Children all ages have an opportunity to explore the glorious mountains and share the beauty with their peers this summer. Please read below for a list of local summer camps for kids and teens. Be sure to sign up early, most programs do fill up pretty fast!

Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center Nature Camp

Where: Nederland

Dates: June 4 – August 10

Hours: 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Ages: 7 to 16

Prices: $65/day, an additional $10 for shuttle service to and from Boulder

Contact: Melissa Freeman, registrar@wildbear.org, 303-258- 0495

Website: wildbear.org

Wild Bear’s Nature Camps cater to the kids with an affinity for the outdoors. For

the younger ones, aged 3 to 7, the camps focus on outdoor exploration around Mud

Lake. The camp is held every week at the lake, with different themes like “Rock

Heads,” “Water Creatures,” and “Worms and Other Squirmies.” Ages 6 and 7 can

enroll in the MountainRANGERS camp, which features camps like “Fossils, Rocks

and Dinos,” “Wood Fairies and Forest Gnomes” and “Insectomania.” Older campers,

aged 8 and 9, have the option of the Wild Naturalists camp, where they test their

hand at survival skills and catch and release fishing.

Campers 10 and older have an array of camps to choose from, including fly

fishing camp, which runs every Tuesday, and the Peakbaggers camp, which runs

every Monday. Other camps for older kids include the High Alpine Scientists camp

(10+), Earth Stewards camp (10+) and Wild Fly Fishing camp (13+), and a

Counselor-in- Training camp, where kids can train to be a future counselor for the

Nature Camp.

This camp is for: the nature-loving kid who wants to learn more about his

surroundings.

Colorado Mountain Ranch Camps

Where: Boulder

Dates: dates range from June 4 – August 10

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ages: 7 to 16

Prices: starting at $350; $525 for most camps

Contact: 303-442- 4557, office@coloradomountainranch.com

Website: coloradomountainranch.com

Campers at the Colorado Mountain Ranch can choose between the adventure

camps, which include archery, gymnastics, horseback riding and outdoor living

skills, or the focus day camps, in which campers immerse themselves in one subject,

like horses, moutainboarding or Frisbee golf. Ages range from 10-16 for each

specific focus, with the exception of the “Water” camp, which is intended for ages 7

to 15.

This camp is for: the hyperactive fun-lover who wants to keep moving over the

summer.

Calwood Camp

Where: Jamestown

Dates: dates range from June 10 – July 28

Hours: overnight

Ages: 5 to 17

Prices: ranges from $275 for introductory sessions to $840

Contact: 303-449- 0603, camps@calwood.org

Website: calwood.org

Campers interested in the Calwood camps can choose from three different

overnight weeklong adventures. In the “Base” camp, campers are lodged in cabins

and will explore the surrounding natural habitat. In the “Tent” camps, kids will sleep

in tents and prepare food outdoors. This camp is for the kids that want hands-on,

experiential learning. Activities for the “Tent” camps include mountain biking,

hiking, ropes courses and fishing. Calwood also offers counselor training programs

for grades 9 to 12 and TREK backcountry hiking camps for grades 7 to 12.

Each week, campers will explore a different theme, some of which include

geology, engineering, music and astronomy. A template of the schedule for the

camps can be found on the camp’s website.

This camp is for: the curious kid who wants to experience nature in its purest sense.

Clear Creek Recreation Camp

Where: Idaho Springs

Dates: dates range from June 4 – August 10

Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ages: 5 to 16

Prices: $50/day for drop-in rates; $190/week

Registration deadline: May 1

Contact: Nicole McGrath, 720-490- 6947

Website: clearcreekrecreation.com

Clear Creek Recreation Center in Idaho Springs offers children 5 to 16 the chance to

engage in arts and crafts, swimming, sports and field trips with their peers.

This camp is for: the camper that wants to stay close to home, but still have fun with

arts, crafts and games.

Religious Camps

Maurice B. Shwayder Camp of Temple Emanuel

Where: Idaho Springs

Dates: June 11 – August 10

Hours: overnight

Ages: 2nd to 10th grade

Prices: starting at $1250 to $3750 for three-week sessions

Registration deadline:

Contact: 303-567- 2722

Website: shwayder.com

Shwayder Camp, based in Idaho Springs, connects campers with their Jewish

faith through educational, fun activities. Campers will bolster their self-confidence,

faith and relationships through activities like horseback riding, ropes courses and

music-making. The camp recently expanded its duration from two to three weeks

and has revamped its facilities, with an indoor recreation center, a Director’s cabin

and an arts center all planned to be unveiled for the 2018 summer camps. The new

rec center will include ping pong tables, a climbing wall and a movie screen.

This camp is for: the child that wants to learn more about his or her Jewish faith

while having fun with friends.

Highlands Presbyterian Camp

Where: Idaho Springs

Dates: June 10 – July 20

Hours: overnight

Ages: 3rd to 12th grade

Prices: $280 to $380

Contact: 303-747- 2888, registrar@highlandscamp.org.

Website: highlandscamp.org

Highlands’ “Adventure” camps feature different levels, from Intro to Adventure

to Extreme Adventure camps. Campers enrolled in one of the adventure camps can

expect to participate in high ropes courses and white-water rafting. For the less

adventurous kids, Highlands offers camps separated by grade level. In addition to

arts and crafts, hikes and campfire fun, kids will take delve into Bible Study. A

typical schedule for the camp can be found on the camp’s website.

This camp is for: the adventurous camper who also wants to be immersed in a

Christian-based experience.

Glacier View Ranch Camp

Where: Ward

Dates: June 10 – July 22

Hours: overnight

Ages: 7 to 17

Prices: $275 to $335

Contact: 303-282- 3664, gvrsummercamp@rmcsda.org

Website: rmcyouth.org/camp

Rocky Mountain Conference Youth Ministries offers week-long camps over the

summer for children interested in incorporating their Christian faith into their camp

experience. Campers can choose from a variety of activities, like rock climbing,

mountain biking, archery, canoeing, paddle boarding and candle-making. Campers

stay in cabins throughout the week. RMCYM also offers family camps.

This camp is for: the kid that loves to connect with others in team-building activities

and outdoor fun.