Day Camps are themed by week, ranging from outdoor skills to STEAM to sports, building community through hands-on exploration close to campus.
Ahoy, matey! Welcome ashore to Junior Mountaineers Camp! During this pirate science week, campers will live the life of a pirate. They will study the movement of the ocean, code a treasure map, and might even walk the plank! Pirates will utilize their engineering skills to build catapults and experiment with optical illusions by wearing eye patches.
Have you ever wondered how Disney movies are produced? Campers discover what it takes to be a filmmaker and bring LEGO characters to life through the medium of stop-motion animation. By the end of this camp, campers will have used a green-screen background to produce several stop-motion animation videos that depict their characters following a storyline they created. At the end of the camp, campers’ stop-motion videos will be saved on a complimentary USB Drive to share with family and friends.
Campers will explore the fundamentals of chemistry through engaging, hands-on experiments and activities. We’ll be making mixtures, bubbling potions, explosions, elephant toothpaste, dancing oobleck, using a chemical reaction to float a balloon, and more!
What is the weather? Can the weather be predicted? How does that happen? Campers will become meteorologists in training as they explore the science of weather. Experiment with how precipitation forms, learn about cloud formations, make tornadoes, and learn how to track the wind with a weathervane in this weatheriffic camp!
Calling all future ecologists! This week of camp is all about WATER. Campers will learn about ecosystems of lakes and rivers, collect water samples to test for certain properties, and learn what lives in Blue Mesa & the Gunnison River. Plus, we’ll finish the week with a Blue Mesa field trip for water activities, swimming, and more!
The Junior Mountaineers Challenge is part STEAM, part competition, and a whole lot of fun! Campers will be split into their College League teams to take on STEAM challenges like building toothpick bridges, designing towers, cracking brain teasers, and more!
Every LEGO project is a pathway into engineering” ~MIT School of Engineering.
In this camp, we’ll channel our engineering skills by using LEGO bricks to build various structures that solve problems. From rainbows to catapults, simple machines, and rubber band-powered cars, campers will use the engineering design process to design and build their LEGO creation.
Deconstruction is the name of the game in this camp! Campers will use tools to disassemble toys and small machines, understanding how they work, how their parts interact, and develop ideas to improve the products. And, the final challenge will include putting the toys and machines back together! Through disassembly, analysis, and reassembly, campers will unravel the inner workings of these classic devices, gaining insights into engineering principles and design concepts.
This week is full of outdoor education and adventure! Campers will step into the roles of botanists, conservationists, and ecologists as they explore native wildflowers, learn Leave No Trace principles, and practice environmental stewardship while discovering the wonders of the great outdoors.
Calling all young inventors! This week, campers will use Makey Makey invention sets to connect everyday objects to computer keys. From using bananas as piano keys to creating a stomp switch to using a hula hoop to draw, the Makey Makey invention possibilities will be endless this week!
BOOM! POW! WHACK! It’s superhero STEAM time!
Campers will explore shields, design super hideouts (forts), and run as fast as a bullet. Plus, we’ll learn about nutrient-rich foods that are needed to fuel superhero powers, build our strength, and sharpen our “Spidey Senses” on the climbing wall!
Did you know that we live in one of the most geologically diverse regions in the world? Are moon rocks different from other rocks? What impact does global warming have on different geological processes? Live the life of a geologist for five days, find out the answers to these questions, grow your own moon rocks, and more as you learn about rocks, minerals, and mining!
Campers will dive into a fun and interactive coding adventure that encourages creativity and critical thinking! They’ll gain hands-on experience using block-based programming languages such as Scratch and with KaiBots, small educational robots, to design and solve coding challenges tailored to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced programmers.
The last three days of Junior Mountaineers will feature camper and staff favorites from Summer 2026. Only time will tell what will be included in the final hurrah of the Summer of 2026 Junior Mountaineers Camp!
Sign up through Active.com or contact the Junior Mountaineers team with questions.
Who it’s for: Rising K–6th grade (ages 5–12)
Format: On-campus, Monday–Friday, no overnights
Day Camps run weekly from early June through mid-August.
Days include structured STEAM activities, outdoor play, swimming or climbing days, lunch, rest time, and team challenges.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Camper Drop-Off / Child Care |
| 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Adventure Activities* & Nature-Based STEAM Activities / Snack |
| 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch & Outdoor Play |
| 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Adventure Activities* & Nature-Based STEAM Activities / Snack |
| 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM | Return to Western |
| 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM | Camper Pick-Up |
* Adventure Activities may include hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, whitewater rafting, and rock climbing.
Note: Parents dropping off or picking up outside of scheduled times must coordinate in advance with camp staff.
Drop-off and pick-up take place at Paul Wright Gym on campus during designated windows.
Day Camps meet a 1:15 state requirement and typically operate closer to 1:10 for more individualized attention.
Families provide lunch and two snacks daily.
Each day of camp includes a morning snack, afternoon snack, and lunch break.
Please send your child with:
Each day of camp includes a morning snack, afternoon snack, and lunch break.
Please send your child with:
Camp days are active, outdoors, and sometimes messy. Campers should arrive dressed to move, explore, and create.
Please send your child in:
Clothing and shoes may get dirty, torn, stained, or lost during camp activities.
Campers must wear closed-toed shoes and weather-appropriate clothing to participate. If a camper arrives without appropriate footwear or clothing, they may not be signed into camp until properly dressed.
Clothing, including swimsuits, should be modest and appropriate for a coed camp serving children ages 5–12.
Please label all clothing and removable items with your child’s name. Staff will do their best to help organize belongings but are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Unlabeled items will be placed in the Junior Mountaineers Lost & Found and donated to Six Points at the end of the summer.
Each camper should bring a backpack with two shoulder straps, large enough to carry daily essentials.
Day packs should include:
To protect your child’s possessions, please keep personal toys, electronics (cell phones, smart watches, Kindles, etc), money, knives/guns/weapons, valuables, etc. at home. These items can be easily lost or broken at camp. Additionally, JMC aims to create an environment where campers can fully engage in social connections without electronic distractions. If any personal belongings and/or electronics are brought to JMC, they will be held in the Camp Director’s office and returned to parents/guardians at pick up. Campers’ personal belongings will be stored in bins; however, Junior Mountaineers Camp is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Camp continues rain or shine with indoor labs, gym time, and shaded outdoor options as needed.
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