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The Atalanta Cooperative Orchard-Garden has been providing fresh, local produce, grown without chemicals, to families in the San Luis Valley for 17 years. The cooperative garden benefits approximately 50 or more people through memberships and food donations made to the local food bank and shelters.
Continuing our work with our friends at Atalanta, you are warmly invited to this year’s camp in Crestone to help support the project by expanding their existing infrastructure to meet the growing needs and goals of their farm. Come share in their project and outreach in the beautiful surrounds of Colorado.
THE PROGRAM
Service Learning
Organic Community Gardening
Experience what it's like to live on a working community farm as you wake each morning to collect fresh eggs and feed the furry animals. As you navigate and learn the environmental challenges present within the region you'll get to actively contribute to helping Atalanta reach their project goals. This year you'll get to help expand the chicken coop, install a light shade pergola and help ongoing construction of tent pads for the pressing need for housing accommodation on the Atalanta. ​
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Taos Pueblo
To compliment your hand-ons action you'll get to discover and understand the indigenous history of the region with an excursion to a centuries old continuously inhabited Pueblo Indian settlement. With long histories of interaction with their natural surroundings Taos Pueblo is a town hugging a small branch of the Rio Grande River, a powerful reflection of the cultural interactions between the American Indians and the Spanish, the pueblo provides remarkable insights into the heritage of the American Southwest.
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Reflection
Deep dive into a personal and shared reflective practice to attain greater identity, motivation, clarity and action to create a more positive life change. Each evening we gather for a family dinner with facilitated discussion, often joined by garden members or Atalanta board members to connect in the art of sharing our thoughts, feelings and experiences.
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Regional Exploration
Great Sand Dunes & Hot Springs
Explore the natural environment and surrounding ecosystems in Colorado! Known for its huge dunes the Great Sand Dunes National Park have been building and sifting sand for eons. You'll welcome a good day's break from the farm with having fun sliding on the dunes and after an exhilarating day on foot (or bottom), climbing the Great Sand Dunes you get to relax and ease into a perfect geothermal soak!
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Regional history and culture
Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Sangre de Christo mountain range, Crestone is made famous for not only its local natural wonders but it's history and culture. Get to know the region with excursions to Fort Garland, Alamosa, San Luis and the many spiritual centres where you'll get to immerse yourself in Colorado's unique culture and heritage.
Essential Information
THE DETAILS
Cost, inclusions and exclusions
Cost: 395 USD Inclusions: - Breakfast, lunch and dinner - 8 night accomdation at Baca Grande stables - All excursion entry fees - Transfers to/from Alamosa from/to Crestone - Transfers to/from activities outside Crestone - All working materials & instruction Exclusions - Travel to/from Alamosa to/from the rest of United States and/or other countries - Insurance and visas if required - Spending money for souvenirs, snacks, personal items * Vegan and vegetarian options available on request
Accomodation & Meals
Accomodation will be provided at the Baca Grande Stables featuring 2 cabin tents with 6 bunks in each with shared bathrooms, and a kitchen. The program is catered for on a mostly Western diet. A cold breakfast buffet will be served in the mornings, participants will be required to pack lunches for on site project work, and dinners will be provided in the evenings.
Essential items to bring on your trip
Download our full item checklist here to prepare you for your stay.
Getting there and away
International or interstate arrivals will need to make their way to Alamosa, Colorado, USA. The most common routes to reach Alamosa are flying to Denver (DEN) airport and then taking an internal flight to San Luis Valley regional airport (ALS). A member of the Human Force team will meet you to take you to the program location. Local travellers may wish to make their way directly to project site in Crestone.
What will the weather be like?
Crestone is a small village at the foot of the western slope of the Sangre de Cristo Range, in the northern part of the San Luis Valley. July is the hottest and driest month of the year with temperatures ranging an average of 27 degrees (81F) during the day and dropping in the evening to 9 degrees (48F). Crestone also sits 7,923 ft (2,415 m) above sea level making it a high altitude destination. If you have experienced altitude sickness in the past, please let our facilitators know on your registration form so we may take steps necessary to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Who's this camp for?
Open to all ages young and older including families! Under 16 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult. If you're young, interested in organic gardening, sustainable living and participating in hands-on project work with good friends then this trip is perfect for you.
What are my payment options?
We work in partnership with Susila Dharma Nationals and charities to provide scholarships and subsidies mostly based on finacial hardship. If you'd love to come and need some help making it happen please reach out to us. Camp fees are paid via bank transfer to the nominated bank account provided on registration confirmation. We have a full refund policy minus transaction & currency conversion charges if you cancel before 21 days of the camp start date. The same refund policy applies if you cancel within the 21 day period before the camp start date minus a 50 USD administration fee.
How to book
Step 1. Fill out the registration form by June 7th. We recommend you register as soon as possible as there are only 10 spots available. Step 2. We send a confirmation email within 48h along with important information for your trip. To secure your spot you will then need to: - Pay the full fee to the nominated bank account at Susila Dharma International. - Complete both the emergency contact and waiver forms also provided in the confirmation email. Step 3. It's time to organise your travel! Once you have booked your transport send us: - Your itinerary so we can organise your transfers from Alamosa. - Your insurance coverage details (if required - see checklist). Step 4. Get packing and make your way to Colorado for a fun packed adventure!
