Rocky Mountain National Park
Dates
May through September
Duration
5 Days
Grades Entering
4th-12th
Capacity
up to 50 students
Curriculum
Natural and Human History of the RMNP
ROCK CLIMBING - PADDLEBOARDING - HIKING
Bring your students to the outdoor classroom in the Rocky Mountain National Park! This field trip package provides your class the opportunity to learn and gain experience in hiking, rock climbing and paddleboarding. All students are welcome, no experience is needed for any of the activities. Along the way we'll learn about the natural and human history of the park, with hands-on observations!
Activities & Skills
We can make small adjustments based on your class.
There also may be deviations to this schedule based on group size, weather other factors.
Day 1
Orientation Day
On the first day when the group arrives to the park, we'll have an orientation to the upcoming experience, including the basics of camping, and an introduction to the activities planned for the week. We usually embark on a short hike nearby, and visit the Rocky Mountain National Park Visitors Center to gain a better understanding of the natural and human history of the area.
Day 2
Earth Trek
Earth Trek day features a day-hike inside the park. Along the way we'll study the geology of the rock layers around us, be on the lookout for local wildlife like mountain goats and moose!
Day 3
Climbing & Paddleboarding Day
Students will begin the day climbing, and finish the day on paddleboards. Both of these programs are designed for all ability levels, including those with little to no experience. We'll cover the basics of rock climbing in our ground school session before students get the chance to climb multiple routes. Then we'll transition to the water and learn the basics of paddleboarding movement, on flat non-moving water where students will learn to paddle forward, backward, turn, and balancing. The group will wrap up the day with some fun group games on the water!
Day 4
Challenge Hike
On Challenge Hike day your class will set off on a full-day hike, pushing themselves to hike to a predetermined goal, like an alpine lake or mountain summit.
Day 5
Culminating Experience
On the last day of the field trip, we'll take a short hike to a scenic location where we will get together and talk about what we've learned and experienced throughout the trip.
Evening Programs
After the day's activities are complete and dinner is cleaned up, the group will participate in our evening programs. This may include astronomy, night hikes, team building exercises, or a camp fire (depending on the fire ban status).
Designed Curriculum
Natural and Human History of Rocky Mountain National Park
Students will explore ecosystem and discover the interdependent relationships between living and nonliving components. Students will search for clues such as tracks and scat to infer what wild animals call the forest their home. Students may even get to observe wildlife firsthand!
Transportation
Schools can meet us at our KSS campus, or head directly to the program camping location. Need help with transportation from Denver International Airport? Call us!
Accommodations
Students will sleep in 3-4 person tents under the amazing Colorado sky. Each campsite has a short walk to bathroom facilities. Keystone Science School provides tents, kitchen gear, and sun/rain shelters.
Meals
Our kitchen staff prepares nutritious hot meals for breakfast and dinner each day. Each meal will be prepared with students' individual dietary restrictions in mind. Sack lunches are made by students each morning.
View Sample MenuImportant Info
We provide all of the necessary camping and kitchen gear. Students only need to arrive with their sleeping bag, pillow, and clothes for the program. All meals, instruction, and lodging are covered within the program costs.