On the slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, a 700-acre ranch sits between the Rio Grande Gorge and the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness. This is the Sangre de Cristo Youth Ranch, where summer camp means living together and working on a farm.

Founded back in 1985 by the late Dr. John Bud Wilson—the first surgeon to perform open-heart surgery in New Mexico—the coed camp gives young people a month-long wilderness and farm experience free of charge.

Though Dr. Wilson passed away a few years ago, his family’s legacy sticks around. They protect the land through permanent conservation easements that preserve the meadows, streams, and old water rights.

“Bud believed in human solidarity, so that’s what we keep at the core of our program. He believed that no matter what your background is, or what your differences are, everyone can live together. Like Bud, kindness is our greatest virtue here at camp,” says program director Freedom, who runs the camp today in partnership with Localogy, a northern New Mexico non-profit focused on sustainability and youth programming.

“Every staff member was once a camper, including myself. I think this is special because staff are doing their best to provide the experience they had as children—in fact, they want to improve upon it,” Freedom says.

That sense of community extends to the campers, who represent a deliberate mix of backgrounds. Roughly one-third of the campers come from the local Taos area, another third come from across the rest of New Mexico, and the final third travel from other states and even other countries. They live together in rustic cabins and participate in two main programs based on age.

For kids ages 10 to 12, the month-long Ranch Camp focuses on daily chores and group living. Older youth ages 13 to 15 attend Wild Camp, a shorter session geared toward leadership, local service projects, and backcountry backpacking trips.

Campers do the actual physical work required to keep the ranch running. Daily work crews milk goats, participate in permaculture lessons and adobe work, grow food at the Lama Community Farm, clear trails, and plant trees. Everyone pitches in with cooking and laundry.

When chores are finished, campers head out for days at a time to hike Rocky Mountain peaks and visit Abiquiu Lake and the Great Sand Dunes. Back at the ranch, they spend evenings doing fine arts, playing music, practicing archery, and telling stories around the campfire.

“The heroes keeping Bud’s dream alive are the staff,” Freedom says. “I have my part in it, and I must give credit to current directors August and Meghan who have led the program into a new era of camp magic. The incredible support staff Juliana, Merin, Hana, and Renxian who, while organizing fun and games, ensure all the kids are safe and sound all summer. Our thoughtful cooks Keaton, Savannah, and Emily keep the kids healthy and well fed every day. To our generous cabin counselors, Sarai, Tehya, Carl, Ransom, and Grant who listen and care for every child’s needs. And my dear friend Daniel who drives the bus and sings our campfire songs. Together they are on the ground giving every camper—The Best Summer Ever!”

Because the camp remains tuition-free, spots open to new campers fill up fast. Although the current camp season has wrapped up, families can plan ahead and apply online via the registration page at localogy.org/registration. The deadline for applications is April 1 each year. Returning campers get first priority, and the remaining slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.