Rocky Mountain High

Spiritual formation for effective Christian military leadership

Rocky Mountain High is OCF’s premier spiritual formation program for cadets, midshipmen, junior officers and Christian leaders. RMH focuses on Biblical principles and the character of Jesus Christ as the bedrock example for inspirational and effective leadership. RMH is a weeklong wilderness adventure of whitewater rafting, rock climbing, rappelling, and backpacking in the Rockies. It is designed to impart to future leaders the desire and ability to live out their Christian faith within the military community.

Learn from seasoned mentors

Join experienced mentors—typically senior officers—and a team of your peers in the Rockies. Mentors will challenge you towards a love for God and an obedience to Christ, while sharing stories of integrating Christian faith within the military profession and telling of God’s faithfulness in victories, defeats, “lessons learned,” and leadership challenges. 

First Time Mentor Application
Alumni Mentor Application

RMH Objectives

  • To strengthen personal commitment to Jesus.
  • To impart a clear vision for integrating faith and profession within the military society.
  • To inspire young cadets, midshipmen, and officers toward sacrificial/servant leadership.

Alumni Testimonies

“Loved how Christ-focused it was and how our activities were blended with meaningful gospel.”

“RMH helped me re-center and evaluate my priorities.”

“This week helped me in my faith a lot. It challenged me spiritually, mentally, and physically. It drew me closer to God.”

FAQ

A. For the first three nights and the last night 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. During the middle of RMH, 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/outrider/#crested_butte_denver Southbound Route) 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 Southbound” 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 RMH.

A. You will receive an example schedule upon registration. After you arrive, you will go white water rafting on the Arkansas River, climb and rappel at our site up Cottonwood Pass, enjoy the view from the Continental Divide, go on a four day/three night trek in the Colorado backcountry, and enjoy a relaxing final day in Buena Vista.

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 RMH. Make sure you are comfortable hiking with a pack (35-50 lbs) and hiking up steep inclines.

A. RMH costs are listed below. However, we do not want cost to be a deterrent from attendance. There is scholarship money available for military academy and ROTC cadets and midshipmen. Please call our office at (719) 395-2328 or speak to your local OCF representative for more information.

A. RMH groups range from 2-12 young officers, cadets, and mids. Each RMH will also have 1-2 mentors and 2-3 guides. Your mentors and guides will be with you throughout the whole week and will participate in all activities with you.

A. Mentors customize the spiritual content each week. In general, the senior mentor (usually a retired officer and mature believer) will lead sessions every evening. The other mentor (sometimes a peer to the first mentor, sometimes a younger active duty officer) will lead devotions before breakfast. Often, mentors will choose to focus on a book of the Bible for the entire week, but some mentors prefer to do thematic sessions.

A. Most RMH participants say their lives and career perspectives are transformed through their time on RMH. Not only does RMH give you the chance to connect with Christian peers heading in the same direction as you, it provides a valuable week with spiritual mentors who experienced many of the things you will face in your future. Your mentors care deeply about you as an individual and can offer advice and encouragement about life in the military in a caring environment. You will be able to get an intense taste of the OCF and Christian/military family as a whole. Additionally, RMH adds a week of unforgettable adventure to your summer. Join the legacy today, and sign up for RMH!

If you are ready to be challenged, inspired, and renewed in your faith, then join us at Spring Canyon!

RMH 2025 Schedule

Price: $735 plus tax per attendee (need-based financial scholarship opportunities available)

Are you attending a service academy or part of an ROTC program and in need of a scholarship to attend RMH? We would love for you to join us and have many scholarship opportunities available! Please finish your registration, provide the $100 deposit and give us a call at 719-395-2328. If the available scholarships are not what you need, your $100 is refundable as long as all is taken care of within one week of registering.

Be a Bringer or a Sender! Refer someone for Rocky Mountain High 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.

Rocky Mountain High #1

June 1 - June 8

Mentors: TBD

Rocky Mountain High #2

June 15 - June 22

Mentors: TBD

Rocky Mountain High #3 (International Week)

June 22 - June 29

Mentors: TBD

Rocky Mountain High #4

June 29 - July 6

Mentors: TBD

Rocky Mountain High #5

July 6 - July 13

Mentors: TBD

Rocky Mountain High #6

July 13 - July 20

Mentors: TBD

Rocky Mountain High #7

July 20 - July 27

Mentors: TBD

Rocky Mountain High #8

July 27 - August 3

Mentors: TBD