tristram hales, Author at The Nature Place https://thenatureplace.net/author/tristan/ Colorado Conference Center | Leadership Development | Colorado Retreats Mon, 30 Jun 2025 21:36:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://thenatureplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/favicon.png tristram hales, Author at The Nature Place https://thenatureplace.net/author/tristan/ 32 32 Connections & Communities https://thenatureplace.net/connections-communities/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=connections-communities Wed, 28 May 2025 16:49:54 +0000 https://thenatureplace.net/?p=5737 Connections & Communities at The Nature Place, Retreat & Conference Center near Colorado Springs In today’s work world, people are constantly plugged in. Between emails about meetings, texts with updates, and calls about progress, it seems we’re always on and accessible—blurring the lines between work, life, and genuine connection. There’s rarely a break in sight, […]

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Connections & Communities

at The Nature Place, Retreat & Conference Center near Colorado Springs

In today’s work world, people are constantly plugged in. Between emails about meetings, texts with updates, and calls about progress, it seems we’re always on and accessible—blurring the lines between work, life, and genuine connection. There’s rarely a break in sight, with ever-evolving workflow tools and collaborative platforms engulfing our natural human ability to connect: to make eye contact, to offer a thoughtful response rather than just an emoji in a chat channel.

As the way we work and travel continues to evolve, The Nature Place offers something different: a campus designed to inspire you to spend most of your time immersed in the open space of a Ponderosa pine forest. We strive to provide a natural setting—both indoors and out—that encourages teams and communities to come together authentically, and this is reflected in the design of our lodging and communal spaces. 

We boast 47 individual rooms that are simple and clean. Suites are styled with mountain minimalist decor to encourage community interaction after hours, with outdoor murals by a local artist and unembellished amenities. Rooms are located in clusters of four with exterior decks and are a short walk from the main conference rooms and lodge buildings.

With no TVs/screens in our sleeping rooms we hope guests utilize downtime to disconnect from technology and connect with your community. The people that come to this place are what make the experience, and we hope we can support your interpersonal development. 

The Nature Place has also recently renovated the Lodge common area with the intention to offer a unique opportunity to build community and enhance team relationships. With an updated board game and recreation space, outdoor yard games, and multiple small group sitting areas, the idea is that groups use this area to relax and reconnect after a day spent at a beautiful conference center near Colorado Springs, naturalist outdoor programming, or leadership experiential activities.

Unwinding in one of our shared spaces could be perfect for your team. This remodel opens opportunities for relaxation and social interaction away from the pressures of deadlines and Slack notifications. Instead, there is time for a cup of coffee in the dining area, watching a movie together in the lounge, a short hike on the Colorado Outdoor Education Center property, playing games in the rec-room space, or meetings sitting around the fire on our lodge deck; these interactions are often the key to recharging your team energy and building stronger relationships. 

Connecting with your coworkers organically promotes a feeling of belonging, and our unique environment will help facilitate these interpersonal opportunities that you wouldn’t otherwise share from your blurred home office background.These connections will help reduce stress and foster team camaraderie.

Get in touch with us to today to strengthen your communities with a custom retreat, board meeting, or conference in Colorado!

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]]> Winter Solstice Sky Viewing in Colorado https://thenatureplace.net/winter-solstice-sky-viewing-in-colorado/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=winter-solstice-sky-viewing-in-colorado Wed, 20 Dec 2023 19:16:44 +0000 https://thenatureplace.net/?p=5158 The Nature Place Visit Our Observatory Near Colorado Springs Blog Collaborated with Simon Lambert, The Nature Place Apprentice 2023 As we approach the annual mark of the darkest and longest night in the northern hemisphere, we are so grateful for the rich history and opportunities our astronomy programming has offered night sky viewings to thousands […]

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The Nature Place

Visit Our Observatory Near Colorado Springs

Blog Collaborated with Simon Lambert, The Nature Place Apprentice 2023

As we approach the annual mark of the darkest and longest night in the northern hemisphere, we are so grateful for the rich history and opportunities our astronomy programming has offered night sky viewings to thousands of campers, guests, and families through the decades. 

The Nature Place Observatory

Our observatory has had many uses across the Light years from educating young minds in the summer camps to astounding stargazers who visit the Nature Place. Throughout Sanborn property’s 75-year legacy, the astronomy program has undergone radical changes starting from humble beginnings until expanding into its vastness as of today.

Its roots go back all the way to the 1950s – the early days of the Big Spring summer camp. Former camper, Dr. Charlie Schweighauser, author of Astronomy A-Z, takes the first looks into the camp’s sky gazing program by providing its very own telescope. At its infancy, campers learned about the stars, cosmos, and constellations.

Founders, Sandy and Laura Sanborn, were avid astronomy enthusiastsReflecting Telescope in Colorado Springs themselves and wanted to support and expand the program in any way they could. Encouraging childrens’ sense of wonder is one of the key values at camp and there was no better way to do so than to teach about the expansiveness of the universe and what traverses the night sky. It wasn’t long before they helped get more telescopes in camp to have one be placed in High Trails and the other in Big Spring. (Dr. Charlie Schweighauser introduces first telescope at Sanborn to campers, Right)

Around the late 1960s, a local resident named Alan Raycroft had built a shack on the property to store stargazing equipment. Seeing the benefit this could have on the program, Sandy would later purchase it and have it relocated over to High Trails. Alongside telescopes, it would go on to house a number of other celestial viewing resources and later become the first rendition of an observatory in Sanborn. This would become the site of many night programs for kids during the summers, falls, and springs who would come to learn about the different star arrangements and planetary movements throughout the night. It was also host to one of the camp’s cookout sites whereupon stargazers would revel in the star-studded skies while simultaneously enjoying campfire cooked foods.

Observatory near Colorado SpringsThe next big addition came when Sandy purchased a sizable telescope – “Big Blue” is the very same that’s housed in the observatory we have today. Acquired in the 1980s, it wasn’t until 1991 that construction of the new observatory would be completed. This came with plans to install a rotating dome to navigate the skies more efficiently and an adjacent classroom to hold lessons and demonstrations on various astronomical subjects. It was further supplied with an assortment of materials to enhance the experience like a multitude of stars charts and a library concerning all things interstellar with more additions added on now and again.
(Left Observatory photo taken upon completion.)

You may be wondering; What can this telescope view with such dated technology from over 40 years ago? Although true, this telescope’s capable view pales in comparison to recent images produced by the James Webb Telescope (click link to explore the technology) and any other modern telescope available to the lay astronomer, we can see quite a great deal of our neighbors in our “local” galaxy: Orion Nebula Cluster, Andromeda Galaxy, Ursa Major & Minor, Merak & Mizar, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Earth’s Moon, Sirius, Betelguese to name a few objects we typically see through the seasons. If you happen to be searching for an observatory in Colorado Springs, we’d be glad to host you and your group!

While we know it is sometimes difficult to appreciate our darkening night sky earlier and earlier in the northern hemisphere, be grateful for the chance to view our ever growing understanding of space through the winter solstice and ensuing winter months. Whether used as a camping destination for our campers at Sanborn Western Camps,  classroom full of students with High Trails Outdoor Education Center, or mesmerizing various groups that venture to The Nature Place, the observatory has and will continue to educate and spark wonder in any stargazer who yearns to discover the vastness of our observable universe!

 

Full Lunar eclipse at The Nature Place

                                                                                                      Lunar Eclipse May 2022 as viewed through our telescope. Photo: Mike Rodriguez

 

Classroom Observatory in Colorado(Classroom setting within the Observatory)

The Nature Place Sanborn Western Camps Telescope in Colorado

 

 

 

 

 

(Within the Dome of the Observatory)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Viewing the night sky in Florissant, Colorado)

Night Sky Observatory at Sanborn Western Camps The Nature Place

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]]> ChatGPT says “You Should Go Outside!” https://thenatureplace.net/chatgpt-says-you-should-go-outside/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chatgpt-says-you-should-go-outside Wed, 21 Jun 2023 17:57:26 +0000 https://thenatureplace.net/?p=4617 ChatGPT says “You Should Go Outside!” The Nature Place, Conference and Retreat Center Recent news of advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality hardware releases comes as we enter our peak seasons of visits to our remote forest of Colorado.  You might be thinking, “Wow, how might an outdoor campus compete with the upheaval of […]

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ChatGPT says "You Should Go Outside!"

The Nature Place, Conference and Retreat Center

Recent news of advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality hardware releases comes as we enter our peak seasons of visits to our remote forest of Colorado. 

You might be thinking, “Wow, how might an outdoor campus compete with the upheaval of digital interactions among humans, especially young kids and teens.” Well, we’ve been doing this for quite some time (75 years) and we believe the future is merely an interconnection in Nature of the near distant past. 

IThe Nature Place Conference center near Colorado Springsf you’re a Sanborn camper, student, alumni or guest to our ranch, you may have visited our Interbarn, our local natural history center with hands-on, themed learning stations. These stations, ranging from explorations in geology and fossils to histories of time and space, are experiential reminders that all things of matter, animate and inanimate, remain interconnected. One station of note given society’s recent technological advances is “Inventions in Nature.”  The Nature Place Conference and Retreats near Colorado SpringsThis exhibit showcases relics and bones of resident Colorado woodland creatures, constructed habitats of various insects, and conveys how all of these natural elements interact or even learn from one another to adapt for survival in Nature. 

By studying and learning from natural systems we observe adaptation and evolution that has been in development for eons. Simply put, nature is the first and most advanced quantum machine, converting light into energy since the dawn of the sun. We are merely catching up to speed with our artificial intelligence and fancy augmented ski goggles. Throughout our creation and evolutionary advancements we’ve always learned to adapt, outwit, outsmart, and outlast by observing the natural world. 

Recently, we’ve experimented with OpenAI’s ChatGPT to see how it might offer commentary on The Nature Place and Colorado Outdoor Education Center to supplement a blog post like this one. Admittedly, the artificial intelligence chat bot provided an ‘okay’ description of our property, who we are, and what we do on the Sanborn ranch. A couple minor details were amiss in challenging the robot responder as for our location, our property description, although the robot embellished an unsourced bias as to what the benefits of spending time in Nature can do, which we will hardly disagree with. 

Read the generated response from the prompt below… article continues…

“The Nature Place in Florissant, Colorado, is a truly remarkable destination for anyone who appreciates the natural beauty of our world. Surrounded by the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and the Pikes Peak National Forest, this area offers visitors a chance to reconnect with nature and experience the wonder and awe that only the great outdoors can provide.

It’s easy to take for granted the many benefits that spending time in nature can have on our overall well-being. However, research has shown that spending time in natural environments can have a significant positive impact on our physical, emotional, and mental health.

For example, spending time in nature can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels. In our fast-paced and often chaotic world, it can be difficult to find time to slow down and unwind. However, when we spend time in natural environments, we can feel a sense of calm and peace that can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels.

In addition, spending time in nature can help to improve our cognitive abilities. Studies have shown that spending time in green spaces can help to improve our memory, attention span, and overall cognitive function. This is likely due to the fact that nature provides a more relaxed and stimulating environment than the concrete and steel of our urban environments.

The Nature Place in Florissant is an ideal place to experience the benefits of nature firsthand. The park offers visitors a chance to explore over 15 miles of hiking trails, which wind through stunning forests, meadows, and wetlands. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking for a leisurely walk, there are trails for all skill levels and interests.

Of course, one of the most unique features of The Nature Place is its proximity to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. This park preserves one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world, dating back over 35 million years. Visitors can explore the park’s many exhibits and interactive displays, and even participate in guided tours to learn more about the area’s rich history.

Another nearby attraction is the Pikes Peak National Forest, which offers visitors over a million acres of pristine wilderness to explore. Whether you’re looking for scenic drives, backcountry camping, or world-class rock climbing, Pikes Peak has something for everyone.

All of these incredible natural resources highlight just how important time in nature is to human development. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving cognitive function, spending time in natural environments can have a profound impact on our overall health and well-being.

Unfortunately, in our modern world, it can be all too easy to forget about the importance of nature. With the constant distractions of technology and the pressures of our fast-paced lives, it’s important to remember that we need nature just as much as it needs us.

By spending time in places like The Nature Place in Florissant, we can reconnect with the natural world and experience the many benefits it has to offer. Whether we’re hiking through the forests, exploring the fossil beds, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet, we can find a sense of harmony and balance that can help to improve our overall quality of life.

In conclusion, The Nature Place in Florissant, Colorado, is a true gem of a destination that offers visitors a chance to experience the wonder and beauty of nature firsthand. By spending time in this stunning natural environment, we can reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and reconnect with the world around us. So why not make time for nature today and experience the many benefits it has to offer?”

As humans we’ve learned through time what we require [need] to survive and remain a thriving race of creatures on the planet Earth. Artificial intelligence is a great tool, and is presently aiding and advancing resources to improve our lives in the fields of education, medicine, media, entertainment, art, law, and finance. A virtual augmented reality headset is a fun device and toy to bring experiences of heightened productivity, alternate means of entertainment, and joy to those who may have never had the opportunity to explore and get outside in Nature.

For those of you that regularly get outside, thank you. For those that embrace the technology and enjoy being inside, don’t worry, you’re simply enjoying the “Inventions in Nature” courtesy of your fellow humans.

The Nature Place ChatGPT the Future of AI Artifical Intelligence Colorado Conference Center Retreat Center in Colorado Rockies*Snippet from chat response and prompt in OpenAI’s ChatGPT. 

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]]> Nature: Mammals of The Nature Place https://thenatureplace.net/blog-mammals-of-colorado-conference-center/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog-mammals-of-colorado-conference-center Thu, 22 Sep 2022 19:48:29 +0000 https://thenatureplace.net/?p=3927 Mammals of The Nature Place… “Lions, tigers, and bears, Oh my!” Yes, well two of the three live here in Florissant, Colorado less the tigers. The Nature Place Conference Center and Outdoor Education Center is teeming with wildlife. From the highest level of the food chain as far as mountain predators exist, to the smallest alpine […]

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Mammals of The Nature Place...

The Nature Place Chip Munk“Lions, tigers, and bears, Oh my!” Yes, well two of the three live here in Florissant, Colorado less the tigers. The Nature Place Conference Center and Outdoor Education Center is teeming with wildlife. From the highest level of the food chain as far as mountain predators exist, to the smallest alpine field mice and chipmunks, our Colorado ranch and retreat center is inhabited by many mammals native to the Rocky Mountains.

Black Bears ‘might be’ sighted on the ranch from April through October. These curious animals are attracted to our human impact as a result of the food waste we create during our peak season. A keen sense of smell is hard to keep these persistent bears away, despite the increase in ranch activity through the seasons. It is difficult to resist many of the sweet and savory scents our kitchens offer while we are hosting summer campers and guests.

Elk roam through our ranch meadows regularly. They are the most majestic of our woodland mammalsThe Nature Place Elk on property, whether viewed individually or grazing as a herd. We are most likely to come into contact with them in the Spring and Fall months when they are in the rut. Once the females have calved they make their way to higher elevations to remain cool and graze on the grasses of alpine meadows for the summer. The dominant male bucks either stay with the herd or head off independently, and oftentimes can be found fraternizing with other bucks in lower woodland valleys.

The Nature Place Mule DeerMule Deer are our casual neighbors, who are a constant visual reminder of wildlife present through the ranch. They may surprise you on a walk or you might observe them from afar while taking in an evening sunset. As daily grazers, don’t mind them while they enjoy the native grasses, or occasional wild flowers.

Coyotes are seldom seen, but more often heard howling through the nearby valleys of the ranch. Their raucousThe Nature Place Coyote howls typically ring out in hours shortly after dusk or early morning times. During daylight hours, coyotes on property are seen traveling alone away from their dens, or rarely seen at all escaping the heat.

Abert’s Squirrels are maybe the most unique woodland animal that inhabits the Ponderosa forests of Florissant. Named for the American naturalist, John James Abert, this squirrel is distinguished by pointed tufts on its ears, and dark gray to black fur colorings. These squirrels call the high canopies of Ponderosa Pines home nibbling on the budding pine cones, bark, and forest fungi. 

Beavers and Badgers are not often seen noteworthy to be aware of while exploring Florissant and nearby areas. Beavers live in our drainages and delicate valley lowlands. They are not often seen on the ranch property however are in the areas west of Florissant in the Pikes Peak and South Platte regions.

To be clear, Mountain Lions are present in the Pikes Peak region and local Florissant Valley. They are not spotted often, yet make their presence known with the remains of meals past; bones strewn about, carcasses in trees, and fur from scuffles with other animals. While perception remains predominantly negative, spotting a mountain lion should be revered as a cautiously majestic experience. Respect the animal’s space, maintaining an enclosed safe distance from the mountain lion. The mountain lions on our property are usually passing through and keep to themselves. Most sightings have come from vehicles in transit, while the lion was also on the move and moving extremely fast at that. It is rare that a mountain lion will engage with livestock or a larger herd of elk. Big cats prey on smaller mammals from mule deer to cow elk, in turn keeping these growing populations in check. These large feline creatures are cunningly stealthy and more likely than not catch their prey while isolated away from dense populations. Despite their perceived stealthy existence, these predators are integral to regulating the natural mountain ecosystem. 

Our mammal species are beloved and we hope that we will continue to coexist with them in the best symbiotic way possible as stewards of over 6,000 acres of Rocky Mountain forest land. 

Photos Courtesy of: Nature’s Heroes Photography

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]]> 5 Colorado Outdoor Industry Companies “We Back” at The Nature Place https://thenatureplace.net/best-companies-in-colorado/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-companies-in-colorado Fri, 01 Jul 2022 19:02:57 +0000 https://thenatureplace.net/?p=3738 5 Colorado Companies “We Back” at The Nature Place As we embark on the peak summer season at The Nature Place, Colorado Conference Center and Sanborn Western Camps, we’d like to highlight some of the most trusted outdoor industry and Colorado based brands we rely on all year long for our guests’ experiences, staffers’ daily […]

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5 Colorado Companies "We Back" at The Nature Place

As we embark on the peak summer season at The Nature Place, Colorado Conference Center and Sanborn Western Camps, we’d like to highlight some of the most trusted outdoor industry and Colorado based brands we rely on all year long for our guests’ experiences, staffers’ daily wear, and campers’ Colorado adventures. 

Big AgnesBig Agnes The Nature Place

From shelter to packs to sleeping bags to apparel, there is no doubt Big Agnes has you covered from head to toe for a trip outside. We rely on Big Agnes primarily for their sleeping line of products: ground covers, sleeping pads and sleeping bags. The company is based in Steamboat Springs and is celebrating their 20th season “in the dirt.” We hope that this local outfitter will keep us sheltered, warm, and cozy for the days and nights enjoyed on the ground for years to come. 

La Sportiva

Our facilitators, guides, and camp staff are constantly on their feet. Whether they are on a sunrise hike, belaying from a rock face, or refereeing (or playing) a game of “Gaga Ball.” La Sportiva has not fallen short for the wears we put them through. Staff regularlyLa Sportiva The Nature Place Colorado make treks to the Boulder, Colorado headquarters for the latest product shipments to prepare for a season of alpine use and abuse. The Italian shoemaker also touts an incredible stock sole that enables most people to slide into any of their shoe models. When it comes to climbing specifically, athlete Drew Hulsey offers a detailed breakdown of the La Sportiva rock slipper line up. 

Melanzana Melanzana The Nature Place Colorado

A requisite purchase for new staff or impulse buy on the way back from a Mount Massive all day hike, campers and staff alike don the coveted grid patterned baselayer all summer long. This outdoor brand’s avant-garde business model has made a name for itself by solely selling out of its one and only “Main Street” Leadville, Colorado shop and onsite manufacturing warehouse. Arguably the unofficial sweatshirt of Coloradans, Melanzana has served Rocky Mountain locals with warm stylish layering systems since 1994. Book an appointment online to get in the purchasing queue, don’t be late!

Osprey PacksOsprey Packs The Nature Place Colorado

The legacy brand sported on our backs is Osprey Packs. Ergonomically engineered packs, materials, and frames provide the most comfortable gear hauling, fast moving, spacious stashes for all of our backcountry pursuits. We’d quite literally not make it outside, up, or down without the appropriate and best fitting backpacks of Osprey. Based in Cortez, Colorado, Osprey is no stranger to the outdoor industry, and is more often than not sitting beside us around the campfire with our friends like old company along for the journey. If you’re seeking the perfect fit for an outdoor or travel storage solution, look no more than an Osprey Pack with Osprey’s Pack Finder!  

Slackline Industries Slackline Industries The Nature Place Colorado

A summer camp and backcountry pastime activity that has gained popularity in recent years is the slackline. With origins around the world and stateside in California’s Yosemite Valley’s Camp Four, the slack line’s simple singular line provides a camp-side escape. From the distractions of a hard day outdoors, balancers hone untapped skills they did not know they had. A product that welcomes novices to advanced acrobats, Slackline Industries based in Boulder, Colorado provides good old fashioned fun for all ages and skill levels to get up on a line in a gym, outside, between two trees and beyond.

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]]> Enhancing Your Emotional Intelligence on a High Ropes Course https://thenatureplace.net/enhancing-emotional-intelligence-on-a-high-ropes-course/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=enhancing-emotional-intelligence-on-a-high-ropes-course Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:30:36 +0000 https://thenatureplace.net/?p=3604 Enhancing Emotional Intelligence on a High Ropes Course When you think of climbing up a rock face, crossing tethered suspended “lily pads” 25 feet in the air, or gritting your teeth while your co-worker takes a gigantic leap of faith from the top a telephone pole, you wouldn’t necessarily equate diving into the psychological inner […]

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Enhancing Emotional Intelligence on a High Ropes Course

When you think of climbing up a rock face, crossing tethered suspended “lily pads” 25 feet in the air, or gritting your teeth while your co-worker takes a gigantic leap of faith from the top a telephone pole, you wouldn’t necessarily equate diving into the psychological inner workings of team dynamics.
At The Nature Place Conference Center near Colorado Springs it is exactly what we do. The Nature Place Conference Center Near Colorado Springs

Week in and week out corporate retreats, teams, and businesses alike visit our property to dig into better understanding their teams and themselves. One of the integral points of study for our guests is the concept of Emotional Intelligence (or EI). EI has gained notoriety in the leadership and business world over the past 15 years with extensive research from Dr. Daniel Goleman. Goleman is a renowned behavioral scientist, author, and former columnist for The New York Times. Goleman’s findings are expanded upon in his 1995 book titled Emotional Intelligence. At its simplest the concept of EI can be broken down into four fluid tenets: Self Awareness, Self Management, Empathy, and Skilled (Self) Regulation.

Goleman further acknowledges that no matter how high an Intellectual Quotient (IQ) a leader may have (or perceive they have for that matter), what holds greater significance is that of an Emotional Quotient (or EQ). The Emotional Quotient is the full embodiment of Emotional Intelligence from within a leader. Not gender or age specific, the practice of being an emotionally intelligent leader has continually proven to be more effective, valued, and profitable than simply leading on intellect alone.

So, how does this concept of Emotional Intelligence relate to an individual harnessing up, tying in, and climbing outside?

The main curriculum of our leadership development programming and team building exercises involves working through light, external stress in the outdoors. It is a leveling experience to go outside, let alone to climb up trees or on rock, and step into an unfamiliar challenge. When we go outside together, we are stripped of the barriers of the office, uniforms, hierarchies; all items that divide us creating rifts are set aside. In the outdoors we are better capable of seeing one another as equals.

By choosing to climb up or simply hold onto a belay rope with a team, individuals can then tap into the power of Emotional Intelligence together. With seconds to breathe, taking stock of a moment and being self aware, a participant or supporting team member has the ability to sense where they stand in that exact moment. After a brief assessment with a facilitator or guide, participants can then decide how they would like to choose to engage in an experiential learning opportunity. By actively choosing to engage the team is most likely to experience the magic of Emotional Intelligence in empathy. This fascinating moment when team members on the ground can feel exactly what a person 25 feet up in the air is processing is the truest expression of empathy. Feeling the same, experiencing a similar reaction with someone while perceiving individual realities: that is empathy.

While embracing the feeling of empathy, it is also critical to acknowledge the tact and self regulation that rounds out the concept of EI. Rather than bursting into a moment of heightened excitement, we coach our participants to practice appropriate responses to stressful situations. Understanding the shared experience is real, however, an external distraction or disruption may impact someone else’s goal negatively. Individuals and groups respond differently, and we coach to a program’s objectives.

If you or your team would like to join us outside and host a corporate retreat, we would be glad to discuss ways in which we can better practice our Emotional Intelligence on a high ropes course in Colorado. Get in touch today to see how you can be a better leader and supportive advocate for your team’s practice of Emotional Intelligence.

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]]> Book a Family Reunion, Leadership Program, Retreat in Colorado https://thenatureplace.net/family-reunion-leadership-program-corporate-retreat-in-colorado/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=family-reunion-leadership-program-corporate-retreat-in-colorado Wed, 04 May 2022 16:17:38 +0000 https://thenatureplace.net/?p=3575 Book a Family Reunion, Leadership Program, Corporate Retreat in Colorado The Nature Place, Retreat and Conference Center Looking for a summer reunion venue in Colorado? Need a custom leadership program? Searching for a corporate retreat center in Colorado? If you have not discovered The Nature Place, please take the time to explore this private ranch […]

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Book a Family Reunion, Leadership Program, Corporate Retreat in Colorado

The Nature Place, Retreat and Conference Center

The Nature Place Colorado Conference CenterLooking for a summer reunion venue in Colorado? Need a custom leadership program? Searching for a corporate retreat center in Colorado?


If you have not discovered The Nature Place, please take the time to explore this private ranch property of over 6,000 acres of serene high alpine forestland. The ranch is nestled remotely between the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and the central western section of Pike National Forest. Such Natural and physical land buffers make a visit all the more restorative to reconnect with Nature.


A family reunion in Colorado will make for a memorable experience for you and your family. The Nature Place’s central state location offers easy access to Colorado Springs Airport and custom arrangements for shuttle transportation just 40 miles to Florissant. Accommodations at The Nature Place will host up to 125 guests comfortably, welcoming family style buffet line dining, and access to trails from suite doorsteps. Day trips can be arranged to nearby Colorado Springs attractions as well with a van rental. From Garden of the Gods City Park to the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, and westward to the central range of the Rocky Mountains, all is easily accessible from The Nature Place.


Does your team or group work remotely? Need a venue to connect in a meeting space in Colorado? The Nature Place facilities are incredibly well suited for a team building program or host a corporate retreat. Meeting rooms range from sitting 25-100 participants comfortably. All board rooms have WiFi connectivity, audio and video capabilities, refreshments stations, indoor restrooms, lounge areas, and fireplaces. Beyond access to a vast forest landscape, The Nature Place offers world class leadership development exercises to engage team members and build cohesion among groups. Our high ropes course will provide participants a challenge no matter the goal. We pride ourselves on allowing individuals to set their personal challenge for the day, to ensure the right choice is made by an individual in that specific experience.

 

If your group does not desire any program offering, you’re welcome to book The Nature Place as a conference retreat location. About half of our groups booked annually utilize our facility as a private meeting space near Colorado Springs. The access to the city makes travel easy to the mountains, especially if you’re seeking a more rustic and remote mountain retreat in Colorado.  

To explore what a family reunion in Colorado might look like, book a team building-high ropes course adventure with us, or simply get outside with your co-workers, please get in touch with us here! 

We’d be happy to discuss our current schedule and availability for a team building program, family reunion, or corporate retreats in Colorado!

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]]> New High Ropes Course for Our Team Building Program https://thenatureplace.net/high-ropes-course-for-team-building-program/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=high-ropes-course-for-team-building-program Wed, 13 Apr 2022 17:43:02 +0000 https://thenatureplace.net/?p=3521 New High Ropes Course for Our Team Building Program The Nature Place, Conference Center & Retreat Venue Our high ropes course has been a favorite among our team building program activities and leadership development exercises. The naturally anchored tree course has been adored by all ages, all year round, since its construction in 1990. We […]

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New High Ropes Course for Our Team Building Program

The Nature Place, Conference Center & Retreat Venue

The Nature Place High Ropes Course in ColoradoOur high ropes course has been a favorite among our team building program activities and leadership development exercises. The naturally anchored tree course has been adored by all ages, all year round, since its construction in 1990. We have guided many participants to brave our Ponderosa pine canopies from summer campers to corporate retreats in Colorado.

 

The beautiful facility will be hosting its 33rd season this year, and has endured a fair amount of alpine weathering. Director of The Nature Place, Martie Jones, has been with the Colorado Outdoor Education Center for eight years now and took on the challenge of updating and creatively improving the course. From her previous experience of over 12 years in the outdoor industry and passion for all things adventurous, Martie’s new perspective for the build is one we are all excited to see come to life.

The ‘new’ high ropes course will be a mixture of popular industry experiences, as well as some innovative elements. One new feature “is to add a dual line zipline so two people can go down a zipline right next to each other,” according to Martie. In addition, there will be a ‘vertical playpen’ and ‘quadrophenia’ installed. The quadrophenia is a unique adventure course installation that will be similar to the existing ‘pamper pole.’ The pamper pole is a telephone pole that participants ascend, then has the option to stand on top and jump off with their team supporting them. The quadrophenia has the capability to hold multiple people at once to climb and dismount together. With this new adventure course, a collaborative option will be a great asset to the current training programs as it will facilitate further opportunity for teamwork and personal leadership development to occur.

Aside from necessary structural updates, the primary reason for the high ropes remodel is to ensure it continues to meet standards monitored by the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT). All permanent fixtures are closely monitored for common signs of wear, and have passed all inspections from prior seasons. Inspectors certified from the ACCT at Leahy and Associates Inc. visit annually to properly assess what is invisible to the eye, “they decide what needs to be retired, what needs to be repaired, and what’s good to go,” says Martie.

Experiential Systems, Inc. is overseeing design and construction. Construction is slated to be completed by the end of spring 2022, with the only expected delay being the acquisition of supplies in the materials market. The Nature Place anticipates that retreats in Colorado will not be affected by the installation of the high ropes course, as the construction is designed to give priority to any team building program using the course, so that it is always available for partial use days.

 

Participants from Sanborn Western Camps and High Trails Outdoor Education Center also look forward to the new and updated course this year. Martie describes, “the most fun part was getting to look at different designs and dreaming big, and getting to see what really was the potential for our space and for our variety of uses because we welcome guests from young kids to adults to experience this course.”

 

To explore an experiential learning opportunity in Colorado or book a high ropes course adventure with us, please get in touch with us here! We’d be happy to discuss our current schedule and availability for a team building program, family reunions, or corporate retreats in Colorado!

 

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]]> Insights Discovery & Leadership Development Exercises https://thenatureplace.net/insights-discovery-teambuilding-leadership-development-exercises-at-the-nature-place/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=insights-discovery-teambuilding-leadership-development-exercises-at-the-nature-place Tue, 15 Mar 2022 16:56:51 +0000 https://thenatureplace.net/?p=3380 Insights Discovery: Team Building & Leadership Development Exercises at The Nature Place At The Nature Place, we use nature-based team building program models to explore our world, our teams, and ourselves. One external tool our programs rely heavily on Insights Discovery exercises. ‘What is Insights?’ you might ask. It is a self discovery tool utilized […]

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Insights Discovery: Team Building & Leadership Development Exercises at The Nature Place

Insights Discovery Leadership Development Program The Nature Place

At The Nature Place, we use nature-based team building program models to explore our world, our teams, and ourselves. One external tool our programs rely heavily on Insights Discovery exercises. ‘What is Insights?’ you might ask. It is a self discovery tool utilized by businesses and educational institutions to enable people to better understand themselves. 

Our founding program director Rob Jolly describes Insights as “a Jungian (Carl Jung) based cognitive inventory system that uses a simple, but powerful, four-color model to understand an individual’s unique personal style. It measures your preferences based on responses to the short online evaluator. One of the outputs is a unique personality profile, which identifies an individual’s strengths, weaknesses and communication style. This helps you understand your own style and how you interact with others. An additional management section is included which will help you understand how you prefer to be managed, with specifics on how to best help you succeed in the work environment. It is forward looking.” 

The power of Insights’ leadership development exercises focuses on displaying individuals as a host of the aforementioned color wheel model comprising four major quadrants: blue, red, yellow, and green. Each color represents a major preference of thought along the “x and y” axes of introversion and extroversion split betweenInsights Discovery The Nature Place Team Building Program feeling and thinking. Blue, representing the analytically minded. Red highlights strong inclinations of directing. Yellow showcases a knack for creativity and ideation. And Green encompasses the welcoming side of a community developer. However, as not to be siloed, Insights Discovery states it best we all have “these the color energies, and it’s the unique mix of Fiery Red, Sunshine Yellow, Earth Green and Cool Blue energies, which determines how and why people [often] behave the way they do.”

More than just a color wheel plotting points, Insights offers a deep perspective of individuals with a detailed, multi-page assessment of personal thinking preferences and behaviors. The data provided explains to learners of the model where strengths exist, how and why they are specifically plotted on the wheel, and expresses the most critical to growth points as existing blindspots and unknown weaknesses. Each individual assessment is unique, no one profile is similar to someone else’s. The odds of near exact matching profiles range to a figure of the one in a millionth variety. We find that when individuals among teams come together with their diverse profiles, the amount of knowledge shared, and to be gained, is vastly expansive. 

Combining Insights Discovery exercises with customized leadership development programs in a natural setting levels the learning environment. A comfortable, open space is created, where the participant can fully express and sense feedback in dialogue among group members. The Nature Place offers leadership training activities for employees to apply the Insights findings into a number of collective experiences from team initiatives, orienteering through 6,000 acres, classroom sessions, or a high ropes course challenge.

Outcomes and objectives from our team building programs are invaluable. We merely plant a small seed for growth with our guides and facilitators at The Nature Place. Measurable growth may come years later for many of our participants, yet it all starts with a look in, then a look out. It is what we pride ourselves on and integral to our mission statement. We strive to provide “educational leadership development programs that enhance your sense of self, sense of community, sense of Earth, sense of wonder, to help your sense of the future.” 

We hope you and your group stay for a team building program, or simply reflect with us at one of the best conference centers in Colorado.

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]]> What are the Florissant Fossil Beds? https://thenatureplace.net/what-are-the-florissant-fossil-beds-the-nature-place/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-are-the-florissant-fossil-beds-the-nature-place Thu, 17 Feb 2022 18:27:37 +0000 https://thenatureplace.net/?p=3260 What are the Florissant Fossil Beds & National Monument? The Nature Place, Conference Center & Retreat Venue The Florissant Fossil Beds are one of Colorado’s best national monuments and geologic attractions in Colorado. With rooted history in the Ute territory and westward migration of the Homestead Act of the early 1860’s, the fossilized redwood forest […]

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What are the Florissant Fossil Beds & National Monument?

The Nature Place, Conference Center & Retreat Venue

The Florissant Fossil Beds are one of Colorado’s best national monuments and geologic attractions in Colorado. With rooted history in the Ute territory and westward migration of the Homestead Act of the early 1860’s, the fossilized redwood forest was the same wondrous attraction as it is today.

Through interactions of native Utes and settlers, the land was viewed as a source of many uses. For the Ute, the land is home. The re-claimed Florissant Valley provided the Ute people a haven of life unparalleled in the mountains. They foraged for plant species, and migrated through the seasons of the hunt. Incoming homesteaders perceived the lush valley as an opportunity to grow the manifest of westward progress.

Gold was discovered on a mining claim in Fairplay, Colorado about 50 miles from present day Florissant. It was this notion that drove settlers through the Florissant Valley to nearby Cripple Creek. Settlers befriended the Ute tribespeople to learn from the land and how to survive in variable and harsh mountain conditions.

It was not until the 1870’s when surveyors and university students traveled on expeditions to explore the recently excavated mining claims to find astoundingly well preserved fossils. They studied theFlorissant Fossil Beds National Monument surroundings from natives and homesteaders about the soon to be treasure trove of petrified organisms. After months of excavation students on an expedition from Princeton University documented the discovery of a new species, Trichophanescopei. It is not often in the scope of geologic time that humans discovered such a high quality of life specimen similar to that of preserved organisms at the Florissant Fossil Beds. 

The variety of geological samples attracted tourists from the growing urban center of Colorado Springs. Travelers at the turn of the 20th century arrived with a spectrum of intention from exploring, to appreciating, to pillaging the fossil site. Stumps of giant redwood trees served as the main draw of crowds to gawk at and chip away a piece of the trees as a souvenir. The practice of destroying the site was not very well expressed or understood at the time. Destruction from visitors of all types would eventually lead to the legal battles stemming from mineral rights, use, conservation, and further stewardship of the area.

Visitors continued to see the value and wonder of the Florissant Valley which enabled them to receive backing from paleontologists and citizens to protect this ‘special spot’ near the Colorado Outdoor Education Center and Sanborn Western Camps. On August 20th, 1969, President Richard Nixon and Congress granted national monument status to the Florissant Fossil Beds, ensuring the study of fossils, climate, and unlocking the mysteries of geology.

A prehistoric place now turned preserved site continues to offer students, campers, groups, and guests the opportunity to better understand the land, creatures, people, and a time that came before them at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

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