Faith-based rodeo camp draws participants from across Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada

It's common to see dust kicked up from a tractor at Island Grove Regional Park. Steers, calves and goats typically complete the scene. It's not an everyday occurrence for campers to be camped out under the stars there like real cowboys.

On Tuesday, 48 participants ranging in age from 8-18 checked in for four days of Rodeo Bible Camp, now in its 17th year.

Attendees received one-on-one instruction from professionals in the rodeo circuit and devotion time with team leaders -- adults knowledgeable about the Bible. There were discussions about faith and a one hour worship before lunch each day.

Sara Bishop, 13, arrived for her second time at camp, where she loves riding her horse, Stoker. Bishop can get one-on-one help with riding and barrels and poles.

"I'm able to gain knowledge in everything and learn that it's OK to make mistakes and lean on God," Bishop said.

<strong>PERFORMING RODEO SKILLS</strong> At 9 a.m. on Friday all participants will show off the skills they've learned in a rodeo. Group pictures, awards, chapel and a baptism will happen. The public is invited to attend.

Katie Schmidt, a student at Larimie County Community College in Wyoming, is in her seventh year at the camp -- five as a camper and two as an instructor, said the camp was a blessing.

"I'm just plum-tickled to be able to come back and help give back to the camp," Schmidt said. "It's spiritually revitalizing."

Professional bareback rider Heath Ford is familiar with the camp. For 10 years, the camp was held at his parents' home southwest of Kersey. This is the second year for the camp at Island Grove.

Ford, a National Final Rodeo qualifier, participated in the camp and he's now returned as an instructor. "Somebody had to teach me, so it's nice to be able to return the favor."

As a professional athlete, "you can get caught up in what's going on around you. You can serve God and still be a successful professional athlete," Ford said.

Curt Piper of Kersey is the director of the Rodeo Bible Camp and president of the Northern Front Range Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys. "Our No. 1 priority is the Lord. Rodeo skills are an added bonus."

The camp costs $200 but no one is turned away because of finances. Of the 48 participants this year, 18 are on scholarship.

Clinics are about two hours in length. Participants choose one event to focus on for the duration of the camp. Students may choose from bull riding, saddle riding, bareback riding, breakaway roping, team roping, trick roping, barrel and poles or horsemanship.