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 as 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.

COVID Modifications

  • Participants will be asked to social distance when reasonable, wear face-masks during van rides and when social distancing is not possible, and hand-wash/sanitize frequently
  • No shared food or communal eating spaces
  • Families will be expected to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms
  • We ask that parents please have conversations with their kids about social distancing, using the restroom outside, and the expectation of long(ish) periods of physical activity
  • SJMA will transport the campers each day but we ask that they wear masks for the entire car ride (Parents can meet us if you would prefer to transport  your child)
  • We strongly encourage COVID vaccinations to help keep our staff and other campers safe

La Plata County: An Animas River Journey

This year, 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.

2021 Kayak sm

2022 Camp Dates

June 20-24, 2022

Cost

$750; 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.)

Drop Off / Pick Up Location

Fassbinder Park

Drop Off / Pick Up Times

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

Camp Location

Monday-
Locations: Andrews Lake (1) and Snowden Meadows
Topics: Headwaters of the Animas watershed, alpine and subalpine ecology, standup paddle boarding skills
Tuesday-
Locations: Lemon Reservoir (2), Lake Nighthorse (3)
Topics: Stream ecology, montane forest ecology, flatwater kayaking skills
Wednesday –
Locations: Durango Nature Center (4), Animas River in Durango (5)
Topics: Water pollution, water use by humans, high desert ecology
Thursday – Friday
Locations: San Juan River (6)
Topics: Overnight raft trip! Desert river ecology

Age Eligibility

Rising 7th through 12th graders

Max Number of Campers

13

Registration*

Opens March 1, 2022

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.

REGISTER TODAY FOR ADVENTURE CAMP

* 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.

2021_08 mont sm

2022 Camp Dates

August 1-5, 2022

Drop Off / Pick Up Location

Boyle Park, Mancos

Drop Off / Pick Up Times

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

Camp Location

San Juan National Forest Public Lands

Cost

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

General: $600; 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*

Opens March 1, 2022

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.

REGISTER TODAY FOR ADVENTURE CAMP

* 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)

Interested in gaining outdoor education experience while playing outside and connecting kids to the outdoors? Sign up for our free Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program at our grade school summer camps. This program is for kids from 13-17 years old (we will consider mature 12 year olds) and includes one full day of CIT training. Our CITs have the opportunity to grow their leadership skills and become a positive role model for our younger campers.

2021_CIT Sophie

Age Eligibility

13 – 17 years old (we will also consider mature 12 year olds)

2022 Mandatory CIT Training

Monday June 6, 2022 from 8:00am – 4:00pm

2022 Camp Dates / Themes

June 6-10: Wildlife Neighbors, FULL*
June 13-17: Water World, FULL*
June 27-July 1: Predators and Prey, FULL*
July 11-15: Biodiversity Blitz, FULL*
July 18-22: Eco Village, FULL*
July 26-28: Day Camp, FULL*
August 8-12: Nature Detectives, FULL*

*If you would like to be added to our waitlist, please fill out our Waitlist Form.

Camp Location

Monday & Friday: San Juan National Forest land
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: Durango Nature Center

Drop Off / Pick Up Location

Fassbinder Park at corner of W 17th St and Main Street

Drop Off / Pick Up Time

Monday – Thursday: 8:15-4:00
Friday: 8:15-1:45

Cost

Free Program

Registration*

Full. If you would like to be added to our waitlist, please fill out our Waitlist Form.

Each child must be registered separately. After you enter child’s information, you will be able to choose which Junior Naturalist Field Camp and/or Day Camp sessions you’d like to be a CIT. 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.

Questions?

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