GENERAL

general camps

A CHOICE SUMMER Steve & Kate’s Camp puts kids in the driver’s seat by John Lehndorff

Danette Riehle would like to tell you what your kid’s day will be like at Steve & Kate’s Camp in Boulder, but she won’t know exactly until that day is over. At this camp, the campers are in charge. “At Steve & Kate’s we put kids in the position to decide what they want to do and how long they want to do it,” says Riehle, “SelfDirector” at Steve & Kate’s Camp at Manhattan School of Arts. The original Steve & Kate’s Camp opened in California in 1980, and now there are 38 locations nationwide.

Unlike summer camps scheduled with age-defined activities, Steve & Kate’s campers choose their fun from a broad menu. They can hang out in interest areas from the Arcade to the Media Lab, the Sewing Salon and the Bakery. They can head outside for sports or chill in the Library.

“For instance, say you want to sew something. We instruct about safety, but we don’t formally teach how to do any activity. We have pre-cut tank top and apron pieces, full-size sewing machines and instructions available on an iPad,” Riehle says.

Campers are encouraged to experiment and make mistakes. “They might end up sewing a pocket shut. We smile and problem-solve with them. It’s really up to the kids,” she says.

In the kitchen, there is pre-made dough the kids can shape and bake with various ingredients for a treat they can eat or take home.

Sometimes a chosen activity turns out to be less than captivating. “This isn’t school, so there art a lot of corrections along the way,” Riehle says. Some campers who are used to being micro-directed are challenged by freedom. “There are definitely children who are used to being instructed and are waiting on us. We’ll give them ideas, but mainly it’s: ‘Jump right in!’ The important thing is to get to know the children personally to help the ones that are a little hesitant,” Riehle says.

A day pass at the camp comes with lunch and multiple snacks (not to mention sunscreen). “Kids can basically eat what they want when they want. They order lunch in the morning, but they can change their mind,” she says.

Vegan, gluten-free pizza, salads and lunch specials such as pasta and burritos are available

in the Market. Campers can also stop in for whole fruit, yogurt tubes, crackers and frozen snacks.

A rolling lunch period minimizes interruptions to projects.

“When you treat kids like small adults and let them drive, power struggles go away. They always have choices. It almost eliminates behavior problems you sometimes have,” Riehle says.

Activities are not divided by age. Most of the campers at Steve & Kate’s Camp in Boulder are kindergarten through fourth grade. “After fifth grade, it starts to peter out as kids develop special interests. The older graders become mentors to the younger kids,” she says.

Steve & Kate’s Camp is famous for Pie Day, which is traditionally every Friday at camp. There are competitions with campers and staffers. The winners get to pie the losers in the face with non-dairy whipped cream with one caveat. “The campers always have to ask first — ‘Can I pie you?’ Some kids pie themselves, and of course everybody eats it,” Riehle says.

Making a mess is an intrinsic part of the day at this camp. Families send extra clothes along with the campers. “It’s messy, but fortunately, we have a water feature every day, so they get washed off. We have different outdoor activities set up. They love the three-lane bungee run, the Nerf day, and we have a great slip-‘n’-slide that’s a lot more fun than the old ones,” Riehle says.

Riehle has been an educator, sports coach and arts camp counselor. She’s also a mom. “I was particularly attracted to Steve & Kate’s because it’s so flexible. Some campers stay all summer. We see another child a couple of days. You can use a day pass any day the camp Campers at Steve & Kates Camp in Boulder are encouraged to structure their days by choosing their own activities.

C O U R T E S Y S T E V E & K A T E ’ S C A M P

COURTESY STEVE & KATE’S CAMP

is open. If a child is sick, you can use the pass another day. If you travel, you can use it at another camp,” she says.

That kind of flexibility for parents is highly unusual for summer camps, and the campers seem to like it, too.

“The biggest compliment we get is when we hear kids tell their parents, ‘Don’t pick me up until 6,’ when they arrive at camp at 7:30 a.m.,” Riehle says.

GENERAL DAY CAMPS H ADVENTURE DAYS SOUTH BOULDER OR JEFFERSON COUNTY 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG Adventure Days is the first step into a lifetime of being a confident, active outdoors girl. These camps are packed with hiking, rock climbing, art projects, games, nature awareness activities, as well as an optional overnight experience. For rising third through fifth grade girls. $500 for one of two sessions: June 1-5 and 8-12. All camps are five days, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., except Thursday, which is an optional overnight camping trip to Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Transportation is provided to and from the state park overnight. Monday through Wednesday will begin and end at the NCAR trailhead in Boulder. H ALAYA PRESCHOOL SUMMER DAY CAMPS BOULDER 303-449-5248 ALAYAPRESCHOOL.ORG Offeromh a rich, inviting and relaxed summer program to meet the needs of a variety of family situations. Our small groups and low adult-child ratios allow for individual attention and a comfortable environment of warmth and friendship. Each group is designed to provide an age-appropriate program of outdoor play, creative arts and crafts, nature lore, gardening, swimming, song and dance, dramatic play and social skills development. H ARVADA CENTER SUMMER ARTS CAMPS ARVADA 720-898-7200 ARVADACENTER.ORG These inspiring and creative camps offer experiences in ceramics, dance, drama, music, photography, visual arts and more for children ages 5-18, and ArtStart camps for campers 3-5 years old. Camps start Monday, June 1 and sessions vary from one to eight weeks. Camps times are typically from 9 a.m.-noon, and 1-4 p.m. through early August. Campers may also sign up for Lunch Bunch sessions from noon to 1 p.m. and/or After Camp sessions from 4-5 p.m. All sessions are taught by highly trained, knowledgeable teachers in a safe and fun environment. Look for a complete list of camp sessions in our 2020 catalog. Download a copy at arvadacenter.org/education H BIXBY SUMMER CAMP BOULDER 303-494-7508 BIXBYSCHOOL.ORG Our Bixby Summer Camp is a play-based camp that centers around your child’s ability to choose. Campers choose daily from a variety of departments, based on their interest. In addition, there are weekly all-camp hikes and activities. Bixby Summer is open for campers entering grades kindergarten through ninth, as well as our current preschool students. Set on our beautiful three-acre campus, Bixby Summer provides campers with a caring, safe environment to play and explore interests with the support of trained, mature counselors H BOULDER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL SUMMER CAMPS BOULDER 303-527-4931 BOULDERCOUNTRYDAY.ORG/PAGE/ PROGRAMS/SUMMER-CAMP Ages 3-12. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Boulder Country Day School (BCD) offers an exciting lineup of summer programs sure to excite the artist, athlete, chef, scientist, musician and more in your child. We welcome both BCD students as well as students from other schools. BCD offers full-day camps for students ages 3-5 and a wide variety of morning specialty camps for students ages 5-14 including Legos, art, sports, chess, cooking, science, music, academics, world languages and more. Specialty campers ages 5-8 can extend their day until 4 p.m. through the afternoon camp. BCD is a Colorado-licensed and accredited by ACIS and NAIS. Cost varies depending on selections. Located in Gunbarrel. For more info, visit the website or email summer@bouldercountryday.org. H BOULDER JCC SUMMER CAMPS FOR INFANTS AND PRE-KINDERGARTEN BOULDER 303-998-1900 BOULDERJCC.ORG Camps for ages 6 weeks to 4 years old. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with limited availability for extended day options from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The Boulder JCC early childhood summer camps explore nature, gardening, art, friendships, science, music and more. The Boulder JCC summer camps are based in Jewish values and open to children of all backgrounds and religions. H BOULDER PARKS & RECREATION KIDZ KAMP EAST BOULDER BOULDER 303-413-7270 BPRCAMPS.ORG Ages 5-11. Come join us this summer as we weave our way through weekly themes and daily fun! On top of the activities described in the weekly themes, campers will have the opportunity to swim every day, canoe and fish once a week and enjoy a weekly field trip! Choose your weeks today! H BOULDER PARKS & RECREATION KIDZ KAMP NORTH BOULDER BOULDER 303-413-7270 BPRCAMPS.ORG Ages 5-11. Everything kids love is packed into this camp: Gymnastics at Boulder’s largest and best-equipped gymnastics facility, cooling off each day in our leisure pool, a weekly field trip, Friday park days, gym games, crafts, science and much more, with hours to accommodate working families. Check out the themes, choose your weeks and sign up for this popular camp today! H BOULDER PARKS & RECREATION KIDZ KAMP SOUTH BOULDER BOULDER 303-413-7270 BPRCAMPS.ORG Ages 5-11. At our Kidz Kamp South, we will be field-tripping weekly, swimming every day, canoeing, rock climbing, making crafts and having endless amounts of fun and active games. Our Kidz Kamp South is the only camp we offer where guardians have the option to register for three days (you pick the days) or five days a week! Choose your weeks, days and sign up today. H BOULDER VALLEY WALDORF SCHOOL EARLY CHILDHOOS SUMMER CAMP NIWOT 303-652-0130 BVWALDORF.ORG A Waldorf-inspired camp for ages 3-6. Children enjoy creative play that nurtures the imagination on our 38-acre campus with old friends and new! Emphasizing movement and sensory integration. Learning math, language and science through practical, play-based activities indoors and outside. Visit with farmers to gather food for snacks. Play with sand and water. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. with after-camp care offered until 5 p.m. (Early bird, buddy and multiple session discounts). H BOULDER VALLEY WALDORF SCHOOL STORY CAMP NIWOT 303-652-0130 BVWALDORF.ORG Children bring stories to life through visual art, stop-motion animation, physical theater and interactive sculpture. We learn to walk on stilts, develop circus skills, use tools and repurpose materials to build public art installations. This is collaborative fun that brings awesome to the community. We have a 38-acre campus with a cottonwood forest and open space. We adventure out on many field trips. Our instructors are professional artists and experienced educators who have worked with children throughout the world. For ages 7-12 years. June through August. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Aftercare until 5 p.m. H CAMP COMFORT NEAR GEORGETOWN ON I-70 303-674-6400 MTEVANS.ORG/CAMP-COMFORT Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice offers a weekend camp for grieving children twice every summer. This unique bereavement camp is a way for children ages 6-12 to explore their feelings of grief and share memories of their loved ones. During this extraordinary weekend, children learn ways to cope with their grief through workshops led by licensed social workers and trained bereavement professionals. A volunteer “buddy” system (with no more than two children to one adult) ensures that children receive plenty of personal, one-on-one attention. And, while children are encouraged to share memories and express their grief, Camp Comfort offers fun, too. The camp includes plenty of opportunities for recreation including swimming, ziplining, horseback riding, arts and crafts, fishing and hiking. The total cost to attend Camp Comfort, including all workshops, recreation, meals, snacks and overnight accommodations, is $175. We offer a generous scholarship program to ensure no child will ever be denied an experience at Camp Comfort. For more information or to receive a brochure, visit the Camp Comfort website or call Mount Evans Hospice. H CAMP KESEM CU BOULDER 720-371-6248 CAMPKESEM.ORG/CUBOULDER FACEBOOK.COM/CAMPKESEMCO CUBOULDER@CAMPKESEM.ORG Camp Kesem is a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders, supporting children through and 12 FEBRUARY 20, 2020 KIDSCAMP BOULDER WEEKLY

beyond their parent’s cancer. Camp Kesem at the University of Colorado Boulder serves children from all around Colorado and the Front Range. This will be our seventh year as a chapter, and this summer we plan to serve 160 children at camp. We love to have fun, play games, be creative and just be ourselves during camp. As we grow each year our Kesem family becomes closer and stronger together. Come see what the magic of Kesem is all about!

H CHERRYVALE DAY CAMP BOULDER 303-998-1900 BOULDERJCC.ORG/CAMPS Camps for ages 4-17. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with extended day options from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Building resilience, grit, teamwork, independence, creativity, friendships, problem-solving and personal growth through traditional day camp and specialty camp options such as Legos, STEAM, business, technology, dance, leadership, farming and more. Cherryvale Day Camps are based in Jewish values and open to children of all backgrounds and religions.

H CITY OF LAFAYETTE SCHOOL AGE SUMMER DAY CAMP LAFAYETTE 303-665-0469 CITYOFLAFAYETTE.COM/CAMPS Summer is a time for our imaginations to run wild; a time for laughing, making life-long friends, learning through handson adventures and discovering ourselves through safe, fun and engaging activities. The City of Lafayette’s Summer Day Camp, June 1-July 31, prides itself on these values and invites you to join in and see exactly what our staff has worked so hard to put together for your family.

H COLOR WARS — BOULDER PARKS & RECREATION BOULDER BOULDER 303-413-7270 BPRCAMPS.ORG Ages 5-11. Teams earn points by competing in challenges and events throughout this action-packed week. Typical team challenges include tug-of-war, dodgeball, soccer, basketball and other games. This is a great week for building teamwork, meeting and making new friends.

H COLORADO ACADEMY SUMMER DAY CAMP DENVER 303-914-2531 COLORADOACADEMYSUMMER.ORG Offering summer programs since 1951, Colorado Academy offers summer day camps that provide fun-filled activities for children ages 5-12, including instruction and participation in tennis, arts and crafts, organized games, archery, swimming, performance arts and special activities. Students may combine these activities with educational and other athletic pursuits for a more personalized camp experience. For more information, download or request a complete catalog from the website.

H DAWSON SUMMER CAMPS LAFAYETTE 303-381-0445 DAWSONSCHOOL.ORG/SUMMER Come join us this summer for eight weeks of Dawson’s 80-plus exciting summer camps and programs for ages 5-15. Camp hours are 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Between June 1 and July 31, we will offer various weeklong day camps in arts, tech, sports and more. Full hot/cold lunch in our dining hall. Take a break and cool off in the pool daily. Experienced adult director for every camp. 5-to-1 camper/staff ratio. Cost range: $330 to $450 per week. Visit our website or email summercamps@dawsonschool.org for more information.

H ELDORADO MOUNTAIN YOGA CAMP ELDORADO SPRINGS 303-249-1671 ELDORADOYOGA.ORG Kids and teens will have a blast at our funfilled, five-day camp sessions open to all kids ages 5-12. In our beautiful, natural setting at the Eldorado Mountain Yoga Ashram (just 10 minutes from Boulder) kids will enjoy a free-spirited yoga, arts and nature camp that integrates the wonderful body/mind/heart benefits of yoga with traditional summer camp activities including music, hiking, arts and crafts, swimming and games. Yoga and centering techniques infuse all camp activities. As a result, kids come home feeling nourished and balanced. Our staff of dedicated long-term yoga practitioners offers a high teacher-to-camper ratio. $280 per week for the first child, $180 per week for each sibling. In order for as many campers as possible to enjoy our unique camp experience, we request that you register for no more than two camp sessions.

H FRIENDS SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS BOULDER 303-499-1999, ext. 258 FRIENDSSUMMERCAMP.ORG Weeklong morning and afternoon sessions for preschool, elementary and middle school students, ages 3-14. June 3-July 26. Programs include preschool backyard camp, science, STEM, art, architecture, photography, cooking, sports, dance, theater and more. Licensed and accredited. Discounts available. Details and registration at FriendsSummerCamp.org.

H FRONT RANGE CLIMBING CAMP SOUTH BOULDER OR JEFFERSON COUNTY 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG These foundational day camps introduce girls to the basics of outdoor rock climbing in a supportive, empowering community. Girls will have the opportunity to climb in Boulder Canyon, Clear Creek Canyon and North Table Mountain for a truly immersive week exploring varied terrain. All experience levels are welcome. For rising sixthto eighth-grade and ninth- to 12th-grade girls. Two sessions offered: June 8-12 and 15-19. Cost is $700. All camps are five days, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and start and end in Boulder at the Women’s Wilderness office. Groups will travel together to climbing areas throughout the week. Transportation and gear are provided.

H KEITANAT HAR HASHEM — CONGREGATION HAR HASHEM BOULDER 303-499-7077 CAMPHARHASHEM.ORG Grades 1-5. Day camp. Monday through Friday. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. One-week sessions. Each week is filled with games, swimming, baking, crafts, twice-weekly field trips, music, building community, making friends and more in a Jewish environment! Make new friends and be supported by an amazing staff including many terrific teen role models.

H OFF BROADWAY PRESCHOOL OF FINE ARTS SUMMER CAMPS BOULDER 303-800-0324 OFFBROADWAYPRESCHOOL.ORG From printmaking to ukulele 101 to dinosaurs, our weekly summer camps are all about fun! Enroll for two, three, four or five days per week. Choose your desired weeks, or enroll for the whole summer for a 5% discount. Wholesome, organic snacks are provided. Children should also bring a water bottle, lunch, swim attire,

water shoes, towel, extra clothes and comfortable walking shoes.

H OLYMPICS — WITH BOULDER PARKS & RECREATION BOULDER 303-413-7270 BPRCAMPS.ORG Ages 5-11. Campers enjoy their favorite Olympic sports with a camp twist! Competition play will focus on good sportsmanship and what it means to be an Olympian with medal prizes. They will also get a chance to play some lesser known but equally fun sports like bocce ball, horseshoes, ladder ball and more.

H ROCKY MOUNTAIN DAY CAMP BOULDER AND SUPERIOR LOCATIONS 303-495-5204 ROCKYMTNDAYCAMP.COM We are Boulder County’s award-winning summer day camp for boys and girls. The only traditional day camp offered in the area.

H STEVE & KATE’S CAMP BOULDER 303-848-8713 STEVEANDKATESCAMP.COM Campers have license to navigate, reroute or change lanes and set their preferred pace. In the early morning and late afternoon, campers ramp up and wind down with choices in the Library, Arcade, Recreation and more. As the day unfolds, more activities add to the mix, and they’re free to determine the camp section they’d like to explore: Media Lab, Sewing Salon, Blocktopolis, etc. Campers select activities and how much time they’ll spend at a given location, be it a detour for a snack pit-stop at the Market, a whirl on a Weekly Special, a spot of sports, or an idle moment with a book in the Library. Choose day passes or a summer pass; good for any day, any location. Includes lunch, snacks and all hours, Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Unused passes? No sweat: automatic refunds. Day pass: $95; summer pass: $2,850. Financial aid is available. May 26-July 31.

H SUNFLOWER FARM SUMMER CAMPS LONGMONT 303-774-8001 SUNFLOWERFARMINFO.COM These camps are designed to give each child a sense of rural, farm lifestyle. All campers will be divided into groups based on age and friend requests. Outdoor

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activities include feeding and care of animals, gardening, recycled art and just old-fashioned play such as climbing haybales, zipline, tire swings and so much more! Please pack a sack lunch. Sign up for several sessions — these camp days are never the same. Preschoolers must be potty-trained. Limited enrollment. Weekly camps beginning June 1 through Aug. 7 (Registration began Jan. 27.) School-Age Camp 5-12, Monday through Friday; half days, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; full days 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $325/per week for half days and $425/per week for full days. Preschool SproutHouse Camp Ages 3-6, is a nineweek program; half-day program 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or full-day program 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Choose Monday/Wednesday, Tuesday/Thursday, three days, four days or just Fridays. H SUNSET ACADEMY SUMMER DAY CAMP LONGMONT 303-651-6600 SUNSETACADEMY.COM Sunset Academy offers a low-ratio summer camp for ages 5-12 that includes lots of on-site activities mixed with daily excur- sions to include swimming, skating, bowl- ing, museums, nature hikes and more. There are weekly trips to places such as the Denver Zoo, Broomfield Aquatic Park, National Parks and more. We have a fun and educational environment, a large field with a gazebo and even a garden. Programs fill up fast. H TEEN DAY CAMPS (YMCA OF NORTHERN COLORADO) BOULDER 303-443-4474 YMCANOCO.ORG Ensure your teen’s summer is fulfilling and fun. There is something for every teen dur- ing Ultimate Teen Camp, which gives young people options for fun field trips, biking adventures or mountain climbing excur- sions. Participants make friends and stay entertained in a welcoming setting. Teen Leader in Training Camp gives participants the experience to begin their journey as leaders, spending a bulk of their summer working with young campers and doing a service-learning trip to the Sioux YMCA. H THE COLORADO MOUNTAIN RANCH SUMMER DAY CAMP GOLD HILL, BOULDER 303-442-4557 COLORADOMOUNTAINRANCH.COM Boulder’s original summer day camp! The Colorado Mountain Ranch nestled in the town of Gold Hill offers children ages 7-16 the outdoor experience they are looking for. A traditional summer camp spirit is mixed with a vision for innovation. Children get to enjoy the residential camp feel in the day camp package. Transportation is provided from Boulder every day; with the longest camp day in Boulder, pick-up and drop-off times are convenient for work- ing parents. Thursdays are an optional overnight open to all campers. Let’s make summer fun again with horseback riding, mountain boarding, gymnastics, animal care, archery and so much more! H THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH BOULDER PARKS & RECREATION BOULDER 303-413-7270 BPRCAMPS.ORG Ages 5-11. Enjoy summer favorites like soccer, bocce ball, flag football, capture the flag, kickball, canoeing and more. This week will also feature field trips to both Scott Carpenter Pool and the Boulder Reservoir. OVERNIGHT H ADVENTURE CAMPS MEET IN BOULDER, BUT TRAVEL TO LOCATIONS IN COLORADO AND WYOMING 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG Adventure Camp is a great way for girls to enjoy the wilderness, meet new friends, try on different leadership roles, as well as connect to the natural environment. Camps include six days of backpacking, two days of rock climbing, as well as other outdoor activities throughout, such as setting up a tent, purifying water, reading a map and cooking over single-burner camp stoves. Cost is $1,055 for rising sixth- to eighthgrade girls. Four sessions offered: June 25-July 2, July 7-14* and July 16-23. All camps are eight days and start and end in Boulder at the Women’s Wilderness office. Transportation, gear and food are provided. *Two courses offered for these dates. One will go to the Snowy Range in Wyoming and the other will go to Colorado State For- est State Park for six days of backpacking. Both will then transition to their two-day climbing section in Vedauwoo, Wyoming. KIDSCAMP BOULDER WEEKLY June 1 st - July 24 th

H ADVENTURE CLIMBING CAMP MEET IN BOULDER, BUT TRAVEL TO LOCATIONS IN COLORADO AND WYOMING 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG This foundational rock climbing course is just for middle school and high school girls (separate groups), where we spend weekdays car camping and rock climbing in Vedauwoo, Wyoming. Through the art of climbing, girls will explore their values, develop a growth mindset, learn how to navigate challenges, and develop bravery. Separate groups for rising sixth- to eighthgrade and ninth- to 12th-grade girls. June 22-26; cost is $755.This camp starts and ends in Boulder at the Women’s Wilderness office. The group will travel together to Vedauwoo, Wyoming, for their course. Transportation, gear and food is provided.

H GLOBAL WORKS TRAVEL BOULDER-BASED WITH TRIPS TO 20 DESTINATIONS 303-545-2202 GLOBALWORKSTRAVEL.COM For 30 years, Global Works has been providing exceptional community service, summer enrichment and adventure travel programs for students and groups. Choose from programs that focus on community development, language immersion, ecology and wildlife, and public health/medicine. Global Works international trips are the bridge for meaningful cultural exchange with people around the world. In all of our locations, we partner with communities and organizations to select and implement grassroots service projects that make an impact. Global Works offers summer service adventures for high school and middle school students and custom group travel for schools and organizations. If you are looking for fun and adventure, and want to be a spark for positive change in the world, let Global Works be your guide!

H HIGH SCHOOL BACKPACKING MEET IN BOULDER, BUT TRAVEL TO LOCATIONS IN COLORADO AND WYOMING 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG During these eight days, girls will go on an immersive backpacking trip in the Never Summer Mountains during peak wildflower season. Girls will learn how to set up camp, cook delicious meals, pack a backpack, read a map and navigate in the mountains. This course area lends itself to girls learning about various ways humans impact and engage with natural environments, from recreation to forestry. July 28-Aug. 4 for rising ninth- to 12th-grade girls. Cost is $1,195. This camp starts and ends in Boulder at the Women’s Wilderness office. The group will travel together to Colorado State Forest State Park for their course. Transportation, gear and food are all provided.

H HIGH SCHOOL ROCK CLIMBING & BACKPACKING MEET IN BOULDER, BUT TRAVEL TO LOCATIONS IN COLORADO & WYOMING 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG This combo course starts with a backpacking section where participants will carry everything they need to be self-sufficient in the mountains for the week. Girls will learn and practice camping, cooking and navigating through a backcountry environment, as well as advanced skills like scouting for tent sites and route planning. After backpacking, girls will transition to a two-day climbing section where they will learn how to rock climb, and apply their newfound leadership skills in a different environment. July 16-24 for rising ninth- to 12th-grade girls. Cost is $1,195. This camp starts and ends in Boulder at the Women’s Wilderness office. The group will travel together to Wyoming for their course. Transportation, gear and food is provided.

H SHOWING UP FOR OUR SONS: A RETREAT FOR FATHERS & SONS ESTES PARK 303-258-7475 MENSLEADERSHIPALLIANCE.ORG A father-and-son retreat for boys in the middle school years (age 10-12), Aug. 6-9. A wonderful way for fathers to support their sons during those awkward and difficult middle-school years. Camp together in a beautiful, private, wilderness setting. Sit in a circle, share stories, personal hopes and dreams. Engage in challenging and fun activities. Hike, cook and eat meals together. An intimate and powerful way to connect with your boy at a time when he needs you most. “This is the closest I’ve ever felt to you,” said Jayce to his dad during the 2018 camp. “A life-changing experience that Chase and I will never forget,” feedback from Ryan after the 2017 retreat. The world needs well-rounded, respectful men, and this camp is a way to put your boy on the path to healthy manhood!

Open Window Studio offers middle and high school students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the art world of another city.

Art Away: Santa Fe! July 18 - 24. openwindowstudio.org

Spend a week this summer painting and exploring the art world of Santa Fe including visits to galleries, Georgia O’Keefe’s studio and Meow Wolf!

Limited to 8 students.

Camps at the Museum of Boulder Innovate and create

• Comic Book Camp • Youth Entrepreneur Incubator Camp

Tebo Center

June 22-26 July 6-10 July 13-17

205 Broadway, Boulder CO 303.449.3464 museumofboulder.org/events/category/camps

2020

Check out camps for children ages 4-17 at www.boulderjcc.org / camps

Registration open now!

GRIT RESILIENCE TEAMWORK INDEPENDENCE PERSONAL GROWTH CREATIVITY FRIENDSHIPS PROBLEM-SOLVING

outdoor camps

A CASE FOR OUTDOOR EDUCATION A former camp leader reflects on lessons learned in the great outdoors by Emma Reynolds

This summer, I encourage you to send your kid outside.

Now, why should you listen to what a 20-something without kids thinks you should do? Because for the last seven years, I was one of the lucky ones who got to work as a trip leader, camp counselor and outdoor educator.

I worked with middle schoolers, high schoolers and college students — together, we hiked in the Adirondacks, kayaked in Vermont and rock climbed in New Mexico.

Life outdoors is different. It’s hard. Outdoor education students have to build a shelter, cook meals and stay warm using only what they and their group are carrying with them. The bones of life are simplified: here is a tent, a sleeping bag, a stove. Here is a pot, one spoon, a pair of boots. Here is your life for the next few weeks.

Freed of the literal confines of buildings and the more metaphorical confines of the expectations of friends, school, parents and society, outdoor education invites children to try a new way of being — a different version of themselves. How do they feel on top of a freshly summited mountain? What do they choose to talk about after they’ve been with the same people for 10 days? What brings them joy after a long hike? What do they feel allowed to do — or be — out here in the woods?

Life outdoors is so different than life lived indoors (or with the option of the indoors) that it can quickly invite change and reflection. The sudden simplicity and openness allows students to access a more authentic version of themselves — a version that is less clouded by myriad things to do and people to please.

When the day’s priorities are simplified from the normal routines of life (school, homework, chores,

BOULDER WEEKLY KIDSCAMP social media, video games, etc.) to setting up and breaking down camp and hiking, students are given more time and space to examine what matters — what is worth keeping, pursuing and cultivating.

In a nutshell: Sending your kids outdoors allows them to discover a life with a little more space and opportunity.

In the outdoors, this self-definition and exploration come hand-in-hand with group formation and dynamics. Outdoors, a child’s whole day (and night) will be spent with the same group of students. This closeness creates strong bonds that are hard for children to find in other camp settings today. Our lives are so fractured that finding a consistent community — outside of the family unit — within which to grow is incredibly special.

Part of this growth comes from children learning when to lead and when to follow. Outdoor education trips are filled with opportunities where children are invited to lead: Hiking at the front of a group, deciding how much rice to cook, making the final call on where to pitch a tent. But each of these is also an opportunity to follow. Unlike more traditional camp counselors who are the set leaders of activities, outdoor trip leaders are facilitators.

When I was training to be a leader in college, our director told us to act as street sweepers. “Sweep the streets clear of the impediments of safety and belonging. But don’t tell your students which street to go down.” Trip leaders will make sure your children feel secure and cared for, but they won’t tell them exactly what to do. This unique facilitation also allows a supportive and close group dynamic to form as students are challenged throughout the trip.

Growth and adversity are built into outdoor education trips. The

instinctual fear of living outside — away from the necessities and distractions of our everyday world — is the first and most important challenge to push through. One must let go of the common belief that living outdoors for a few weeks is going to be perilous or boring. The world that exists beyond the sound of the highway and the sight of the familiar isn’t a dangerous one; it’s simply an unknown one.

The unfamiliar is one of the through lines of life, and we must show our children when they’re young that the unfamiliar is not going to harm them. Yes, you can sleep in a tent. Yes, you will summit the mountain. Go ahead; take your first step. COURTESY OF EMMA REYNOLDS

Outdoor education camps get kids outside their comfort zone, allowing them to experience life with a little more space and opportunity.

outdoor camps

L O R E N E W A P O T I C H

OUTDOOR DAY CAMPS

H ADVANCED SAILING CAMPS BOULDER 303-757-7718 COMMUNITYSAILING.ORG Ages 13-17, perfect for those who have mastered the basics of sailing. Campers will strengthen sailing skills and focus on boat handling, right of way, sailing in all conditions under control and skipper responsibilities. Utilizing age-appropriate racing boats, campers are able to hone skills needed in a more challenging and responsive boat while increasing independence in all aspects of sailing. Successfully completing this camp is a prerequisite for joining our High School Race Team.

H ADVENTURE DAYS SOUTH BOULDER OR JEFFERSON COUNTY 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG Adventure Days is the first step into a lifetime of being a confident, active outdoors-girl. These camps are packed with hiking, rock climbing, art projects, games, nature awareness activities, as well as an optional overnight experience. For rising third- to fifth-grade girls. Cost is $500. Two sessions offered: June 1-5 and June 8-12. All camps are five days, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., except Thursday, which is an optional overnight camping trip to Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Transportation is provided to and from the State Park overnight. Monday through Wednesday will begin and end at the NCAR trailhead in Boulder.

H ADVENTURE QUEST WITH RENAISSANCE ADVENTURES BOULDER, LONGMONT & LYONS 303-786-9216 RENAISSANCEADVENTURES.COM Your child is the hero of a mythic quest in an incredibly fun, award-winning outdoor experience like none other! In small groups of like ages, children ages 6-17 read maps, solve mysteries and riddles, overcome dynamic challenges, and battle using safe, foam swords. Adventure Quest summer camps are designed to develop teamwork, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication and other skills for social-emotional development. Highly trained staff and over 25 years of experience make Renaissance Adventures a family favorite kids camp since 1995. We also run exciting birthdays, after-school programs, as well as day-off and holiday camps yearround, and offer $50 off your first summer camp for new campers as well as sibling and multi-camp discounts.

H AEI BASE CAMP ALMONT 970-641-4708 AEIBASECAMP.COM This camp is located 10,000 feet above sea level in the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. The spectacular scenery of the backcountry base camp is the perfect site for your wilderness experience. Activities include backpacking, rock climbing, white water rafting, inflatable kayaking, fly fishing, climbing tower, orienteering, adventure racing, day hikes, peak ascents, leave-no-trace ethics and more. Christianbased camp adventure programs available.

H ALAYA SUMMER CAMP BOULDER 303-449-5248 ALAYAPRESCHOOL.ORG A warm, homey summer camp environment emphasizing creative arts, social play, exploration and self-discovery on an acre of yards and gardens. Preschool to kindergarten. Part of Naropa University.

H AVID4 ADVENTURE BOULDER, SUPERIOR, LAFAYETTE, CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO SPRINGS, DENVER, GOLDEN, GREENWOOD VILLAGE, HIGHLANDS RANCH 720-249-2412 AVID4.COM This summer, experience the power of authentic outdoor adventure! At Avid4 Adventure, we’re on a mission to get kids excited and empowered by outdoor adventure so they are inspired to live active outdoor lifestyles. Avid4 Adventure Day Camps teach pre-K to seventh graders of all levels to climb, paddle, bike, hike and thrive in the outdoors. With help from our time-tested curriculum and experienced instructors, we give campers solid skills and character-shaping confidence, launching them into a lifetime of empowering adventure. With our new, multi-week discount, you could save up to $50 off per session! Learn more and sign up online, call or email info@avid4.com.

H BEG-INTERMEDIATE SAILING CAMPS BOULDER 303-757-7718 COMMUNITYSAILING.ORG Ages 8-17, for students who have completed one to two weeks of Learn To Sail Camp or for beginning sailors who are 12 and up. This camp is particularly best for beginner sailors who are only sailing for one week each summer. Sailors will continue to solidify their skills, focusing on tacking, points of sail, sail trim, boat handling and capsize recovery.

A variety of outdoor day camps around the state offer opportunities for your kids to get outside.

H BOULDER PARKS & RECREATION GOATS AND GARDENS CAMP BOULDER 303-413-7270 BPRCAMPS.ORG Ages 5-11. Explore the wonders of Growing Gardens Children’s Peace Garden, get to know the goats at Mountain Flower Goat Dairy and finish off the day by swimming at the North Boulder Recreation Center. We will investigate the secret world of insects, create art from nature and explore the wondrous plants while making new friends. We’ll grow and taste from the famous salsa garden and cook pizza using the power of the sun. We will spend time getting to know the goats and guardian llama, learn to walk the goats on leashes, feed the babies, make cheese, milk a goat and explore small-scale farming practices, all the while learning livestock management and the nutrient cycle.

H BOULDER PARKS & RECREATION WATER SPORTS CAMP BOULDER 303-413-7270 BPRCAMPS.ORG Ages 7-14. Come join us at our Water Sports camp this summer located at the Boulder Reservoir. From stand-up paddleboarding to canoe tug-of-war, to pirating and trips to dream cove campers will spend the week learning the basic skills of multiple water sports activities. Campers will not only spend the week in the water but off the water doing crafts, group games and much more including our weekly barbecue! Choose your weeks and sign up today.

H CIT KNIGHTHOOD WITH RENAISSANCE ADVENTURES BOULDER, LONGMONT AND LYONS 303-786-9216 RENAISSANCEADVENTURES.COM A super fun, empowering leadership opportunity for your teen! Teens participate in a training session, then develop their skills of accountability, integrity and leadership in the field as mentors to groups of younger kids assisting our adult counselors with our Adventure Quest summer camps. Knights join an Adventure Quest group, who are playing the heroes of a mythic quest. Adventure Quest is experiential education through live-action role-playing, and the participants solve mysteries and riddles, overcome dynamic challenges and battle foes using safe, foam swords. Knight CITs assist the Quest Leader to help with activities, challenges, storytelling, plot dynamics, characters, safety and leadership. Join the quest! We also run exciting Heroes’ Alliance programs, Quest Leading Workshops, and other programs for teens. Weekly programs all summer long and whenever school is out. Ages 14-18.

H CLIMBING FOR LIFE ENGLEWOOD 303-881-8129 CLIMBINGFORLIFE.ORG Climbing For Life is a nonprofit organization devoted to healthy youth development in atrisk populations from the Denver metro area. Programs, including the long-term mentoring program, provide young people with challenging personal experiences through outdoor education.

H CURE ORGANIC FARM KIDS’ FARM CAMP BOULDER cureorganicfarm@yahoo.com CUREORGANICFARM.COM Kids’ Farm Camp allows children to experience all the workings of a small, organic, diversified farm. From collecting eggs and feeding pigs to gathering flowers and planting and harvesting vegetables, campers will enjoy the full farm experience. Cooking and arts and crafts are a part of each week as well. Camps weekly from June 1-Aug. 6; ages 6-9.

H DAWSON SUMMER CAMPS LAFAYETTE 303-381-0445 DAWSONSCHOOL.ORG/SUMMER Come join us this summer for eight weeks of Dawson’s 80-plus exciting summer camps and programs for ages 5-15. Camp hours are 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Between June 1 and July 31, we will offer various weeklong day camps in arts, tech, sports and more. Full hot/cold lunch in our dining hall. Take a break and cool off in the pool daily. Experienced adult director for every camp, 5-to-1 camper/staff ratio. Cost range: $330 to $450 per week. For a full listing of our summer camp information visit us online or e-mail summercamps@dawsonschool.org for questions.

outdoor camps

H FEET ON THE EARTH PROGRAMS BOULDER 303-642-0562 FEETONTHEEARTH.ORG Daughters of the Earth, Sisters of the Earth and Moon Sisters camps: Every day is a new adventure! Whether we are following raccoon tracks along the creek, discovering ourselves through exploring the four elements — earth, air, fire and water — or playing sneaking games among the willows, we are guiding girls to engage the power of their bodies, minds, hearts and spirits to pursue their passion and purpose in life. Drawing from the wisdom our wise grandmothers had for living close to the Earth, we mentor girls through an “invisible school” of fun adventures that teaches them how to care for nature, themselves and their community. Our 6-to-1 camper to mentor ratio allows us to provide fun learning experiences that are truly hands-on! For girls 7-14. Transgender and non-binary identified youth are welcome to attend any camp that matches their interest and age level. H GROWING GARDENS — CHILDREN’S PEACE GARDEN BOULDER 303-443-9952 GROWINGGARDENS.ORG Spend an active week gardening, cooking and creating on our one-of-a-kind urban farm! Learn about sustainable agriculture, pollinators and ecosystems through hands-on learning and exploration. We’ll engage all of our senses through farm-to-fork cooking, art and science JILL DREVES

H FRONT RANGE CLIMBING CAMP SOUTH BOULDER OR JEFFERSON COUNTY 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG These foundational day camps introduce girls to the basics of outdoor rock climbing in a supportive, empowering community. Girls will have the opportunity to climb in Boulder Canyon, Clear Creek Canyon, and North Table Mountain for a truly immersive week exploring varied terrain. All experience levels are welcome. For rising sixth- to eighthgraders and ninth- to 12th-grade girls. Cost is $700. Two sessions offered (both middle and high school courses available each week) June 8-12 and June 15-19. All camps are 5 days, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and start and end in Boulder at the Women’s Wilderness office. Groups will travel together to climbing areas throughout the week. Transportation and gear are provided.

H GIRLS’ WILDERNESS ADVENTURES OF WOMENS’ WILDERNESS BOULDER 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG High-quality wilderness day and multi-day adventures for girls ages 8-18. Fun, creative, inspirational courses build courage, confidence and leadership. Mature, professional staff, excellent safety record. Generous financial aid available.

projects and games. Instructors are experienced educators trained in CPR and first aid. Early bird discounts are available before March 15. Ages 5-11. Full-day camps, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Please go online to register — we hope to see you on the farm this summer!

H HIGH SCHOOL SAILING TEAM BOULDER 303-757-7718 COMMUNITYSAILING.ORG Ages 13-18. For students in eighth to 12th grades. Learn the finer points of sailing and racing a c420 or Laser with a team. Challenge yourself to a level and refine skills of rigging and tuning, maneuvers and skipper/crew communication. Sailing can help you get into the college of your choice. Colleges look for students who are academically qualified who have demonstrated a passion for something else. Sailing can be that passion. Being a high school sailor can set you apart from the crowd.

H INTERMEDIATE SAILING CAMPS BOULDER 303-757-7718 COMMUNITYSAILING.ORG Ages 8-17. The Intermediate Camp is the

next step in a sailor’s progression, for those who graduated from our Learn to Sail Camp, Beg-Intermediate Camp or for juniors that have previous sailing experience elsewhere. Sailors will strengthen basic skills and become proficient while sailing all points of sail. Practicing tacking, jibing, sail trim, boat handling, knot tying, review of weather recognition and capsize recovery are the goals of this camp. Sailors learn in same-age peer groups to enrich confidence and camaraderie.

H INTRO TO ADVANCED SAILING CAMPS BOULDER 303-757-7718 COMMUNITYSAILING.ORG Ages 8-13, perfect for those who have mastered the basics of sailing. Sailors will strengthen sailing skills and focus on boat handling, right of way, sailing in all conditions under control and skipper responsibilities. Utilizing age-appropriate racing boats, campers are able to hone skills needed in a more challenging and responsive boat while increasing independence in all aspects of sailing. Successfully completing this camp is a prerequisite for joining our Junior Race Team.

H JUNIOR RACE TEAM BOULDER 303-757-7718 COMMUNITYSAILING.ORG Ages 8-12. Want more time on the water? Ready to take your sailing to the next level? Junior Race Team paves the way to help you build a solid foundation of sailing skills. Learn about the challenging dynamics of sailboat racing on a variety of sailboats. Race Team gives sailors the opportunity to learn and practice advanced skills in a competitive, team-focused environment. Our coaches will prepare sailors for local and regional regattas.

H KEYSTONE SCIENCE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP KEYSTONE 970-455-4228 KEYSTONESCIENCESCHOOL.ORG/CAMP Experience the Rocky Mountains of Colorado this summer with our adventurous and traditional day camps. Campers, ages 5-12, will create lifelong friendships, explore and learn about the natural world, and gain leadership and wilderness skills. Since 1976, our beautiful, 23-acre campus nestled in the mountains along the Continental Divide has served as the perfect basecamp for a summer full of adventure and fun in the outdoors. New theme options each week. Find a full summer calendar online or give us a call.

H LEARN TO SAIL CAMPS BOULDER 303-757-7718 COMMUNITYSAILING.ORG Ages 7-11. Great for first-time sailors! New skills teach independence, confidence and safety on the water. STEM-based lessons enhance this well-rounded beginner experience. Emphasis is on learning the basics, feeling comfortable on the water and having fun! Participants should bring a lunch, bathing suit, towel, change of clothes, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and water shoes. Community Sailing of Colorado will provide all equipment, including life jackets. This is our most popular camp!

H JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR IN TRAINING CAMP (JSIT) BOULDER 303-757-7718 COMMUNITYSAILING.ORG Ages 12-17. Is your child looking to volunteer with Community Sailing of Colorado this summer? Our Junior Instructor in Training Camp provides the necessary skills and training for Junior Sailors (ages 12-17) to become confident and qualified Junior Instructors. Participants are taught what is needed to assist instructors with a wide variety of boats, and age groups. Leadership development, and positive role model skills, are stressed in this course along with emerging skills in recognizing safety concerns. This course is mandatory for all Junior Instructor applicants.

H LITTLE PUFFS CAMPS BOULDER 303-757-7718 COMMUNITYSAILING.ORG Ages 5-7. For our youngest campers, these weeklong camps introduce sailing, water safety and boating through fun games and activities. This is a great introduction to how to have fun and be safe on the water. Participants should bring a lunch, bathing suit, towel, change of clothes, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and water shoes. This camp will fill up fast!

Summer Camps Indoor + Outdoor

For Kids of All Ages and Abilities

Photo Credit: Angie Payne

• Clubs • Classes • Outdoor Guiding

• Bouldering • Top Ropes • Open Gym • Birthday Parties

• Parent’s Night Out • Team

Enroll Today!

abckidsclimbing.com • 303-443-5437 1960 32nd Street • Boulder

OUTDOOR CAMPS from Page 19

H MAGIC SKY RANCH NEAR FORT COLLINS 877-404-5708 GIRLSCOUTSOFCOLORADO.ORG Girl Scout camp is the leader in summer fun and adventure for girls at an affordable cost. You don’t have to already be a Girl Scout — new campers get a discount! Registration is open for day and overnight camps statewide.

H OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CAMP — WITH BOULDER PARKS & RECREATION BOULDER 303-413-7270 BPRCAMPS.ORG Ages 6-11. A new camp that will explore the great outdoors! Enjoy activities such as canoeing, fishing, nature scavenger hunt, science projects and slacklining.

H RACE CAMP BOULDER 303-757-7718 COMMUNITYSAILING.ORG Ages 8-17. New camp! Ready to take your sailing to the next level? Race Camp develops a solid foundation of sailing skills. Learn about the challenging dynamics of sailboat racing on a variety of sailboats. Challenge yourself to a level and refine skills of rigging and tuning, maneuvers and skipper/crew communication. Race Camp gives sailors the opportunity to learn and practice advanced skills in a competitive, racing-focused environment. The July Race Camp leads up to the Rocky Mountain Junior Olympics Festival hosted by CSC at the Cherry Creek Reservoir.

H SINGLETRACK MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURES BOULDER 303-447-8014 SMBA.LERTPROGRAMS.COM/SUMMERCAMP-2/ Flexible schedule. SMBA offers weekly summer camps, after-school rides, weekend rides, halfday camps and race series. SMBA introduces youth to the exhilaration and adventure of mountain biking. Easy to advanced trail-riding allows for mastery of new skills in a fun, safe and supportive environment.

H STAND-UP PADDLEBOARD + SAILING CAMP BOULDER 303-757-7718 COMMUNITYSAILING.ORG Ages 8-17. Learn to harness the power of the wind and board! This is a great camp for those looking to experience the thrill of sailing handson. Find your balance on the water through stand-up paddleboarding, experience sailing on multiple types of boats through adventure games and challenges. Experience the water with a paddle and sail. Separate camp for same age group that includes wind surfing also available.

H STAR QUEST WITH RENAISSANCE ADVENTURES BOULDER 303-786-9216 RENAISSANCEADVENTURES.COM Intrepid adventures in space! Star Quest is a science fiction live-action role-playing game that is designed to develop the 21st century skills of teamwork, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication and a love for learning. In this unique experience, the Questers band together in small groups of like age to discover strange new worlds, overcome dynamic challenges, negotiate intergalactic treaties, and battle using blasters (beanbags) and fusion blades (foam swords). The themes and settings explore futuristic mainstays like warp speed, mech suits, tapping into the “Meta” for telepathic powers, time travel, cyberpunk net running, alien “hive mind” sentience and more. Join us for exciting, active and mind-bending programs that are a short ways off, in a galaxy really, really close. See website for dates. Ages 10-17.

H THORNE NATURE EXPERIENCE SUMMER CAMP BOULDER, LAFAYETTE, LITTLETON 303-499-3647 THORNENATURE.ORG Spend the summer catching frogs, getting muddy, biking down mountain trails, and exploring Colorado’s wild places with the Thorne Nature Experience Summer Camp! Thorne offers fun, hands-on nature camp experiences for children ages 3-15 in world-class parks and open space in Boulder, Lafayette and Littleton. Kids will have a blast practicing survival skills, exploring forests and streams, creating wild crafts, learning local plants and animals, and finding tadpoles, crawfish, grasshoppers and more! Our experienced, CPR- and first-aidtrained instructors help facilitate student learning and appreciation for the outdoors while keeping them safe. Campers complete the program with a newfound respect and awe of nature, an increased understanding of the environment, and a desire to get back outside.

H TOMAHAWK RANCH NEAR BAILEY 877-404-5708 GIRLSCOUTSOFCOLORADO.ORG Girl Scout camp is the leader in summer fun and adventure for girls at an affordable cost. You don’t have to already be a Girl Scout — new campers get a discount! Registration is open for day and overnight camps statewide.

H WEE FOLK FOREST SUMMER CAMP BOULDER 720-383-4406 WEEFOLKFORESTKINDERGARTEN.COM/ SUMMER-CAMP/ Ages 2.5-6. Day camp. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. At Wee Folk Forest Camps, we’ll be spending our mornings exploring our light-filled forest, and our afternoons relaxing inside our tepee beside our pond and taking adventure walks around the land. All weeks of camp include a fun and balanced approach to

the day, blending activities with outdoor free play, collaborative group play, music and storytelling. Call Elizabeth or email info@livingartsschool.com or visit us online for more information.

H WILD BEAR NATURE CENTER SUMMER NATURE CAMPS WITH ALTITUDE! NEDERLAND AND BOULDER 303-258-0495 WILDBEAR.ORG Fun, hands-on, arts-integrated, outdoor nature camps for ages 3-15. Bear Cubs (ages 3-5); NederRangers (ages 5-6); Mountain Rangers (ages 6-7); Wild Naturalists (ages 8-9) and Wild Adventures (ages 10-plus). Choose your own schedule! zCamps in Nederland, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (shuttle service available), and Boulder (NCAR-Fridays). Questions? Call us or email registrar@wildbear.org. See you on the mountain!

YMCA CAMP ELKS (YMCA OF NORTHERN COLORADO) BOULDER 303-443-4474 YMCANOCO.ORG Camp Elks is a nature-based program where campers make new friends through adventure, challenge and exploration. Campers enjoy trips to some of Colorado’s most beautiful hiking destinations. They also spend their days shooting archery, cooling off at our on-site pool and enjoying arts and crafts, drama, sports and fun games. Part-time and full-time available.

OVERNIGHT

ADVENTURE CAMPS MEET IN BOULDER, BUT TRAVEL TO LOCATIONS IN COLORADO AND WYOMING 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG Adventure Camp is a great way for girls to enjoy the wilderness, meet new friends, try on different leadership roles, as well as connect to the natural environment. Camps include six days of backpacking, two days of rock climbing, as well as other outdoor activities throughout, such as setting up a tent, purifying water, reading a map and cooking over single-burner camp stoves. For rising sixth- to eighth-grade girls. Cost is $1,055. Four sessions offered: June 25-July 2, July 7-14*, July 16-23. All camps are eight days and start and end in Boulder at the Women’s Wilderness office. Transportation, gear and food is provided. *Two courses offered for these dates. One will go to the Snowy Range in Wyoming and the other will go to Colorado State Forest State Park for six days of backpacking. Both will then transition to their two day climbing section in Vedauwoo, Wyoming.

H ADVENTURE CLIMBING CAMP MEET IN BOULDER, BUT TRAVEL TO LOCATIONS IN COLORADO AND WYOMING 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG This foundational rock climbing course is just for middle school girls, where we spend the week days car camping and rock climbing in Vedauwoo, Wyoming. Through the art of climbing, girls will explore their values, develop a growth mindset, learn how to navigate challenges and develop bravery. For rising sixth- to eighth-grade girls. Cost is $755. One session offered June 22-26. This camp starts and ends in Boulder at the Women’s Wilderness office. The group will travel together to Vedauwoo, Wyoming, for their course. Transportation, gear, and food is provided.

H ADVENTURE QUEST OVERNIGHT WITH RENAISSANCE ADVENTURES JAMESTOWN 303-786-9216 RENAISSANCEADVENTURES.COM Your child is the hero of a mythic quest in an incredibly fun overnight experience like none other! In cabins of like ages, the heroes journey forth into the beautiful forests of Cal-Wood, Jamestown to discover treasures, overcome traps and dynamic challenges and battle foes using safe, foam swords. As with all Renaissance Adventures programs, Adventure Quest is designed to develop teamwork, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication and other 21st-century skills. With highly trained staff, multiple awards and over 20 years of experience, it’s no wonder Renaissance Adventures is so popular. We also run exciting day quests, birthdays, after-school programs and more. July 31-Aug. 3. Ages 9-18.

H AVID4 ADVENTURE — COLORADO MOUNTAIN CAMP MT. EVANS, WINDY PEAK & EXPEDITIONS LEAVING FROM BOULDER 720-249-2412 AVID4.COM/OVERNIGHT-CAMP/ At Avid4 Adventure, we’re on a mission to get kids excited and empowered by outdoor adventure so they are inspired to live active outdoor lifestyles. Avid4 Adventure Overnight Camps teach first- to 12th-graders of all levels to climb, paddle, bike, hike and thrive in the outdoors. With help from our time-tested curriculum and experienced instructors (all 21-plus and certified in wilderness first aid and CPR), we give campers solid outdoors skills and character-shaping confidence they can use at camp and beyond, launching them into a lifetime of empowering adventure. One- and two-week sessions available from June through August. Be sure to check out our new line of Expedition Camps! Learn more and sign up online, call or email info@avid4.com

H BOLD EARTH ADVENTURES 303-526-0806 BOLDEARTH.COM Bold Earth has organized adventure camps for teenagers since 1976, with over 20,000 participants from all 50 states and over 55 different countries! Bold Earth seeks to empower our teenage participants through fun, adventure and challenge. Our summer programs have been developed for students ages 12-18. Offering both domestic and international experiences,

a place where children create art and community together

Open Hands Art offers week-long, themed camps in clay, paint and mixed media in an idyllic setting. Camps are co-taught by ceramic artist, Sue Allman, and painter, Page Zekonis, alongside our talented assistant and high school mentors.

All day camps for ages 7-14 All day camps for middle school Half day options for 5-6yr olds Half day options for middle & high school

Visit www.openhandsart.com for more details.

303.926.0996 • MUDSLINGERSPOTTERY.COM KIDS CLAY CAMP • SUMMER • MORNING & AFTERNOON SESSIONS ADULT, KIDS, PARENT/CHILD CLASSES Private Lessons, Workshops & Birthday Parties

OUTDOOR from Page 21

The Best Choice in Rocky Mountain Camping for 74 years!!

Ride a horse through Pike National Forest on the way to our own outpost, The Meadow! Fish for trout or canoe in our lake, zip through the forest on our newly redone ropes course, or meet kids from all over the US and many foreign countries! Our many returning staff members and campers ensure our spirit and family atmosphere! Coach Bill and Dorothy Allen created a children’s world where kids can grow in all ways in the great outdoors with the help of excellent counselors.

Ages 7-16 • Staff to Camper Ratio: 1-6 Call or write to: Tim Graf PO Box 146, Florissant, CO 80816 • 719-748-3279 • Fax: 719-748-3472 camp@bluemountainranch.com • www.bluemountainranch.com

Bold Earth teams will surf on the Kona Coast, backpack through Iceland, summit Kilimanjaro, hang with giant tortoises on the Galapagos Islands, rock climb and explore the Rocky Mountains, scuba dive in colorful coral reefs in Fiji and so much more! If you are interested in adventure travel, community service opportunities, cultural and language immersion experience and tons of fun — Bold Earth is the camp for you! Check us out on our website and schedule a call with a director today!

H CAL-WOOD SUMMER CAMPS JAMESTOWN 303-449-0603 CALWOOD.ORG Cal-Wood is a place for adventure! Summer days are spent exploring our forests, meadows, creeks and historical sites while making new friends and bonding with old. Campers will learn to embrace the mountains whether they are spending their nights in a quaint log cabin by the main lodge, sleeping under the stars in a tent on a beautiful remote piece of Cal-Wood’s land, or venturing out into local Colorado wilderness on a multi-day backpacking trip. If you are an aspiring artist, a curious engineer, an outdoor enthusiast, an inquisitive historian, an avid hiker, an observant naturalist or just a kid who likes to smile, we have a program for you! Bring your friends for an unforgettable summer!

H CAMP CHIEF OURAY/ YMCA OF THE ROCKIES GRANBY 970-887-2648 CAMPCHIEFOURAY.ORG For over a century, Camp Chief Ouray has been the adventure playground for boys and girls from around the world. Located on 5,100 acres of mountains, valleys, streams and meadows — boredom is simply not an option. A traditional camp for kids ages 7-14, designed to provide fun and growth through a series of exciting experiences in a beautiful mountain setting. Special attention is given to the development of positive human relations, leadership and character development. The week at camp consists of a mix between cabin activities, activities with kids of similar interests, camping out, hiking, camp-wide games and a chance for campers to choose their favorite activities. Adventure Trips for teenagers ages 14-15 have a dynamic array of wilderness programs for campers looking for an added adventure. These exciting backcountry programs offer campers the chance to participate in rafting, mountain biking, backpacking, horse packing and kayaking adventures! Leadership Training Programs for teenagers age 15-18 build community leaders. Camp Chief Ouray has many opportunities for teens to gain valuable leadership skills while participating in activities at camp and in the wilderness.

H CAMP GRANITE LAKE GOLDEN 720-249-2997 CAMPGRANITELAKE.COM Connect with friends, counselors and nature in a supportive, unplugged community! Campers choose from activities including sailing, rock climbing, woodworking, canoeing, ceramics, stand-up paddleboarding, backpacking, archery, culinary arts, etc. Beautiful 135-acre property with a private 8-acre lake located in Coal Creek Canyon. Two-week sessions for campers finishing second to ninth grade. ACAaccredited, CDHS-licensed. Discounts, payment plans. Visit us online or call to schedule a personal on-site tour or slideshow.

H CHELEY COLORADO CAMPS ESTES PARK 303-377-3616 CHELEY.COM Celebrating 100 years! Cheley provides an awesome 27-day overnight summer experience for girls and boys ages 7-17. Located in Estes Park, attracting children from all over the world. Activities include: backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, technical climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, a brand new via ferrata and more. We have spaces available for our first (June 6-July 12) and second term (July 14-Aug. 9) in certain age groups. Please check out our Quarter B–4 Camp, a five-night experience for 7- to 9-yearold boys and girls (Aug. 10-15) and our family camp for the whole family (Aug. 10-15)

H DEER HILL EXPEDITIONS INC. MANCOS 970-533-7492 DEERHILLEXPEDITIONS.COM INFO@DEERHILLEXPEDITIONS.COM Deer Hill leads inspiring journeys in the Southwest and Costa Rica that combine wilderness adventure and service projects with Native Americans. No previous experience required.

H GIRLS’ WILDERNESS ADVENTURES OF WOMENS’ WILDERNESS BOULDER 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG High-quality wilderness day and multi-day adventures for girls ages 8-18. Fun, creative, inspirational courses build courage, confidence and leadership. Mature, professional staff, excellent safety record. Generous financial aid is available.

H HEROES ACADEMY WITH RENAISSANCE ADVENTURES BOULDER, LONGMONT, LYONS 303-786-9216 RENAISSANCEADVENTURES.COM Heroes Academy programs give mature teens a transformative experience within intensive programs. Participants must overcome challenges on their own and with the invaluable

help of other participants, including the “Heroes Journey” challenges of internal growth in the areas of accountability, leadership, honor and planning. Ages 14-18.

H HIGH SCHOOL BACKPACKING MEET IN BOULDER, BUT TRAVEL TO LOCATIONS IN COLORADO AND WYOMING 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG During these eight days, girls will go on an immersive backpacking trip in the Never Summer Mountains during peak wildflower season. Girls will learn how to set up camp, cook delicious meals, pack a backpack, read a map and navigate in the mountains. This course area lends itself to girls learning about various ways humans impact and engage with natural environments, from recreation to forestry. For rising ninth- to 12th-grade girls. Cost is $1,195. One session offered July 28-Aug. 4. This camp is eight days and starts and ends in Boulder at the Women’s Wilderness office. The group will travel together to Colorado State Forest State Park for their course. Transportation, gear and food are all provided.

H HIGH SCHOOL ROCK CLIMBING & BACKPACKING MEET IN BOULDER, BUT TRAVEL TO LOCATIONS IN COLORADO AND WYOMING 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG This combo course starts with a backpacking section where participants will carry everything they need to be self-sufficient in the mountains for the week. Girls will learn and practice camping, cooking and navigating through a backcountry environment, as well as advanced skills like scouting for tent sites and route planning. After backpacking, girls will transition to a two-day climbing section where they will learn how to rock climb, and apply their newfound leadership skills in a different environment. For rising ninth- to 12th-grade girls. Cost is $1,195. One session offered July 16-24. This camp is nine days and starts and ends in Boulder at the Women’s Wilderness office. The group will travel together to Wyoming for their course. Transportation, gear and food are provided.

BOULDER WEEKLY KIDSCAMP H HIGH SCHOOL ROCK CLIMBING CAMP MEET IN BOULDER, BUT TRAVEL TO LOCATIONS IN COLORADO & WYOMING 303-938-9191 WOMENSWILDERNESS.ORG This foundational rock climbing course is just for high school girls where we spend the week car camping and rock climbing in Vedauwoo, Wyoming. In addition to learning and improving climbing skills, girls will gain experience assessing risk management for themselves and their peers, as well as taking on increased leadership roles around camp and at the crag. For rising ninth- to 12th-grade girls. Cost is $755. One session offered June 22-26. This camp starts and ends in Boulder at the Women’s Wilderness office. The group will travel together to Wyoming for their course. Transportation, gear and food is provided.

H KEYSTONE SCIENCE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP KEYSTONE 970-455-4228 KEYSTONESCIENCESCHOOL.ORG/CAMP Experience the Rocky Mountains of Colorado through traditional Overnight Camps or the excitement and adventure of our traveling Expeditions. Campers will create lifelong friendships, explore and learn about the natural world, and gain leadership and wilderness skills. Since 1976, our beautiful, 23-acre campus nestled in the mountains along the Continental Divide has served the perfect basecamp for a summer full of adventure and new friends. Morrison pick-up and drop-off available. New theme options each week. Find a full summer calendar online or give us a call.

H MAGIC SKY RANCH NEAR BAILEY 877-404-5708 GIRLSCOUTSOFCOLORADO.ORG Girl Scout camp is the leader in summer fun and adventure for girls at an affordable cost. You don’t have to already be a Girl Scout — new campers get a discount! Registration is open for day and overnight camps statewide.

H SANBORN WESTERN CAMPS FLORISSANT 719-748-3341 SANBORNWESTERNCAMPS.COM Since 1948, Sanborn Western Camps have been creating outdoor experiences of exceptional quality and depth. Sanborn’s fun, relaxed atmosphere and caring staff provide a supportive environment for individual growth in selfconfidence, independence and awareness of others. Each child’s contributions are valued in a community based on mutual respect and shared adventures. Big Spring Ranch for Boys and High Trails Ranch for Girls are located at an elevation of 8,700 feet in the center of Colorado. The camps own more than 6,000 acres of open pine forest, wildflower meadows and rocky bluffs, an unparalleled setting for outdoor adventures.

H SINGLETRACK MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURES (SMBA) BOULDER 303-447-8014 RIDESMBA.ORG SMBA Adventure Trips and Race Camps bring riders to some of the best riding in Moab, Colorado and beyond. SMBA is the longest-running independent junior mountain bike program in Colorado. Our programs introduce young riders to the exhilaration of mountain biking in a safe and fun environment.

H TOMAHAWK RANCH NEAR FORT COLLINS 877-404-5708 GIRLSCOUTSOFCOLORADO.ORG Girl Scout camp is the leader in summer fun and adventure for girls at an affordable cost. You don’t have to already be a Girl Scout — new campers get a discount! Registration is open for day and overnight camps statewide.

Our Camps are for Children ages 5 - 12 LEGO-inspired STEM summer camps! Kids learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math while playing with LEGO. Campers engineer interesting projects, engage in critical thinking and work collaboratively. Let your child’s imagination run wild with over 20,000 bricks. Programs include themes such as Star Wars, Minecraft, Harry Potter, Super Heroes and Robotics.

Play-Well is offering many camps in the Boulder area. A few of our locations for summer 2020 are Boulder Parks and Rec - Valmont Farmhouse, Boulder Country Day School, Boulder JCC, Art Hub in Louisville, Dawson School, Erie Parks & Rec and the City of Longmont.