The girls in our Snow & Avalanche program learn to cross-country ski on campus.

Snow & Avalanche Science

_Girls in STEM______

Girls in STEM: Snow & Avalanche Science

February 9-11, 2024

For 4th-8th grade girls

Keystone Science School’s Girls in STEM: Snow Science focuses on careers related to snow and avalanche mitigation. Participants will take a trip up to Arapahoe Basin ski area to meet with female ski patrollers and learn how to dig snow pits, use avalanche beacons, and watch a demo of avalanche dogs! Then, we’ll take a break from science learning to spend an afternoon cross country skiing. Throughout the program, participants will meet women working in snow related careers and there will be a special opportunity to ask these female professionals about their experience in a male-dominated industry.

The Girls in STEM Snow & Avalanche student group poses for a photo at Arapahoe Basin

Rates & Amenities

This program is subsidized on a sliding fee scale for local families – see the chart below. This price includes lodging in our dorms, all meals, programming and use of supplies and technology.

Free & Reduced Lunch rate$65
CHP+ (Child Health Plan Plus) rate$190
Fully Pay rate$350

Scholarships & Financial Assistance

If you have a financial barrier, please apply for a scholarship for the Girls in STEM program. All scholarships will be determined on a rolling basis and offered based on financial need.

Transportation

We offer free transportation to local students at Dillon Valley Elementary and Silverthorne Elementary!

  • KSS pickup students from school on Friday afternoon from Silverthorne Elementary and Dillon Valley Elementary at 4:00pm.
  • Parent Pickup on Sunday at KSS at 12:00pm and Silverthorne Elementary & Dillon Valley Elementary at 1:00pm.

Packing List

Students learn to cross-country ski downhill in our Girls in STEM Snow & Avalanche Science weekend.

Program Schedule


Please note that this program schedule may change based on the availability of our STEM Mentors.

KSS will be providing meals from dinner on Friday night to lunch on Sunday afternoon.

The female mentors in our Girls in STEM program speak to students in Rives Hall

Friday

Day 1
4:00pmCheck-in begins
Pick up Silverthorne & Dillon Valley Elementary
5:00pmCheck-in ends and group bonding time begins
5:30pmFemale Empowerment Converstation
6:00pmDinner
7:00pmAvalanche Board Demonstration
8:00pmDorm Orientation
9:00pmLights Out
Avalanche dog at Arapahoe Basin during Girls in STEM

Saturday

Day 2
8:00amBreakfast
9:00amOverview of the Day
9:15amDepart for Arapahoe Basin
10:00amSnow Science Activities at Arapahoe Basin
12:00pmLunch & Hot Chocolate
1:00pmReturn to KSS
1:30pmMentor Connection Activity – Women in Snow Science
3:00pmCross Country Skiing at KSS
5:00pmFlex Time
6:00pmDinner
7:00pmMovie Night
8:00pmHead back to dorms
9:00pmLights Out
A A-Basin ski patroller mentoring a Girls in STEM student

Sunday

Day 3
8:00amBreakfast
9:00amOverview of the Day
9:30amProject Work Time – Avalanche Boards
11:00amFemale Empowerment Activity
11:45amArrive for checkout
12:00pmFamily Presentation – Avalanche Boards
12:30pmFamily departures & School Store open
1:00pmDropoff at Silverthorne Elementary & Dillon Valley Elementary
The Girls in STEM students listen to local female mentors

STEM Mentors


A variety of female professionals will be interacting with all participating girls throughout the weekend. As the cast of STEM Mentors is solidified, we will update this page with names and biographies. Stay tuned.

Girls in STEM Snow and Avalanche students studying a snow pit with a ski patroller

An Arapahoe Basin avalanche dog during our Girls in STEM Snow & Avalanche Science program

Thank you to our Program Donors


We are so thankful for all the corporate, foundational, and individual supporters of our Girls in STEM program.

If you are interested in supporting this program please contact our Development Director, Owen Dodd at ododd@keystonescienceschool.org or call (970)513-5833.

Xcel Energy
US Bank
JP Innovation Project
The Steadman Clinic and Steadman Phillippon Research Institute
Aurora Water
Denver Water
Oxy Occidental

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!”

Check out more All-Girls programs at KSS!


Adventures is the next step in progression at KSS, and we have girls-only trips coming up next summer!

We also have more Girls in STEM programs coming up, including Medical Research this spring!

A girl looks up during an adventure rock climbing day at KSS summer camp.

All-Girls Climbing

Grades 6th-8th

The group listens to a lab tech mentor

Girls in STEM Medical Research

April 19-21