Colorado Student Conferences
Spend Two Full Weeks in Colorado with Summit.
Located in Manitou Springs, students will experience life in the Grandview Hotel and enjoy the stunning views of Pikes Peak and the Manitou Incline. Off-campus activities allow students to see the beauty of God’s creation whether by zip-lining through the Rocky Mountains, rafting the white waters of the Arkansas River, or simply walking through the Garden of the Gods.
Manitou Springs, Colorado
Our main campus is nestled between Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods.
Session 1: May 18-30
Session 2: June 1-13
Session 3: June 15-27
Session 4: July 6-18
Session 5: July 20-August 1
Session 6: August 3-15
Session 7: August 17-29
What To Expect Each Day
View 2024 Schedule
The schedules follow a similar pattern each year. Here is a schedule from a Colorado session in 2024.
Every morning starts with morning traditions: the pledge of allegiance, the singing of Amazing Grace, a Biblical Foundations class, and prayer time. This is followed by a morning spent in the classroom hearing lectures from top-quality teachers.
Every afternoon students enjoy a few hours of free time and activities.
Activities include the Garden of the Gods trip, porch chats with speakers, group outings, sports time, rock climbing, laser tag, exploring the town, community service options, and hiking.
After dinner, each evening session begins with live worship and ends with a classroom session or small groups.
Travel
Arrival Times
Regarding proper flight arrival times, please make reservations to arrive at the Colorado Springs Airport (COS) on the first Sunday of your session between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM (check-in hours on campus are from noon to 5 PM.) If arriving earlier or later at the airport, students may have to wait longer for a shuttle. If your flight is delayed or if you arrive after 5:00 PM, please call the front desk at 719-685-2866.
Departure Times
Regarding departures, please make arrangements to depart on the morning of the second Friday of the session by 10:00 am. (Shuttle service will be provided on this day with shuttles departing Summit at 4:00 AM, 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM, and 10:00 AM)
Airport Shuttle to Manitou Springs
Summit Ministries can only provide transportation to and from the Colorado Springs Airport or the Colorado College campus in downtown Colorado Springs. For those flying into DIA, we recommend this shuttle service to arrange travel from DIA to the Colorado College campus in downtown Colorado Springs. Summit can only pick up students from this drop off point or the Colorado Springs airport. Please specify your travel plans in the Ride tab of your application. Summit will provide shuttles to and from the Colorado Springs Airport or the Colorado College Campus to the Summit hotel between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM on the first day of your session (Sunday).
Flight Discounts
United Airlines
Discount code: ZQQR816869 or click on this Discount code link
CO Conferences: DEN and COS for the following dates: May 8 – September 1, 2025
GA Conferences: ATL and CHA for the following dates: June 19 – August 5, 2025
Delta Airlines
Please click here to book your flights.
CO Conferences: DEN and COS for the following dates: April 29 to September 3, 2025
GA Conferences: ATL and CHA for the following dates: June 17-August 7, 2025
Southwest Airlines
- You must book through this link: https://www.swabiz.com/
- Use Summit’s company ID Number:
- Enter your personal Southwest Rapid Rewards number/username and password (so that you get points for yourself!)
Driving Information
Thinking of driving to Manitou Springs? We wish we could offer that as an easy option, but we don’t have any onsite parking for students attending a session.
Activities
Don’t worry, a Summit conference is not all work! There will also be a wide range of fun (optional) activities for you to choose from.
Students will sign up and pay for activities during the conference. This is so that every student has an equal opportunity to sign up and so the students can coordinate sign-ups with any new friends they might make during the session. Additionally, our conference is not set up to accept cash payments, so students will need a card in-person to pay for activities. A debit/credit card works best, but something like a Visa gift card will also work.
- White Water Rafting – Optional
- Rock Climbing – Optional
- Ziplining – Optional
- Outdoor Laser Tag – Optional
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Optional
- Hiking Pikes Peak – Optional
- Garden of the Gods – All Students
- Park Days are 2-3 afternoons per week – All Students
First Friday Afternoon
Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon
The cliffs that wall Red Rock Canyon’s flanks form a marvelous climbing area. The largest rock climbing park in the Pike’s Peak region, Red Rock Canyon contains over 100 routes that are similar to those in neighboring Garden of the Gods to the north. Shoes and harness included. Limit: 40 students
Middle Sunday
We will leave the Summit hotel at 6:00 AM and drive about 45 minutes to the trailhead at The Crags, where we’ll ascend and conquer Devil’s Playground! The trail climbs 6.3 miles up the “backside” of Pikes Peak, ascending 4,200 vertical feet to an altitude of 14,110 feet at the summit! It takes 3–4 hours to hike and Summit vans will wait at the top to shuttle hikers back down. The Pikes Peak hike is operated under a special use permit from the Pike National Forest. Limit: 37 students
Noah’s Ark have been ministry leaders in the white water rafting industry since 1983. Get ready for a 10 mile trip down the Arkansas River. Rapids are mostly class 2 and 3. If you want to see and enjoy Colorado, this activity is for you! Limit: 80 students
Outdoor Rock Climbing at Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods, one of Colorado Springs’ city parks, is a marvel to behold. Rock climbing is offered for all skill levels. 4-5 hours. Shoes and harness included. Limit: 10 students
This is a natural terrain zipline course using cliffs and steep wooded forest for launch and landing zones. No artificial platforms. This is an extreme activity at over 6500 feet in elevation. The ziplines range in length from 225′ to 650′ in length. The highest line is 100′ above the canyon floor. This is the real deal, You won’t be disappointed! Limit: 24 students
Second Tuesday
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is about sharing the wonders of the natural world with kids of all ages and providing memories for a lifetime at America’s mountain Zoo. Named #4 Best Zoo in North America by USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, you’re in for way more than just watching. Limit: 40
Lasertag at Battlefield Colorado
Colorado’s first and only OUTDOOR Laser Tag Adventure Park! The Urban Adventure Battlefield is located right in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs. It takes up a whole city block, with 3 acres and six buildings, for a combined indoor/outdoor urban feel, just like the video games! Limit: 30 students
Second Thursday Afternoon
At the Focus headquarters you can see the radio broadcast taping room, bookstore, and Visitor Center, including Whit’s End and a 3-story slide. Limit: 25 students
Campus Information
What to Wear
The way we dress is a reflection of our personality, culture, and background. At Summit, we encourage individual expression and creativity. However, we also have found that the following guidelines help set an atmosphere of respect for all of our faculty, staff, and fellow students.
Shirts and tops
- Please do not wear halter tops, spaghetti straps, or tops that show midriff or cleavage
- Please make sure all undergarments are covered
- Please only wear clothes without offensive words and images
Shorts & pants
- Shorts are welcome as long as they have at least a 4-inch inseam
- Dresses or skirts must fall no shorter than 4-inches above the knee
Helpful suggestions
- Classroom: bring casual or dress casual clothes acceptable for an educational setting
- Recreation time: make sure to bring shorts, t-shirts, and a swimsuit for outdoor activities
- Swimwear: Men please wear swim shorts, and women please wear a one-piece or two-piece swimsuit that covers your midsection and cleavage
- Graduation: wear semi-formal clothes (i.e. khakis, ties, blazers, dresses)
What to Pack
- Bible and devotional materials
- Layers of clothing – Colorado temperatures tend to fluctuate being cold in the mornings, but very warm by the afternoon
- Classroom and graduation attire
- Sports clothes
- Closed-toed shoes for some of our activities
- Personal ID & copy of your insurance card
- Hat and sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Toiletries
- Instruments (optional)
- Laundry detergent
- Rain Jacket
Summit is a “cashless program.” Please bring a credit, debit, or VISA gift card to pay for activities, books, apparel, and other incidentals. $50-$100 is recommended for bookstore purchases. $100-150 is recommended for optional off-site activities.
What to Leave at Home
- Weapons of any kind
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Vaping and marijuana products
- Valuables
- Laptop — A notebook will be provided so we ask that you leave your personal computers at home
- Towels and Bedding (Summit will provide these at our Colorado location)
Where You Will Sleep
Communication & Technology
Cellphones are permitted, though no texting or talking is allowed during classroom time. We also have an 11 pm curfew, so no use of phones is permitted after curfew.
To receive letters or boxes while at Summit, use the following address:
C/O Summit Ministries
935 Osage Ave.
Manitou Springs, CO 80829
Pre-purchase a care package from our friends at Christian Care Box!
Food Allergies
Our Summit Ministries Kitchen Staff can accommodate most food allergies including gluten, dairy, soy, and nuts. Please contact us if you have special dietary needs. While we are able to accommodate most nut allergies, please be advised that this is a peanut-friendly facility. Individuals with severe peanut allergies should exercise caution.
Laundry
Laundry facilities are available in the Summit Hotel. Washers and dryers are coin-operated so please bring quarters for the machines. Laundry detergent is available for $2 at the front desk.
The Program Director of Summit reserves the right to dismiss any student whose influence and/or conduct is detrimental to the other students’ best interest. No refund will be made for absences, dismissals, or withdrawals before the end of your session, except in cases on doctor’s orders, in which the remaining tuition may be refunded.
If you need to contact staff on-site, call 719-685-2866 to connect directly with our team.
Have more questions?
Use the chat feature in the bottom right corner of this page to chat with the Summit team.