- Where is Nighthawk Ranch located, and what is the climate like?
- How old must a camper be to stay at the ranch?
- How many campers will attend each session?
- At what stage of treatment must my child be in to attend?
- What are the physical limitations of each camper
- What will it cost for my child to attend the camp?
- In what type of activities will my child be participating?
- What is the schedule for a typical day at the ranch?
- Will my child be safe at camp?
- Who will provide medical care for my child?
- What happens if my child gets sick while at camp?
- Where is the nearest Firehouse/EMT Station?
- Where is the nearest hospital?
- Do I need to bring my child’s medications and medical supplies?
- Does the ranch carry liability insurance?
- Where do the campers stay?
WHERE IS NIGHTHAWK RANCH LACATED, AND WHAT IS THE CLIMATE LIKE?
Nighthawk Ranch is located in the hill country of South Park County in Guffey, Colorado, surrounded by the Pike National Forest. Guffey is a small, friendly mountain town located less than one mile off of CO HWY 9 at mile marker 21. The closest landmarks include Eleven Mile State Recreation Area, the Royal Gorge, and the towns of Hartsel, Cripple Creek and Canon City. The ranch is approximately 130 miles southwest of Denver, 60 miles west of Colorado Springs, 32 miles north of Canon City, and 72 miles northwest of Pueblo
Guffey has a dry, warm, agreeable climate. The Nighthawk Ranch elevation is over 9,000 feet. During the summer, our average daytime temperature is 85 degrees. The thin, dry air radiates heat quickly after sundown and summer nighttime temperatures average a cool 50 degrees. Summer also brings frequent gusty afternoon thunderstorms and breezes. It is comfortable even when it is hot, although you have to be especially careful when exposed to the sun because you can burn quickly. We provide plenty of sunscreen for everyone!
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HOW OLD MUST A CAMPER BE TO STAY AT THE RANCH?
Only campers who will be between the ages of 10-18 at the time of camp will be eligible to attend.
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HOW MANY CAMPERS WILL ATTEND EACH SESSION?
Currently, 6-8 campers will attend each session. This will allow us to spend more one on one time with each camper and will allow the campers to build strong friendships with each other.
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AT WHAT STAGE OF TREATMENT MUST MY CHILD BE IN TO ATTEND?
Campers must have the first phases of treatment behind them
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WHAT ARE THE PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS OF EACH CAMPER
Because it is a working ranch, each camper will be expected to help with light household and ranch chores. Campers must be physically fit enough to walk the trails, ride on ATVs, work and be able to ride a horse and help feed the animals. When making your decision about your child attending the camp, please consider that some of the work may be demanding for your child.
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WHAT WILL IT COST FOR MY CHILD TO ATTEND THE CAMP?
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! All expenses are paid by Nighthawk Ranch.
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IN WHAT TYPE OF ACTIVITIES WILL MY CHILD BE PARTICIPATING?
In addition to recreational activities, campers will be required to perform daily chores (helping with light household chores, working in the garden, helping in the kitchen, and performing other ranch chores).
They will also be responsible for feeding and watering the ranch animals. Recreational activities will include but are not limited to, hiking, low ropes course, archery, outdoor camping, swimming, group games, fishing, bird watching, arts and crafts, stargazing, storytelling, air hockey, table tennis, basketball, and team building activities. Outdoor camping will take place in an area of the ranch property where low-impact camping skills will be taught.
The campers will sleep in sleeping bags in waterproof tents they will learn to set up themselves. In another area, the campers can build their own log cabin to sleep in if they choose. All activities are managed to allow all campers to participate.
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WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR A TYPICAL DAY AT THE RANCH?
A typical day at the ranch will include feeding the animals before breakfast, light household chores, and ranch maintenance. From approximately 10 a.m. to noon campers will be involved in planned activities. Lunch will be served around noon. Campers will have a chance to rest or just hang out after lunch until 2 p.m. when they will participate in more activities. Dinner will be served around 6:30 p.m. Evening activities will include campfires, ghost stories, playing board games, swimming, etc.
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WILL MY CHILD BE SAFE AT CAMP?
- Safety is our first priority at the camp. We do all we can to provide a safe environment for everyone. All program areas are inspected for safety on a regular schedule.
- All staff members maintain certifications as required for specific program areas.
- Our medical providers are fully licensed and have pediatric experience.
- Staff members and counselors are very carefully screened and must have previous experience caring for children. The screening process includes references and background checks. Our staff and counselors come from all walks of life and have been specially selected for their interests, professional credentials, ability to work with children in the outdoors, and their skills in many program areas.
- Staff and counselors must complete an intensive orientation before each session begins which includes briefings about the children attending camp during that particular session.
WHO WILL PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE FOR MY CHILD?
A Registered Nurse will be on site at all times and a physician will be on call. Routine scheduled medical care for the campers as prescribed by their primary physicians or specialists and their parents will be provided by the nurse who will set a schedule for such care accordingly. On arrival day, parents will have the opportunity to sit down with the nurse to discuss the child’s medical care, special needs, medications, restrictions, etc.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD GETS SICK WHILE AT CAMP?
Safety is a top priority for Nighthawk Ranch. We are staffed 24/7 with Licensed Emergency Room Nurses and a Paramedic or EMT during all of our camp sessions. In addition, we have a fully equipped non-transport Advanced Life Support Station and access to an on-call Doctor. If necessary, children are transported off the ranch for further care. You and your child’s primary/specialty physician will be contacted by the camp medical staff regarding any significant medical issues to discuss options for your child’s care.
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WHERE IS THE NEAREST FIREHOUSE/EMT STATION?
The Southern Park County Fire District is headquartered in Guffey less than 2 miles from the Ranch. It protects 242 square miles of the sparsely populated mountainous country. Paid and volunteer members are trained to fight structure fires, wildland fires and to provide rescue and ambulance service. In the event of an evacuation because of a fire, we will make every attempt to contact you directly to provide information. You may also contact the station at (719) 689-9479.
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WHERE IS THE NEAREST HOSPITAL?
Pikes Peak Regional Hospital and Surgery Center is located just outside Woodland Park, Colorado which is approximately 35 miles away from the ranch (45 minutes at normal speeds). A new, state-of-the art community hospital, PPRH offers the latest innovative technology coupled with a highly trained and committed team of professionals dedicated to serving patients in this pristine mountain community.
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DO I NEED TO BRING MY CHILD’S MEDICATIONS AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES?
YES. Please send all medications and supplies with your child. Make sure you send enough to last the entire time your child is at the ranch. You must bring (1) the medications in their original Rx containers; and (2) a current listing of all medications to be administered, in what doses, and at what frequencies. If your child needs oxygen during the day or overnight, this must be arranged prior to coming to Camp by you and your oxygen supplier. PLEASE COMPLETE THE MEDICATION PERMISSION FORM included with the application forms to provide to and discuss with the nurse when you arrive at the ranch.
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DOES THE RANCH CARRY LIABILITY INSURANCE?
The ranch carries significant liability insurance. Each child and their parent will be required to sign standard release/consent forms as appropriate which are included in the application forms.
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WHERE DO THE CAMPERS STAY?
The ranch house has a beautiful bunkhouse on the second floor where 4 to 8 campers can comfortably sleep. The bunkhouse has a full bathroom, shower, and sitting room with a small kitchenette for the campers to enjoy visiting with each other. Staff and counselors will have separate accommodations at the ranch, close enough to be available for the campers at all times.
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PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US WITH ANY OTHER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE!
