Secondary Adventure Camps / Counselor-in-Training

For rising 7th through 12th graders, SJMA is offering both week-long adventure summer camps and our Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program which is part of our grade school summer camps.

The week-long adventure camps will have days packed full of exploration in the rugged terrain of the San Juan Mountains with one night of camping under the starry sky.

SJMA’s free Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program is perfect for kids interested in gaining outdoor education experience while playing outside and connecting kids to the outdoors.

La Plata County: An Animas River Journey

Once again, SJMA is partnering with 4Corners Riversports to create a 5-day Animas River Journey. Mornings will focus on learning about the Animas watershed from high alpine to desert and afternoons will be spent learning and playing on different water crafts.

In addition to learning about plants, flowers and local forests, camping basics and Leave No Trace ethics, kids will have the opportunity to gain leadership and communication skills while connecting with like-minded friends and SJMA Naturalists. And who knows? Maybe they will even learn a little more about themselves.

Dates

June 10-14, 2024, $800

Drop Off / Pick Up Times

Monday- Wednesday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Thursday: 8:30am – Overnight River Trip
Friday: Overnight River Trip – 4:30pm

Drop Off / Pick Up Location

Fassbinder Park

Cost

$800; Remember, if you have an SJMA Membership of $50 or more, you receive a 10% discount for all educational programming (discount will be applied automatically during registration). If you are in need of financial assistance,  please submit our Camp Scholarship Form.)

Age Eligibility

Rising 7th through 12th graders

Max Number of Campers

13

Registration*

Registration opens March 1, 2024.

Each child must be registered separately. You must complete the registration for the first child, including payment, before registering your second child. If you have registration questions, check out our Registration Flow Chart.

* Please note that if you have made this registration less than 48 hours in advance of the start of camp, your registration is not guaranteed until confirmed by staff.  We need time to receive and process all of the camp forms mandated by Child Care License requirements.

Please Note

These camps will include strenuous activity and exposure to the elements including one night camping in the mountains. Campers should be prepared to spend the entire day outside. Some days we will hike distances up to 7 miles through alpine terrain.

Questions

Check out our FAQ and our Camp Policies or contact SJMA’s Education Director, Adriana Stimax: astimax@sjma.org

Montezuma County: Desert to Tundra Expedition

This 5-day Summer Adventure Camp is for middle and high school students to explore surrounding trails and waterways.  Students will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded friends, explore the rugged terrain of the San Juan Mountains, and spend a night camping in the mountains.

In addition to learning about plants, flowers and local forests, camping basics and Leave No Trace ethics, kids will have the opportunity to gain leadership and communication skills while connecting with like-minded friends and SJMA Naturalists. And who knows? Maybe they will even learn a little more about themselves.

Dates

July 29 – August 2, 2024

Drop Off / Pick Up Times

Monday- Wednesday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Thursday: 8:30am – Overnight
Friday: Overnight – 4:30pm

Drop Off / Pick Up Location

Boyle Park, Mancos

Camp Location

San Juan National Forest Public Lands

Cost

Montezuma County Residents: Free thanks to Montezuma Inspire Coalition and GOCO.

General: $800; Remember, if you have an SJMA Membership of $50 or more, you receive a 10% discount for all educational programming (discount will be applied automatically during registration). If you are in need of financial assistance,  please submit our Camp Scholarship Form.

Age Eligibility

Rising 7th through 12th grades

Max Number of Campers

13

Registration*

Registration opens March 1, 2024.

Each child must be registered separately. You must complete the registration for the first child, including payment, before registering your second child. If you have registration questions, check out our Registration Flow Chart.

* Please note that if you have made this registration less than 48 hours in advance of the start of camp, your registration is not guaranteed until confirmed by staff.  We need time to receive and process all of the camp forms mandated by Child Care License requirements.

Please Note

These camps will include strenuous activity and exposure to the elements including one night camping in the mountains . Campers should be prepared to spend the entire day outside. Some days we will hike distances up to 7 miles through alpine terrain.

Questions

Check out our FAQ and our Camp Policies or contact SJMA’s Education Director, Adriana Stimax: astimax@sjma.org

Counselor-in-Training (CIT)

Calling all 13-17 year olds who are interested in growing in their leadership skills, have a passion to serve as a positive role model and are excited to help create a week full of fun for our elementary-aged summer campers!

Our volunteer Counselor-In-Training (CIT) program offers opportunities for students to support our day to day summer camp programming through leading activities and support our staff with camper management. In addition, the CITs have a one-on-one mentee opportunity with a summer camp staff to set goals and conduct daily check-ins. 

*Please note, this year, CIT positions will be filled through an application process. 

CIT EXPECTIONS

  • An attitude to lead, engage, and work within a tight team  
  • Be willing to work outside for up to eight hours a day
  • Display passion and interest in working with younger kids
  • Lead daily activities with campers (i.e. forest walks, crafts, river play, etc) 
  • Attend our day long CIT training prior to Summer Camp

What Does A Day at Camp Look Like?

We start each day at Fassbinder (triangle) park with a check-in as a team, in which we go over the day. Once all the campers arrive, we do a brief morning circle then load in the vans to head to our location for the day. We rotate each day between field trips and heading to our Nature Center. Locations for field trips vary each week depending on our theme of the week and could look like going to Andrews Lake, visiting local farms, Canyons of the Ancients, or heading to Lime Creek. While at the Nature Center CITs may help lead morning announcements, help staff set up or take down equipment or supplies, lead afternoon elective activities or games, and support in facilitating lessons. During our field trip days CITs may assist with managing summer campers, lead theme-related lessons or activities, and work to create a fun and safe environment with summer campers. At the end of the day we wrap up with a closing check-in with staff and CITs to address anything that comes up throughout the day. Being a CIT for our SJMA Summer Camps is an opportunity for emerging teenagers to support and contribute to the success and contagious magic of summer camp. 

Age Eligibility

13 – 17 years old (mature 12 year olds will be considered)

Required CIT Training

May 31, 2024, SJMA’s day long CIT training prior to Summer Camp

Camp Dates / Themes

June 3-7, 2024: Wildlife Neighbors
June 10-14, 2024: Water World
June 24-28, 2024: Predators and Prey
July 8-12, 2024: Biodiversity Blitz
July 15-19, 2024: Eco Village
July 22-26, 2024: Montezuma County
August 5-9, 2024: Nature Detectives

Cost

Free Program

Camp Location

Monday & Friday: San Juan National Forest land
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: Durango Nature Center (with the exception of July 22-26 in Montezuma County)

Drop Off / Pick Up Location

Fassbinder Park at corner of W 17th St and Main Street (with the exception of July 22-26 where drop off/pick up is at Boyle Park, Mancos)

Drop Off / Pick Up Time

Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Number of CITs

We will be offering three CIT spots for each week of summer camp. Upon completion of volunteering as a CIT you will receive a volunteer certificate of completion to add to your resume.

Registration

Our application process has been redesigned for this year, if you are interested in our CIT program please fill out our application. These applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and will be open until all spots are filled. Please allow for all CIT applicants to fill out this application on their own to the best of their ability.

Questions?

Check out our FAQ and our Camp Policies or contact SJMA’s Education Director, Adriana Stimax: astimax@sjma.org