From the prairie to the mountains: Two families pilgrimage to the Lord

The journey covered over 580 miles, beginning in the valley and prairie of North Dakota, ending at the heights. The trip was over thirteen hours of driving, with countless stops for bathroom breaks, snack distributions, and seating rearrangements to stymie sibling squabbles. 

The distance alone is enough to dissuade many, but what drove two families from the Diocese of Fargo to make this trip, with multiple children of various ages to boot? The short answer, to get away on retreat and encounter the Lord in the heights. 

In a mysterious way, God seems to speak most clearly to his chosen ones on mountain tops. Moses climbed Sinai to converse with God and receive the Ten Commandments; Elijah ascended Mount Horeb to hear the still small voice of God; even the Lord himself went away on a mountaintop to pray with his Father. For many, God still speaks more clearly on the heights, where heaven and earth are closest in a silent and perpetual embrace. 

Making the pilgrimage were the Gow family from Valley City and the Hanson family from Hankinson. The destination for these families was Annunciation Heights, a camp just outside Estes Park, Colorado. A continuation of Camp St. Malo, a youth camp started by the Archdiocese of Denver over a century ago, Annunciation Heights carries on the heritage of leading youth and families into an encounter with God through the beauty of nature. Every year, the camp hosts multiple camps geared towards youth and families, welcoming them into the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and inviting them to grow through adventures like high ropes and low ropes courses, zip lining, and more. Woven throughout these outdoor excursions are core elements of Catholic culture, including Daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. 

“We wanted to go on a retreat as a family, and we also had a desire to be in the mountains,” said Josh and Jackie Gow. “We stumbled across this camp and went for the first time last year. It had all the adventures you would expect in a youth camp, but we got to share in those adventures with our children. Integrated into all of this was our Catholic faith. We had such a wonderful time that we wanted to go back and bring other families to share in the experience.” 

“We wanted community with other Catholics and to build our family relationships,” commented Heather Hanson. “I was also attracted by the fact that each family receives the help of one or two counselors during the camp, freeing my husband and me for prayer, time together, and adult fellowship.” 

The camp certainly met these expectations for the families, and so much more. As they reflect on their experience, both the Gows and Hansons recognized tremendous graces received from camp.  

Heather Hanson recalls, “Camp was fruitful for me personally, for our marriage, and for our family as a whole. I pushed myself to do something completely out-of-character and braved the 1,000-foot zip line. My husband had a deep encounter with Jesus at Adoration. We learned more about our 9-year old’s personality as she tackled the high ropes course fearlessly! Family affirmation was poignant. So was family reconciliation, where we saw relationship healing.” 

“We loved watching the kids push themselves to grow and do something outside their comfort zones,” the Gows noted. “Being in the mountains and outdoors was a wonderful blessing; it was peaceful and restorative for everyone.” 

As they return to the prairies from the heights, the Gow and Hanson families offer an invitation to all families who are interested in the experience of Family Camp at Annunciation Heights. 

“If you think you might be interested, pray and seriously consider it. And contact us—we’d love to go at the same time, if possible,” commented the Hansons. “It is quite a pilgrimage, but if he is calling you ‘to the heights,’ the rewards will far outweigh the cost. So as the Lord spoke to my husband at Adoration, and as I learned on the zip line, do not be afraid!” 

“Pray about it,” added the Gows. “If you go, it will really transform your family, and it will be a wonderful experience for everyone. If you are looking for a wonderful Christmas gift for someone you love, consider this as a gift that can transform their family.” 

For these families, the camp provided all they hoped for and more. They came hoping to encounter the Lord, and they left renewed, encouraged, and forever changed as they continue to live as Christians in the world. For them, the pilgrimage was well worth the effort. Will you consider making the pilgrimage next year, to go away to the heights to be with the Lord? 

For more information about Annunciation Heights, go to www.annunciationheights.org. If you are interested in coordinating going to camp with other local families, send an email to us at [email protected].