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Adventures FAQs


Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions for our Adventures program, like what to pack and when to arrive.

Drop-off and Pick-up info:

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Drop-off and Pick-up

Allow up to 1 hour each for drop-off and pick-up.

  • Drop-Off:
    • KSS Campus: 10am on Start Date
    • **Denver International Airport (12 day programs only): 5am-8am Flight arrival window
  • *Pick-Up:
    • KSS Campus: 11am on End Date
    • **Denver International Airport (12 day programs only): 4pm-7pm flight departure window

Tents to Trails: Because this program is a hybrid, it has separate pickup and dropoff information:

  • Drop-Off:
    • KSS Campus: 12pm on Start Date
    • Morrison T-Rex Park N Ride: 10am on Start Date ($75)
    • **Denver International Airport: 5am-8am Flight arrival window
  • Pick-Up:
    • KSS Campus: 11am on End Date
    • Morrison T-Rex Park N Ride: Not an option for end of this program
    • **Denver International Airport: 4pm-7pm flight departure window

* Adventure programs end on either Friday or Saturday. See your KSS Online Account for exact dates.
* DIA transportation is only offered for 12-day programs and is $129 each way. There is an additional $200 fee for flights booked outside of the designated flight window.

My student is flying to Colorado alone, what do I need to do?

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Available Only for 12-day sessions, we offer transportation to and from Denver International Airport. DIA transportation selections will be available when enrolling your student. Please note that there are additional charges for scheduling flights outside of the flight window.

For all DIA transportation, we will ask guardians to complete a form to indicate flight details. Unaccompanied minors will be met at the gate upon arrival, and will be delivered to the gate for departure. For those that are not unaccompanied minors, we will meet individuals at the top of the escalators in the terminal (after departing the train). Please contact us directly with any flight related inquiries.

What do I need to pack?

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  • Click here for the Week-long Adventure Mountain Packing List for Colorado Canyons, Canyons of the West, Canoes & Crags, and Climbing & Canoes.
  • Click here for the Week-long Desert Adventure Packing List for all other 6-day trips.
  • Click here for the Two-Week Adventure Trip Packing List for all 12-day trips.

How is the waitlist Managed?

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There is no cost to be on the waitlist. Payment will only be processed once a family agrees to enroll the camper, and the enrollment is processed by a KSS staff member. A deposit is not charged to be on the waitlist.

The waitlist operates on a first-come-first-served basis. KSS may prioritize campers that already have an enrolled sibling in the session.

When a space becomes available, a KSS staff member will reach out to a waitlisted family either via email or phone with a timeline of when we can accept a response. Once the allotted time has passed, we will move on to the next camper on the waitlist. We will reach out to waitlisted campers again if another space opens up. A waitlisted camper may be removed from the waitlist if we do not receive a response after multiple attempts to contact the family.

If you want to know where your camper is on the waitlist, you can contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (970)468-2098

Why do some adventure sessions list more days of activities than other similar sessions?

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All of our adventure students spend the same total number of days participating in different activities or skills. The list of activities differ because some days are a combination of multiple activities while other days are fully dedicated to just one.

What do bathrooms, showers, and hygiene look like in the backcountry?

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Learn more about how we handle backcountry hygiene here.

How does KSS handle Dietary Restrictions?

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Keystone Science School is familiar with accommodating most dietary restrictions such as gluten-free (including diets for Celiac Disease), dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, Kosher, etc. It is important that parents complete health history forms indicating diet preferences to ensure our kitchen is equipped to provide meals for your participant.

Nuts: Keystone Science School is a nut-aware campus, which means our kitchen and the food we provide does not contain nuts, nor are any of the ingredients manufactured in a facility containing nuts. We ask that campers and participants follow this policy and also do not bring foods containing nuts.

If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (970)468-2098 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

What to do if my Camper/ Student has medical restrictions?

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If your camper or participant has medical restrictions, it is important to indicate any medical needs or concerns in the medical history forms within your KSS Online account. Please contact us if your participant will be bringing medications (both over the counter and prescription) or your participant will need specific accommodations at (970)468-2098 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If your camper is bringing a medication, vitamin, supplement, etc. including over-the-counter medications or naturopathic remedies, they will need to bring the following for each item:

  • A completed medication administration permission form signed by a physician
  • It needs to be in the original packaging or bottle
  • Cannot be expired
  • The dosage of medication brought must match the dosage on the Medication Administration Permission Form
  • Only bring the number of doses that the participant will take during programming

Lost and Found

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Please fill out this form and we will contact you if we are able to find the lost items.

Can I contact my camper/student during programming?

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We pride ourselves on quality programming that engages all of our participants. We feel the use of technology detracts from this experience and therefore we do not permit participants to have access to technology for the duration program. Cell phones, laptops, smartwatches, etc. are prohibited and will be confiscated during programming - please leave these at home.

We have access to our staff at all times both on-campus as well as when in the backcountry. Our motto is “No news is good news.” We will inform parents if any medical, behavioral, or other concerns arise. If you have an emergency, or need to get in contact with your participant, you can contact us at our main office at (970)468-2098.

What qualifications are staff required to have?

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Keystone Science School hires qualified staff who must meet several qualifications in order to be employed at KSS. Staff must go through both state and federal background checks and obtain first aid training. Day Camp staff have a minimum of First Aid and CPR training as well as experience working with children or a demonstrated ability to do so. All Overnight Camp staff have a minimum of a Wilderness First Aid certification and past experience working with children. All staff go through a comprehensive staff training to give them the tools they need to deliver life-changing experiences. Also, they are rockstars!

What Accreditation does KSS have?

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  • Licensing through the state of Colorado
  • American Camp Association