Personal clothing (base layer, mid layer, outer layer) and proper socks/footwear are all your child needs to bring to Wilderness Ranch.
On footwear: For backpacking trips, your camper will be hiking with heavy packs and will need quality backpacking footwear that provides good ankle support. New footwear is more likely to cause blisters and must be properly fit and broken in to reduce the chance of blisters and sore feet, which is the most common first aid need on the trail. Your local outdoor retailer can help.
For adventure camp trips, there is hiking but without the heavy pack.
On Cotton: When cotton gets wet, it takes much longer to dry than synthetic and wool fabrics, leading to severe discomfort and an inability to keep your camper warm in the outdoor elements. We encourage our campers not to bring any cotton clothing when possible.
Safety
Young Life and Wilderness Ranch maintain the highest level of safety and standards possible in operation of all of our activities at camp. But with all outdoor adventure activities, there are inherent risks involved that must be understood.
Parents, please read and sign the Parent/Guardian Guide to Wilderness Ranch.
Each trip is led by two experienced guides who have extensive training in mountaineering, orienteering, relationship building, first-aid and high altitude medicine.
Guides carry Wilderness First Aid certification through the NOLS Wilderness Medicine. At Wilderness Ranch, the guides are with their group from arrival until departure. In the event of an unexpected incident, there is always a qualified medical professional on call to tend to your child's needs, and we have a great relationship with local search and rescue organizations.
Wilderness Ranch is in a remote part of Colorado and communication between basecamp and trail trips is sometimes difficult. We do equip guides with communication devices (i.e. radios, satellite phones, GPS units) in order to maintain communication with basecamp during the week as often is as reasonably possible.
Health and Conditioning
The Wilderness Ranch experiences of backpacking and adventure camping have been designed for success for any teenager in average health. If your child has any special condition, (allergies, etc.) please be sure to note all of that information on the Young Life Health Form. It is Colorado law that we have a completed health form and Colorado Certificate of Immunization on file. These will help us provide the best care possible in the unlikely event of an emergency. If there are additional health needs or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the office (summer: 719-658-2288; school season: 719-867-3622).
Our guides are certified in medicinal administration and will take possession of and dispense all medications, whether over the counter or prescription. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their child has an adequate supply of needed medications, in their original containers, for the entire duration of this trip.
We provide wholesome, healthy food specifically designed to properly nourish the body in relation to wilderness hiking and adventures. All food for adventure trips is prepared at Wilderness Ranch base camp by our kitchen staff prior to going out on the adventures. Typically this starts a week before your trip. Therefore, if there is a food allergy or special diet to be considered, please make sure Wilderness Ranch is aware of the food allergy at least 10 days before arriving at camp.
Emergency Preparedness & Camper Safety
Our Safety Commitment
- Camper safety is a top priority.
- We plan for emergencies before camp begins.
- We practice responses so staff can act quickly, calmly, and confidently.
We maintain clear, written plans for situations such as severe weather, fires, medical emergencies, evacuation or shelter-in-place, lockdowns or other unexpected events.
We prioritize both physical safety and emotional reassurance. We use age-appropriate, reassuring language. We emphasize that adults are prepared and nearby to help. We support with confidence and reliance on preparedness plans.
All staff are trained to know their role in an emergency, follow leadership direction immediately, keep campers together and supervised at all times.
Staff receive emergency response training during orientation. Leadership is on-site and accessible at all times, Drills are conducted to build confidence—not fear.
We use established internal systems to communicate quickly. Parents/guardians are notified through official camp channels.
Our camp follows Colorado health care and child care training and guidelines. We have trained medical professionals at camp (doctor, nurse, NP, PA, EMT).
In the case of emergencies, we coordinate with local emergency responders. Camp procedures align with local safety guidance. We work with local emergency authorities during incidents to ensure preparedness response mitigates current emergency risks.
child care licensing
Wilderness Ranch is a Young Life camp that is licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services. The license indicates that the program has met the required standards for operation of a child care facility. If you wish to do so, you may ask to see the license and the last facility inspection.
As a licensed facility, Wilderness Ranch makes every effort to provide a safe and healthy environment for adolescents. As part of the licensing provisions, Colorado Law requires that child care providers report all known or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. If you believe that your child has been abused you should seek immediate assistance from your county department of social services. Wilderness Ranch License #1509151.
For additional information regarding licensing, or if you have concerns about a child care facility, or you would like to review a licensed facilities file please consult the Colorado Division of Child Care at 1575 Sherman Street, Denver, Colorado 80203-1714 or at 303-866-5958.
