It's the People who make the Place

We realize that selecting high quality supervision for your child this summer is an important and likely difficult decision for you to make. We think that knowing who will be responsible for providing the supervision of your son is helpful in growing comfortable with our programs and philosophy.  There is no substitute for the knowledge and perspective that can be gained with experience. 

We are very proud of our experiences as directors as well as the dedication, training and passion of our summer staff.  The entire ownership and all directors live on the camp grounds, and are involved in the daily decisions, supervision and programming of the summer.  Our goal is to provide our summer staff with professional training before the kids arrive and exceptional support and supervision during each term.

Please don't hesitate to call any of us for personal conversation.

Lawrence L. "Larry" Graham - Past Owner - Director Emeritus - over 50 Years in the CLJ Family Larry first attended Camp La Junta in 1948 while his father, Luther Graham, was running the camps' ranch services. Upon receiving an appointment to attend the Naval Academy, where he played varsity football and pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering, he left camping for ten years. After serving with the Navy Seals in active duty, and living three years in the Amazon River Basin designing and building jungle hospitals, Larry returned home in 1968 to take over for his father as Camp Director Always an adventurous spirit, Larry is responsible for many of the unique activity aspects of the current program as well as the philosophy at Camp La Junta program. His goal became the expansion of each boy's self-confidence through the exposure to and mastery of new and challenging activities. Through his innovative Advanced Camper program, he was able to bring the La Junta program to a conclusion that took an enhanced self-image and added self-reliance.

Blake and Cheryl Smith

Owners - Camp Director, Business Manager - 25 & 22 Years at CLJ  (blake@lajunta.com  ;  cheryl@lajunta.com  )

Blake joined the staff in 1982 as a Junior at San Antonio's Trinity University. After two summers as a Senior Counselor, Blake became full time Program Director in 1984. A dedicated camper, he is a past president of Texas' Camping Association for Mutual Progress (C.A.M.P.), community volunteer, School Board Member, Sunday School Teacher, youth Soccer Coach and Golfer.

Cheryl joined the La Junta family in 1985 as a Senior Counselor and Riding Instructor. After completing her degree at Trinity University she moved to Hunt and began to assume the daily operations of the office.  She is involved as a Community Volunteer, Sunday School Teacher, school volunteer  and aerobics & yoga  instructor.

They have two sons, Joshua, 14 and Benjamin, 11.

Together Blake and Cheryl have continued to nurture the important psychological aspects of the summer program.  They are pioneers in the camping industry for their open and thorough parent communications as well as their ability to weave the camp philosophy throughout every aspect of the La Junta program.

David Domingue

Owner - Asst. Director - 35 Years in the CLJ Family  ( dave@lajunta.com )

A former La Junta All Around Cowboy, David's La Junta Experience began as an eight-year-old camper in 1968. An experienced horseman and outdoorsman from Lake Charles, La., David has missed but one summer making the progression from camper to counselor to head of riding to assistant director in the process.  His major responsibilities include our string of horses, ranch and physical plant.  Locally Dave is involved as a Church Elder, youth leader,  community volunteer and fill in school bus driver!  

Dave's wife, Autumn, is a Christian educator in Kerrville. They have three children, Zachary, 17,  Halie,  15 and Luke 8.

David is not only responsible for keeping things running smoothly throughout the year, but he brings an important perspective of tradition to the program, staff and campers.  His life and career have embodied the ideals of camp and the success of personal camping experiences as well.

Equally Important:  Our Summer Staff:

Each summer La Junta hires about 60 of America's finest young people as Cabin Counselors and Activity Instructors. All of La Junta's program staff both live in the cabin's with the boys and teach an activity during the day. Our summer staff is comprised of college aged youth, past honor campers and recent graduates of La Junta's innovative and thorough Counselor in Training program.

La Junta staff are selected for their interest in young people, skill, maturity, common sense and ability as a role model. Each summer they are asked to keep each boy's safety and success as their primary priorities.  Regardless of previous experience, all take part in an extensive pre-camp training program to learn not only the ins and outs of the La Junta program, but the important skills necessary to work successfully with today's youth.  While here for the positive impact they will make on lives, they are also "expected" to have fun! 

Many of La Junta's counselor staff have more than 10 years of camp experience, thus helping us maintain important traditions and allowing us to build on previous successes.  As campers return for multiple summers, they can expect to see many familiar faces as La Junta traditionally boasts a 60% staff return rate - very high when you consider college graduation and similar factors.

We'd Be Honored

to Host Your Son this Summer!

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