The Colorado Rockies
Eight Amazing Days
June 18 - 25, 2023
Enrollment Update
The Rockies trip is currently full, but the waitlist is short. If this sounds interesting, please add your name to the waitlist by sending in the application. No deposit is needed until we notify you of an opening. And of course, there's always 2024!
The Rockies trip is currently full, but the waitlist is short. If this sounds interesting, please add your name to the waitlist by sending in the application. No deposit is needed until we notify you of an opening. And of course, there's always 2024!
We we asked to help hold up this massive rock in the Garden of the Gods. Of course, the MindStretch Travel Adventures boys came to the rescue. It's still standing thanks to our efforts.
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Over the years, the Colorado Rockies has been one of those places that draws us back again and again. We were last here in 2017, so it's definitely time to return to these mountains.
We will fly into Colorado Springs and will base our stay in neighboring Manitou Springs, a smaller city and the gateway to a whole lot of fun. Check over the activities on this page and then go to "more to know" for additional information about how the program works. We've picked high-interest activities that boys have enjoyed on past Colorado trips...and as always we have added a few new twists. |
Note on Enrollment:
We're holding enrollment to a small and manageable number. If you're interested in grabbing a place, you should inquire or sign up now. There's always a chance someone will drop out, so we'll add you to the waitlist once enrollment is full.
Get ready for an amazing experience. Each day is totally different than any of the others.
Ask anyone who has been on a MindStretch Travel Adventures trip and you'll quickly realize that no two days are alike. That's one of the advantages of a travel camp. There is no routine. We don't even eat meals at the same time, and other than breakfast, our other meals are usually eaten at a different restaurant each time. We are no ordinary camp. Some of the differences include motel beds with private baths (as opposed to a cabin with 8 or more boys and a shared bath), a swimming pool and hot tub (instead of a lake), and restaurants where you get to choose from the menu (instead of a mess hall). And instead of 250 boys, this trip will have fewer than a dozen. It adds up to a whole new experience.
What will we do for fun?
Below you'll find some of the planned activities we'll be squeezing into our trip. There could always be changes. Sometimes weather will mean we have to switch something for another adventure...but usually what we list here will be the activities we'll be enjoying.
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Pikes Peak Cog Railroad
Chances are you've never been at an elevation of 14,115 ft. above sea level except in a jet. We'll make our way to this elevation slowly on the Manitou-Pike's Peak Cog Railroad.
Imagine leaving the Southeast with temperatures in the 90s and finding out you'll need a sweatshirt a few days later. Views are impressive...unless it's snowing. And that's an experience in itself. If you're not familiar with what a cog railroad is, check out this link. |
These three conquered the 14, 115 ft peak in 2017, our last trip to Colorado. We all did, we took the cog!
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1,000 feet down is equivalent to a 100-story building. And you won't believe how fast the miner's elevator takes you to this depth.
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Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
If experiencing life at over 14,000 feet isn't enough, wait until you go 1,000 feet underground. We'll be touring an old gold mine located in the gold mining district of Cripple Creek and Victor.
We'll put on our miner's helmets and cram into the cage to get dropped into the depths of this old mine. With a guide, we'll get a fascinating look at what originally turned Cripple Creek and Victor into booming towns. These days a few casinos have breathed new life into Cripple Creek while seven miles away in Victor, things look a lot like they did in the heyday of the Colorado gold rush. You'll even spot some donkeys that still roam the streets that are descendants of the ones that helped haul the ore to the surface. By the way, mining for gold is still being done in these parts. 
Number one rule while riding the miner's cage is listed here. Please heed the warning.
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The line in the middle of this photo is The Manitou Incline. It's a doable achievement if you want to take on the challenge.
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The Manitou Incline
If you look over the top of our motel in Manitou Springs, you'll see this line coming up the mountain toward Pike's Peak in about the center of this photo.
That's the Manitou Incline. It's a hike. It's a hard hike. It's an incredibly hard hike. And it's also doable. For those boys that want to experience the challenge, leader Don Silleman has already said he'll lead the expedition. You'll have to get up a bit early, but the views will make it worth it. You can be assured the hike will not be a race. Boys should be in good condition to attempt to take this hike. Don will have final say on a boy's fitness for this activity. He's been before as did all the boys in the photo below. Want to know more about this trail, click this link. 
These boys all took on and met the challenge of The Manitou Incline in 2017. We had a similar number stay back and sleep in. Our total group will be much smaller in 2023.
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This climbing wall will provide a fun challenge to test your skills.
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Cave of the Winds
We'll spend half a day or so enjoying Cave of the Winds. This is a first for us. In addition to taking a guided tour of the cave itself, we'll get to choose two or three adrenaline-pumping activities such as Wild Walker Challenge Course overlooking Williams Canyon, the Bat-a-Pult that includes a 1,200 foot roundtrip zipping high above the canyon at 40 mph, Geronimo's Leap, and the Cliffhanger Climbing Wall. You might also get a chance to do some axe-throwing.
See more about Cave of the Winds with this link. 
Geronimo's Leap will take some courage, but the reward will be worth it.
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Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center
The Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center has been a popular stop on past visits. Boys have enjoyed touring the center with a guide and meeting a bunch of magnificent animals. And if we're lucky, we'll get to try our hand at getting to chance to call out to them in hopes they'll answer.
You'll learn about the pack and how the Center is trying to help protect those that are living in the wild. You can learn more about the Center with this link. MTA Boys in 2017 talking to the wolves at the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center.
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It's nice to let a horse take you on a hike from time to time. This horse is named Buckmeister.
We're not sure how he got that name.
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Horseback Trail Ride
through the Garden of the Gods It's understandable that not everyone will want to mount a horse, but you might enjoy this one-hour trail ride through the impressive set of rocks known as "Garden of the Gods." This is an optional ride, but we encourage you to give it a try. You're out West...you might as well be a cowboy for a day.
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The United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center
Team USA We'll tour this amazing facility in Colorado Springs. At any given time, over 500 world-class athletes and coaches could be on location here and in training for a future Olympics. We'll learn about past Olympians who have trained here and unless it happens to be an off day (these athletes generally have no off days), we'll see individuals and teams in action.
You can learn more with this link. 
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The United States Air Force Academy
Maybe your dreams as an Air Force officer will be inspired by this visit to the United States Air Force Academy. It's no secret that one of our campers on our last trip ended up applying and being accepted into West Point just a few years later. We feel certain this is where that idea started.
But no matter what, this is a special place in American history past and present. The Chapel was originally constructed in 1962 and features 17 spires that shoot 150 feet into the sky. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, it is the most visited man-made tourist attraction in Colorado. It is an all-faith center of worship that serves the diverse spiritual needs of cadets with Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist chapels, as well as worship areas for smaller religious groups. |
This iconic building is the chapel at the Air Force Academy. There is a chance the chapel might be closed for renovations at the time of our visit. They built a huge box around it so they could work on it year round.
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The group in 2017 poses in front of a B-24 replica from World War II.
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The Historic Manitou Penny Arcade
You might think it odd to spend a few hours in an arcade, but this one takes you back to another era. While there are a few "modern" games, most of these are historic working games from those your dad or granddad might have played. You can win tickets to cash in for prizes and if you enter the MindStretch Travel Adventures Fall Contest, you can even get "free" money to pay for the games. (Many people claim the MTA fall contest is rigged in that everyone wins. But you can only win if you enter!)
And not only are there tons of games, but good old fashion junk food is to be had around every corner. Read more about the Penny Arcade by clicking this link. |
Enjoying some old-fashion arcade games at the Historic Penny Arcade in downtown Manitou Springs.
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Is there time for anything else?
Of course, what did you expect?
The above activities are some of our major activities. We'll also stick in other events just to keep the action moving. Examples include: Our usual miniature golf tournament or bowling tournament or BOTH! Authentic Chuckwagon Dinner and cowboy show at the Flying W Ranch. Attempting to make your way out of an escape room in time for dinner. Did we mention our motel has a heated outdoor pool and hot tub? Testing out the eight springs that will bring you magical powers in Manitou Springs. Play ball. We plan to go to a Rocky Mountain Vibes baseball game. The Vibes are part of the Pioneer Baseball League. We're not quite sure what that is, but it's not quite like a minor league team like the Greenville Drive. It is somewhat associated as a partner with MLB. Hiking in the adjoining Pike National Forest Other activities as we flesh out our schedule. |
If you're ready for this adventure, click the links below to get started.
Enrollment is limited and openings won't last long. There is a chance enrollment will be full by the time you see this. But please go ahead and add your name to the waitlist. June 2023 is nearly a year away...so there's bound to be enrollment changes. 
Swimming in the heated pool at our motel in Manitou Springs.
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