Staddle Camp

Staddle Camp provides a select group of middle-school students from Big Shoulders Fund schools with a distinctive series of science-oriented academic sessions throughout the school year, culminating in an exhilarating six-day trip to Staddle Camp at Brush Creek Ranch.

During the summer, groups of students, accompanied by an adult chaperone from various schools, will embark on a journey to Staddle Camp at Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming. While primarily disconnected from the internet and their cell phones, students can genuinely engage with and appreciate the surrounding nature, enjoy exciting activities without screens, and participate in experiences they may have never encountered before. Staddle Camp offers an invaluable opportunity filled with hands-on learning, nature exploration, and the chance to try new things!

An Interview about Staddle Camp

When we received the invitation to bring our school out to Staddle I was over the moon with excitement. It was great to go back and take a new set of kids this year. This is such a great opportunity for our students. For so many of them it is a series of firsts— first time on a plane, first time at a sleep away camp, first time away from home, first time camping outdoors!

Being able to bring my kids on this adventure was outstanding, I just had to get a bunch out with me— and they had a phenomenal week!

We were welcomed by a great camp staff. They were excited to welcome us and make sure all the kids and chaperones felt welcomed to camp. The tents were neat and organized and the area properly set up. Then we were so very lucky to have donors arrive a few minutes after us. We had the pleasure of meeting with Mrs Beth White, Archbishop Velo, Mr. Kozlowski, and Bishop McClory and Father Stanish, who so graciously celebrated Sunday Mass with us! This was such a blessing and the first time EVER for this to happen at camp.

Who can honestly say in NWI that they were able to see a shooting star, or star gaze without special tools into the night sky with no light pollution distracting the beautiful sights? Or take a deep breath of fresh mountain air while floating downriver and see an eagle fly above you, or walk alongside a lake with water so clear you can look into the depths of it to see fish? Our kids deserve to experience this and more. For many of our students this is a once in lifetime opportunity.

I can’t express how grateful I am for the opportunity Big Shoulders Fund provides our kids!