BLPA 9th Grade Ponderosa Retreat
Hello BLPA Freshman Families! We’re excited to launch our 9th‑grade students into their high school journey with a character‑building, team‑focused experience at The 9th Grade Annual Retreat! From Monday, August 17th to Tuesday, August 18th, 2026, students will engage in activities designed to foster integrity, collaboration, and resilience as they prepare for the year ahead. Please read the details below in their entirety so we can ensure a safe, meaningful, and successful retreat for everyone.
The location is Ponderosa Retreat Center located at 15235 S. Furrow Road, Larkspur, CO 80118.
Items to be completed by families:
CHECKLIST:
Recreation Release Waiver Pay Fee via PaySchools.
Review Packing List with Student Communicate medical needs, medications, and allergies to the school nurse.
Review Behavioral Agreement with Student Recreation Release Waiver: Available on PaySchools, linked here, and at the front desk at BLPA. Please fill it out ASAP and turn it in to your student’s Stallion Time teacher. We will use the contact information on this form to contact parents if needed. Students will not be able to participate in any activities without a signed waiver.
Retreat Fee: Recreation Package: $197.00 per student: Includes recreation, housing, meals (lunch/dinner on August 17 and breakfast/lunch on August 18), and transportation. Please pay via PaySchools:
Reach out to [email protected] and [email protected] if you have any questions.
Packing List:
Review the packing list and send your student with necessary items. Feel free to label belongings.
Cell phones are allowed for photos only; please set them to “Do Not Disturb” after 10:00 PM to ensure a good night’s rest. We discourage social media and texting during the retreat.
Medical Needs and Allergies: If you haven’t already, please contact Nurse Jess Ross ([email protected]) for any required documentation for medication administration or self-carry.
Behavioral Agreement: We will review a behavioral agreement during Stallion Time, and all students must agree to the expectations. Any student who violates the agreement will be asked to leave the retreat and must be picked up by a parent or guardian at Ponderosa.
Please review the attached Freshmen Retreat 2026 Behavior Agreement with your student; they will sign it the first week of school. Information to know:
Arrival: Students should arrive at school by 7:45 AM on Monday, August 17th, 2026. We’ll assemble in the gym and then board the buses to Ponderosa. Departure: We plan to return to BLPA and have parents pick up students at 5:30-6:00 PM on Tuesday, August 18th, 2026. The return time is contingent based on District 49’s route drivers arriving after their daily routes.
Group Assignments and Sleeping Arrangements: Students are divided into approximately eight same-gender groups for activities and will sleep in same-gender dorms with adult chaperones.
Pine Dorm = Girls
Pike’s Peak Dorm = Boys
Each group has its own room; staff chaperones will have separate rooms, with one chaperone stationed in the dorm foyer. Retreat Center Map, Activity Schedule, and Activity Matrix:
Students will enjoy outdoor recreation and school based sessions with teachers, administration, & counselors. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re looking forward to a fantastic retreat! Contacts: Sara Bacote [email protected] and Cassandra Musgrove [email protected]
