Youth Programs
A/U Ranches and DiscoveryBound youth programs encourage spiritual growth in an inclusive and supportive atmosphere.
Testimonial
Ride, Climb, and Raft at Youth Camp
Find a new passion or strengthen a current skill in one of our water, horsemanship, and mountain programs as you stretch outside your comfort zone!
Friends, Inspiration, Service, Exploration
Connect with peers in a Christian Science atmosphere through fun activities, servant leadership opportunities, and inspiring discussions!
Learn More
Located in Buena Vista, Colorado, the A/U Ranches sit at the base of the Collegiate Peaks in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Our 1,600-acre property is home to two camp facilities that offer a wide range of experiences in water, mountain, and horsemanship program majors.
- Sky Valley Ranch: 2nd- 8th-grade students
- Round-Up Ranch: High school students
A camp session is two weeks long, and we run three consecutive sessions from the end of June through the beginning of August. Try out camp with a one-week half-session or come for the whole summer!
Campers enjoy a wide range of adventurous outdoor activities designed to challenge them and strengthen their relationships with God. While campers spend much of their time in their program major, there are plenty of opportunities to try new things on free choice days.
Our commitment to engage young Christian Scientists also includes our seasonal staff. High school-aged students can develop their leadership skills through a Counselor-In-Training (CIT) program, which readies them for future staff experiences through service, training, and spiritual fellowship.
Year-round, the 100 Elk Outdoor Center runs secular outdoor experiential education programs for schools and groups.
DiscoveryBound Outreach extends beyond camp and church to reach Christian Scientists of all ages and friends of all faiths. Through in-person and virtual events, participants unite in a dynamic, loving, healing, and inspiring environment.
- Local Chapter events happen year-round, are organized by local volunteers, and are often supported by DiscoveryBound staff. They’re a great way to get involved with DB since there are a wide variety of events for teens, families, adults age 18-23, 20s/30s, and other adults. They can be few hours long to a weekend.
- Regional events include a main activity, inspirational discussions and Sunday School/church, with time to hang out and make new friends.
- National events draw participants from across the country for several days of activities connected by a core metaphysical theme. The schedule includes fun and engaging activities, timely discussion topics, inspiring speakers, and time to connect with peers.
These wholesome activities feature a unique and inspirational atmosphere where everyone can connect through the shared values of Christian Science and can be themselves in a space free from drugs, alcohol, smoking, and profanity.
The National Leadership Council (NLC) is a four-year program for high school teens designed to foster spiritual growth and develop servant leadership skills. NLC engages participants with their peers in a Bible-based curriculum, teaches the value of serving others, and demonstrates Christian Science in action. The teens gain a solid servant leadership approach to life and a more practiced understanding of Christian Science!
NLC students can expect to:
- Develop leadership skills
- Grow in their spiritual practice
- Serve communities around the world
- Go on exciting adventures
- Build friendships to last a lifetime
They also receive support from a local Christian Science mentor and their two class leaders, attend annual All Class Retreats in the winter, learn to take an active role in church, and participate in the Congressional Award.
Each year, classes embark on two-week summer experiences, including their orientation summer at camp, an adventure trip, a service trip, and an internship in the Christian Science community.
The application is only open for teens entering 8th grade.
DB Compass is a one-school-year program for 10th- through 12th-graders interested in spiritual exploration and connection with Christian Science peers.
Compass includes:
- Two in-person retreats in different locations around the country
- Monthly hour-long web hangouts
- Discussion and exploration of themes picked by the students
Past teen-selected topics have covered how to talk about CS, individuality and worth, relationships, mental health, global issues, and effective prayer.
Compass provides participants with a moral and spiritual direction, a strong group of friends, two adult guides for support, and a spiritual toolkit to help teens reach out to God and listen for guidance.
Participants can reapply to attend multiple years if desired. It’s a group of teens working together and exploring more about listening to God’s voice!
Changes Lives
Every gift helps fulfill our work of “Opening Windows to God” for Christian Scientists of all ages, as well as their families and friends.