Goal-setting and positive reinforcement are extremely important aspects of the La Junta Experience. A positive staff is very effective in encouraging those behaviors which are most desirable, and an elaborate system of awards offers every camper realistic goals which may be attained during their stay at La Junta. Our awards are varied in skill and importance and made well worth the effort and attention required to succeed.

Some very special Camp La Junta awards are presented at the closing ceremonies to the most the outstanding campers for the term. In addition to the "All-around Cowboy" chosen from among the Rough Riders and a new "Chief of the Black Eagles", the recipients of the Sportsmanship Awards for each of the age divisions are announced. While the All Around and Chief receive Silver Avery Belt Buckles, a custom made La Junta Bronc Trophy is presented by the camp director to the five campers who best and most consistently exhibit the attributes and traits of excellent sportsmanship and good citizenship.

Daily, two outstanding campers are selected "Cowboy of the Day" and "Shotgun of the Day". Together they handle the flag raising and lowering ceremonies, and each leads a mealtime prayer. After the daily rest period, the Cowboy of the Day saddles a horse from the La Junta string and delivers the mail on horseback to each cabin.

A Hunter Safety Trip, all day ranch trip and roundup, twelve mile canoe trip, late night rabbit hunt, a Ghost Dancer ceremony, a Camp Craft survivalists trip and an orienteering trip are all available rewards for term wide effort in activities. Each week, a manners award is presented in each cabin and winners eat homemade pizza while their cabinmates look on and eat leftovers.

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On closing day, each camper receives awards and recognition for events and activities in which he took part. A traditional "Awards Plaque" is presented to each boy along with his patches and other awards. This framed plaque contains a photograph of himself and of his entire cabin group...a lasting memory of the La Junta Experience.

At La Junta, much effort is put into providing an attainable goal for each boy in every aspect of his camping. Although not every goal will be reached, much will be learned in their pursuit and successes ones will last a lifetime.