Since 2011, Big Shoulders Fund has partnered with Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming to provide our students with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that explore new adventures, discover the great outdoors, and push them to do more than they ever thought they could.

Starting with just a spark of an idea to open a camp for middle-schoolers, continued interest and excitement has fanned the flames growing the initial singular camp into a multi-faceted suite of programs for students of all ages. Today, nearly 300 students travel to Wyoming each summer to participate in Staddle Camp and Junior Counselors.

Staddle Camp offers select middle-schoolers from Big Shoulders Fund schools a unique set of science-focused academic sessions during the school year culminating in a six-day trip to Staddle Camp at Brush Creek Ranch. At Staddle Camp, students are encouraged to learn by doing, taking risks, and trying new things.

Junior Counselors, having attended camp in a previous year have the opportunity to develop leadership skills by helping new campers at Staddle Camp acclimate to camp and encouraging them to try new experiences while at camp.

Chaperones and Lead Teachers accompany a small group of students from each school during Saturday enrichment sessions that happen through the school year and during the week-long Staddle Camp experience.

If you are a principal or teacher interested in having your school participate in this program, please contact Eliza Bryant at ebryant@bigshouldersfund.org.