| Last updated on February 29, 2008 |
In a world which need compassion, tolerance, and love, the La Foret Conference & Retreat Center is committed to...
...nuturing the spirit,
...connecting people with one another,
....refreshing the weary, and
...inspiring healthy and confident future generations.
Description:
Our primary focus is to provide a haven that will cultivate the program needs of all groups that come to La Foret. We provide a safe and nurturing environment for outdoor ministry and education, allowing for risk, exploration and learning for all people. The environment encourages people in the areas of educational activity, spiritual renewal and opportunities for outreach. We are open to all children, youth, individuals, and families of United Church of Christ, as well as those of other denominations, educational and nonprofit organizations who seek to share in this experience of transformation and discovery.
As we move forward our goal is to meet the needs of our growing and changing community by partnering with other agencies to bring additional opportunities to Colorado Springs without duplicating services. We have developed a great partnership with the Fine Arts Center with which we ran a Fine Arts Day Camp and will begin running year round arts programs here at La Foret. We are also working with other non-profits to bring new and exciting programs to Colorado Springs while preserving the rich history of La Foret.
History:
Our history begins in 1927 with Alice Bemis Taylor a philanthropist in the early part of the 20th century who presented the city with two of its most venerable landmarks, the Day Nursery and the Fine Arts Center. Mrs. Taylor acquired 500 acres in the Black Forest and commissioned Jacques Benedict to design “Ponderosa” the main log house of La Foret which was built in 1928. Alice’s husband passed away prior to the completion of La Foret so built the Taylor Memorial Chapel dedicated to the memory of her late husband. The Chapel is a gem in Spanish mission style designed by John Gaw Meem (Fine Arts Center) with interior artwork by Eugenie Shonnard. La Foret was a place for Alice to enjoy nature, stable and ride her horses and entertain special friends. It also served as a summer camp for young artists-in-residence. The Chapel is on the National Historic Register and Ponderosa as well as some of the other original buildings are is the process of being placed on the register. Alice Bemis Taylor’s Trust gifted La Foret to the Rocky Mountain Conference United Church of Christ (RMC UCC) in 1944 to run as a camp. Recently we learned we have indicators (medicine and prayer trees) the Ute Indians spent time on our beautiful grounds. This is yet another reason we will continue our efforts to preserve the current open space that is La Foret Conference and Retreat Center.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (719) 495-9016
Address:
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6145 Shoup Rd
Colorado Springs, CO 80908
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.laforet.org
Directions:
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I-25 to Interquest exit. Follow rt 83 to Shoup Rd. Take a right on Shoup and follow to La Foret entrance (Large sign on right). For a map go to www.laforet.org
Nearest Bus Stop: n/a, n/a minute walk |
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