The Navigators make a bold claim about Glen Eyrie, calling their historic home “the most awe-inspiring location in Colorado Springs.”
Every year, about 60,000 people visit the Glen, near Garden of the Gods, for its “soul-stirring views,” photograph its herd of bighorn sheep and flock of wild turkeys, go to its bookstore and coffee shop, or just enjoy the quiet seclusion it offers just moments from I-25.
But many locals don’t know they can get a free weekday pass to drive through Glen Eyrie, the former home of Colorado Springs founder, Gen. William Jackson Palmer, or can sleep overnight in Palmer’s elegant castle, or hold meetings there, as the Salvation Army has done for decades.
The Navigators are one of three major Springs-based international ministries that welcome guests to their facilities for tours or other activities.
Compassion International offers a stark contrast with Palmer’s luxurious castle. Its tour features a replica of a home similar to those inhabited by some of impoverished children it helps around the world.
And in the past three decades, 6 million people have visited Focus on the Family’s elaborate Visitor’s Center, which features a kids play area and numerous attractions. Visitors who plan ahead may be able to attend a taping of a Focus radio broadcast.
All three ministries provide a wealth of information about their offerings on their websites, and all encourage visitors to schedule visits ahead of time.
All also warn that ministry priorities might make some facilities temporarily inaccessible to guests.
Historical tours and teas
The Navigators is a $159 million international ministry devoted to evangelism (introducing people to Jesus) and discipleship (helping Christians grow). It was founded 91 years ago.
The Navigators bought Glen Eyrie in 1953 after evangelist Billy Graham declined to make the site the home of his ministry. Navigators originally used the facility as a training center for its national and global missionaries, but most of that training now happens elsewhere, meaning other groups can enjoy the facilities.
Ministry spokesman Brett Clark says guests include church groups, students from colleges and public schools, nature lovers and hikers, history buffs, tranquility seekers and ministry donors.
Daily guided historical tours led by a crew of 30 volunteer tour guides cover the Glen, Palmer’s history in Colorado Springs, and the ministry that now owns it.
Guests can also reserve spots for an afternoon English tea, and overnight guests can access beautiful hiking trails.
“We consider ourselves stewards of General Palmer’s former home, and we want to be good stewards,” said Clark, who got connected with the Navigators in college and has worked with them for the past three decades.
“Even though it is not easy to maintain an old castle, we do our best,” he says. “We love to tell our story.”
Revenue from tours and overnight stays helps offset the costs of upkeep.
You can find information and make reservations at gleneyrie.org or by calling 719-265-7050.
Family-friendly offerings
Focus on the Family is a $133 nonprofit founded in 1977. The ministry relocated to the Springs in 1991 and in 1994 opened its Welcome Center, which offers a host of family-friendly options, including a Kids’ Korner play area, Whit’s End Soda Shoppe, a puppet stage and reading area, a Narnia Adventure Room based on C.S. Lewis’ children’s books, a bookstore and a coffee shop.
Focus offers weekday guided and self-guided tours of its facilities that include a 10-minute film. Its welcome center has two free birthday rooms parents can reserve for kids’ parties.
Focus declined to answer questions for this article.
You can find information and make reservations at focusonthefamily.com or by calling 719-531–3400.
Focus on children
Compassion International is an $1.2 billion ministry that helps more than 2 million impoverished children and their families in 29 countries by partnering with churches and Christian denominations. Founded in 1952, it relocated here from Chicago in 1980.
Compassion has up to 1,000 visitors a year for its hour-long guided tours hosted by local volunteers.
“We want this to be a place where the community can see what we do and how we impact the lives of kids,” said Jenn Gilbert, a volunteer manager.
Guests take a walking tour and see a video that explain Compassion’s early history in South Korea and subsequent growth, its philosophy of child development, its child sponsorship and other programs, and its commitment to financial integrity.
Guests get to see two replicas that show how its work is done around the world. One replica shows a typical child’s home, while the other shows a Compassion ministry center in another country, often a church-based school.
You can find information and make reservations at compassion.com or by calling 800-336-7676.
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