Submitted by Penny Roberts

Northern & Northeastern CO

Estes Park

A smaller-than-usual, but happy group of women gathered at Meadow Mountain Ranch (MMR) for Women’s Week 2018. Participants from Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Indiana, Maine, and Colorado gathered for food, friendship, and fun in the high country near Allenspark.

Highlights of this year’s gathering were the dedication of the Pinecrest Memorial Unit Shelter and special brunch, a Tajar Tales performance by the Tajar Tales Performance Ensemble, hiking in the pouring rain, crafts (and more crafts), singing (and more singing), spectacular scenery, and the best food around.

Thanks again as always to Susan Baker and her food service gurus, who helped us figure out how to makes S’mores in ice cream cones, and other culinary delicacies without being able to cook over an open fire due to Level 2 fire bans.

Also, thanks to Taryn “Flower” Taylor who reconnected with MMR alumnae and friends from her past and provided special professional-level photography documentation of all the ladies and special events.

Also, thanks to the GSCO professional staff who joined us on Wednesday to dedicate the newly-completed shelter in the Pinecrest Unit. This will serve as a special gathering place for groups who choose to stay in this large, but more distant tabin unit. When the new zipline is completed, it will also provide a picnic place for those groups as well.

Any ladies 18 years of age or older are welcome at Women’s Week. You don’t have to be a current or past Girl Scout, you just have to want to come and play in the outdoors with other like-minded friends. Some of the best experiences were had by a few women who had never been to camp before. Mom and daughter and granddaughter groups have had great family experiences and come back every year to be sure they don’t forget what it’s all about.

A lot of our past participants were called away this year for various reasons like family reunions, overseas trips, graduations, weddings, and the like, but most all of them have expressed their desire to return next year.  The dates are already set – – – mark your calendars right now – – – JULY 15 – 18, 2019 and the schedule will be pretty much the same. First meal on Monday at noon and last meal will be brunch on Thursday morning. Cost is $180 for the total time, but a part-time $60 three-meal grouping of any kind can be arranged. Some “campership” financial assistance may be available.

Is there some special program you would like to offer such as yoga, folk dancing, drumming, or a special craft you’d like to share with the group? Let us know and bring along materials to share. Is there a great menu item you’d like to propose we try, especially if we can build fires next year? Just let us know. The sky is the limit – – stargazing, flying kites, bird watching. Want to explore the “Haunted Florist” or spend time on the self-guided nature trail? Want to climb Longs Peak? Want to sleep out in the back meadow? Want to explore “Hidden Places” known only to a few? We make our own schedules and can flex with the weather and time needed to make it all happen. We can get up early, stay up late, take a nap, take a walk, whatever suits your fancy. Opportunities for service projects can also enhance our camp with the help of David and Julie Fischer, property managers.

For further information, please contact the very informal camp director, Penny “Pan” Roberts, at probertscolo@gmail.com or evenings at (970) 586-1775. Help us continue our history of making Women’s Week at MMR one of the highlights of the summer.

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