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 Summer 2025 Lottery is Open!
Follow this link to complete the form.
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. See below for descriptions of the Summer 2025 camps.
Eco Quest
June 2-6
Get ready to explore the ELC’s different ecosystems with a focus on the plants that live here in Fort Collins! From a little clover to a giant cottonwood, we will learn about the flora that call the ELC home. We will learn about gardening, conduct some experiments, adventure around the property, and play games to get to know these green inhabitants.
Nature Art
June 9-13
Come and embrace your artistic side! We’ll roam the ELC for inspiration while learning about and using a variety of mediums, composition, and forms. We’ll even paint and sculpt with nature!
Wild Things
June 16-20
From the common squirrel to the elusive wind scorpion, the ELC is home to an abundance of wildlife. We’ll spend the week studying Kingdom Animalia through exploration, observation, and experimentation.
Build It
June 23-27
Makers wanted! We will investigate the natural builders like beavers and birds that live at the ELC through exploration, observation and experimentation. Plus we’ll put our own building skills to work throughout the week on everything from forts to rafts.
Skills and Thrills
July 7-11
Do you know how to build a fire, where to find toads or how to imitate the call of a red wing black bird? Do you want to learn all this and much more? We’ll give you the outdoor skills to discover the hidden wonders of nature. This week will be identical to the week of camp starting July 28th.
River Rovers
July 14-18
Get ready, get set, get wet! This week is all about our beloved Cache la Poudre River! We’ll wade into learning about aquatic ecosystems, riparian habitat and much more. Join us for exploration, experimentation, and general watery fun! This week will be identical to the week of camp starting August 5th.
Forest and Field Adventures
July 21-25
Ever wonder what it takes to spend a career in the outdoors? Through games, experiments, crafts, and more, this week of camp will focus learning about on all the different sorts of people who work outside. Get ready to spend time birding, hiking, and splashing around the Poudre River.
Skills and Thrills
July 28- August 1
Do you know how to build a fire, where to find toads or how to imitate the call of a red wing black bird? Do you want to learn all this and much more? We’ll give you the outdoor skills to discover the hidden wonders of nature. This week will be identical to the week of camp starting July 7th.
River Rovers
August 4-8
Get ready, get set, get wet! This week is all about our beloved Cache la Poudre River! We’ll wade into learning about aquatic ecosystems, riparian habitat and much more. Join us for exploration, experimentation, and general watery fun! This week will be identical to the week of camp starting July 14th.
2025 Camp Registration
The lottery will open on January 13th and run through January 31st.
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 February 17th 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 March 3 and full camp payment is due no later than April 17.
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 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 $225 per child, per week for ELC members and $250 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.
Payment and Refund Policy
The email you receive in February 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 March 3; 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 17. If payment is not received by April 17, you will forfeit your spot in the camp(s).
Cancellations made on or prior to March 3 will be refunded at 100%. Cancellations made between March 4 and April 17 will forfeit the $50 deposit. Any balance paid beyond the deposit will be refunded in full for cancellations made during this time.
After April 17 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.