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 4-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.
2026 Dates & Rates
| Session | Dates | Grades | Dorms | Tents | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | June 8-13 | 2nd-8th | $1,599 | $1,499 | Open |
| Tents to Trails | June 15-27 | 7th-8th | Only SRV | $3,399 | Open |
| Session 2 | June 15-20 | 2nd-8th | $1,599 | $1,499 | Male spots only |
| >Fusion Weekend | June 20-22 | 5th-8th | $300 | $300 | Open |
| Session 3 | June 22-27 | 2nd-8th | $1,599 | $1,499 | Dorms: Male only Tents: Open |
| Session 4 (shorter week) | June 29-July 2 | 1st-6th | $1,099 | $999 | Open |
| Session 5 | July 6-11 | 2nd-8th | $1,599 | $1,499 | Dorms: Female only Tents: Open |
| >Fusion Weekend | July 11-13 | 5th-8th | $300 | $300 | Open |
| Session 6 | July 13-18 | 2nd-8th | $1,599 | $1,499 | Dorms: Male only Tents: Open |
| Session 7: Adventure Week | July 20-25 | 3rd-8th | $1,599 | $1,499 | Dorms: Open Tents: Male Only |
| Tents to Trails | July 20-Aug. 1 | 7th-8th | Only SRV | $3,399 | Open |
| Session 8 | July 27-Aug. 1 | 2nd-8th | $1,599 | $1,499 | Dorms: Male only Tents: Open |
| Session 9 | Aug. 3-8 | 2nd-8th | $1,599 | $1,499 | Dorm:Female only Tents: Open |
| Session 10 | Aug. 10-15 | 2nd-8th | $1,599 | $1,499 | Open |
*SRV = Snake River Village Canvas Tents (Sleeps 6-8 Campers on Cots)
*Grades listed apply to your camper’s grade in Fall 2026
View Weekly Themes and Activity Options
| Week | Theme | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Forest Ecology | Rafting, Horseback Riding, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 2 | Flora & Fauna | Rafting, Horseback Riding, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 3 | Water Ecology | Rafting, Horseback Riding, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 4 | Intro to Discovery | N/A |
| Session 5 | Geology | Rafting, Horseback Riding, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 6 | Climate Science | Rafting, Ropes Course, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 7 | Adventure | Rafting, Ropes Course, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 8 | Water Ecology | Rafting, Ropes Course, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 9 | C.L.A.W. (Color War) | Rafting, Ropes Course, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 10 | Prehistoric Exploration | Rafting, Horseback Riding, or Ropes Course |
Campers will choose their Adventure Day activity during camp (instead of during online enrollment).
Adventure Week
(Session 7)
This week has more outdoor focus with two nights of wilderness backpacking instead of one.
Tents to Trails
Combining two great summer programs at KSS; Tents to Trails starts with a week of Discovery Camp on-campus, then heads out for a week of Adventures off-campus. Learn more here.
Short Session
Session 4 is a shorter, 4-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: Bunk Beds with Mattresses
Capacity: 4 campers per room
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: Cots with Mattresses
Capacity: 6-7 campers per tent
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
Wilderness Backpacking
Campers depart campus for a Wilderness Overnight Trip, where they will backpack and experience a night in nature.
Day 3
Camper Choice
Campers spend the day on campus or around Summit County, where they can choose from activities like disc golf, Earth Treks, fishing, archery and tye-dye. We end each day with a Candle Chat.
Day 4
Challenge Hike
We leave KSS before sunrise for a Challenge Hike – where campers push themselves outside of their comfort zones on a difficult hike in a beautiful location, sometimes as far as summiting a mountain at 14,000 feet! 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 Talent Show, 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.
Schedules for Sessions
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