Camp
Summer Day Camps • Spring Break Camp
Lafayette, Boulder, & Longmont
For over 70 years, Thorne has helped kids grow through the power of nature. Families across Boulder County trust our camps to provide more than just fun—campers gain confidence, resilience, and a deep connection to the outdoors.
At our camps, kids spend their days exploring, learning wilderness skills, and building lasting friendships. Along the way, they discover independence, joy, and a love for nature that lasts long after camp ends.
No matter the season, Thorne camps give kids what they need most: time in nature to grow and thrive.
Explore Our Spring Break and Summer Day Camps
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Spring Break Day Camps
Grades: 1st - 4th
New for Spring 2026! Enjoy spring break outdoors with Thorne at the Lafayette Nature Center.
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Summer Day Camps: Lafayette
Grades: K - 9th
Explore our Lafayette summer camps at the Lafayette Nature Center—where hands-on nature, creativity, and adventure come together. -
Summer Day Camps: Boulder
Grades: 1st - 12th
Discover Thorne’s Boulder summer camps, where kids learn, play, and explore the outdoors all summer long.
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Summer Day Camps: Longmont
Grades: 3rd - 6th
Thorne’s Longmont summer camps at Roger’s Grove Park inspire confidence, curiosity, and connection through hands-on exploration.
Why Choose Thorne? Our Camps Inspire:
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Curiosity & Growth Mindset
Learn to ask questions, explore new ideas, and dig into the “why”
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Outdoor Confidence
Grow comfortable and capable in the outdoors
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Nature Knowledge
Develop understanding and appreciation for local ecosystems & natural history
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Social Skills & Connection
Play and learn with fellow Boulder County kids and our supportive camp staff
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Stewardship & Care for Nature
Nurture thankfulness and personal responsibility for nature
What families are saying about us…
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime at camp@thornenature.org or 303.499.3647.
Registration, Policies, & Logistics
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We understand that sometimes plans change. Transfers prior to May 1 can be made at no cost. Cancellation fees and transfer fees may apply for changes made closer to the start of camp. See our full policy here or contact camp@thornenature.org.
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On the camp application, you will have the option to add up to two friend requests. If those friends register for the same camp and also request your child as a friend, we will do our best to put them in the same group. If you need a special accommodation and require a specific friend/sibling to be with your child at camp, please reach out to camp@thornenature.org. Making friend requests on the camp application does not guarantee any specific group assignment.
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Your 4-year-old can sign up for our K-2nd grade camps at Boulder and Lafayette if they are 1) turning 5 before October 15, 2026, and 2) they are entering Kindergarten in 2026.
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No, Thorne observes Juneteenth (6/19) and there will not be camp programming available. We will have limited childcare available for families who need this on Juneteenth, which you will need to register for separately. We will have normal camp programming on Friday, July 3rd.
Locations, Transportation, & Field Trips
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Programming will be mostly consistent across our three sites. Our place-based programming means we utilize the unique natural characteristics of each site in facilitating activities and wild nature play.
Lafayette Nature Center has diverse native plants, engaging natural play spaces, a flowing stream, and a rain garden on site to facilitate exciting camp activities and connection with the land.
Our Boulder site has an on-site pond and surrounding forested area to explore, lots of shade trees in the field adjacent to the church, and quick access to the East Boulder Trail system.
In Longmont, campers have access to St. Vrain Greenway, an intricate trail system along the creek, an outdoor classroom, and a native garden.
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Yes, Mountain Connections, Waterway Connections, Outdoor Leaders In Training, Fishing and Hiking camps will have field trips throughout the week. Campers will be no more than 30 minutes away from their home site and will be riding BVSD buses with Certified BVSD drivers. Early pick-up will not be available on field trip days.
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Camps with no field trips are designed specifically for children entering kindergarten through 2nd grade to create a greater sense of connection to their local community and environment. Place-based learning helps children develop a sense of belonging, responsibility, and curiosity for where they are growing up.
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Each day there will be a field trip schedule for you to review at check in and we encourage you to chat with camp staff about the upcoming days plan. The schedule will also be posted on our website.
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On field trip days, the bus will be leaving at 9:30 am. If your camper is unable to arrive to camp on time, you may drop them off at the field trip location as needed or call to let us know they will not attend that day. The bus will arrive back around 2:30 pm to have campers back in time for a 3:00 pm pick up.
Staffing & Safety
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We will maintain a 10:1 ratio for campers to staff with additional lead staff supervision at each site, including field trips.
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Each year at camp we have a diverse group of passionate and enthusiastic mentors who are trained to facilitate nature play, build curiosity, and handle many of the common challenges that arise at camp. Our team knows how to keep kids safe and engaged outdoors!
Camp Experience & Programming
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Our camps are changing to 1-week sessions, but field trips are very similar to what Thorne has offered in previous years. New camp themes will give your camper the opportunity to have curated experiences depending on the program with options for a more “classic” Thorne camp experience with the Mountain Connections and Waterway Connections camps.
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At Thorne Nature Experience, summer camp is intentionally designed to help children grow, not just pass the time. Our camps support physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development through meaningful, hands-on experiences in nature. Every part of the day has purpose, balance, and heart.
Active Outdoors
Games - help solidify new connections and new ideas
Wild Nature Play – Open ended playtime outside, guided by trusted mentors, invites curiosity and wonder.
Imaginative Play – children use imagination to rehearse or visualize real-world situations, concepts, relationships, etc.
Skills Practice – Children gain confidence through practicing outdoor skills like knot tying, plant & animal ID, outdoor safety, hiking, fishing, etc.
Experiments – Try new things and pay attention to the results
Hand Crafts – Crafts allow a child to engage their hands and their minds together, which improves learning and remembering. Take-home crafts provide a lasting physical reminder.
Challenges – Build confidence and trust by working together on a problem without an obvious solution, working your body past your comfort zone, or doing something that feels scary.
Quiet Outdoors
Child-led Inquiry – Kids often need to be taught and given permission to ask questions.
Observation – We take time to quietly observe the world around us, being open to wonder or curiosity.
Reflection – Remember recent outdoor experiences and consider how I may have changed or may want to change.
Camp Resources
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Scholarships
Thorne offers partial and full scholarships to low and middle-income families to ensure that all children can get outdoors with Thorne.
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Family Resource Hub
Support your child’s adventure at Thorne — packing lists, field trip schedules, camp photos, and more.
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Login to Your Account
Access your CampInTouch account to upload registration forms, see payments, and update camper information.
summer camp jobs are now open!
learn more and apply today
Come work with us this summer! Help kids discover nature and curiosity through work that’s meaningful, fun, and makes a difference.