Discovery Camp
_1st-8th Grades______
Discovery Camp
Traditional Sleepaway Camp + Science + Outdoor Adventure
- Overnight camp for campers entering grades 1st through 8th in the fall.
- First-time camper friendly. No prior experience needed.
- 6-day sessions run Monday-Saturday from June through August, with shorter 5-day and longer 12-day options also available.
Discovery Camp offers the classic fun of sleepaway camp, with hands-on science, outdoor adventure, and fun camp traditions that help campers build confidence, make friends, and try new things.
Discovery Camp Registration Opens January 13th!
2027 Dates & Rates
| Session | Themes | Dates | Grades | Dorms | Tents | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Roots to Cones | June 7-12 | 2nd-8th | $1,629 | N/A | Registration Opens Jan. 13th! |
| Session 2 | School of Rocks! | June 14-19 | 2nd-8th | $1,629 | $1,529 | Registration Opens Jan. 13th! |
| Session 3 | Water: Peak to Basin | June 21-26 | 2nd-8th | $1,629 | $1,529 | Registration Opens Jan. 13th! |
| Session 4 | Alpine Wildlife | June 28-July 3 | 2nd-8th | $1,629 | $1,529 | Registration Opens Jan. 13th! |
| Session 5 (shorter week) | Dino Week | July 6-10 | 1st-8th | $1,349 | $1,249 | Registration Opens Jan. 13th! |
| Session 6 | Wild Flowers | July 12-17 | 2nd-8th | $1,629 | $1,529 | Registration Opens Jan. 13th! |
| >Fusion Weekend | Bugs! | July 17-19 | 2nd-8th | $315 | N/A | Registration Opens Jan. 13th! |
| Session 7 | Rocks & Ridges | July 19-24 | 3rd-8th | $1,629 | $1,529 | Registration Opens Jan. 13th! |
| Session 8 | H2O | July 26-31 | 2nd-8th | $1,629 | $1,529 | Registration Opens Jan. 13th! |
| Session 9: C.L.A.W. | The Science of C.L.A.W. (Color War) | Aug. 2-9 | 2nd-8th | $1,629 | $1,529 | Registration Opens Jan. 13th! |
| Session 10 | Adaptations | Aug. 9-14 | 2nd-8th | $1,629 | N/A | Registration Opens Jan. 13th! |
*SRV = Snake River Village Canvas Tents (Sleeps 6-8 Campers on Cots)
*Grades listed apply to your camper’s grade in Fall 2027
View Weekly Adventure Day Options
| Week | Adventures |
|---|---|
| Session 1 | Coming Soon! |
| Session 2 | Coming Soon! |
| Session 3 | Coming Soon! |
| Session 4 | Coming Soon! |
| Session 5 | N/A |
| Session 6 | Coming Soon! |
| Session 7 | Coming Soon! |
| Session 8 | Coming Soon! |
| Session 9 | Coming Soon! |
| Session 10 | Coming Soon! |
Session 5 (Shorter Week)
Session 5 is a shorter, 5-day version of Discovery Camp. This is perfect for our younger campers trying their first sleepaway camp, or campers just looking for a shorter session. View schedule here.
Fusion Weekend
Fusion Weekend bridges two weeks of Discovery Camp into one exciting adventure! Campers will enjoy a slower-paced weekend with just 12 campers on campus, giving them the chance to recharge, explore, and bond with new friends.
Lodging & Sleeping Accomodations
Snake River Village Tents
Canvas-Style Platform Tents
Grades: 6th-8th
Beds: Cots with Mattresses
Capacity: 6-7 campers per tent
Campers sleep in canvas wall tents adjacent to the beautiful Snake River. Our tents are on raised wooden platforms and each camper gets a cot with mattress and room to store their belongings. The tents are a short walk from the bathrooms, showers and dining hall. Counselors stay in a tent next to the camper tent.
Log-Style Dorms
Log-Style Dorms
Grades: 2nd-8th
Beds: Bunk Beds with Mattresses
Capacity: 4 campers per room
Our log cabin-style dormitories features bunk beds, restrooms with showers, and community space. There are two different dormitories both of which are centrally located on our campus. There are four campers per room, and counselors stay in a room off of the community space.
KSS allows for group/dorm requests within the dorms and Snake River Village. We work hard to ensure that each group is composed of campers of similar ages and ask that no group/dorm requests be made for campers that are more than 2 years apart in age or grade. There is a location in your forms to put in these requests.
Scholarships
Camp scholarships are available for those with a financial need! While a scholarship is not guaranteed, we do our best to accommodate and take into consideration each family that applies.
Science Activities
Each week at Discovery Camp, we weave in engaging science activities that complement the camp experience. While traditional camp and adventure activities are the main focus, these hands-on science experiences add an exciting learning element to each session.
Activities & Schedule
No prior experience is necessary.
If you have never climbed, rafted, or spent a night out backpacking, it’s ok!
DAY 1
Welcome to Camp!
We’ll get settled in our dorms/tents, and pack for the next day’s Wilderness trip. We finish the day with our Campfire tradition, where campers can sing, laugh and make new friends. Read more about the Campfire here.
DAY 2
Camper Choice & Science Programs
Campers spend the day on campus, where they can choose from activities like disc golf, archery, tye-dye and many more traditional camp activities. Campers will also have the opportunity to participate in science activities related to the weeks theme. We end each day with a Candle Chat.
DAY 3
Wilderness Backpacking
Campers depart campus for a Wilderness Overnight Trip, where they will backpack and experience a night in nature.
DAY 4
Challenge Hike
Campers will wake up from their wilderness backpacking expereince and as a group complete a Challenge Hike – campers push themselves outside of their comfort zones on a difficult hike in a beautiful location, while supporting other members of their group to have a team experience. Learn more about the Challenge Hike.
DAY 5
Adventure Day
Depending on the week, choices can include rafting, horseback riding, rock climbing or a ropes course. We end the day with a fun and laughter filled Costume Dinner, followed by our closing camper ceremony and the week’s Camper Awards.
DAY 6
Camp Celebration
On the last day of camp we’ll pack up and have a celebration with arriving families, where we’ll will sing camp songs, meet the counselors and watch a video celebrating the memories from the week.
In the words of parents:
“No phones. Dedicated time to focus on self. Reminders about gratitude. Getting in touch with nature. The counselors are strong, sweet, great role models.”
“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.”
“We love KSS. The growth our kids have each summer is priceless. Thank you for all the hard work, planning and everything that goes into what you do!”
Counselor Assistant Program (CAP)
The Counselor Assistant is the final step in the Discovery Camp progression and plays a key leadership role. CAPs not only enjoy the fun and excitement of camp, but also work on building leadership skills, developing meaningful friendships, and enhancing their outdoor skills, science knowledge, and teaching abilities. This program helps increase self-confidence and self-awareness, preparing participants for future leadership opportunities.
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Keystone Science School has the power to effect change in outdoor education. We know the trail won’t be easy, yet we remain resolute in our responsibility to press forward and help make the outdoors more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive. With each step we take, we learn from existing footprints and create new ones where there are none. If you’re looking for Keystone Science School, you’ll know where to find us–on the trail.
Get Ready for Camp!
Family Resources
Check out our KSS Adventures!
Adventures is the next step in progression at KSS, focused on the development of outdoor skills and leadership while exploring Colorado by foot, on rope, or watercraft, for grades 5th-12th.
Intro to Climbing
Grades 5th-7th
Sand Dunes N.P. Adventure
Grades 6th-8th