USA TEEN RETREAT
May 31st - June 4th, 2027
Come for adventure and connection in the summer of 2027!!
The Learning Brave Teen Retreat will be based around the theme of being brave and opening the door to living your best life.
This year we will focus on 3 topics;
1. Be Brave
2. Create Belonging
3. Go and Build
Be Brave: By bravely being authentic, we can do hard things!
Create Belonging: Create genuine connections that celebrate differences, enable mutual respect, and nurture personal growth.
Go & Build: Through service to others we can choose to lead and facilitate transformation for ourselves and others.
Come along for an incredible opportunity to develop leadership skills, build meaningful friendships, and challenge themselves in the wild beauty of the Colorado mountains!!
Ross Gilbert is our Retreat Director. He works as a Leadership and Japanese Language mentor at Williamsburg Learning. He was awarded numerous mentoring awards through Williamsburg Learning 2019 - 2027. He has never regretted leaving corporate life 10 years ago to fulfill his dream of living intentionally and working in a meaningful capacity with youth.
Learning Brave will be joined by an amazing team of excellent and qualified Mentors and Alumni from Williamsburg Learning.
Testimonials
Location:
Glacier View Ranch
8748 Overland Rd
Ward, CO 80481
Time:
May 31st - Arrive 1:00 pm MT
June 4th - Depart 12:00 noon MT
"I am so grateful for what the Learning Brave Retreat has done for my son. He gained friends, confidence in his ability to be brave while facing challenges in his life and new life leadership skills.
If your child has the chance to attend one of these retreats, take it!"
Nancy - Parent
I've been to the teen retreat in Colorado twice now and it's a great experience both times. It's a week-long trip and every minute is full of activities and fun. Everyone there both kids and counselors, go above and beyond to create a space where everyone has opportunities to make new friends and feel accepted but to also leave their comfort zones in order to learn and grow. The teen retreat is something I would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to try something new or exciting.
Atticus - student
When I was 16, I had the chance to attend a Learning Brave Teen Retreat in Colorado. We spent the week learning about vulnerability and authenticity, finding what was important to us, and practicing real and meaningful connection. For the first time since I could remember, I felt loveable, I felt like I contributed to a whole, I felt like my best self. I didn't have to swim against the tide to be someone that I liked. I felt fully authentic in a way that I had never before experienced and that felt really, really good. The week was saturated with meaningful connections that persist to this day and even continue to bring meaning to my life six years later.
Looking back on the last few years of my life, these retreats have become foundational pillars that consistently remind me of what matters to me. As I have navigated various experiences and relationships, I have been able to look back to those pillars and remember sources of meaning and purpose. I have been able to share that meaning and purpose with others.
I feel so privileged to have had such a life-changing experience at such a young age, and I am grateful for the way that it has helped me center my life on principles that are able to still, to this day, truly bring me lasting joy.
Sabrina - Alumni
Learning Brave is one of the few events I don’t have to beg my teenager to attend! My daughter loves it. She said, “I felt free to be myself and encouraged by my peers.” She had opportunities to be vulnerable and accepted, learn about herself and others, and step outside her comfort zone to make friends.
The leaders are amazing as well! They showed genuine care and interest in my daughter, helping her feel seen and supported. They are great role models who lead with kindness and encouragement. I’m grateful for an experience that builds her confidence in a world where she has experienced people tearing her down. I would recommend Learning Brave to any parent looking for a positive experience for their teen!”
Sasha - parent
Our son's first sleepaway camp experience with WAC's Learning Brave Teen Retreat was incredible! As his parents, we loved that the camp provided an opportunity for our son to be off screens (unplugged!) for a week while focusing on leadership, personal growth, and making new friends. He was so sad to leave that he cried (!!) and he came home so inspired that he began a NEW hobby of creating uplifting leadership songs of his own! We couldn't have asked for a better experience!
Learning Brave's Teen Retreat really sparked his creativity, strengthened his leadership spirit, and gave him an opportunity to make new and lasting friendships. We are ALL so grateful! He's counting the days until he can return!!
Robyn - parent
This retreat is FULL BOARD!! You don't need to worry about anything, just come along for the experience of a lifetime and have everything provided by us!
All food, accommodation and activities included.
Participants must be 14 - 18 years of age, or starting 9th grade (from Aug 2027)
Cost - $800 USD
(Free for Williamsburg Academy of Colorado students - register below)
FREE REGISTRATION!!
(There are limited places - a waiting list will be created once we are full)
Registration closes March 1st 2027.
By registering with Learning Brave, you are committing to the following payment schedule;
*First payment - $400 (due - Feb 1st, 2027)
*Second payment - $400 (due - May 1st, 2027)
Get in quick and don't miss out!!
*It is required that all participants have their own domestic medical/travel insurance.
Our itinerary for the Teen Retreat will include:
Formal Dance
Dance Classes
Hiking and personal reflection
Personal development and leadership workshops
Rock Climbing
High Ropes Course
Archery
Night Games
Talent Night / Team skits and performances
Goose Chase (Amazing Race style activity)
Morning and evening connection with Teams
Journaling and solo time
Team building challenges
Structured and unstructured free time where youth can connect with each other
Mentors.
Participants will be placed in a team that is led by a Mentor. These groups will become like their family for the week. Each Mentor will been chosen because of their background working with teens, and also that their lives exemplify the values and principles of Learning Brave. Ross Gilbert as Retreat Director will oversee all aspects of the Teen Retreat and a designated First Aid Certified staff member will be on site at all times.
Accommodation.
Accommodation will be on mattresses in cabins where participants will need to provide all bedding (sheet and sleeping bag), pillows, and towels. There will be a clear separation of sleeping areas between male and female. As a requirement of the state of Colorado, a mentor will stay in each cabin to ensure compliance with the child care requirements.
Transportation.
Parents will need to arrange for transportation to and from the venue - Glacier View Ranch, Ward, CO.
(We will facilitate connecting families with others that are willing to ride share).
If you are flying from another state:
Please arrive at the Denver International Airport on June 1st by 11:00am Mountain Time.
Please leave from the Denver International Airport on June 5th after 5:00pm Mountain Time.
Learning Brave can help to co-ordinate transport between Denver International Airport and Glacier View Ranch for those travelling out of state. The approximate price is $80 - $100 and will be determined after final numbers.
Mentors will be present for airport pick up and drop-off.
**Please note - we will be unable to accomodate unaccompanied minor services for airlines. Please confirm with your airline age requirements.
What's Included:
-All meals and snacks from arrival to departure.
- Accommodation.
- Experienced and fun mentors for various activities.
- ALL activities!!
- One Learning Brave T-shirt
- Plenty of laughs and epic moments!
- Personal Leadership opportunities
- New friends!!
What's NOT Included:
- Transport to and from the Learning Brave Retreat venue.
- Health/Travel Insurance.
A detailed list of what to bring on the Learning Brave Teen Retreat 2027 will be sent out once registration is complete.
As part of our required documentation, we will provide a
Tour Participation Agreement and Medical Information
for the Learning Brave Teen Retreat 2027
This is a wonderful opportunity for friendship, connection and adventure.
