Kids

Grow

Better

Outside

Open enrollment dates:

HOTCHKISS: April 1st at noon

DELTA: April 15th at noon

CEDAREDGE: April 29th at noon

Check out what we are offering in summer 2023 below!

101 Boys Backpacking Intro – Gunnison National Forest

June 19th-22nd

This years program offered to middle school boys teaches campers the basic skills of camping outside while they foster a connection to the outdoors. This program has been built for students that have not backpacked before or are looking for a gentle introduction into camping. We will set up base camp at the Lost Lake area, which is a great, nearby and friendly place for an introduction to the West Elk mountains. From base camp, we will have daily excursions and adventures in the backcountry. Campers will learn how to make decisions in the backcountry, problem solve and work together as a team through challenges. Join us for an unforgettable experience while getting to know your wilderness backyard much better.

Enrollment: limited to 12 boys each trip

101 Girls Backpacking Intro – Gunnison National Forest

June 26th-29th

This years program offered to middle school girls teaches campers the basic skills of camping outside while they foster a connection to the outdoors. This program has been built for students that have not backpacked before or are looking for a gentle introduction into camping. We will set up base camp at the Lost Lake area, which is a great, nearby and friendly place for an introduction to the West Elk mountains. From base camp, we will have daily excursions and adventures in the backcountry. Campers will learn how to make decisions in the backcountry, problem solve and work together as a team through challenges. Join us for an unforgettable experience while getting to know your wilderness backyard much better.

 Enrollment: Limited to 12 youth each trip

Boots to Roots – West Elks 

July 10th-13th

Have you ever slept under a blanket of stars and hiked through endless groves of aspen? If you’re looking for an epic adventure in nature this summer, join us for four days of backpacking in the beautiful Gunnison National Forest! This one’s for the boys, connecting to themselves through our gorgeous backyard.

Enrollment: limited to 11 boys each trip

Girls In The Wilderness – West Elks

July 17th-20th

Have you ever slept under a blanket of stars and hiked through endless groves of aspen? If you’re looking for an epic adventure in nature this summer, join us for four days of backpacking in the beautiful Gunnison National Forest! This one’s for the girls. Feel empowered during a four-day backpacking trip for girls only in the wilderness.

 Enrollment: Limited to 11 girls each trip

Cedaredge Day Camp

Grand Mesa Adventure Camp

Camps are four days a week: Monday – Thursday

   9:00AM – 3:00PM at Cedaredge Middle School 845 SE Deer Creek Dr. Cedaredge, CO 81413

Registration opens April 29th

Camp Location Schedule:

Mondays Cedaredge Middle School Climbing Wall

Tuesdays – Off site field trip, drop off and pick up at middle school

Wednesdays – Off site field trip, drop off and pick up at middle school

Thursdays – Cedaredge Middle School Climbing Wall

Grand Mesa Adventure Camp

Join the Grand Mesa Adventure Camp to explore the best backyard in the world! Youth will develop and enhance their rock climbing skills daily at the newly finished Cedaredge Middle School rock climbing wall and take weekly field trips to the Grand Mesa’s beautiful trails, lakes and local attractions. Let’s celebrate the special beauty of Delta County’s natural spaces together while making friends and learning new skills like archery, SUP’ing, rock climbing, mountain biking and more!


Generation Wild Week

June 5th-8th

Become a card-carrying member of Generation Wild this week of camp and campers explore a bit of everything camp, adventure, and the outdoors have to offer! Campers will challenge themselves at the Cedaredge Climbing Wall, practice aim in archery, go mountain biking, and paddle boarding! This is a week full of discovery is your way of earning your identify as a Generation Wild summer camper!

Highlights: SUPs, Grand Mesa Adventures, Archery, Biking, Rock-climbing


Nature of Art

June 12th-15th

Creatives and those willing to getting their hands a little dirty will love this week of artistic exploration. Campers will take a day learning to build and craft art and sculptures using what they find and collect on the trail and find beauty in nature while plein air painting on Grand Mesa. Connect to nature and your creativity through this week of artistic imagination.

Highlights: Hike, Bike, Climb, Painting, Crafts, Creative Play


Wheels Down Week

June 19th-29th

You know what would be wheelie fun? A week of biking at Nature Connection! This week is full of opportunities for beginner bikers and advanced riders all the same, and will help campers take their bike-riding skills to the next level. Highlights include a forest ride on the Grand Mesa, and a challenge course at Confluence bike park. Campers will shift gears and change pace as they challenge themselves on the Cedaredge Middle School climbing wall.

Highlights: Mountain biking at multiple Delta County locations, Rock climbing and bouldering


Water Wise

June 26th-29th

Campers will cool off this week as they splash and paddle their way through the week. Campers will improve their swimming skills at the North Fork Pool and enjoy an afternoon of stand up paddle boarding at Sweitzer Reservoir. And while this week is all about playing in the water, campers will also challenge themselves on the Cedaredge climbing wall and on mountain bikes.

Highlights: SUPing, Swimming, fishing

Delta Day Camp

Confluence Adventure Camp

Camps are four days a week:

Monday – Wednesday from

9:00AM – 3:00PM at Bill Heddles Rec Center 531 Palmer St, Delta, CO 81416

Thursdays from

 9:00AM – 3:00PM at Sweitzer Lake 1735 E Rd, Delta, CO 81416

Scholarships are available!

Registration opens April 15th

Scholarships available!

Camp Location Schedule:

Monday – Bill Heddles Rec Center and Confluence Park

Tuesday – Bill Heddles Rec Center and Confluence Park or off site field trip (week dependent)

Wednesday – Off site field trip, drop off and pick up at Rec Center

Thursday – Drop off and Pick up Sweitzer Lake State Park

Note: if pick-up or drop-off location changes it will be specified in the camp week description

Week 1 – Wheels Down

June 5th-8th

You know what would be wheelie fun? A week of biking at Nature Connection! This week is full of opportunities for beginner bikers and advanced riders all the same. Campers will pedal their hearts out on local trails and pump tracks of Confluence and Crossroad, play games to improve their biking skills, and more!

Highlights: Mountain bike, Pump track, Bike park & rodeo


Week 2 – Nature of Art

June 12th-15th

Nature of Art offers a chance to explore the beautiful places where we live and your inner artist. Campers will take a hike on the Grand Mesa and create art and sculptures with what they discover and collect on the trail; spend a day at the Grand Mesa Arts Center getting creative and using their imagination. Connect to nature and your creativity through this week of artistic imagination.

Highlights: Hike Grand Mesa, Nature inspired crafts, Arts Center field trip


Week 3 – Skills Adventure

June 19th-22nd

Nature Connection’s Skills Adventure week is perfect for campers who want a bit of everything. Campers will test their skills climbing at the Cedaredge climbing wall, mountain biking on Nature Connection’s trails and pump track, stand up paddle boarding at local state parks, and more! This week is a perfect time to explore all the different activities we offer.

Highlights: Archery, Bike rides, Climb and more


Week 4 – Jr. Paleontologists

June 26th-29th

Take a journey through time with the Nature Connection in our Junior Paleontologist week! During this week, campers will get dirty with a glimpse into the field of paleontology when they join an expert at a dinosaur dig site, excavating for fossils, cracking open geodes, and exploring fossil records on an off-site field trip to the Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita. Campers will will make connections through their imagination and time as this week is specifically tuned to sparking kids curiosity in the western slope’s special paleo-roots and a deeper connection to the marvels buried in our backyard.

Highlights: Dinosaur dig, hiking, museum visit, crafts and more!


Week 5 – Climb Time

July 10th-13th

This is a week for anyone interested in being challenged, making new friends, and having some fun! Campers will problem solve different routes at the Cedaredge climbing wall and learn bouldering basics, practice teamwork at the Cedaredge high ropes course, and build confidence while testing themselves and their new old and new skills.

Highlights: High ropes course, Climb, Boulder, Team-building


Week 6 – Wet Planet

July 17th-20th

There’s no better place to be than in the water during a Colorado summer! During our Wet Planet week, campers will swim, boat, and paddle their way around the waterways of western Colorado. We will raft down the North Fork of the Gunnison with Western Slope SUP and paddle board at a local state park. Campers will also improve swimming skills at the North Fork Pool. This week is all about the best parts of a western slope summer -being outside and playing in water.

Highlights: Rafting, stand up paddle boarding, swimming, and more!


Week 7 – Discovery Week

July 24th-27th

Our Discovery week aims to invoke curiosity and prompt campers to find connection to the natural world through science, art, and play. During this week, campers will explore scientific concepts with hands-on experiences at the Eureka! Science Museum in Grand Junction. The Grand Mesa, where our second field trip will take place, is a perfect setting to continue exploring these concepts and witness them in the natural world. Throughout the week, campers will be engaged throughout the week in STEM activities aimed at building their relationship with nature and discovering their place in it.

Highlights: Eureka Science Museum, STEM learning, hiking


Week 8 – Something Fishy

July 31st- Aug 3rd

Fishers and outdoor enthusiasts, this one’s for you! Campers will spend the week learning how to fish with Trout Unlimited and trying out their new skills fishing along the Gunnision River. We will learn how fish are raised and stocked in Colorado’s rivers, lakes and streams, at the Hotchkiss USFWS National Fish Hatchery that produces and stocks over two million trout into regional waterways. Campers will visit Fort Uncompaghre for a fishing derby and build historic fishing poles. This week will earn campers a close up introduction to the native fish species of our local rivers.

Highlights: Fishing workshop with Trout Unlimited, fish hatchery field trip, Learn from the pros

Hotchkiss Day Camp

North Fork Adventure Camp

Camps are four days a week: Monday – Thursday

   9:00AM – 3:00PM at 397 Miners Way Hotchkiss 81419

Registration opens April 1st

Scholarships available!

Camp Location Schedule:

Monday – The Nature Connection Hub and Crossroads Park

Tuesday – Off site field trip, drop off and pick up at The Nature Connection Hub

Wednesday – Off site field trip, drop off and pick up at The Nature Connection Hub

Thursday – The Nature Connection Hub and Crossroads Trails

Note: if pick-up or drop-off location changes it will be specified in the camp week description

Week 1 – Skills Adventure

June 5th-8th

Nature Connection’s Skills Adventure week is perfect for campers who want a bit of everything. Campers will test their skills climbing at the Cedaredge climbing wall, mountain biking on Nature Connection’s trails and pump track, stand up paddle boarding at local state parks, and more! This week is a perfect time to explore all the different activities we offer.

Highlights: Explore, Archery, Mountain bike, Field trip

Week 2 – Wheels Down

June 12th-15th

You know what would be wheelie fun? A week of biking at Nature Connection! This week is full of opportunities for beginner bikers and advanced riders all the same. Campers will pedal their hearts out on trails on the trails and pump tracks of Confluence and Crossroad, play games to improve their biking skills, and more!

Highlights: Bike rodeo, Single-track, Pump-track, Skill-building

Week 3 – Wet Planet

June 19th-22nd

There’s no better place to be than in the water during a Colorado summer! During our Wet Planet week, campers will swim, boat, and paddle their way around the waterways of western Colorado. We will raft down the North Fork of the Gunnison with Western Slope SUP and paddle board at a local state park. Campers will also improve swimming skills at the North Fork Pool. This week is all about the best parts of a western slope summer -being outside and playing in water.

Highlights: Raft, Swim, SUP, Water Activities

Week 4 – Nature of Art

June 26th-29th

Nature of Art offers a chance to explore the beautiful places where we live and your inner artist. Campers will get creative in the ceramic studio at the Creamery Art Center; contribute to a group mural at the Nature Connection; create art and sculptures using what they collect while out on a hike; and do some plein air painting on a field trip. Connect to nature and your creativity through this week of artistic imagination.

Highlights: Painting trip, Ceramics, Mural, Art in nature

Week 5 – Climb Time

July 10th-13th

This is a week for anyone interested in being challenged, making new friends, and having some fun! Campers will problem solve different routes at the Cedaredge climbing wall and learn bouldering basics, practice teamwork at the Cedaredge high ropes course, and build confidence while testing themselves and their new old and new skills.

Highlights: Climb, Team-building, High ropes course

Week 6- Discovery Week

June 27th-30th

Our Discovery week aims to invoke curiosity and prompt campers to find connection to the natural world through science, art, and play. During this week, campers will explore scientific concepts with hands-on experiences at the Eureka! Science Museum in Grand Junction. The Grand Mesa, where our second field trip will take place, is a perfect setting to continue exploring these concepts and witness them in the natural world. Throughout the week, campers will be engaged throughout the week in STEM activities aimed at building their relationship with nature and discovering their place in it.

Highlights: Eureka Science Museum, STEM activities, hiking

Week 7 – Wet Planet Round 2

July 24th-27th

Just when you thought the summer couldn’t get any hotter, campers can cool off with water games, rafting trip on the Gunnison River with Western Slope SUP, paddle boarding at one of our state parks, and playing and swimming in the water every day. There is no better way to experience a hot summer day than on the water!

Highlights: Raft, SUP, Swim, Water Games

Week 8 – Something Fishy

July 31st-Aug 3rd

Fishers and outdoor enthusiasts, this one’s for you! Campers will spend the week learning how to fish with Trout Unlimited and trying out their new skills fishing along the Gunnison River. We will learn how fish are raised and stocked in Colorado’s rivers, lakes and streams, at the Hotchkiss USFWS National Fish Hatchery that produces and stocks over two million trout into regional waterways. Campers will visit Fort Uncompaghre for a fishing derby and build historic fishing poles. This week will earn campers a close up introduction to the native fish species of our local rivers.

Highlights: Fishing, fish hatchery field trip, Trout Unlimited workshop

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   OUT

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!