Each summer, Colorado Trout Unlimited’s River Conservation & Fly Fishing Camp gives teens the opportunity to explore rivers, develop outdoor skills, build confidence, and form lasting connections.
This year’s camp brought together 22 campers, supported by youth counselors, volunteers, conservation partners, subject matter experts, and staff. Together, they created an unforgettable week rooted in conservation, leadership, and connection to the outdoors.
The impact is perhaps best described by the campers themselves:
“The greatest experience of my life.”
“I was unaware of the significance of the problems Colorado faces.”
“At the start of the camp I had a general idea of TU’s mission and work, but by the end I feel like I got the perfect example of their goals.”
“My cast improved significantly, and I learned a lot more about entomology and the science behind choosing which flies to fish.”
“I learned a lot about technique and really built my skills.”
Campers improve their casting, learn about river ecology, practice conservation, and develop leadership skills. They also learn how to support one another, overcome challenges, and build confidence.
Some arrive shy or uncertain. Others are simply looking for a place where they feel welcome. By the end of the week, many leave with new skills, lasting friendships, and a stronger sense of self.
As one parent shared:
“Thank you from the bottom of our heart for creating a space where our child feels he belongs. That hasn’t happened at other camps.”
Another reflected:
“The impact of this camp is simply beyond words. These children came home glowing, and the excitement they carry with them is something we could not have imagined or hoped for.”
That growth is made possible by an extraordinary group of volunteers.
This year alone, volunteers contributed 2,795 hours of service. They served as counselors, mentors, cooks, educators, drivers, conservation leaders, and role models. They prepared more than 400 sandwiches, more than 300 breakfast burritos, helped serve 20 meals, and worked throughout the week to ensure every camper felt welcome and supported.
Their contribution goes far beyond logistics. Volunteers create an environment where campers feel safe trying new things, asking questions, and stepping outside their comfort zones. They help friendships form around picnic tables, campfires, and days spent along the river.
The camp also gives young people direct experience with conservation. Campers and volunteers planted more than 1,500 sagebrush plugs at a restored abandoned mine lands site and learned from experts representing Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Western Conservation Advocates, Adams County 4-H, and Trout Unlimited.
Statistics cannot fully capture what makes the camp special. Its impact is found in the friendships formed, the confidence gained after mastering a new skill, and the young person who discovers a deeper connection to rivers, conservation, and the outdoors.
River Conservation & Fly Fishing Camp is a place where teens grow into leaders, develop new skills, and become part of a community committed to caring for rivers and watersheds. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, partners, counselors, and supporters, that experience continues year after year.
