Mountain Friends Camp has traveled and roamed between Utah, Colorado and New Mexico since our first one-week season in 2010. Since 2017, our home has been the beautiful Collins Lake Ranch, near Mora, New Mexico.
Collins Lake Ranch, Mora, New Mexico: Every year our hosts have worked hard to make new changes and improvements to the space. Collins Lake Ranch Autism Center is a nonprofit organization located near Mora NM; their mission is “to provide meaningful opportunities to people with developmental disabilities who desire to participate in a rural mountain community.” Campers and staff enjoy the gorgeous mountain valley location (with a 12 acre lake, sports field, organic garden, and farm animals!) and value the potential for our program and campers to grow through connecting and building community with those with disabilities.
There are currently four adults with developmental disabilities living on the ranch, with support from a holistically trained, 24/7 staff. MFC has separate camp area, they built a modern bathhouse and set up new yurts for us in 2017, and since then we’ve add a kitchen yurt, large dining pavilion, and a program yurt! We’ll also spend time together with the residents when they are interested and able to engage, such as activities and relaxing around the lake, horse arena, occasional meals, and hikes on the property.