Now in its third year under the dedicated coordination of Jaclyn Tregle—a K-2nd grade teacher at Roots & Wings Community School in Lama— and her team of 7 full time camp counselors— Justin Powers, Spencer Warnock, Jessamy Morby, Esperanza Quintana, Delilah Rael, Melinda Rael, Mariana Ortega, along with part-time help from Amalia Gonzalez— the Vida del Norte Camp has become a highly anticipated summer tradition for youth in Questa and the surrounding areas.

Vida del Norte Coalition originally launched its summer camp program in 2019 as part of its core mission to provide healthy, positive alternatives for local youth and prevent substance misuse. By keeping kids engaged, active, and connected to their peers, the camp fills a vital need in the community. The program is made possible through a combination of federal and state grant funding secured by the coalition, alongside generous community donations, ensuring that financial barriers never keep a child from participating.

Geared toward 5 to 12-year-olds, the camp operates Monday through Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (with flexible pickup times), using the Youth Center near the Questa Public Library as its base camp. Over the course of 12 days throughout late June and July, campers dive into a packed schedule of morning and afternoon activities.

The main goal of the camp is simple: get kids out into nature, away from screens, and exploring the incredible beauty of our own backyard.

Water play is always a massive hit. Campers frequent local favorites like Eagle Rock Lake for fishing and swimming, the Red River Fish Hatchery, Wild Rivers, Columbine Trail, the John Dunn Bridge, and floating down the Rio Costilla at RCCLA. Throughout these outdoor adventures, campers frequently spot local wildlife, including bighorn sheep at Wild Rivers, snakes, and raptors along the trails.

Back at base camp, favorite activities include graffiti rock art with Mark Lewis Wagner, dance sessions with Monica McClelland, natural print making art with Claire Coté and the highly anticipated water day at base camp complete with relays, limbo and a presentation from the Questa Fire Department. Through it all, Jaclyn and her staff promote outdoor play and environmental education, teaching campers to respect nature and the land they live on.

To ensure the program remains accessible to all local families, camp is entirely free for those who need it, while families who are able to pay or donate are welcome to do so.

Parents consistently share how much their children look forward to the program each summer. As one parent shared, “My child has found a new respect for nature and the outdoors. Jaclyn and her camp counselors teach the children how to live and play in nature, and each day is something for my child to look forward to.”