Discovery Camp
_1st-8th grades______
Discovery Camp
- Overnight camp for kids entering grades 1st through 8th.
- 6-day camps, Monday through Saturday – offered each week from June until August.
- Shorter 4-day and longer 12-day sessions also available.
Set against the stunning backdrop of our 23-acre campus and the surrounding Rocky Mountains, Discovery Camp blends traditional camp fun with hands-on science and adventure. Each session features core activities and exciting outdoor adventures, all while exploring a unique science theme each week. Adventures include rock climbing, rafting, mountain hiking, backpacking, campfires, talent shows, and more!
For older kids, the CAP (Counselor Assistant) program for 9th-12th grades is the next step in our camp progression, learn more here.
2025 enrollment is open and limited spots still available!
| 2025 Dates | Grades Entering | Rate | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | June 9-14 | 2nd-8th | $1,499 | Dorm Spots Open |
| Session 2 | June 16-21 | 2nd-8th | $1,599 | Tent Space Open |
| Session 3 | June 23-28 | 2nd-8th | $1,599 | Tent Space Open |
| Session 4 (shorter week) | June 30 – July 3 | 1st-8th | $1,099 | Tent Space Open |
| Session 5 | July 7-12 | 2nd-8th | $1,699 | Tent Space Open |
| Session 6 | July 14-19 | 2nd-8th | $1,699 | Tent Space Open |
| Session 7: Adventure Week | July 21-26 | 2nd-8th | $1,699 | Waitlist Only |
| Tents to Trails | July 21 – Aug. 1 | 7th-8th | $3,399 | Waitlist Only |
| Session 8: Discovery Tents 6th-8th grade | July 28-Aug. 2 | 6th-8th | $1,499 | Spots Open |
| Session 8: Discovery Deluxe Camp Legends & Warriors | July 28-Aug. 8 | 2nd-8th | $3,399 | Spots Open |
| Session 10 (shorter week) | Aug. 11-15 | 1st-8th | $1,449 | Spots Open |
View Weekly Themes and Activity Options
| Theme | Adventure Day Activity Options (choose 1 per session) | |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Flora & Fauna | Rafting, Horseback Riding, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 2 | Forest Ecology | Rafting, Horseback Riding, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 3 | Geology | Rafting, Horseback Riding, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 4 | Intro to Discovery | N/A |
| Session 5 | Water Ecology | Rafting, Ropes Course, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 6 | Flora & Fauna | Rafting, Ropes Course, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 7 | Adventure | Rafting, Ropes Course, or Rock Climbing |
| Session 8 Discovery Tents | Deluxe | Ropes Course or Rock Climbing |
| Session 8 Deluxe | Rock Climbing or Ropes Course (and Rafting trip for all campers) | |
| Session 10 | Astronomy | Rafting, Ropes Course, or Rock Climbing |
Campers will choose their Adventure Day activity during camp (instead of during online enrollment).
Lodging options & grades
Grades 1st-8th: Cabin-style Dorms
Grades 4th-6th: Canvas Tents in Snake River Village
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.
Discovery Deluxe (Session 8): Deluxe is a longer, two-week version of Discovery Camp. Learn more here.
Discovery Tents (Session 8): a one-week camp in the Snake River Village for middle schoolers.
Shorter sessions: Session 4 is a shorter, 4-day version of Discovery Camp, and Session 10 is a shorter, 5-day version. These are perfect for our younger campers trying their first sleepaway camp, or campers just looking for a shorter session. View schedules here.
Discovery Deluxe
Two Weeks, One Epic Color War!
Get ready for an unforgettable two-week experience! Discovery Deluxe kicks off with a classic week of Discovery Camp, then cranks up the excitement with CLAW (Camp Legends and Warriors)—our legendary color war where five teams battle in epic challenges. Week two also features another Mega Camper Choice day, a car-camping overnight, and an action-packed rafting adventure on the Arkansas River. More time, more thrills, more memories!
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.
Lodging Options
Campers have the opportunity to sleep in our dorms or our canvas tents.
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.
Snake River Village
Grades 4th-6th
Campers sleep in canvas wall tents, each with 6 beds, 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. They even have their very own campfire pit!
Log-Style Dorms
Grades 2nd-8th
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.
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 shorter and longer sessions
Session 4: Designed for our younger campers trying their first sleepaway camp, or campers just looking for a shorter session. This session follows the normal discovery camp schedule but does not have the Adventure or Mega camper choice days.
Discovery Deluxe – Session 8 & 9: Discovery Deluxe is a longer, two-week version of Discovery Camp. This session follows the normal Discovery Camp schedule for the first week. Then second week features CLAW, or Camp Legends and Warriors, our cherished color war tradition that brings an electric buzz of excitement as the entire camp divides into five spirited teams to participate in a diverse range of thrilling challenges. The second week also has another Mega Camper Choice day, a car-camping overnight, and another Adventure Day of rafting on the Arkansas River.
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
Keystone Science School is American Camp Association Accredited
