Thanks for a great summer! Summer Camp 2024 registration will open on January 10th, 2024.
For those entering 5th-12th grades, our field-based Adventures are focused on the development of outdoor skills and leadership while exploring Colorado’s stunning parks, monuments, and most scenic natural environments by foot, on rope, or watercraft. Gain outdoor skills, appreciation for the natural world, and lifelong friendships while cooking together and sleeping in a tent under the stars. Every Adventure features the same core set of leadership, outdoor stewardship, and outdoor living skills.
2023 Adventure Programs
Important Info
Adventure FAQs Apply for a Scholarship Payment & Cancellation PolicyStudents on this expedition should expect to wake up early, carry a heavy backpack, step out of their comfort zone, and support each other through physical and mental challenges. Those who do so are rewarded with the incredible beauty, serenity, and satisfaction of accomplishment in the mountains.
Skills Taught
No prior experience is necessary to join an Adventure. If you have never climbed, rafted, or spent a night out backpacking, it’s ok! You will learn from our instructors no matter your skill level.
Depending on your specific Adventure program, campers will learn a combination of several outdoor skills:

Rock Climbing
Rock climbing 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. With safety systems in place, rock climbing is a fun and rewarding sport that is as difficult as you want it to be, and as safe as any other outdoor activity.

Canyoneering
The unique red rock desert landscape presents unique challenges and breathtaking experiences. Along the winding canyon paths, we will learn climbing and rappelling techniques, knot-tying skills, and learn to interpret the difficult terrain with a map and compass— all while feeling connected to the prehistoric past that this environment presents.

Rafting
There’s nothing like the thrill of exploration felt as the group paddles the river together. We'll go rafting on some of Colorado's best rivers, including the Arkansas, Gunnison and Colorado.

Kayaking & Canoeing
In our boats, you will learn to interpret the river current, practice paddling skills and beaching your craft to explore secluded wilderness areas inaccessible by other means. One can’t help but feel like an explorer while drifting down the river, gazing upon wildlife, and basking in the sounds and smells of the surrounding nature.

Backpacking
Each Adventure offers hands-on opportunities to learn how to travel in the backcountry. Campers will pack everything they need on their backs and hike into the backcountry for multiple days.

Paddleboarding
A fun way to explore and play on the water, paddleboarding (or SUPing) is an increasingly popular adventure sport. Standing on a long surfboard and using a paddle to navigate and move around the lake, or down a lazy river - it’s very easy to learn and it’s also a great workout!

Hiking & Navigation
Campers will hike in some of Colorado's most amazing landscapes, learning how to safely travel in the backcountry and navigate from point A to point B, using maps, compasses and their surroundings.

Backcountry Cooking & Living
Practice outdoor living skills like hanging a bear bag and map reading. Students will also learn the ins and outs of backcountry cooking. Armed with a camp stove, spice kits, and basic pot set you will take a turn preparing meals for the group. We will provide ingredients to meet the needs of any dietary restriction.

Environmental Stewardship
During our Adventures we instill principles of outdoor stewardship, to be good stewards of our land while exploring.
Leadership Framework
Our Leadership Framework has a foundation of 5 main elements. As students progress through Adventures, they will become familiar with the 5 elements and have opportunities to grow within each. This framework is meant to help instructors identify which elements of leadership are linked to the activities and programs they are leading and how to effectively teach valuable skills through activity facilitation, debrief, and conversation.
The elements of Leadership

Inclusion

Critical Thinking

Interactions

Personal Growth

Skill Cultivation
Camping Options
Depending on the program, campers will either Basecamp near the parking lot or backpack into the field to stay overnight.
There will be no shower or bathroom facilities - these will be provided by nature!

Basecamping
Base camping allows us to set up tents and kitchen in one area which serves as a jumping-off point for multiple adventure activities. We only carry with us what we need for that specific day and we're sleeping in an established campground next to or near our van. This often means access to pit toilets or even bathrooms with running potable water. Our kitchen can be bigger with more supplies— like a double-burner propane stove, pots and pans, and access to picnic tables.

Backpacking
Campers will carry everything they need to camp in the field on their backs and hike into the wilderness to stay overnight. Our kitchen setup will be smaller and more lightweight for traveling. Nature is your bathroom and water supply!
From 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?
What to pack? Drop-off and pick-up procedures?
Visit our FAQ page to read our most asked questions for Adventures.