Near Walden, CO, around 3 hours from Denver
Dates Available
Year Round (Cabins), May 1st - October 31st (tent camping)
Capacity
6 - 30 students
Activity Options
SUPing, Hiking, Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing
Curriculum Options
Forest Ecology, Snow Science, Mtn Geology, Aquatic Ecology
Take your students into an outdoor classroom in our State Forest State Park camping-based field trip! As Colorado's largest state park, it's known as the "Moose Capital of Colorado" due to its high moose population and sightings, and is also close to the Never Summer Wilderness and Rocky Mountain National Park. Stay for 3 to 7 days, while the group develops hiking and paddleboarding skills, or snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter season!
Call (970)468-2098 for more info or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Activity Options

Snowshoeing
Explore the winter terrain on snowshoes while learning about the science behind the snow and winter weather.

Stand-up Paddleboarding
We start by learning how to paddle forward, backward, and techniques for turning. Once the basics are done, we allow for free paddle within boundaries and group games.
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Hiking
The group will challenge themselves on a day hike through State Forest State Park while learning about the surrounding environment first-hand.
Curriculum Options
Forest Ecology
Students will observe the many intriguing organisms that are native to the Rocky Mountains in Northern Colorado and will understand how their unique traits help them survive and reproduce in their environment. During the winter, students will investigate how specific traits help animals survive in a cold and snowy environment. As State Forest State Park is considered the moose capital of Colorado, students may even get to see moose or other wildlife firsthand!
Snow Science
Deep in the Rocky Mountains in Northern Colorado, the location of State Forest State Park provides the perfect outdoor winter classroom to study the snow. Students will explore how the snow crystals in the snowpack change to produce avalanches. Students will dig snow pits and use scientific tools to gather data about the snowpack and weather. Students will also safely observe avalanche terrain and combine these observations to predict where avalanches are most likely to happen, and what effect they have on Colorado communities.
Geology
Students will explore the earth’s geologic processes through place-based hands-on activities. Students will find and identify Rocky Mountain rocks and minerals to infer how they were formed and transported. Students will dig into the history of the Rocky Mountains and how the State Forest State Park landscape has transformed to make the mountains seen today.
Aquatic Ecology
In the many lakes, rivers, and streams found in State Forest State Park, students will examine how all things in aquatic ecosystems are connected. Through chemical, biological, and physical water testing, students are introduced to the aquatic environment. Students will search for aquatic macroinvertebrates, measure the rate at which a stream flows, and test for chemical levels in the water.
Camping Location
We have 2 different camping locations for this trip. Each location has pit toilets and a water spigot.
Rustic Cabins
The cabins offered here are heated and open-year round.
Bockman Campground
The Bockman Campground is available in the non-winter seasons.
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).
Leadership Framework
Our Leadership Framework has a foundation of 5 main elements. As students progress through Adventures, they will become familiar with the 5 elements and have opportunities to grow within each. This framework is meant to help instructors identify which elements of leadership are linked to the activities and programs they are leading and how to effectively teach valuable skills through activity facilitation, debrief, and conversation.
The elements of Leadership
Inclusion | Critical Thinking | Interactions | Personal Growth | Skill Cultivation
Important 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.