2025 Camp Impact Report
Summer of Flourishing
We are thrilled to share the 2025 Camp Impact Report, celebrating another extraordinary season at Keystone Science School. This year was proudly themed the Summer of Flourishing. In 2025, we welcomed more than 1,500 campers across over 2,400 weeks of programming, each experience designed to help young people flourish in confidence, curiosity, and connection.
While we remain committed to delivering an unforgettable outdoor summer camp experience, our mission extends far beyond fun. This summer, campers immersed themselves in hands-on science, outdoor adventure, and meaningful community-building. Every program was intentionally crafted to spark wonder, support personal growth, and strengthen their relationship with the natural world, rooting each child in the skills that help them flourish long after camp ends.
Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Summit Day Camp once again served as a lifeline for working families, providing educational, dependable, and affordable childcare. With your partnership, we supported local families by providing more than $291,000 in sliding-fee-scale tuition discounts, ensuring cost did not prevent a child from experiencing a summer filled with learning, stability, and joy.
As campers climbed mountain peaks, paddled alpine rivers, and stepped bravely into new challenges, the true impact reached far beyond the adventures themselves. We watched young people flourish by developing confidence, discovering leadership, practicing resilience, and building friendships that will carry them through the school year and beyond.
Thank you for helping our community flourish. Your investment gives children the space to grow, explore, feel supported, and truly thrive. Because of you, the 2025 Summer of Flourishing will stay with our campers and their families for years to come.
Transformative Camp Experiences
Progress and Grow at KSS
Day Camp
- Kindergarten-5th Grade
- On-Campus
- Monday-Friday
- Core Components: Science Themes, Hiking, Traditional Camp Activities, Community Impact and Activities.
Pathfinders Day Camp
- 6th-8th Grade
- On-Campus
- Monday-Friday
- Core Components: Adventure, Outdoor Recreation, Teamwork, Leadership and Stewardship.
Discovery Camp
- 1st-8th Grade
- On-Campus
- Monday-Saturday
- Core Components: Traditional Camp Activities, Outdoor Skills, Science Themes and Friendship.
CAP (Counselor Assistant)
- 9th-12th Grade
- On-Campus
- Monday-Saturday
- Core Components: Leadership, Traditional Camp Activities, Outdoor Skills, Science Themes and Friendship.
Adventures
- 5th-12th Grade
- Off-campus, wilderness based
- 6, 10, or 12 days
- Core Components: Field-based Programs, Independence, Leadership, Outdoor skills, Connection with Nature, Friendships.
Measuring Our Impact
1,500
Individual Campers
2,400
Summer Sessions
166
Challenge Hikes and Earth Treks where campers pushed themselves physically and mentally, conquering mountains like Quandary Peak at 14,000 feet, while also learning about the science of the environment they were exploring.
60
Campfires where campers stepped outside of their comfort zones while learning it’s ok to let loose, laugh, be silly and make friends!
33
Community Day Partners visited our campus and taught our Day Campers about what they are capable of, including Flight for Life, Nature’s Educators, local first responders, and more!
11
Weekly science themes like Astronomy, Water Ecology, Flora & Fauna, or Dinosaurs where campers spent a summer of learning along with their outdoor adventures!
10
National Parks and National Monuments our Adventure students rafted, backpacked, sandboarded, or rock-climbed through on their journey of outdoor growth.
40
Hot Pink Gorilla sightings were recorded this summer. Inspiring scientific thinking in campers, fostering curiosity, observation, and a hands-on approach to learning.
Camp is for Everyone.
Scholarships for Camp
We believe that camp should be accessible to everyone. Thanks to the generous donations from our supporters, we offer financial aid to help reduce the cost of camp for those who qualify.
This scholarship program opens doors for individuals who might otherwise face barriers to participation, fostering a more inclusive community where every camper can experience the joy and growth that camp provides.
KSS received 468 applications for programs this summer and offered scholarships to nearly 25% of these applications.
65
Number of Scholarships awarded
$30,387
Amount of Camp Scholarships provided in 2025
Summit School District Partnership
Strengthening Our Community
Summit Day Camp is Keystone Science School’s accessible summer day camp program offering full-day, science-rich childcare for local families. Each summer, hundreds of Summit County children spend their days outdoors, exploring hands-on STEM activities, building friendships, and developing confidence in a safe, structured environment.
This day camp makes it possible for parents to live and work locally. Our income-based tuition model means families pay different rates based on their income, so cost is not a barrier for working parents who rely on summer care to maintain stable employment.
The program also supports food security by providing every child with healthy meals and snacks throughout the day, which reduces financial strain on families and ensures kids stay nourished and ready to learn.
Most importantly, Summit Day Camp delivers meaningful learning. Through outdoor adventure and place-based science education, campers develop curiosity, resilience, teamwork, and a deep connection to the natural world.
175
Total SSD Campers
$291,288
Funded the sliding fee scale, reducing cost
Over 57%
of our Summit Day Camp enrollments from families that qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch or Child Heath Plan +, receiving significantly reduced cost programming.
Stories of Impact
“They had the best time, and we’re truly grateful for all the effort your team puts into creating such a positive, fun, and challenging environment. It sounds like they were pushed in the best ways, had a ton of laughs, and made some awesome memories.”
“Our daughter raved about how amazing the counselors were! How interactive and caring, especially in comparison to another sleepaway camp last year.”
“Thank you for the efforts of the staff! You are great kind enthusiastic role models for the kids!”
“I have connected with more people at the adventure camp and also grown as a person, being kinder and more supportive of others. “
“I feel like I have grown a lot in my outdoor experiences this trip, learning more about safety on the trail and different things that can help me throughout my life.”
“You guys are awesome, top to bottom, all functions. We’ve tried so many day camps over the years and KSS is a consistent family favorite.”
Our 2025 Camp sponsors
Thank you for your support!
With your help, we are not only meeting the challenges of today but laying the groundwork for a brighter, more sustainable future for our campers, students and community.
Support our mission today at keystonescienceschool.org/donate!
View Full Impact Report PDF
For further details on the impact of this year’s summer camp at Keystone Science School, please refer to the 2025 Camp Impact Report linked below.
