Join the CSU Environmental Learning Center this summer for adventure in the outdoors! Our camps aim to connect youth to our natural world through learner-led inquiry, hands-on and active exploration, and fun in a safe environment. We can’t wait to be part of your summer!
This summer, we will hold nine, week-long summer day camps. While each camp has a theme, our overall focus is getting children outside, comfortable and connected to the natural world.
Click here for general summer camp FAQs.
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The 2026 Summer Camp Lottery is Open!
Click Here to Access the Entry Form
The lottery will remain open through January 16th. We will email families with the results no later than January 30th.
Summer Camp Dates and Descriptions
Our camps focus on immersing participants in nature. Though each camp has a theme, all camps will include walking our trails, exploring our ecosystems off trail, playing near and in the river, building forts, and playing games. Details for Summer 2026 camps will be posted in January.
The lottery will open on January 1st and close on January 16th.
Lottery Process
Names are entered and drawn separately for each week of camp. When you complete the lottery form you will indicate which weeks you want to be included in.
When a family’s name is drawn, all children in that family will receive a spot in that week of camp, provided the children meet the age requirements to attend camp and you have requested they be in that camp.
Once 36 spots have been filled in each camp, we will fill the wait list for that week via the lottery system. There is no need to contact us separately to be added to the wait list.
You will receive an email no later than January 30th notifying you if you have received a spot in summer camp or are on the wait list.
Once you are notified that you have received a spot in camp, a $50 non-refundable deposit (per child per camp) or full payment is required to hold your spot(s) in camp. This is due no
later than February 13th and full camp payment is due no later than April 3rd.
Ages
All camps are open to children ages 7-12. We may accept 6-year-old siblings of older campers by request on a case-by-case basis. If you would like your 6-year-old to be considered, please email us at [email protected] before entering into the lottery. If you do not obtain prior approval, we can not accept campers younger that 7.
Participants will be broken up into age-appropriate groups for most activities, though this will vary based on number of attendees and the age break-down of each camp. You will have the option to request that your child be placed in a group with friends when completing camp paperwork, but we cannot guarantee we will be able to accommodate your request.
Camp Dates
June 1-5 Eco Explorers
Get ready to explore the ELC’s different ecosystems with a focus on the plants and animals that live here in Fort Collins! From a little cricket to a giant cottonwood, we will learn about the flora and fauna that call the ELC home. We will play in the garden, conduct some experiments, and adventure around the property to get to know our nature neighbors.
June 8-12 Conservation Heroes
It’s up to us to protect and preserve the wonderful world around us! Lend a helping hand this week while we learn about ways we can contribute to conservation efforts both in our backyards and around the world! We’ll play games and conduct experiments to better understand how we impact the plants and animals we see, then we’ll choose a project that will help keep the ELC beautiful and healthy!
June 15-19 Creative Adventures
Let nature inspire your inner artist! We’ll explore the land for inspiration and use a variety of mediums and techniques to express what we find. Don’t think you are an artist? Don’t worry, this is all about trying new things in a new environment. You can keep your masterpieces to yourself or share them with the world!
June 22-26 Happy Campers 1
Have you always wanted to go hiking or camping but didn’t know what to bring or how to be prepared? All your questions will be answered in this week-long outdoor skills camp! We will discuss things like Leave No Trace ethic, how to cook in the wild and how to pitch a tent. Please note: This camp runs twice per summer–the content during week one is the same content during week two.
July 6-10 Wildlife Wonders
The ELC is filled with fascinating wildlife, and we’ll try to spot as many of them as we can in this camp. We’ll explore the adaptations that make each creature unique and discover how they each fit into their habitats and ecosystems. Furry or scaly, flying or swimming, see how many different animals you can spot in the wild this week.
July 13-17 Team E.S.I.
Join the 2026 rookie team of Environmental Scene Investigators (E.S.I.). See if you have what it takes to solve the mysteries of nature. We’ll get into detective mode andspend the week canvassing the ELC for clues into nature’s unknown. Get ready to romp through the woods, make observations, and take notes to earn your spot on the ELC E.S.I. Team.
July 20-24 Wild Waters 1
We love the Poudre River and it wouldn’t be a proper ELC summer if we didn’t spend some time splishing and splashing around in it. We will spend nearly every day at the river, catching crawdads, looking for toads and exploring this amazing river ecosystem. Please note: This camp runs twice per summer–the content during week one is the same content during week two.
July 27-31 Happy Campers 2
Have you always wanted to go hiking or camping but didn’t know what to bring or how to be prepared? All your questions will be answered in this week-long outdoor skills camp! We will discuss things like Leave No Trace ethic, how to cook in the wild and how to pitch a tent. Please note: This camp runs twice per summer–the content during week one is the same content during week two.
August 3-7 Wild Waters 2
We love the Poudre River and it wouldn’t be a proper ELC summer if we didn’t spend some time splishing and splashing around in it. We will spend nearly every day at the river, catching crawdads, looking for toads and exploring this amazing river ecosystem. Please note: This camp runs twice per summer–the content during week one is the same content during week two.
Camp Schedule
Camp activities begin at 9:00 AM and wrap up at 4:00 PM. Drop off and pick up will always be at our East Drake site.
Prices and Scholarships
Camps are $240 per child, per week for ELC members and $265 per child, per week for non-members. Please note that the membership price is only applicable to members at the time of the lottery closing.
We do have several need-based scholarships (both full and partial) available. Please complete the scholarship request form no later than January 31 to request a scholarship for summer camp. We reserve some spots in each week of camp for scholarship recipients. Scholarship recipients must commit to attending; failure to attend without notice will result in cancellation in further camp sessions and disqualification from future scholarship awards.
Payment and Refund Policy
The email you receive informing you of the results of the summer camp lottery will include instructions on how to pay for camp. You have the option either to pay for summer camps online with a credit card or to mail us a check.
Once you are notified that you have a spot in camp, a $50 non-refundable deposit per child, per camp is required to hold your spot(s) in camp. The deposit is due on February 13th ; if it is not received by that date then you will forfeit your spot in camp. Once paid, the deposit will be applied to your total summer camp balance due.
Payment for summer camps is due in full by April 3rd. If payment is not received by April 3rd , you will forfeit your spot in the camp(s).
Cancellations made on or prior to February 13th will be refunded at 100%. Cancellations made between February 13th and April 3rd will forfeit the $50 deposit. Any balance paid beyond the deposit will be refunded in full for cancellations made during this time.
After April 3rd and up to two weeks prior to the first day of camp, a 50% refund will be given. After two weeks prior, no refunds will be given. Cancellations must be made in writing and emailed to [email protected].
Summer Camp Payment Portal
If you received an email from us informing you that you have received a spot in summer camp, then you can pay online here. Please only pay for camp if you have received a confirmation email from us. See below for information about summer camp deposit and our cancellation and refund policy.