What a phenomenal summer! We’re beyond grateful for the chance to share unforgettable adventures with your kids, creating memories that will last a lifetime for them—and us. As we look back on this season, we’re excited to share some of the summer’s standout moments!
Honoring the Legacy of Wendy Brooks
Telluride Academy exists because of the visionary leadership of our beloved founder, Wendy Brooks. Wendy’s passion for connecting kids with the outdoors continues to guide us, and her legacy lives on through the Wendy Brooks Legacy Fund. This fund is dedicated to keeping the Academy thriving and ensuring that the magic of nature is accessible to more children through the Wendy Brooks Scholarship and tuition assistance.
Thanks to your donations, we’re able to help even more kids experience the boundless wonders of nature, just as Wendy envisioned. We pledge to continue her legacy to “believe in the potential of every child.”
“As we continue to refine our programming and operations, we remain steadfast in our commitment to expanding Telluride Academy’s reach, bringing our mission to more students locally and regionally. We are also dedicated to maintaining a diverse and robust schedule of offerings for families visiting the Telluride area.
In the wake of Wendy’s passing, we are profoundly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to carry forward her remarkable legacy. I am immensely proud of our team, whose unwavering dedication and energy drive the realization of our mission every day.” – Jason Merritt, Executive Director.
By the Numbers: Summer 2024 in Review
This summer was nothing short of epic! Here’s what we achieved:
- 100+ programs
- 1,187 program spots filled
- 606 students
- 48 seasonal staff, half of whom returned from previous years
Behind the scenes, we’re constantly improving our operations to ensure everything runs smoothly. Our staff housing was essential in supporting our amazing instructors, and we transformed our garage into a fully functional gear warehouse. Plus, with our private lot for storing and maintaining gear trailers, we’re more ready than ever for future adventures!
After-School Climbing is Back for Fall 2024!
Get ready for a season of scaling new heights—literally! Our after-school climbing programs for Fall 2024 are bigger and better than ever. From kindergarten through 8th grade, students will explore indoor climbing, mastering everything from basic terminology and movement to knot-tying and belaying. And when the weather’s just right, we’ll head outside to tackle real boulders, blending science experiments with the thrills of outdoor climbing.
“After-school climbing isn’t just about teaching technique; it’s about inspiring growth and confidence. It’s also a great opportunity to maintain connections with our participants throughout the school year. As we head into our second post-pandemic year, I couldn’t be more excited to offer more programs, more challenges, and more unforgettable climbs.” – Brian Meyer, Program Manager
Our Mission in Action
Thanks to your incredible support, Telluride Academy provided over $225,000 in tuition assistance, ensuring that more than 200 students from the Telluride region could participate in our programs.
One of this summer’s standout programs was the Outdoor Leadership Program for teens aged 15–18. Over the course of two weeks, these young leaders developed life-changing skills while embracing the challenges of the outdoors. “This is the camp you dream about as a TA instructor. We had camper buy-in on day one; they were challenged and eager to learn; by the end of the two weeks, campers were proud of themselves and each other.” – Ray Dahlstrom, instructor.
We’re also excited to expand our programming in Norwood, bringing our mission to more families in the West End. Stay tuned as we continue to grow and explore new possibilities!
Looking Forward to 2025: Even More Adventure Awaits!
Though we’ve just wrapped up another amazing summer, we’re already buzzing with excitement for 2025! Our new schedule is packed with a mix of your favorite Telluride Academy classics—like Camp Telluride, Explorers, and Surf the Gunni—plus exciting new additions like Blast Off!, Green River Gliders, and Furry Friends.
We also can’t wait to hear what YOU want to see more of! Let us know by taking a few moments to fill out our quick survey with your child. Your feedback helps us shape the future of Telluride Academy! We will do a random draw of participants and award someone a Telluride Academy swag bag for providing your valuable feedback!
“This was my first summer with TA, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The highlights? Meeting our incredible campers, running over 100 diverse programs, and working with a team of 40+ dedicated instructors. I’m already looking ahead to summer 2025 and can’t wait to see what we accomplish together!” – Ross Perrot, Program Director
Thank you once again for being part of the Telluride Academy family! We’re counting down the days until we can hit the trails, climb mountains, and dive into new adventures with your kids next summer. Let’s make 2025 the best one yet!