Best Campground 2005 | Halfmoon Campground | Best of Denver® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver | Westword
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Halfmoon Campground

The debate about the perfect campground has probably raged in these parts since Og the Magnificent conked Thorg the Stupid with a saber-toothed tiger jaw during a heated debate. About ten miles southwest of Leadville lies a 22-site gem that can stand the test of even Og's debate. Located on Halfmoon Creek and nestled at the base of Colorado's highest peaks, Halfmoon Campground is truly a place to rediscover the reason Coleman makes so much camping gear. They don't take reservations, so it can be a gamble on weekends, but odds are you'll find a space at Halfmoon. And maybe a bit of a tiger jaw.

Best Summer Camp -- Outdoor

The Urban Farm

A non-profit venture located along the Sand Creek Greenway at Stapleton, the Urban Farm makes its greatest mark during the school year, when hundreds of kids of all ages pass through its gates to do everything from milk a goat to develop a breeding program for the whole herd. But the farm also supports year-round 4-H and equestrian programs, geared especially toward city kids who otherwise wouldn't necessarily have the opportunity to be around animals. Kids in need of a little horse sense but not lucky enough to attend a school that takes advantage of the facility can test the waters during the farm's summer horsemanship education program, which offers week-long and summer-length classes for all abilities. The program's price and heart are in the right place, too, so what are you waiting for? Saddle up!

Best Summer Camp -- Outdoor

The Urban Farm

A non-profit venture located along the Sand Creek Greenway at Stapleton, the Urban Farm makes its greatest mark during the school year, when hundreds of kids of all ages pass through its gates to do everything from milk a goat to develop a breeding program for the whole herd. But the farm also supports year-round 4-H and equestrian programs, geared especially toward city kids who otherwise wouldn't necessarily have the opportunity to be around animals. Kids in need of a little horse sense but not lucky enough to attend a school that takes advantage of the facility can test the waters during the farm's summer horsemanship education program, which offers week-long and summer-length classes for all abilities. The program's price and heart are in the right place, too, so what are you waiting for? Saddle up!

Best Summer Camp -- Indoor

Bits, Bytes & Bots

It goes without saying that the Marx Brothers know just what makes kids tick. Oh, not those zany vaudevillian siblings of old: We're talking about Tom and Rick Marx, local look-alike brothers with backgrounds in teaching and software development who together founded what is truly a playground for geeks in training. Bits, Bytes & Bots offers year-round classes, drop-in activities and science-inspired pizza parties during which youngsters can create working Lego robots, make movies, or just get a leg up on new technology. The concept is a modern-day natural for summer camp, an openly educational cure for kids who just want to spend their vacation twiddling an Xbox in the den. Start lining up now.

Best Summer Camp -- Indoor

Bits, Bytes & Bots

It goes without saying that the Marx Brothers know just what makes kids tick. Oh, not those zany vaudevillian siblings of old: We're talking about Tom and Rick Marx, local look-alike brothers with backgrounds in teaching and software development who together founded what is truly a playground for geeks in training. Bits, Bytes & Bots offers year-round classes, drop-in activities and science-inspired pizza parties during which youngsters can create working Lego robots, make movies, or just get a leg up on new technology. The concept is a modern-day natural for summer camp, an openly educational cure for kids who just want to spend their vacation twiddling an Xbox in the den. Start lining up now.

Best Place for Young Hoops Hotshots

Pryor Orser's Basketball Camps

Colorado School of Mines men's basketball coach Pryor Orser doesn't get a lot of press, even though his Orediggers play solid hoops and upset the then-number-one-ranked Metro State Roadrunners this past season. But Orser, who can't rely on getting monster players at what's called the "School of Minds," does make use of all-star gunners such as Stephen Bahl. During the summers, emerging Carmelos can learn the fine art of firing the rock during Orser's summer camps. Don't expect your kids to learn to showboat and ball-hog, though: Orser is a firm believer in teamwork and the fundamentals.

Best Place for Young Hoops Hotshots

Pryor Orser's Basketball Camps

Colorado School of Mines men's basketball coach Pryor Orser doesn't get a lot of press, even though his Orediggers play solid hoops and upset the then-number-one-ranked Metro State Roadrunners this past season. But Orser, who can't rely on getting monster players at what's called the "School of Minds," does make use of all-star gunners such as Stephen Bahl. During the summers, emerging Carmelos can learn the fine art of firing the rock during Orser's summer camps. Don't expect your kids to learn to showboat and ball-hog, though: Orser is a firm believer in teamwork and the fundamentals.

Best Youth Basketball Organization

Gold Crown Foundation

Not long ago, ex-Nugget-turned-sportscaster Bill Hanzlik was even more excited than normal on TV: He announced that there were some 300 Gold Crown coaches at the Pepsi Center for a game with the Portland Trailblazers. The fact that there are 300 basketball coaches anywhere in this once-hoops-starved state is testimony to the boost that Gold Crown -- under CEO Hanzlik -- has given to the sport. In particular, the foundation has offered much needed support to middle-school teams left high and dry by shortsighted school districts. And unlike some lesser organizations, Gold Crown (which also backs other youth sports) always seems to get its enterprises right. This one's a slam dunk.

Best Youth Basketball Organization

Gold Crown Foundation

Not long ago, ex-Nugget-turned-sportscaster Bill Hanzlik was even more excited than normal on TV: He announced that there were some 300 Gold Crown coaches at the Pepsi Center for a game with the Portland Trailblazers. The fact that there are 300 basketball coaches anywhere in this once-hoops-starved state is testimony to the boost that Gold Crown -- under CEO Hanzlik -- has given to the sport. In particular, the foundation has offered much needed support to middle-school teams left high and dry by shortsighted school districts. And unlike some lesser organizations, Gold Crown (which also backs other youth sports) always seems to get its enterprises right. This one's a slam dunk.

Best Game Lock-In

Maximumgamer

Every other Friday, game fanatics seeking an unbridled go at Warcraft or Counter-Strike sign up to be locked in this facility from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. the next morning. Unless the computer combatants are over eighteen years old, they must stay inside the site, working away at one of the thirty PCs linked into a gaming server. Drinks are available, but many parents supply goodie bags, complete with an ocean of bottled water. It may not be everyone's cup of Red Bull, but for some, this is what pulling an all-nighter is all about.

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