City: Fountain, CO

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (719) 382-7575

Address: 8100 Bandley Dr.

Description: This KOA member site offers a number of different accommodations: RV sites, pull-throughs and back-ups, with different combinations of services available from water and electric to full service. Creek-front deluxe sites come with a patio table and chairs and barbecue grill. Tent sites also are available with tent pads and covers—or rent a cabin, available in 1 or 2 rooms. Cabins are not pet-friendly and you supply your own linens. Amenities are pretty much what you would expect from a KOA campground, such as a clean shower and laundry, and you’ll also find a full-line convenience store, kennels, and corrals. Services include free Wi-Fi and assistance in planning your activities once you arrive.

City: Fountain, CO

Category: Education

Telephone: (719) 382-1300

Address: 10665 Jimmy Camp Rd.

Description: This is one of the most diverse school populations in the district, and one of the most liquid in a long-term sense: about 70 percent of the student population is composed of military families. With the Army planning an increase in the troops stationed at Fort Carson over the next several years, the school district anticipates a significant number of new students. This growth from the current enrollment of 6,500 students should not be a burden as the district has the lowest school mill levy in El Paso County and has no bond indebtedness. Fountain-Fort Carson also has recently received several federal grants totaling over $3 million. These additional funds are planned for new opportunities and to extend existing programs, such as integrating new students in a more comprehensive way, offering extensive after-school options, and creating schools as community centers for both students and families. The district has eight elementary schools, two middle schools, a high school, and an alternative school. They were the first school district in Colorado to offer laptops to all high school students at registration. Gifted education is available, and each elementary school has both full- and half-day kindergartens. Extended learning provides before- and after-school group tutoring and enrichment programs. Teachers are trained in the latest researched‐based practices such as how to differentiate or individualize instruction for all students. Competitive interscholastic and intramural athletics are offered at the middle and high schools, and instrumental music and vocal music programs are available for grades 4–12. Child focus teams design specialized educational programming for students, and there are school‐wide character development programs. There are advanced courses available at the middle and high schools, and the district offers strong vocational training programs and partnerships with Pikes Peak Community College, CSU Pueblo, and the University of Colorado at Denver. There are summer learning opportunities for all grades, art and drama classes, world language classes for grades 9–12, and physical education at all elementary, middle, and high schools. In the most recent years, the school district scored above state levels on CSAPs in 20 out of 27 areas.