H2O Outdoors students hiking to a river in the mountains.

H2O Outdoors

_High School Program______

H2O Outdoors

TBD Fall 2024

For high school students in Colorado

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 will be learning about careers within water management, conducting field-based research, and visiting several key locations in Summit County, Colorado as they learn about the various stakeholders who work to manage our water.

H2O Outdoors students performing water ecology measurments.

Application Procedures


Application Deadline: Applications for the Fall 2023 session are due by September 29th, 2023.

Notification of Acceptance: Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by email by October 4th, 2023.

Completion of Paperwork: Participants complete their registration by submitting the medical and liability form and paying the $28 registration fee (scholarships are available) no later than October 13th, 2023.

If signed paperwork and administrative deposit are not returned by Oct. 13 we will begin accepting applicants from the application waiting list.

Program Schedule


Please note that this program schedule may change based on the availability of our mentors and expert panel members.

Water testing equipment for H2O Outdoors

Wednesday

Nov. 1st
9:30amStudent Pick up in Morrison
11amStudents arrive at KSS
11:30amIntro to H2O Outdoors
12pmBreak into field groups receive stakeholder assignments, begin field day
4pmExpert panel
5:30pmDorm orientation
6pmDinner
7pmEvening Program
10pmLights Out
The H2O Outdoors group up on top of Loveland Pass.

Thursday

Nov. 2nd
8AMBreakfast
9:15amPlumbing the Colorado
10amField Day in Groups
3:30pmPrepare Research Posters
4pmPresent Research
4:45pmPulse Flow Video
5pmFlex Time
6pmDinner
7:30pmEvening Program
10pmLights Out
 H2O Outdoors student in a water ecology lesson in Rives

Friday

Nov. 3rd
9:30amBreakfast
11amTown Hall Meeting
11:30amLunch, post-survey
12pmDeparture
1:15pmArrive at T-Rex lot for pickup

Expert Panel


A key component of the H2O Outdoor program is our expert panel which provides students the opportunity to meet professionals currently working in the field of water management. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn about water and careers within water management.

Erik Anglund, P.E – Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
Patrick Rutty – Alcova Resources
Martha Moore – Colorado River District
Mike Wilde – Colorado River District
Matt Bond – Denver Water
Travis Thompson – Denver Water
Mike McHugh – Aurora Water
Dan Gallen – Aurora Water
Megan Vasser – Friends of the Lower Blue
John Longhill – Middle Park Conservation District

H2O Outdoors students hiking to a river in the mountains.

Kendra Fuller

Executive Director, Blue River Watershed Group

Kendra earned a degree in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly and soon after joined a field research and trail building crew in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. During her time with the trail building crew, Kendra learned just how heavily managed these remote and wild places actually are – this sparked her desire to share her passion for the environment with others. Following this spark, Kendra became a director and facilitator of outdoor environmental education.

Troy Wineland

Water Commissioner

Troy is a Colorado native with a deep-rooted passion for our state’s most precious resource. He is Water Commissioner for the Blue River Basin, and earned both his BA and MS in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado where he focused on water science and policy. Troy worked as a hydrologist for the US Forest Service for nine years, primarily on the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest. He is an incorrigible volunteer, a habitual board member, and a self-professed, serial water wonk!

Travel Options


Eastern Slope Shuttle

T-Rex Parking Lot:
Location: I-70 and Morrison Road – Hwy 40
Golden, CO (North East corner of Intersection)
Pick-up: 9:30am, Wednesday, November 1
Drop-off: 1:15pm, Friday, November 3

Self Transportation

Our Address:
Keystone Science School
1053 Soda Ridge Rd.
Keystone, CO, 8043

Arrive: 10:45am, Wednesday, November 1
Depart: 12pm, Friday, November 3

Packing List


View the packing list for what you should bring!

An H2O Outdoors student performing a water chemical test

Thank you to our Program Donors


We are so thankful for our program partners Denver Water and Aurora Water who provide funding and curriculum support for the H2O Outdoors Program.

Denver Water
Aurora Water

In the words of students

“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 these other KSS programs!


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. CAPs is our mentorship program in Discovery Camp.

Adventures Backpacking trip

Counselor Assistant Program (CAP)

Grades 9th-12th

Hiking in the Sand Dunes

Adventures

Grades 5th-12th