2025 Summit Day Camp Impact Report

What is Summit Day Camp?

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.

In a community with high living costs and limited childcare options, Summit Day Camp is a vital resource for Summit County. 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. These experiences help shape confident young people who grow into engaged community members and future leaders.

The Programs:

Summit 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.

Day 1
Earth Treks

Campers spend the day out on local trails exploring the science theme and enjoying a picnic.

Day 2
Skills Day

Campers develop a variety of traditional summer camp skills, including biking, archery, arts & crafts, sports, etc.

Day 3
Quest Day

Campers may embark on a fun-filled science-themed field trip or have the field trip come to us for a day full of exploration and learning.

Day 4
Community Day

We invite local community superheroes to come to KSS to facilitate an activity or to teach us about their passions, typically focused around the week’s science theme.

Day 5
Camp Day

Campers celebrate the science theme of the week with culminating activities that tie the week together.

Measuring Our Impact

185

unique Summit School District Campers

32,600

Total screen-free science hours

= Over 150 hours per camper

175

175 campers from 147 families across 773 registrations for camp.

10

10 campers from 10 families across 42 registrations for camp.

Towns we serve and the amount of campers from each town

Sliding Fee Scale

What is the sliding fee scale?

KSS provides income-based discounted summer day camp rates for local families enrolled in the Summit School District. Half of the spaces in each session of day camp are reserved for these campers. To reduce barriers and determine household income, the discount rate is dependent upon the following qualifying programs:

Free & Reduced Priced Meals (F&R Lunch)
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
Local SSD Families who do not qualify for a program

Through the generous support of our donors, KSS was able to provide $291,288 in funding to support the sliding fee scale for our local families.

KSS Pricing and Support Per Session/Week

Full price, non-local: $549
Local SSD: $364 (34% Discount)
Child Health Plan+: $199 (64% Discount)
F&R Lunch: $65 (88% Discount)

Funding & Scholarships

$291,288

funded the sliding fee scale
thanks to our generous funders

$5,540

in additional scholarships given
to families by KSS’s Scholarship Fund

Pathfinders searching for macroinvertebrates

Stories of Impact

“In addition to affordability, our family needs consistent childcare for the entirety of the summer, and KSS programming is diverse enough that our camper is engaged the whole season.”

“Mi hija recibe amor y diversion extrema, nunca la habia visto tan sucia” (“My daughter is receiving love and extreme fun; I’ve never seen her so dirty!”)

“Our camper is gaining a passion for the outdoors, and is incredibly excited each day to tell us about the things she learned.”

“Infinitas gracias para mi hija y para mi es muy importante este programa!!! BENDICIONES PARA CADA UNA DE LAS MARAVILLOSAS PERSONAS QUE LO COMPLEMENTAN.” (“Thank you so much! This program is very important for my daughter and me!!! BLESSINGS to each and every one of the wonderful people who make it possible.”)

“Our camper is enjoying the outdoors while secretly learning science, and that is a valuable experience.”

“Without summer camps, I wouldn’t be able to work and support my family. And without the subsidized rate, KSS would be very difficult to afford. I am so thankful!!!”