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Get to Know Our New CEO, Kim Krebs!
Watch this short video to get to know our new CEO, Kim Krebs, and hear what she thinks of KSS since starting here a little over 6 months ago. Kim’s impressive career includes years of experience leading nonprofit organizations focused on early childhood education and outdoor recreation. In her most recent position, she was CEO…
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2023 Summit School District Partnership
2023 Keystone Science School and Summit School District Partnership Summer 2023 at Keystone Science School was a resounding success as we once again collaborated with the Summit School District (SSD) to host ten weeks of Summit Day Camp for elementary students and eight weeks of Pathfinders Day Camp for middle schoolers. Our mission, in partnership…
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2023 Summer Camp Impact Report
As autumn draws to a close in Summit County, our team finds itself in a moment of reflection upon the remarkable summer we experienced at KSS this year. With the theme “Summer of Soaring,” we are awestruck by the positive impact of our summer camp, surpassing our highest expectations, thanks to our campers, camp families,…
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Our Mission & Values
What do the mission and values of KSS mean to the people who work here? Watch this short video to find out! Click here to learn more about our mission, vision and values. Donate here to help support our mission.
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Meet our new CEO, Kim Krebs!
As you may know, Ellen Reid who successfully led Keystone Science School for over 15 years has recently moved on to other endeavors.The Board of Directors initiated a national search with assistance from Philip DeBoer and Sara Garlick, of DHR Global, a national consulting firm, for her replacement and is pleased to announce the appointment…
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Leadership Framework
This is not a specific curriculum or lesson, but rather a framework with a foundation of 5 elements of leadership that can be applied to any program/age/activity. As students progress through camp, adventure, and school-based programs, they will become familiar with the 5 elements and have opportunities to grow within each. This framework is meant…
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2022 H2O Outdoors Final Report
H2O Outdoors is a 3-day program teaching high school students about the many uses of water and the policy which surrounds how Colorado’s water is managed. Throughout the program students learn about careers within water management, conduct field-based research, and visit several key locations in Summit County as they learn about the various stakeholders who…
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2022 Beyond the Classroom Final Report
Beyond the Classroom 2022 was a sucess! We are happy to bring back this program since it was last held in 2019 before the pandemic. We had 15 teachers attend from 8 different schools and 3 different states. Beyond the Classroom provides teachers with all the tools necessary to facilitate a complete unit on environmental issues…
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2022 Girls in STEM Final Report
Keystone Science School believes in empowering girls by engaging them in hands-on, real-world activities to show STEM is relevant and fun in an ever-changing world. According to the National Education Association, “girls who learn in all-girl environments are believed to be more comfortable responding to questions and sharing their opinions in class and more likely…
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2022 Year in Review
Thanks to the support of our donors and community members, Keystone Science School was able to rebuild our programs this year. In fact, donor support lifted our efforts to restart programs. We served 3,500 youth this year–a 50% increase from 2021. Next year, we are poised to run our first full calendar year of programming…
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2022 Summit Day Camp Final Report
Since 2015, Keystone Science School has partnered with Summit School District (SSD) to offer 10 consecutive weeks of Summit Day Camp to its students. This enriching outdoor education program is exclusive to SSD students, serving up to 75 students per day. The program offers consistent and affordable care to working parents. A sliding fee scale…
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2022 Summer Camp in Review
Summit County has settled into the winter season, and the staff find themselves reflecting on the incredible summer we had at KSS this year as we continue to rebuild and restart programming after the pandemic. The theme for camp this year was the Summer of Community, and as we look back on the impact from…
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Board Member Yanitza Rivera on our JEDI Commission
Yanizta Rivera, one of our KSS Board Members and a member of our new JEDI Commission, shares her thoughts on the importance of our efforts in Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. With Spanish as her first language, she has personally experienced the difficulties of language barriers. As a board member of The Keystone Science School…
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A New Chapter at KSS
Keystone Science School is an incredibly special place. Its location in Keystone, its community of people, and its mission to inspire curiosity and critical thinking through the lens of science make it so. Since 1976, the School has offered interactive, experiential educational programs. This year, as the organization re-emerged from the pandemic stressors, the School…
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Mission Moment: Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. It is the process through which young people and adults thrive personally and academically, develop and maintain positive relationships, become lifelong learners, and contribute to a more caring, just world. SEL is important because it advances educational equity and excellence by establishing…
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Our Inclusion Policy
At Keystone Science School, we believe camp and outdoor education is for everyone! We create spaces of true belonging in which campers, students, and staff can be their authentic selves while experiencing the magic of camp and the outdoors. We strive to make everyone in our community feel comfortable, supported, and validated, regardless of their…
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Our Staff – Why They’re Awesome and the Experience Needed
At the Keystone Science School, staff are certified and trained extensively in preparation for the summer months. They go through pre-hire screenings, must meet minimum job requirements, and spend two weeks in staff training before campers arrive. Job Requirements: To be eligible for a summer job at KSS, applicants must meet certain requirements. Staff Training:…
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The Intentionality of KSS Activities
Keystone Science School Summer Camp programs are full of fun games and activities but every activity is full of meaning and purpose towards a larger objective of helping youth develop more independence and confidence. Some of our most “campy” traditions are viewed by campers as simply fun activities but to our staff and parents these…
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2021 Summer Camp in Review
With the first dusting of snow this fall sitting atop Loveland Pass, the seasons are finally turning and the staff find themselves reflecting on the summer. The theme for camp this past year was the Summer of Connection, and based on our review and analysis, not only were connections made, but lives changed and unforgettable…
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Ty Pennington Remembered
Keystone Science School’s dear friend and generous supporter, Ty Pennington, passed away in April 2014. While he was taken from us too early, his contributions and spirit will always be remembered. Ty was a kind and generous man with a firm belief in community, family, and helping others. The first day he walked onto KSS’s…
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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 tourist,” served in the U.S. Navy as an officer on an attack cargo ship (AKA 80), graduated in biology and…