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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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 2024 camps.
Ecosystem Explorers
June 3-7
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 10-14
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!
Young Experimenters
June 17-21
This week of class is perfect for campers who love to observe, question, and explore. Participate in hands-on experiments from environmental disciplines of science such as geology and meteorology. By using the scientific method, recording data and running experiments, students will study and connect with the natural world.
Survivor ELC Week I
June 24-28
Do you know how to catch a fish, 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 29th.
Animal Antics
July 8-12
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.
H2Oh Yeah Week I
July 15-19
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.
Outdoor-ologists
July 22-26
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.
Survivor ELC Week II
July 29-August 2
Do you know how to catch a fish, 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 June 24th.
H2Oh Yeah Week II
August 5-9
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 15th.
2024 Camp Registration
The lottery for Summer 2024 is closed. Check back next December for updates regarding Summer 2025.
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 14 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 or full payment is required to hold your spot(s) in camp. This is due no later than March 20 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 elc@csuelc.org 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 $205 per child, per week for ELC members and $230 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 20; 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 20 will be refunded at 100%. Cancellations made between March 21 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 elc@csuelc.org.
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.