Matt is on the board of Camp Utibaca in Utah and has suggested we rent that camp if we can in mid-June. How many cabins does it have, Matt, and what would we be able to do while we are there. What is the closest place we could fly into in order to get there? I know there is a large dining room and chapel area and 2 nice cabins. Can we bring RV’s? This is indeed a possibility I think. Julie is contacting Camp Bethel in Dayton, Wyoming and Bear Lodge up by Burgess Junction. We should know about them soon. – Frani
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6 responses so far ↓
Matthew Johnson // October 11, 2006 at 3:42 pm
Here is the skinny on Utibaca.
There is about 12 Cabins (not heated). It is definitely possible to bring tents and RVs (there is a big field to park in)
About 2.5 hours drive from Salt Lake (we live there so if anyone needed a stopping off place we could provide that).
About 5 hours from Las Vegas
About 7 hours from Denver.
There is scores of hiking and exploring, rock climbing, and various outdoor activities. There is a little town at the base of the mountain with restaurants and stores (not a mall, it’s Utah after all). There is skeet shooting range, archery range, rifle range (Bring your own firearms)
The Chapel/multipurpose room is very nice. It is heated. There are large bathrooms and showers (camping style-so it’s not the Hilton)
The kitchen is a huge commercial style with plenty of refrigeration space and counter space.
We can rent this for about $250 a day. One of the bonuses is that they require a board member there at all times-I am one, so we would not have to reimburse someone to be there.
It is one of the most beautiful areas I have been in a while. I think that pretty much describes that. I think we would have to schedule before June 20th and the sooner we decide the easier it is. -Matt
funlayers // October 16, 2006 at 2:37 am
Is there anything for little kids – from age 3-6 at Camp Utibica? The thought of rock climbing and skeet shooting with Maia give me the shivers.
– Sarah
ruth // October 16, 2006 at 8:45 am
My opinion, for whatever it is worth, is that we meet in Wyoming–even if we have to book hotel rooms in Worland and go out on family excursions to the Big Horns or Thermopolis. A camp is a good idea, but we need to cosider ALL the members of our family, their comfort, and the the level of rusticity of the camp.
I think it would be good to stay in the general vicinity of Worland simply because that is where we all used to meet for family gatherings–and that is where our memories of Grandma and Grandpa are. If I’m the only one who thinks this, by all means take this input with a grain of salt. I’m flexible, and I love to camp.
Frani // October 16, 2006 at 10:07 am
Thanks for the input. I wish we’d hear from some other cousins as well so we could get some more input. Thanks Matt for telling us about Utibaca. We still may go there.
Matthew Johnson // October 16, 2006 at 10:25 am
Sarah,
Utibaca is a camp. It is not a resort (I looked into some of those in Colorado and when I get some prices will post them), but it is great for kids. There is a ropes course (jungle gym for kids), a stream to play in (rather cold though), volleyball courts, campfire pit, hiking trails, large fields to play in, and your basic run of the mill camping activities. (Carter really likes Utibaca because it has his favorite toy-dirt).
Personally, I would rather be at a camp or resort than Worland (it doesn’t have to be utibaca, if Red Cliff were available, I would rather go there as it is close to Jackson Hole). Utibaca is not as rustic as you might think. The Cabins keep out the bugs, for the most part. The bathrooms have showers with hot water. The large gathering areas are great for playing games and fellowshipping and the ambiance of a camp is unbeatable to me. But that is just my opinion.
The cost coupled with the relatively close proximity to a major airport, and the fact that I am on the board and can reserve it with no problem (before June 18th) was my main reason for suggesting it. I thought people could get cheaper plane tickets to SLC than Billings or Cody (this is why I am looking into resorts and camps near Denver also). If 12-15 families attend the reunion for four days at Utibaca, the cost would be about 75 dollars a family. This is what it would cost to each rent hotels per day. I think it would probably be more cost efficient even if we had to get a more expensive resort. As my esteemed sister said, take this with a grain of Salt.
(BTW I have access to a multitude of larger inflatable mattresses for those who desire the less rustic nature of the thin mattresses at Utibaca).
David // October 23, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Sorry I’m getting on late, I just caught up on all the messages. I think we may want to look in the Colorado area (Denver) since it may be a more central location. We are looking into the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, CO (Amy visited years ago and it was very nice). Although it may seem June 2007 is still a ways away, we may get more participation if we plan for 2008. This will give each family the chance to save and plan (I know our summer is already filling up). It would be nice if we could find a centralized location which could allow more families the option of driving without requiring several days of travel. We’ll pass along more information about the YMCA soon. In the mean time, you can check out their website if you want: http://www.ymcarockies.org