On June 22, 2024, Always Choose Adventures (ACA) held the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for their new camp for disabled, at-risk youth, and LGBTQ individuals. It is the very first off-grid camp of its kind in the nation.

The outdoor educational campground is in unincorporated Gilpin County with a Central City address, but is more accessible from I-70 near Idaho Springs. The roads leading to the 9,300-foot elevation camp are very rough but the group provided shuttles for everyone through the steep area from three locations.

Camp ACA offers free and low-cost outdoor recreation clinics to youth, local schools, and recreational users living or traveling to Colorado.

Delicious treats sponsored by TommyKnockers Brewery were served and the event featured therapeutic goat walks with Goat Walkabouts in Camp ACA’s aspen meadow. A one-of-a-kind Black Canyon of the Gunnison Tipi was created by Secret Creek Yurts and Tipis, and sponsored by Unique Travel.

Anna Louisa delivered a special blessing of the land ceremony, an ancestral tribute, and a land-gifting ceremony.

Chantelle Shoaee, Founder and Director of ACA Adventures, established the nonprofit organization to assist others in engaging with the outdoors. It offers unique programs, clinics, and services designed to be accessible to a wide audience.

ACA features a distinctive gear library where members can borrow outdoor equipment for the nominal fee of $5 per item, per day. The clinics and programs are structured to be either free or low-cost, ensuring that individuals across various income levels can participate.

Shoaee has a specific interest in working with individuals with respiratory illnesses since she herself suffers from hypoxia. Recently, her hypoxia has greatly lessened from a change in diet.

She volunteers full-time at ACA and also works independently as a caregiver for children and adults with disabilities. Many of the clients enjoy participating in ACA activities, which enhances Shoaee’s enjoyment and the fulfillment of blending volunteer and personal life.

Gilpin County Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth and Manager of Emergency Management Melissa Lewis attended the event. Lewis asked Shoaee if she needed any more emergency supplies. Shoaee thanked her, saying that yes, they could use some.

Event Coordinator Bridget Gray spoke with Lewis, saying they have permanent first aid locations that include a medical kit, AED machine, and a fire extinguisher.

She says their current goal is to raise more funding and get more volunteers. They are seeking sponsors for campsites, who will have their name displayed on the site.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the journey of ACA, as we officially open up the gates of Camp ACA. It is a profound honor to stand here with you all who have made this dream a reality. Our mission here at ACA has always been to make the outdoors accessible to everyone, especially those who find barriers between themselves and the natural world. We believe in the transformative power of nature,” Shoaee said.

She continued to say the camp is designed to cater to all, particularly those who are racially and ethnically diverse, from low-income backgrounds, those in the LGBTQ community, and disabled individuals.

“Everyone has a place, everyone’s respected, and everyone can thrive,” Shoaee said, followed by applause.

Shoaee’s realtor spoke of Shoaee’s commitment to the project, which she achieved by selling her only asset, the equity in her home.

“We hit every roadblock we could in this process, but it finally worked out,” she said, expressing gratitude for being part of the process.

Anna Louisa said that Shoaee will be a steward of the land, as the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and the Kiowa once were. The Native nations were ousted when the gold rush began in the 1860s. She invited everyone to be stewards of the land as she read a poem by Chief Dan George. The group then commenced the ribbon-cutting.

Shoaee expressed gratitude to her son for his support and sacrifice, reminiscing about the times their living room doubled as a gear library, and boasting of his recent accomplishment of learning to operate a skid steer in just two weeks.

To raise funds, the group was selling Camp ACA dangle earrings, necklaces, trucker hats, stickers, hoodies, and jewelry. They also sold some camping and outdoor gear at a discount.

The next event to be held at Camp ACA will be outdoor clinics on July 1 and July 2, for youth from the Children’s Home in Denver who would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the Colorado wilderness.

For more information: Email: info@alwayschooseadventures.org; website: https://www.alwayschooseadventures.org; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypoxichiker/; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hypoxichiker