Dunton River Camp | Every Stay Gives Back

YOUR POSITIVE IMPACT

Total Positive Impact To Date | Membership Since June 2023

$ 10

provides 32 people laundry soap to wash a load of clothes at a shelter

100 %

donated to The Bridge Shelter

$ 1

dollars per night funds The Bridge Shelter

Charity Mission

To provide a seasonal shelter as well as opportunities for Day Labor and Transitional Housing for adults seeking greater independence. Their aim is to create a space for civility, community, and hope.

 

Why is it important?

Over the years, the Bridge Shelter has helped many people become more sustainable and lead more self-sufficient lives. The Bridge Shelter is vital to the transitional housing community of Cortez, CO, as it serves as an essential intermediary step for individuals moving from homelessness to permanent housing. It provides a structured environment where residents can access critical resources, including case management, job training, mental health services, and substance abuse counseling. These services are tailored to help individuals address underlying issues contributing to their housing instability, thereby increasing their chances of successful long-term reintegration into the community. By offering stability and support during this transitional period, the Bridge Shelter reduces the immediate burden on emergency services and fosters a sense of hope and progress for its residents. This holistic approach ensures that individuals are better prepared for independent living, contributing to the overall health and stability of the broader community. In short, they save lives! 

How do they do it?

In terms of transitional housing, The Bridge facility offers 12 transitional apartments, one of which is ADA-compliant. These apartments are meant to house formerly homeless adults and most get into the apartment units after staying in the shelter for a period of time. A verifiable income source is needed to live in the apartments. While costs vary according to income, the costs per person are very affordable. Many people will pay under $200 a month for a furnished apartment. Apartments are shared, and each person gets an individual lease for six months, renewable as long as they comply with expectations. No one gets to live permanently in transitional housing. Renters are encouraged to start looking beyond the Bridge when they enter transitional housing.

When day labor and other work requests come into the administration phone, they will be posted on a bulletin board for those living in the transitional housing apartments. Those not already working and with the appropriate skill set can contact the person needing short-term labor to make arrangements. It is not very likely that a call coming in can be filled on the same day as the call is received. As funds allow, people living in the transitional apartments or staying at the shelter can apply for a limited number of salary-supported positions in the community. A portion of their hourly wages would be reimbursed to employers, and staff would support both employer and employee in ensuring a successful match.

How you can #TravelKindly:

  • Reserve a stay at Dunton River Camp in Dunton, CO, where every stay gives back. Each stay includes a donation to The Bridge Shelter. Reserve Now.
  • The Bridge utilizes volunteers to serve dinner to their guests in the evening along with groundskeeping and other maintenance needs, the shelter is open daily seasonally from 6 pm-7 am. 
  • Explore the myriad of ways to volunteer your services and time to help The Bridge. Their specific needs include office work such as mailing and filing, Leading life enhancement opportunities and teaching classes, Helping with evening shelter shifts, and Creative endeavors such as helping create newsletters, posters, and flyers. The full slate of opportunities and a brief questionnaire can be found here.
     

About Dunton River Camp

Dunton River Camp, set along the tranquil Dolores River in Colorado, offers a luxurious seasonal glamping experience that seamlessly blends rugged nature with refined comfort. This former cattle ranch dates back to the late 1800s, with the farmhouse sitting in its original location about 20 feet from the West Fork of the Dolores River. It showcases approximately 500 acres of peaceful fields, meadows, and forests, providing endless opportunities for exploring and adventure.

The resort features eight spacious, well-appointed canvas tents, each outfitted with king-size beds, cozy wood-burning stoves, and en-suite bathrooms with soaking tubs and showers. Each tent boasts a private porch with breathtaking views of the river or the surrounding alpine meadows, which still is used for free range cattle grazing. The main lodge, a beautifully restored farmhouse, serves as the social hub, where guests can enjoy gourmet meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients, relax in the comfortable lounge, or sip cocktails by the roaring fire. Outside, adventure awaits with activities like fly fishing, hiking, and horseback riding, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the pristine natural surroundings while enjoying the highest level of “glampitude.” Book directly with Dunton River Camp and positively impact the local community with The Bridge Shelter.  

Learn more about the partners

Dunton River Camp The Bridge Shelter

Learn more about Kind Traveler's Every Stay Gives Back community impact program