JPII Outdoor Lab Mission
JPII Outdoor Lab provides outdoor experiential education within the context of the Catholic faith. Through an authentic encounter with Christ in his Creation and sacraments, students are inspired to deepen their relationship with God, thus shaping their relationship with themselves, others and Creation. Students will further learn to apply faith and reason while exploring the wonder and beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
Our Homeschool Program
JPII Outdoor Lab is a program of Annunciation Heights Catholic Youth and Family Camp located at the base of Longs Peak in Estes Park, Colorado, two miles north of historic Camp Saint Malo.
Our three-day homeschool program offers inquiry-based lessons, exploratory hikes, small-group discussions, campfire activities, stargazing, Mass, Adoration, and Reconciliation. Students (your child) will participate in one of three adventure tracks in co-ed small groups based on their age. Our homeschool program is open to all homeschool students between the ages of 10-15. During their three-day stay, students are provided with meals and lodging. Chaperones are needed to make this program possible! If you are interested in attending the program with your child, please check out our “Chaperone Requirements”.
OUR INSPIRATION
Founded in 2008, the John Paul II Outdoor Lab was inspired by Pope Saint John Paul II’s encyclical Fides et Ratio:
Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth—in a word, to know himself—so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves.
– St. John Paul II, Fides et Ratio
Every Program Includes:
-
Lodging & Meals
-
Altum Institute Missionary for each small group of 10-12 students
-
Sacraments: Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration
-
Lessons/Activities:
-
Four Relationships Lesson
-
Hike at Camp Saint Malo
-
Evening Programming (campfire and night lesson according to track)
-
Hike Themes
-
Ages 10-11: Identity and Gift
-
Ages 12-13: Virtue
-
Ages 14-15: Saint Stories
Adventure Tracks
Earth Science (ages 10-11)
-
Geology & Mining
-
Colors of Creation with JPII
-
Human Wilderness Survival
-
Night Activity: Astronomy
Adventure Tracks
-
Forestry
-
Life in the Water
-
Animal Signs and Survival
-
Night Activity: Nocturnal Hunters
Hike Themes
-
Physical Science (ages 14-15)
-
Archery & Motion Mechanics
-
Low Ropes & Leadership
-
Orienteering
-
Night Activity: Night Hike
-
What grades can come to JPII Outdoor Lab / Summit School?Our outdoor education programs are offered to students in grades 5-12.
-
When are JPII Outdoor Lab and Summit School programs offered?JPII Outdoor Lab and Summit School programs are offered on Mondays through Wednesdays OR Wednesdays through Fridays during specific weeks of the school year. Our 2025-2026 calendar of availability can be found above.
-
How long is JPII Outdoor Lab / Summit School?All outdoor education programs at Annunciation Heights are three days/two nights: Monday-Wednesday OR Wednesday-Friday.
-
What time does the program begin?The program begins at 11am on Monday or Wednesday. Please arrive no earlier than 10:30am. If your ETA is earlier than 10:30am, you are encouraged to stop at Lily Lake, just five minutes (2 miles) north of Annunciation Heights on Highway 7, to stretch your legs and take in the beautiful view while our field instructors finish preparing for your arrival.
-
What time does the program end / What time should our charter bus or carpool pick us up?The program ends at 12:30pm on Wednesday or Friday with a sack lunch to go. Thus, a realistic pickup time for parents or your charter bus is sometime between 12:45 and 1:00pm. Variances from this departure time must be arranged with the Director upon registration of your program. Changes to the program schedule within two weeks of arrival are not sustainable for our staff and risk your students missing out on critical closing activities.
-
How much does JPII Outdoor Lab / Summit School cost?Student: $295 Adults (including teachers): FREE. Maximum free adults will be communicated at time of contract. Clergy or Religious: Free, including housing separate from student lodges. **New pricing above effective Spring 2024.
-
What is the minimum number of students we can bring?The minimum number of students for all outdoor education programs at Annunciation Heights is 15. Schools with fewer than 15 students enrolled in one grade are welcome to bring at least two grades every year.
-
How many chaperones must we bring and what is the cost for chaperones?Please reference the chart below for the required minimum number of chaperones. Starting in the Spring of 2024, required chaperones will attend for free. Additionally, 2 more chaperones above the required amount will be allowed to attend at no cost. Any further chaperones you bring will be an additional $75 each. As long as the minimum ratio is in place, your school is welcome to bring as many adult chaperones as you would like. It is highly recommended to bring at least two female and two male chaperones for overnight lodge supervision. At least one chaperone must come trained and prepared to administer students’ medications because, while our JPII Outdoor Lab/Summit School staff are CPR/First Aid certified, Annunciation Heights does not have a nurse on full-time staff. Please use the following chart for quick reference for the required minimum number of chaperones: 1-49 students: minimum ratio is one adult for every 1-10 students, plus one adult. 15-20 students: Three adult chaperones 21-30 students: Four adult chaperones 31-40 students: Five adult chaperones 41-50 students: Six adult chaperones **More than 50 students: minimum ratio is one adult for every 1-10 students, plus two adults. 51-60 students: Eight adult chaperones 61-70 students: Nine adult chaperones 71-80 students: Ten adult chaperones 81-90 students: Eleven adult chaperones 91-100 students: Twelve adult chaperones **More than 100 students: minimum ratio is one adult for every 1-10 students, plus three adults. 101-110 students: Fourteen adult chaperones 111-120 students: Fifteen adult chaperones
-
What type of lodging is provided?You’ll be in a classic bunk lodge! Most campers bring a sleeping bag, but twin/single sheets will fit our mattresses, if you’d rather bring those. Are you bringing a priest or religious brother or sister with you? Feel free to ask about the availability of separate cabins for them.
-
What is the winter cancellation policy?At the time of contract signing, a 20% deposit is due to Annunciation Heights for reservation of a JPII Outdoor Lab program. Full payment is expected two weeks prior to arrival. Cancellation policy: Cancellation for any reason 31 days or more prior to arrival, the school forfeits the deposit amount. Cancellation for any reason within 30 days of arrival, the school is responsible for 80% of the total reservation cost. This 80% is due within 30 days of notice of cancellation. If JPII Outdoor Lab can book another group of comparable size during the dates, for the purpose of filling the cancelled reservation, the school will only be responsible for 50% of the full contracted amount. Winter weather cancellation is included in the above policy; no exceptions will be made except for full road closure. If roads are closed by the State of CO Department of Transportation or local law enforcement, cancellation policy will not apply, and attempts will be made to reschedule according to availability at no additional cost. If the program cannot be rescheduled, a full refund will be offered. **JPII Outdoor Lab reserves the right to make case-by-case determinations as needed.
-
Does Annunciation Heights offer transportation?Yes, if you are interested, please select on the inquiry form “Would like more information on transportation options offered by Annunciation Heights.” The transportation application will then drop down for you to complete. Note: we have limited resources, so we aren’t able to offer transportation for all requests.
