Sheridan Arts Foundation: Mini Wild West Fest, 8-2/8/4

Sheridan Arts Foundation: Mini Wild West Fest, 8-2/8/4

After 25 years hosting underserved youth in Telluride for a week of empowering activities, the Sheridan Arts Foundation hosts a mini Wild West Fest Tuesday, Aug. 2- Thursday, August4, 2016.

Wild West Fest

Thirteen kids ages 11-14 will spend two nights in luxury accommodations courtesy of Telluride Alpine Lodging. They will explore Telluride as well as participate in activities designed to build self-esteem and prioritize each child’s personal and individual needs to ensure a positive learning experience so all youth return home with a greater sense of self-confidence, personal awareness and a firm grasp on some new skills.

This year’s WWF participants include West End kids from Nucla/Naturita and seven local kids who are involved with One to One San Miguel Mentoring Program.

“I’m really excited to have kids from Telluride this year, as the August dates don’t interfere with the Telluride school schedule,” said WWF Director Maggie Stevens. “We’re also excited to bring kids from our extended ‘neighborhood’ of Nucla and Naturita.” 

The Sheridan Arts Foundation’s goal with Wild West Fest is to give each child a fun camp experience, help him or her gain a better sense of self and create a safe space for them to take positive risks to increase self-confidence.

This year’s mini Wild West Fest will include theater games with the SAF Young People’s Theater Artistic Director Allie Scherich, a hike to Cornet Creek, visits to the Telluride Historical Museum, Mountain Village Gravity Play, and Sunset Concert Series, ghost stories and movie night at the Sheridan Opera House, and flyfishing.

“I hope Wild West Fest reminds these kids that they are valued members of society and capable of great things,” Stevens said.

This year’s annual Wild West Fest was downsized due to Sheridan Opera House construction and the SAF will celebrate WWF’s 25th anniversary June 5-10, 2017.

The Sheridan Arts Foundation, the 501(c)(3) non-profit that owns and runs the historic Sheridan Opera House, prides itself in covering all expenses for the Boys & Girls Clubs (except for travel), and the organization pulls it off thanks to the generous support of child sponsors. A generous contribution of $1,000 allows one child to participate in the Wild West Fest in its entirety. 

This year’s Wild West Fest also received additional funding from the Peyback Foundation, established in 1999 by Denver Broncos Quarterback Peyton Manning to impact at-risk youth through its grants and programs in Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana and Tennessee. 

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