A Place Where God Changes Hearts: Denver Catholic Community Rallies Behind Annunciation Heights Summer Camp
- André Escaleira, Jr.
- 19 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The camp’s inaugural fundraising gala surpassed expectations, with supporters investing in faith-filled experiences for youth and families in the beauty of the Rockies.
One Rocky Mountain Catholic summer camp is taking people to the heights this summer, especially with the resounding support of the Denver Catholic community, which gathered May 9 for To The Heights of Beauty, the first gala in support of Annunciation Heights.
Raising well above their goal through the first annual fundraising event, the missionaries and staff of Annunciation Heights couldn’t help but feel profound gratitude and deep joy.
For Luke Hlavin, the camp’s longtime director of operations and one of the event’s emcees, the event was as moving as it was historic.
“To The Heights of Beauty was an absolute joy. It was our first time ever emceeing an event like that, and we got a lot of feedback saying how authentic it felt for guests, having camp staff emceeing,” he told the Denver Catholic. “We were shocked by the generosity that was shown. We didn’t know how to respond to the staggering generosity shown to support our mission, especially as people answered the call to fund concrete needs at camp. To see that generosity at play was a real gift.”
“We’re blown away and truly humbled by the generosity shown at To The Heights of Beauty this year,” said Callie Platte, the archdiocesan camp’s director of mission advancement, who planned the event. “This is God’s mission — to bring people out of their comfort zones and into transformative encounter with him — and through our generous mission partners, he’s bringing it to the heights. We’re so grateful.”
(Photos courtesy of Annunciation Heights)
Funds raised at To The Heights of Beauty will go to support the mission of Annunciation Heights, “to be a place of transformative encounter with Jesus Christ so that those we serve may live life fully for the glory of the Father.” That mission was on full display at the fundraising event — most powerfully in one of the evening’s testimonies from a missionary alumnus of the Altum Institute, Annunciation Heights’ missionary program.
“My experience as a missionary shaped the trajectory of my life, my vocation and my current ministry at Lourdes,” Jack Staib shared with those gathered. “Thank you for your support of Annunciation Heights. Your support allows camp to continue to be that place that takes people out of their everyday routines and brings them into an encounter with God.”
With the gracious support for their “experiences of authentic connection immersed in the beauty of God’s creation,” Annunciation Heights is uniquely poised to begin a summer of camp like no other — with record-breaking registration on top of it all. Summer 2026 at Annunciation Heights will be one not to be missed, and families are invited to register their children soon.
But for now, Annunciation Heights missionaries, staff and supporters are filled with gratitude for the heavenly nook nestled in the Rocky Mountains, at which God speaks to hearts and transforms lives.
“Annunciation Heights will always have a special place in my heart, as the place where I encountered God more deeply, where I met my husband and where I witnessed souls change and hearts open,” Platte concluded. “Thank you to all who support us to make this possible, at To The Heights of Beauty and every day! We hope to see you at the Heights this summer and beyond!”
