Staunton State Park, Colorado
Dates
July 17-21
Duration
6 Days
Grades Entering
9th-11th
Rate
$1,549
ROCK CLIMBING - CAMPING
This trip is designed to be a step-up in rock climbing progression building off of prior rock climbing experience through our Adventure Program, personal experience, or elsewhere! In addition to the skills we learn in other rock climbing programs we will learn: more of a theory of and explaining the concepts about anchor building, we will talk about the concepts of lead climbing and be able to practice or ‘’mock lead’’ while on a top rope system, we will learn about traditional rock climbing, gear, gear placements, and practice placing traditional gear while getting feedback from our instructors. We’ll also do more rappelling progressions and learn the foundation of personal anchor systems, tethering, and safely clean climbing anchors.
Activities & Skills

4 DAYS
Climbing
- Climb/ Anchor building/ Climbing Gear chat
- Climb/ Rappel Progression/ Cleaning
- Climb/ Trad Placements/ Mock Sport + Trad leads
- Student led day working on skills and projecting routes.
Rock climbing is the art or moving up or along natural rock formations with the use of specialized gear. It can be both physically and mentally demanding as it requires both endurance and agility to overcome the obstacles and puzzles that the climbing path presents.

First & Last Day
On the first day we'll meet at Keystone Science School's campus, get checked in and meet the rest of our group at the Trip Briefing. We'll go over our gear list and make sure our packs are ready. Then we'll load up the van and head to our Adventure location, usually an hour or more of travel. Once we get to our location, we'll learn some of the basics of the activities to follow, like gear, basic climbing systems or river safety. Then we'll cook dinner and have our first Evening Meeting as we get to know each other.
On the final day after activities are done, we'll head back to KSS, and have our Pin Ceremony where we award campers for their acheivements.
Schedule and duration of activities are subject to change.
Backpacking or Basecamping?
This Adventure Utilizes Base Camping
Base camping allows us to set up tents and kitchen in one area which serves as a jumping-off point for multiple adventure activities. When we are base camping, we are only carrying with us what we need for that specific day and we are sleeping in an established campground next to or near our van. Base camping often means access to pit toilets or even bathrooms with running potable water. Because we don’t need to carry everything with us, our kitchen can be bigger with more supplies— like a double-burner propane stove, pots and pans, and access to picnic tables.
Important Info
Adventure FAQs Apply for a Scholarship Payment & Cancellation PolicyFrom Parents
Words of camper parents from our 2022 Adventure programs.
"My kid looks forward to this every year! It is so important for her to get out of her usual routine and meet new people and get a chance to be on her own."
"KSS is important to give my son experiences in nature and in new areas of the state."
"No phones. Dedicated time to focus on self. Reminders about gratitude. Getting in touch with nature. The counselors are strong, sweet, great role models."
"We love KSS. The growth our kids have each summer is priceless. Thank you for all the hard work, planning and everything (heart) that goes into what you do!"
Have questions?
Visit our FAQ page to read our most asked questions for Adventures.