2026 Summer Camps
At its best, summer is a time of new and renewed friendships, exploration, play, creativity, and self-discovery. For 15 years, our professional educators and program leaders have been creating a culture that:
At its best, summer is a time of new and renewed friendships, exploration, play, creativity, and self-discovery. For 15 years, our professional educators and program leaders have been creating a culture that:
- Develops social skills through group activities and initiatives.
- Inspires curiosity through free-choice activities and nature exploration.
- Fosters critical thinking through problem solving situations.
- Engages kids in physical play to keep the mind and body engaged.
- Finds joy in outdoor, low-tech, old-fashioned fun!
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The Details
Registration opens March 10, 2026 at 7:00pm Register through the Basalt Rec. Dept. Cancelation Policy:
Registrations and cancelations -- [email protected] |
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6-10 Year-old Programs
Time: 9:00-3:00 M-Th; 9:00-1:00 Friday Location: Arbaney Park Cost: $350 Registration: Basalt Rec. Dept. You Bring: Lunch, snack, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, rain jacket, bike, and helmet Bikes: Bikes can be locked up at the park overnight
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6-10 Year-old Calendar
May 26-29: Games, Games, Games (4-day program, $280)
June 1-5: Dangerous Book for Boys and Girls (RFSD students can register Th-F @$140)
June 8-12: Science and Cycles
June 15-19: Games, Games, Games
June 22-26: Dangerous Book for Boys and Girls
June 29-July 3: Science and Cycles
July 6-10: Games, Games, Games
July 13-17: Dangerous Book for Boys and Girls
July 20-24: Science and Cycles
July 27-31: Games, Games, Games
August 3-7: Dangerous Book for Boys and Girls
August 10-14: Science and Cycles
Games, Games, Games!!!
For those kids who love to play, this is the week for you! Each week will include a different array of traditional sporting games, tag-games, card games, relay events, obstacle courses, and slower-paced strategy games, along with bicycling adventures on the Basalt High School BMX track and an afternoon at Crown Mtn. Bike Park. Spikeball, capture the flag, sardines, Red Fish/Blue Fish, flag football, soccer, tee-ball, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, frisbee golf, SPUD, and so much more. Fill your summer with joyful play and laughter among friends, and sleep well at the end of each day! And we'll throw in one afternoon each week at the Basalt Pool for some fun water games. Each of the three sessions will include a mix of repeating favorites and enough new activities to keep the excitement of new learning.
Science and Cycles
Arbaney Park and the surrounding wild spaces serve as the venue for a week of exploration, experimentation, and cycling adventures. Mornings are a mix of biking activities on dirt trails, BMX track, and the paved bike path, along with hands-on investigations of flight, architecture and design, nature exploration, chemistry experiments, and solar power. Rockets, home-made gliders, chemistry reactions, Lego challenges, egg drops, solar cars, solar ovens, bug hunts, nature explorations, observation journals, popsicle-bombs (they're not dangerous!), and more. Our natural curiosity will find an outlet in physical play, hands-on experimentation, and cool-'n-shady nature exploration once the sun gets hot! One afternoon each week of pool time will help to keep us cool!
Dangerous Book For Boys and Girls
Get ready for a broad spectrum in this week-long adventure as we explore "all of the activities that every child should experience in their youth." Based on the popular books Dangerous Book for Boys and Daring Book for Girls, bring your weekly checklist to count off the new skills you learn each week: unicycling, juggling, graffiti art, fire making, fort building, snapping fingers, blowing bubbles, setting up a tent, spontaneous dramas, Black Jack, yo-yos, story-telling, archery, slingshots, capture the flag, nature explorations, bug hunts, soccer, baseball, paper airplanes, flag football, rockets, origami, Lego construction projects, swimming in Basalt Pool, and more. Bring a bike and helmet each day, or lock them up at the park, for daily field trips around Basalt.
May 26-29: Games, Games, Games (4-day program, $280)
June 1-5: Dangerous Book for Boys and Girls (RFSD students can register Th-F @$140)
June 8-12: Science and Cycles
June 15-19: Games, Games, Games
June 22-26: Dangerous Book for Boys and Girls
June 29-July 3: Science and Cycles
July 6-10: Games, Games, Games
July 13-17: Dangerous Book for Boys and Girls
July 20-24: Science and Cycles
July 27-31: Games, Games, Games
August 3-7: Dangerous Book for Boys and Girls
August 10-14: Science and Cycles
Games, Games, Games!!!
For those kids who love to play, this is the week for you! Each week will include a different array of traditional sporting games, tag-games, card games, relay events, obstacle courses, and slower-paced strategy games, along with bicycling adventures on the Basalt High School BMX track and an afternoon at Crown Mtn. Bike Park. Spikeball, capture the flag, sardines, Red Fish/Blue Fish, flag football, soccer, tee-ball, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, frisbee golf, SPUD, and so much more. Fill your summer with joyful play and laughter among friends, and sleep well at the end of each day! And we'll throw in one afternoon each week at the Basalt Pool for some fun water games. Each of the three sessions will include a mix of repeating favorites and enough new activities to keep the excitement of new learning.
Science and Cycles
Arbaney Park and the surrounding wild spaces serve as the venue for a week of exploration, experimentation, and cycling adventures. Mornings are a mix of biking activities on dirt trails, BMX track, and the paved bike path, along with hands-on investigations of flight, architecture and design, nature exploration, chemistry experiments, and solar power. Rockets, home-made gliders, chemistry reactions, Lego challenges, egg drops, solar cars, solar ovens, bug hunts, nature explorations, observation journals, popsicle-bombs (they're not dangerous!), and more. Our natural curiosity will find an outlet in physical play, hands-on experimentation, and cool-'n-shady nature exploration once the sun gets hot! One afternoon each week of pool time will help to keep us cool!
Dangerous Book For Boys and Girls
Get ready for a broad spectrum in this week-long adventure as we explore "all of the activities that every child should experience in their youth." Based on the popular books Dangerous Book for Boys and Daring Book for Girls, bring your weekly checklist to count off the new skills you learn each week: unicycling, juggling, graffiti art, fire making, fort building, snapping fingers, blowing bubbles, setting up a tent, spontaneous dramas, Black Jack, yo-yos, story-telling, archery, slingshots, capture the flag, nature explorations, bug hunts, soccer, baseball, paper airplanes, flag football, rockets, origami, Lego construction projects, swimming in Basalt Pool, and more. Bring a bike and helmet each day, or lock them up at the park, for daily field trips around Basalt.
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11-12 Year-old Programs
As our kids progress beyond the 6-10 year old camps, they require more space, more adventure, more freedom, and more challenging and purposeful activities to capture their interest. They require all of the playful socializing of their younger years, but a little more relevance, independence, and challenge. Ages: 11-12 Years-Old Time: 9:00-3:00 M-Th; 9:00-1:00 Friday Location: Basalt Middle School parking lot Cost: $365 day-programs; $550 overnights Registration: Basalt Rec. Dept. Enrollment Limit: maximum 14 You Bring: Lunch, snack, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, rain jacket, backpack, bike, and helmet Bikes: Bikes can be locked up at Basalt Middle School overnight |
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May 26-29: Orienteering Adventures --
Experiment with maps and compasses to find each day's adventure. Lara Getz will guide participants on daily scavenger hunts using compass skills, directional observation, and collaboration to find bouldering locations, hidden natural treasures, rare plant communities, trailheads, and swimming holes. Adventures include mtn. biking, swimming, and rock climbing, but getting to each location will require skill, attention, and precise navigation. Meet at Basalt Middle School each morning to begin each day's adventure.
June 1-5: Basalt Pentathlon --
Meet at Basalt Middle School each morning, and dive into a sequence of team building games before heading out for each day’s big adventure. The Pentathlon includes a day of mountain biking on Basalt Mountain, paddle boarding at Dinkle Lake, bouldering at Difficult Campground and around Independence Pass, a massive game of manhunt and biking at and around Crown Mtn. Park, and a morning of archery and other target shooting activities around Basalt, and swimming at Arbaney Pool. All abilities of bikers, climbers, swimmers, and paddle boarders are welcome, and beginners are encouraged to join!
June 8-12: Magical History Tour
The theme for this week is brought to you by Bob Marley, "If you know your history, then you will know where you're coming from." Meet each morning at Basalt Middle School and head out for daily adventures which include road biking, easy mountain biking, paddle boarding, and exploration. Day trips include a bike tour around Aspen's West End, a tour into Smuggler Mine, a walk through Ute Cemetery, and water exploration around John Denver Park; a day of mountain biking and swimming in the old mining district of Coal Basin near Redstone; a day of swimming and paddle boarding at Ruedi Reservoir and discussions of the historic Midland Railroad; a mountain bike adventure at Prince Creek and a discussions of ranching; and a biking scavenger hunt based around old town Basalt. A week of adventure, and a step back into our valley's mining, railroading, and ranching past.
June 15-19: Primitive Skills, 2-Night Overnight, upper Fryingpan Valley--
Participants will learn the traditional arts of shelter building, tracking, sensory observation, stalking techniques, and traditional shooting. We'll meet at Basalt Middle School each morning Monday-Wednesday, then pack our backpacks on Wednesday for two nights of camping near Seller Park in the Upper Frying Pan valley to practice our outdoor skills. The week ends at 1:00 on Friday at Basalt Middle School.
June 29-July 3: Water, Water Everywhere
The best way to turn a good day into a great day is to Just add water! Meet daily at Basalt Middle School before heading out for our daily dose of swimming, ditch walking, tubing, and paddle boarding. Our adventures will take us to all parts of the Roaring Fork Watershed -- the best swim holes between Aspen and Woody Creek (a Rio Grande Trail bike adventure), paddle boarding in Ruedi Reservoir, leaping of of Strawberry Rock, biking and swimming at Coal Basin Ranch, cycling to the Crown Mtn. bike park and tubing the Roaring Fork irrigation ditch, and diving into the Basalt Wave. Along our travels we will learn about fish ecology, riparian habitats, water conservation strategies, and hydro-electric power.
July 6-10: Upcycled Woodworking -- Old skis to Adirondack chairs (see example of chair in slide show above)
Work with Ric Morrison and Garry to turn old skis into a beautiful full-size, functional Adirondack chair. This small group of 7 lucky kids will measure, cut, and build an Adirondack frame, then layer the chair with old skis for a beautiful, finished project. Meet each morning at Basalt Middle School then head up to the Aspen Community School campus to work in Ric's professional grade workshop. This program costs $420 to cover the cost of building materials and small-group, individualized, highly supervised instruction.
July 13-17: 2-NIGHT OVERNIGHT at Lincoln Creek --
This week is all about building outdoor skills! We will meet each morning, M-W at Basalt Middle School to practice orienteering and navigation, basic first-aid, ecology and nature observation, cooperation in various outdoor challenges, swimming skills and water safety, knot-tying and shelter building. These adventures will take us to the Basalt swimming pool, the Basalt wave, Crown Mountain Park, and various locations around Basalt. We will arrive with bags packed on Wednesday morning and head up Independence Pass for a two-night campout at Lincoln Creek where we will set up base camp and attempt a high-mountain peak climb (Twining Peak - 13,600 ft), explore the Grottos, and swim in Grizzly Reservoir. We will arrive back at Basalt Middle School at 1:00 on Friday.
July 27-31: Let's Get Active
Meet each morning at Basalt Middle School before heading out on each day's adventure. This week involves more sporting activities than most of our programs and includes games of soccer, flag football, ultimate frisbee, whiffle ball, and more. Start each day with a sporty game in and around Basalt, Woody Creek, and Aspen and then dive into the cool shade for swimming, creek walking, fort-building, tubing, and playing in the Basalt Wave.
August 3-7: Water, Water Everywhere
Similar to our first week of Water, Water, but with different locations than earlier in the summer. The best way to turn a good day into a great day is to Just add water! Meet daily at Basalt Middle School before heading out for our daily dose of swimming, ditch walking, tubing, and paddle boarding. Our adventures will take us to all parts of the Roaring Fork Watershed -- Exploring the upper Roaring Fork River, paddle boarding at Dinkle Lake, swimming in the Crystal River, cycling to the Crown Mtn. bike park and tubing the irrigation ditch, and diving into the Basalt Wave. Along our travels we will learn about watersheds, and the influence of water in our daily lives and in the Roaring Fork Valley ecosystem.
August 10-14: Basalt Pentathlon II
Similar to the first week's pentathlon, but using different locations for our mtn. biking, paddle boarding, and exploring adventures. Meet at Basalt Middle School each morning, and dive into a sequence of team building games before heading out for each day’s big adventure. The Pentathlon includes a day of mountain biking at Sutey Ranch, paddle boarding at Chapman Reservoir, a swimming exploration up Independence Pass, a massive game of manhunt and biking around Crown Mtn. Park, and a Rio Grande scavenger hunt, and swimming at Arbaney Pool. All abilities of bikers, climbers, swimmers, and paddleboarders are welcome, and beginners are encouraged to join!
Experiment with maps and compasses to find each day's adventure. Lara Getz will guide participants on daily scavenger hunts using compass skills, directional observation, and collaboration to find bouldering locations, hidden natural treasures, rare plant communities, trailheads, and swimming holes. Adventures include mtn. biking, swimming, and rock climbing, but getting to each location will require skill, attention, and precise navigation. Meet at Basalt Middle School each morning to begin each day's adventure.
June 1-5: Basalt Pentathlon --
Meet at Basalt Middle School each morning, and dive into a sequence of team building games before heading out for each day’s big adventure. The Pentathlon includes a day of mountain biking on Basalt Mountain, paddle boarding at Dinkle Lake, bouldering at Difficult Campground and around Independence Pass, a massive game of manhunt and biking at and around Crown Mtn. Park, and a morning of archery and other target shooting activities around Basalt, and swimming at Arbaney Pool. All abilities of bikers, climbers, swimmers, and paddle boarders are welcome, and beginners are encouraged to join!
June 8-12: Magical History Tour
The theme for this week is brought to you by Bob Marley, "If you know your history, then you will know where you're coming from." Meet each morning at Basalt Middle School and head out for daily adventures which include road biking, easy mountain biking, paddle boarding, and exploration. Day trips include a bike tour around Aspen's West End, a tour into Smuggler Mine, a walk through Ute Cemetery, and water exploration around John Denver Park; a day of mountain biking and swimming in the old mining district of Coal Basin near Redstone; a day of swimming and paddle boarding at Ruedi Reservoir and discussions of the historic Midland Railroad; a mountain bike adventure at Prince Creek and a discussions of ranching; and a biking scavenger hunt based around old town Basalt. A week of adventure, and a step back into our valley's mining, railroading, and ranching past.
June 15-19: Primitive Skills, 2-Night Overnight, upper Fryingpan Valley--
Participants will learn the traditional arts of shelter building, tracking, sensory observation, stalking techniques, and traditional shooting. We'll meet at Basalt Middle School each morning Monday-Wednesday, then pack our backpacks on Wednesday for two nights of camping near Seller Park in the Upper Frying Pan valley to practice our outdoor skills. The week ends at 1:00 on Friday at Basalt Middle School.
June 29-July 3: Water, Water Everywhere
The best way to turn a good day into a great day is to Just add water! Meet daily at Basalt Middle School before heading out for our daily dose of swimming, ditch walking, tubing, and paddle boarding. Our adventures will take us to all parts of the Roaring Fork Watershed -- the best swim holes between Aspen and Woody Creek (a Rio Grande Trail bike adventure), paddle boarding in Ruedi Reservoir, leaping of of Strawberry Rock, biking and swimming at Coal Basin Ranch, cycling to the Crown Mtn. bike park and tubing the Roaring Fork irrigation ditch, and diving into the Basalt Wave. Along our travels we will learn about fish ecology, riparian habitats, water conservation strategies, and hydro-electric power.
July 6-10: Upcycled Woodworking -- Old skis to Adirondack chairs (see example of chair in slide show above)
Work with Ric Morrison and Garry to turn old skis into a beautiful full-size, functional Adirondack chair. This small group of 7 lucky kids will measure, cut, and build an Adirondack frame, then layer the chair with old skis for a beautiful, finished project. Meet each morning at Basalt Middle School then head up to the Aspen Community School campus to work in Ric's professional grade workshop. This program costs $420 to cover the cost of building materials and small-group, individualized, highly supervised instruction.
July 13-17: 2-NIGHT OVERNIGHT at Lincoln Creek --
This week is all about building outdoor skills! We will meet each morning, M-W at Basalt Middle School to practice orienteering and navigation, basic first-aid, ecology and nature observation, cooperation in various outdoor challenges, swimming skills and water safety, knot-tying and shelter building. These adventures will take us to the Basalt swimming pool, the Basalt wave, Crown Mountain Park, and various locations around Basalt. We will arrive with bags packed on Wednesday morning and head up Independence Pass for a two-night campout at Lincoln Creek where we will set up base camp and attempt a high-mountain peak climb (Twining Peak - 13,600 ft), explore the Grottos, and swim in Grizzly Reservoir. We will arrive back at Basalt Middle School at 1:00 on Friday.
July 27-31: Let's Get Active
Meet each morning at Basalt Middle School before heading out on each day's adventure. This week involves more sporting activities than most of our programs and includes games of soccer, flag football, ultimate frisbee, whiffle ball, and more. Start each day with a sporty game in and around Basalt, Woody Creek, and Aspen and then dive into the cool shade for swimming, creek walking, fort-building, tubing, and playing in the Basalt Wave.
August 3-7: Water, Water Everywhere
Similar to our first week of Water, Water, but with different locations than earlier in the summer. The best way to turn a good day into a great day is to Just add water! Meet daily at Basalt Middle School before heading out for our daily dose of swimming, ditch walking, tubing, and paddle boarding. Our adventures will take us to all parts of the Roaring Fork Watershed -- Exploring the upper Roaring Fork River, paddle boarding at Dinkle Lake, swimming in the Crystal River, cycling to the Crown Mtn. bike park and tubing the irrigation ditch, and diving into the Basalt Wave. Along our travels we will learn about watersheds, and the influence of water in our daily lives and in the Roaring Fork Valley ecosystem.
August 10-14: Basalt Pentathlon II
Similar to the first week's pentathlon, but using different locations for our mtn. biking, paddle boarding, and exploring adventures. Meet at Basalt Middle School each morning, and dive into a sequence of team building games before heading out for each day’s big adventure. The Pentathlon includes a day of mountain biking at Sutey Ranch, paddle boarding at Chapman Reservoir, a swimming exploration up Independence Pass, a massive game of manhunt and biking around Crown Mtn. Park, and a Rio Grande scavenger hunt, and swimming at Arbaney Pool. All abilities of bikers, climbers, swimmers, and paddleboarders are welcome, and beginners are encouraged to join!
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13-14 Year-old Programs
As kids enter 8th grade and freshman year of high school, camp is more about self-discovery, confidence, adapting to new environments, and realizing each individual's contributions in a close-knit social group...and a heavy dose of joy! Our 4-night overnight trips are guided by experienced outdoor leaders who have abundant experience with adolescents. These trips provide a wilderness experience with daily journal writing, group initiatives, individual challenge, and outdoor skills practice. As our 13-year-old participants become the oldest students in their middle school, they need confidence, communication, and leadership skills that might translate to positive leadership in their home, school, and social groups. As our 14-year-olds navigate the transition to high school, resilience and adaptability help them to adjust more easily to their upcoming changes. These programs are designed as a rite of passage as adolescents navigate greater responsibilities and contributions to their larger community. |
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Twin Lakes Triathlon (4 nights, 5 days) -- Mtn. Biking, Paddle Boarding, Peak Climb, Primitive Skills
Dates: June 22-26
Meeting Times and Location: Meet at Basalt Middle School on Monday morning at 9:00 and again on Friday at 12:30.
Camp Location: Our group will basecamp in the White Star Campground on the shore of Twin Lakes. Each day is based around a different activity including a peak climb to 13,900 ft, paddle boarding, mountain biking around Twin Lakes, primitive skills and shelter building. This triathlon (quadrathlon?) is a dream-adventure for me! Endless driftwood on the sandy beach is perfect for fort-building. The Aspen forest on the peninsula is perfect for Capture the Flag, fort building, extreme hammocking, and other games; the trail around the lake is a fantastically adventurous bike ride; the cool, early-summer water will make for some very invigorating water play (paddle boards provided, swimming, and byo fishing rod if you're interested); and the peaks just a couple miles from Independence Pass make for easy access to very high summits. This is going to be fun!!!!
Equipment: Personal camping equipment including sleeping bag, sleeping pad, sturdy walking shoes, mtn. bike/helmet, day pack. More details will be provided upon enrollment.
Group Size: 10-14
Cost: $850
Lincoln Creek (4 nights, 5 days) -- paddle board, swim, bouldering, peak climb
Dates: July 20-24
Meeting Times and Location: Meet at Basalt Middle School on Monday morning at 9:00 and again on Friday at 12:30.
Camp Location: Participants will establish a base camp along Lincoln Creek, up Independence Pass. One day will be spent swimming/paddling/fishing around Grizzly Reservoir, a second day exploring favorite water holes along the upper Roaring Fork including The Grottos and more, a third day bouldering, and a fourth day of peak climbing (location TBD). Participants will also be involved in all aspects of group camping including setting up camp, helping in the kitchen, and actively engaging in positive team building activities.
Equipment: Personal camping equipment including sleeping bag, sleeping pad, sturdy walking shoes, and more. Details will be provided upon enrollment.
Group Size: 10-14
Cost: $850
Dates: June 22-26
Meeting Times and Location: Meet at Basalt Middle School on Monday morning at 9:00 and again on Friday at 12:30.
Camp Location: Our group will basecamp in the White Star Campground on the shore of Twin Lakes. Each day is based around a different activity including a peak climb to 13,900 ft, paddle boarding, mountain biking around Twin Lakes, primitive skills and shelter building. This triathlon (quadrathlon?) is a dream-adventure for me! Endless driftwood on the sandy beach is perfect for fort-building. The Aspen forest on the peninsula is perfect for Capture the Flag, fort building, extreme hammocking, and other games; the trail around the lake is a fantastically adventurous bike ride; the cool, early-summer water will make for some very invigorating water play (paddle boards provided, swimming, and byo fishing rod if you're interested); and the peaks just a couple miles from Independence Pass make for easy access to very high summits. This is going to be fun!!!!
Equipment: Personal camping equipment including sleeping bag, sleeping pad, sturdy walking shoes, mtn. bike/helmet, day pack. More details will be provided upon enrollment.
Group Size: 10-14
Cost: $850
Lincoln Creek (4 nights, 5 days) -- paddle board, swim, bouldering, peak climb
Dates: July 20-24
Meeting Times and Location: Meet at Basalt Middle School on Monday morning at 9:00 and again on Friday at 12:30.
Camp Location: Participants will establish a base camp along Lincoln Creek, up Independence Pass. One day will be spent swimming/paddling/fishing around Grizzly Reservoir, a second day exploring favorite water holes along the upper Roaring Fork including The Grottos and more, a third day bouldering, and a fourth day of peak climbing (location TBD). Participants will also be involved in all aspects of group camping including setting up camp, helping in the kitchen, and actively engaging in positive team building activities.
Equipment: Personal camping equipment including sleeping bag, sleeping pad, sturdy walking shoes, and more. Details will be provided upon enrollment.
Group Size: 10-14
Cost: $850