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Jr. Mountain Explorers - Session 1: June 2-6, 2025

Youth Program

Jr. Mountain Explorers

1-3rd graders, spend a week adventuring with us! Join Colorado Mountain Club's Youth Program for a true Colorado summer adventure rock climbing, slacklining, hiking, and more! No previous experience required.

Contacts

Placeholder Contact Profile
Alec Backhus
Leader
Placeholder Contact Profile
Hana Hamilton
Leader
Make the most of your summer by exploring the diverse ecosystems that Colorado has to offer! Each day, you will explore a new area in Colorado’s Front Range, where you will get the chance to experience outdoor rock climbing, discover fossils, go hiking, and more! As a part of our Jr. Mountain Explorers Camp, you will get the chance to explore the varied activities and types of terrain that make Colorado so unique and special. You will make a field journal, learn about the '10 Essentials' and Leave No Trace wilderness ethics, gain survival skills, practice team building, and learn about the wonderful ecology in our own mountain backyard! 

  • Age: For youth going into grades 1-3 in Fall 2025. Per our childcare license, all youth must have completed Kindergarten or be 6yrs old.

  • Dates: June 2-6, 2025

  • Location: Each day, we will meet and start our day at Rooney Ranch Elementary at 2200 S Coors St, Lakewood, CO 80228. This is a week-long day camp. We will depart daily from Rooney Ranch Elementary. Transportation from Rooney Ranch to offsite locations in the front range is provided.

  • Cost: With CMC Family Membership - $635/week, Non-Members - $685/week. CMC Members with a Family Membership receive $50 off. Learn about all the benefits of becoming a CMC member. 
  • Please note, if you have an individual membership and wish to sign up your child, you will need to create a separate guest account with a different email. You can also choose to upgrade your individual membership to a family membership to be able to register your child on your account and receive the discount.

  • Course fees include instruction, shared group gear (ex: ropes), harnesses, helmets, shoes, transportation from the basecamp to/from the trailheads, snacks, and backcountry permits.

  • AT CMC, WE BELIEVE THE OUTDOORS ARE FOR ALL. If you need financial assistance for our camps, click here to apply! If you would like to set up a payment plan to finance your next adventure, email us at youth@cmc.org

  • Refund/cancellation policy: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. At least a week prior to your camp you will receive another email with more details and information about the camp. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us!
Program Requirements

This program has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

CMC Will Provide the Following:

  • Field journals
  • Snacks
  • Medical/First Aid Kits
  • Safety Equipment (GPS devices, etc.)
  • Climbing Gear – harnesses, shoes, helmets, ropes, belay devices, etc.
  • Permits, maps, guidebooks

Participant Packing List:
If you are unable to bring any of the items below, please let us know. CMC does have a few extra items that we are happy to loan out for the week.

  • Clothes (comfortable clothing for climbing and hiking):
    o Loose fitting pants or shorts
    o T-shirts and a long sleeve shirt
    o Closed-toe, sturdy hiking shoes
    o Sweater and/or warm layer
    o Rain jacket
    o Brimmed hat
    o Sunglasses
    o Warm hat and gloves (for hiking trips)
    o Bandana or buff
  • Mask (optional)
  • Bug spray (must be labeled with child's name)
  • Sunscreen and lip balm (must be labeled with child's name)
  • Water bottle (at least 1 liter)
  • Lunch and snacks (in a sack)
  • Backpack large enough to carry all personal essentials for a day hike/climb
  • Personal medications (inhaler, EPI pen, etc.) – please have all containers and
    bottles labeled and also listed on the medical form
  • Journal, pencil, pen, books (optional)
  • Camera (optional)
    **Cell phones, gaming devices, tablets, and iPods are NOT allowed on this course.
Program Materials

You must register for this program to see program materials.