Build, repair, or re-establish solid, biblical relationships with your teenage children.

Cultivating good family life in our fast-paced, “plugged-in” culture is not always an easy task. Constant busyness and messaging from outside influences can easily sidetrack us from deep relationships, both in our walk as Christians and in our relationships with our family. Sometimes we need to unplug from our daily routine and spend some time in a different environment to deepen relationships between dads and teenagers and to help facilitate the important transition from teenager to grown men and women. Father Teen Adventure is a unique program developed to help fathers and teens meet this need.

*Please note that ages for FTA are 14-19.

Alumni Testimonies

“I saw my daughter grow in her faith and exposure to other believers….increased bond and love between me and my daughter.” – FTA Daughters, 2022

“Became more bonded with my dad and better at communication!” – FTA Daughters, 2022

“Both my son and myself experienced God’s healing and love in ways that will forever change our lives.” – FTA Sons, 2022

“I had a life changing experience with my dad and my relationship with him.” – FTA Sons, 2022

FAQ

A. For six nights you will stay in one of our hardside cabins. The hardsides have bunkbeds and electricity, but no water. If you do not have your own sleeping bag, we will issue you a sleeping bag and pillow on your first evening to use on the bunkbeds. Buxton bathhouse, which is only a few feet away from the hardsides, has bathrooms with showers, toilets, and sinks. For one night of FTA, you will be on trek, so you will be sleeping in a tent or in a hammock if you brought your own.

A. If you will be flying to Colorado for your session, our transportation recommendation is below from the Denver International Airport. We recommend scheduling an arrival flight that arrives before 12:00 pm MDT and a departure flight time that departs after 1:30 pm MDT. Note: there is no alternate public transportation to Buena Vista other than this option, so plan accordingly.

There is a daily bus from Denver that we recommend as a reliable and inexpensive transportation option to Buena Vista where our Spring Canyon staff can pick you up.  The only time this has not worked is when a guest dawdled too long at Denver Union Station and missed the bus departure.

Take the light rail from Denver Airport to Union Station, then bus from Union Station to Buena Vista.  We can pick you up in Buena Vista.  This is a reliable, inexpensive system that many cadets and guests have used successfully.

– Light rail train from Denver Airport to Union Station is $10.50/adult.  The train departs the airport (and Union Station if traveling the other direction) every 15 min from 4:15 am – 6:30 pm.  It leaves every 30 min from 6:30 pm to midnight.  The ride is about 37 minutes. If you have an Active Duty military ID, then the Light Rail is free.

– Bus (yes, it’s called the “Bustang“: www.ridebustang.com/crested-butte-denver-schedule) departs Denver Union Station once a day at 1:50 pm and arrives in Buena Vista at 4:40 pm.  It’s the “Outrider Crested Butte to Denver” route.  The cost is $24 – pay the fare with exact cash when boarding the bus, or buy in advance with the mobile app (https://ridebustang.com/fares-tickets/).  We recommend you double-check the website 1-2 days before travel to make sure the bus times have not changed.

– To return to the airport, Bustang departs Buena Vista at 8:15 am and arrives at Union Station at 10:50 am. The costs are the same.

A. Please bring as much gear as possible. It is most comfortable to use your own gear (backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, etc.), but we do have backpacking gear for loan as well. Make sure to bring comfortable hiking clothes and hiking boots, layers for the cold weather on trek, and a Bible and journal. We do not have any clothing or shoes to loan out. You will receive a packing list when you register for FTA.

A. Even normal physical activities are more strenuous at high altitude. Spring Canyon is located at 9,000′ and we hike at higher altitudes. Please make sure you engage in regular cardiovascular exercise before coming to FTA. Make sure you are comfortable hiking with a pack (35-50 lbs) and hiking up steep inclines.

A. FTA groups range from 2 to 5 Father-Teen Teams (4 to 10 people). Each FTA also has 1 to 2 mentors and 2 to 3 guides. Your mentor and guides will be with you throughout the whole week and will participate in all activities with you.

2024 FTA Pricing

Team Price
1 Adult + 1 Teen (ages 14-19) $2,098 plus tax

Additional fee of $40 for packaging and mailing FTA souvenir for FTA-Sons. 

Discounts

Be a Bringer or a Sender! Refer someone for Father Teen Adventure who has never attended Spring Canyon and you’ll both receive a discount. The first-time guest(s) will receive a 10% discount. A “Bringer” who attends with them will also receive a 10% discount. A “Sender” who refers them but can’t attend this summer will receive a 5% discount voucher good for any Spring Canyon program or retreat through July 2025.

Other Discounts

The below discounts apply to OCF members who are presently serving in uniform (Active Duty, Reserves, or National Guard) or who are retired military.

  • 10%: OCF members who have never before attended an OCF Conference Center
  • 10%: OCF Regional/Area Coordinators and Local Leaders Discount

2024 FTA Schedule

Father Teen Adventure #2 (Father-Daughter)

June 15 - June 22

Mentors: Col Kim Hawthorne, USAF (Ret.) & Mrs. Erin (Hawthorne) Dickman

Father Teen Adventure #3 (Father-Son)

June 22 - June 29

Mentor: Col Rick Kuhlman, USAFR (Ret.)

Father Teen Adventure #4 (Father-Son)

June 29 - July 6

Mentor: Col Rick Kuhlman, USAFR (Ret.)

Father Teen Adventure #5 (Father-Son)

July 6 - July 13

Mentor: Col Rick Kuhlman, USAFR (Ret.)

Father Teen Adventure #6 (Father-Son)

July 13 - July 20

Mentors: Col Rick Kuhlman, USAFR (Ret.)

Father Teen Adventure #7 (Father-Daughter)

July 20 - July 27

Mentors: TBD