Junior Mountaineer Hut Trips

Embark on a weeklong overnight adventure exploring Colorado’s great outdoors! Campers will stay in Walter’s Cabin at the Shrine Mountain Inn that sits atop Vail Pass, nestled among the pines. At an elevation of 11,200+ feet, it offers spectacular views in every direction. Walter’s Cabin offers a comfortable “home away from home” with a kitchen, flush toilet facilities, running water, a sauna, and cozy beds with mattresses. From this scenic basecamp, campers will explore Colorado’s natural landscapes, build outdoor and teamwork skills, and experience the thrill of adventure while connecting with nature and new friends.

Day 1: Arrival to Gunnison & JMC / Camp on WCU Campus
Day 2: Depart for Hut / Hike to Hut
Day 3: Hike Shrine Ridge Trail / Orienteering & Wildness Skills / Sauna
Day 4: Service Learning Project / Wildfire Science / Astronomy
Day 5: Mountain Bike Vail Pass / Ride along the shores of Lake Dillon
Day 6: Depart Hut / Return to WCU Campus / Depart JMC
*Schedule subject to change*

Additional Camp Info

Embark on a weeklong overnight adventure exploring Colorado’s great outdoors! Campers will stay in cozy cabins and huts, spending each day immersed in Colorado’s stunning high-alpine landscapes. The journey begins just north of Leadville, where participants will access the Continental Divide/Point Breeze Cabins and the 10th Mountain Division Hut—both part of the renowned 10th Mountain Division Hut System. Each location includes a kitchen, toilet facilities, and beds with mattresses, providing a comfortable and welcoming “home away from home.” Campers will hike from the Continental Divide/Point Breeze Cabins to the 10th Mountain Division Hut and then return along the same scenic route, while exploring Colorado’s natural landscapes, building outdoor and teamwork skills, and experiencing the thrill of adventure while connecting with nature and new friends.

Day 1: Arrival to Gunnison & JMC / Camp on WCU Campus
Day 2: Depart for Hut / Backpack to Continental Divide & Point Breeze Cabins
Day 3: Depart Continental Divide & Point Breeze Cabins / Backpack to 10th Mountain Division Hut / Nature-Based Art or Fishing
Day 4: Layover Day / Hike to Slide Lake / Orienteering & Wildlife Activities
Day 5: Depart 10th Mountain Division Hut / Backpack to Continental Divide & Point Breeze Cabins
Day 6: Ice Cream in Leadville / Return to WCU Campus / Depart JMC
*Schedule subject to change*

Additional Camp Info

Calling all outdoor enthusiasts! Get ready for an unforgettable week of nature exploration, hands-on STEAM challenges, and outdoor adventure! Campers will immerse themselves in the great outdoors while learning about sustainability, building their own solar ovens to make s’mores, developing map-reading and navigation skills, and taking on creative challenges along the way.

JMC will have exclusive use of the entire Camp Gunnison facility! Nestled along the Gunnison River, Camp Gunnison will serve as our home base for a week of exploration, learning, and outdoor fun. Campers will stay in comfortable dorms with access to a full-service dining hall, bathrooms, and showers.

Overnight Options: Campers in 5th–6th grade have the option to stay for a weeklong overnight Hut Trip adventure, while campers in 2nd–4th grade can join the three-day, two-night Hybrid Hut Trip from Wednesday through Friday!

Overnight Hybrid Hut Trip Camp Schedule (2nd–4th Grade)

• Monday & Tuesday: 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (JMC Day Camp – The Great Outdoors)
• Wednesday: Arrive at JMC at 8:30 a.m. and depart for the overnight adventure.
• Friday: Return to the WCU campus by 5 p.m.

Overnight Hut Trip Camp Schedule (5th–6th Grade)

• Monday: Arrive at JMC at 8:30 a.m. to begin the weeklong overnight adventure
• Friday: Return to the WCU campus by 5 p.m.

Additional Info for 2nd-3rd Grade

Additional Info for 4th-6th Grade

1. To register for camps, visit the registration site.
2. Find the exact camp using the filters.
3. Be sure to check dates and grades!

Registration Site

Most camps close two weeks before the start date or as soon as all seats are filled.

Only adults listed on your registration form may pick up campers and staff will verify ID.

JMC Staff hold CPR/AED, First Aid, Medication Administration certifications, and are trained in current risk management practices. The staff leading JMC Huts and Expeditions will consist of at least one staff with Wilderness First Responder certification and nurse delegation. JMC also has a Health Care Consultant and staff is required to carry a first aid kit at all times. JMC Huts and Expeditions will carry a satellite phone to be used in emergency situations where traditional cell service is unavailable. This ensures that staff can maintain communication with the JMC Director, emergency services, and parents/guardians if a serious incident, injury, illness, or evacuation occurs during backcountry travel.

In the event of an incident or medical emergency, campers are initially treated by JMC Instructors according to their medical training. JMC Instructors will work in conjunction with the JMC Camp Director and the designated Health Care Consultant. If professional medical attention is required, emergency medical services or higher medical care may be contacted. Depending on the situation, emergency transportation and/or evacuation may occur by emergency transportation vehicles or JMC vehicles. The JMC Director will notify parents of the ill or injured camper as soon as the situation allows. Insurance and the cost of treatment arising out of an accident or injury during a JMC program is the responsibility of the camper’s parents/guardian.

JMC will meet or exceed the state-licensed staff to camper ratios. Campers will be supervised and in the line of sight when indoors and outdoors. Roll call will be taken at the beginning of the camp and headcount will be performed at the start and end of daily transitions.

Below are the maximum staff to camper ratios for the various camp offerings and specific activities.

• Cancellation requests must be submitted at least four weeks before the camp start date. Cancellations made prior to this deadline will be refunded, minus a $180 cancellation fee per week. If a cancellation is requested within four weeks of the camp start date, the full camp fee is non-refundable.
• Transfers within the same summer season are free of charge if requested at least four weeks before the camp start date and are subject to availability. We are unable to process transfer requests made less than four weeks before the camp begins.

JMC Adventures, Hybrids, and Expeditions & Huts will begin camp on the Western Colorado University campus before departing to their adventure-based location.

Exact Hut Trip schedules will be emailed to parents no later than three weeks prior to the start of each camp.

A general schedule can be found below:

JMC Hut Camp:

• $1350 per week – early bird rate through March
• $1450 per week – beginning April 1

• Cancellation requests must be submitted at least four weeks before the camp start date. Cancellations made prior to this deadline will be refunded, minus a $180 cancellation fee per week. If a cancellation is requested within four weeks of the camp start date, the full camp fee is non-refundable.
• Transfers within the same summer season are free of charge if requested at least four weeks before the camp start date and are subject to availability. We are unable to process transfer requests made less than four weeks before the camp begins.