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Why #IAMKSS
What do you think of when you read these words? If you are a student in Summit County or the Colorado Front-range, chances are you think of Keystone Science School! Students and educators from all…
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Bequest Will Ensure the Future of KSS Campership Program
Keystone Science School is honored to announce an important bequest to the Endowment Fund from a truly remarkable couple, Patricia (Patti) and Joel Meier. Patti and Joel’s Endowment bequest in honor of Bill and Jane…
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The Accidental Scientist
In October of 2011, I had the opportunity to go to Keystone Science School for a few days with my 6th grade class. I couldn’t wait to go and explore new ideas and places! Our…
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The Best Kind of Summer School
Many people may think that summer vacation for teachers is just that, a vacation. While it may be true that we get to trade in our laptops for lounge chairs, some of us choose to…
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It’s Going to Be a Marvelous Summer!
The pungent smell of burnt marshmallow lingers in the air, mingling with the sharp astringence of lodge pole pine. Reverberations of laughter and shouting echo in the forest, as glimpses of pink primates are rumored…
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How Do You Know When It’s Working?
So far 2015 has felt like The Year of Environmental Educators. Maybe it’s partly that working at KSS for both Summer Camp as well as School Programs turns a person into a public figure or celebrity of sorts, whether…
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KSS Group Makes History
During the summer of 1984, KSS Camp staff in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation led 10-day backpacking trips in the Rockies for youth about 14-17 years old from all across the US. I co-led…
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Teachers in the Wild!
Each summer Key Issues Institute brings teachers from around the world to Keystone Science School for an innovative and fun professional development workshop. Teachers get outside to really experience the curriculum in action. Then they…
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Camouflage Jacket
I have been lucky enough to spend the last year living on a beautiful piece of land north of Silverthorne, Colorado, just outside the city limits. The property we share with a handful of other…
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Teaching Girls to Lead
“Supporting women STEM students and researchers is not only an essential part of America’s strategy to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world; it is also important to women themselves. Women in STEM…
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Outdoor Education and Bob Craig’s Legacy
A tribute to our founder, Bob Craig, and all that he created: Bob, thanks for believing in the cause of outdoor education and creating KSS so that we could share this experience with so many people. From…
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The Origins of Culture
Recently, whether out in the field or at home in my cozy cabin, I have had one major question echoing in my brain. What is the oldest culture on planet Earth? Is it Mesopotamia, the…
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Coming Full Circle
In the advent of a new year, we often reflect back on years past, wondering what exactly has brought us to the current place we occupy in time and space. Looking back I can recall…
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Witnessing the Impact of KSS From All Sides
My experience at KSS began in 5th grade when I came with my Breckenridge Elementary class for a three-day snow science program. I have very fond memories of the trip from sleeping in the Bighorn…
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Making History With Water
On November 12th, Keystone Science School was scheduled to run our annual H2O Outdoors program, an exciting grant-funded program for High School students made possible through key partnerships with Denver Water, Aurora Water, and the Colorado River District.…
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Surrounded by Wildlife
A couple of weeks ago, a young bull moose wandered onto our campus. Most of the staff and instructors were delighted as we tracked the moose’s journey around campus. It got me thinking about the…
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Passing the Baton
In the year 2060, I plan to still be taking my annual summer excursion to Dillon Reservoir with my wife and kids. But will the environment be different? Sure, I expect to have grandchildren joining me at…
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Key Issues in Action
My sixth grade students in Montague, Michigan are thrilled that Alcoa Foundation sponsored my travel to Silverthorne, Colorado in June to attend Key Issues Institute with Keystone Science School. In the first few months of…
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Love is in the Air!
A group of KSS field instructors and I visited Rocky Mountain National Park recently to witness the yearly elk rut for ourselves. Much like people the male elk do everything they can to impress the ladies. Male…
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Hats Off to You
Probably the best part of our jobs at KSS is hearing from our program participants about how their experiences have impacted their lives. Here are a couple of our favorites from this summer’s Key Issues Institute.…
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The Power of Silence
Working at Keystone Science School has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Everyday I get to have amazing experiences with children in an outdoor setting. As magical as it is, it can…
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Happy Birthday to our Founder and Friend!
We are excited and honored to be celebrating the birthday of our founder and friend, Robert W. Craig, who turned 90 years old this month. Craig, who most frequently describes himself as the “ultimate accidental…
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Making a Difference
This past weekend on September 13th, Keystone Science School staff and volunteers came together to take part in the 16th annual Summit County Make a Difference Day. While the national Make a Difference Day isn’t until…
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Catch-ing More than Healthy Habits
School is back in session, which means Keystone Science School’s CATCH Afterschool Program is in full swing. Currently we have a total of 155 students enrolled in session 1 across all six Summit County Elementary Schools. This…
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Farewell from Your Camp Family!
The dust has settled on campus today. Yesterday was the first Monday in nine weeks that there were no cars driving through Day Camp drop-off, no returning campers hugging one another as they run towards…
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KSS Burst My Bubble – In a Good Way
As part of our Basin Voyage Program, participants were asked to write a final reflection paper on what they learned on their journey through the Yampa River Basin. The following paper is reprinted here with permission…
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How Basin Voyage Changed Me
As part of our Basin Voyage Program, participants were asked to write a final reflection paper on what they learned on their journey through the Yampa River Basin. The following paper is reprinted here with permission…
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Interactive Education to Inspire and Engage
A few months ago I applied through the Alcoa Foundation for a generous sponsorship to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to attend Key Issues Institute at Keystone Science School. I was so excited when I…
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Changing Our Water Future
Have you ever seen a group of kids more excited to be with their state representatives? This is the kind of academic exhilaration inspired by our newest policy-based program, Basin Voyage. This hybrid program crosses the…
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Community Connections that Change Lives
This week marks the close of KSS School Programs for the 2013-2014 school year. It’s been a great one and we look forward to many more. For years Keystone Science School has enjoyed a productive…
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Discovering Snow Science
As part of our Community Programs at KSS we frequently collaborate with Girl Scouts of Colorado to offer weekend environmental camps. This letter came to Girl Scouts this spring from a chaperone parent who attended the Wonders…
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Living in a Piece of History
As an instructor for School Programs my days mostly consist of being in the field with students. However, just the other day I was spending a rare moment in the office when I stumbled upon…
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The Good Side of Mud Season
It is finally spring in Summit County and the signs and sounds of melting snow are everywhere. If you’ve spent time in the mountains you know it as mud season. And I know it as…
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HPG Goes Pro
In a move that has surprised marketing execs at the elite outdoor retailer, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard decided to make the Hot Pink Gorilla the new “face of Patagonia.”Dmitri Siegel, Executive Creative Director at Patagonia…
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What a Difference a Dollar Makes
We work hard to create memorable experiences for our students. It is a collaborative effort from not only our staff but also our funders. The letter below is a passionate declaration from classroom teacher Jaime…