For kids this summer, Vida Camp was the place to be! Children 5 to 12 years old were able to dive into action-packed days, creative projects, and exciting adventures. With the base camp located at the Questa Youth center, parents droped off their children, ready for a day full of outdoor exploration and hands-on learning.
The camp’s origins trace back to a conversation in 2019, where at the time, Vida del Norte Coalition Coordinator Maria Gonzalez learned how individuals could maintain sobriety by reconnecting with the land. That honest discussion sparked an idea for Gonzalez, who was inspired with a vision for creating a camp connecting children to the land and water and with their surroundings, to learn something they could always fall back on—all while creating a positive experience. She then spoke with local community leaders Daniel Hutchison and Gaea McGahee.
Through grants obtained by Localogy (a cross-sector collaborative of charitable initiatives) from New Mexico Recreation and more recently the Turner Foundation, Vida Camp is offered free of charge (or reduced tuition) for those who need it. Vida Camp operates as a collaboration between Localogy and Vida Del Norte—a community coalition dedicated to preventing substance abuse among youth in Northern Taos County. “Our goal is to connect kids to water and land. This is why most activities revolve around water and working with your hands,” says Gonzalez, current LOR Foundation community officer and now Vida del Norte Coalition director.
Jaclyn Tregle, a K-2 teacher at Roots & Wings School, stepped into her role as Vida Camp director for her second year this July with a passion for learning, the outdoors, and children. “As an educator, I’ve truly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with more children in the community beyond my usual classroom roster. It’s also a special privilege to see my own students during the summer and deepen those relationships. Watching all the children form new friendships, engage in new experiences, and thrive in different environments has been a true joy. I am grateful to continue to explore the beauty of northern New Mexico with my Vida campers,” says Tregle.
Tregle and her dedicated camp counselors, Justin Powers, Spencer Warnock, Emily Pontiff, Wil Simmons, Delilah Rael, Melinda Rael, Kristie Ritchlin, and Amalia Gonzalez, guided nearly 40 children through four three-day weeks in July; their days started at 9 a.m. and ended at 4:30 p.m., Monday through Wednesday.
“Before camp began, our staff came together to create a shared mission for the summer: Vida Camp connects children with their community, their environment, and their potential through safe, fun, and meaningful adventures with friends,” says Tregle. “I feel we have lived up to our mission and you can tell by the joy you see in the pictures.”
Vida Camp 2025 kicked off with a splash at John Dunn Bridge, where campers enjoyed swimming in the Rio Grande. When an unexpected bus issue popped up on the second day, leaders and campers quickly adapted, turning a potential hiccup into a surprise adventure with a hike to see petroglyphs and a cool-off in the Acequia Madre in Costilla.
The second session of camp did not disappoint. Campers went on a fishing trip to the Red River Fish Hatchery and then explored some new dance moves with instructor Monica McClelland. Campers were able to get their creative juices flowing as they learned to make fresh pizza in the farmers market horno, after preparing the dough themselves, and later, transformed a dumpster into a vibrant canvas with local artist Mark Lewis Wagner for the “Dumpster Dazzle” project. Week two wrapped up with a peaceful float down the river at RCCLA, complete with a “moo-ving” farewell from some curious cows.
Week three provided hands-on lessons on the keystone species—the beaver! Campers became beaver experts through storytelling, acting, and arts and crafts. They learned about beavers’ impact on the ecosystem, the history of fur trapping, and the intricacies of acequias and beaver deceivers (a tool that allows humans to coexist with beavers instead of working against them). They even got to interview a beaver expert and model a quick dam.
Campers dove into hands-on learning, with younger participants enjoying hiking, fishing, and splashing at Eagle Rock Lake. Older campers engaged in community service, assisting locals in Costilla with clearing an acequia, where they observed a beaver dam and interviewed community members about the beavers’ impact on irrigation. The educational adventures continued with a field trip to Fred Baca Park in Taos, allowing campers to explore wetlands and witness a beaver dam with a deceiver in action, all while getting in some play time.
The final week of camp included a hike at Columbine Trail, where campers discussed campfire safety and made s’mores. The day finished with an art project led by local artist Claire Cotė. After getting creative with chalk graffiti art alongside Mark Lewis Wagner and more fun at Eagle Rock Lake, Vida camp culminated with a refreshing “Water Day” at base camp.
Staying true to its mission and having an incredible group of leaders supporting our youth, Vida Camp continues to connect children with what’s real; unforgettable outdoor experiences and lasting friendships. If you care to make a donation to Localogy you can do so at https://www.localogy.org/donate.
