What we do:
At Thorne, we help kids fall in love with nature — because kids who connect with the natural world grow up wanting to care for it.
Through games, crafts, nature play, and hands-on lessons, campers build real curiosity and joy for the outdoors.
Nature-Based Summer Day Camps
Start the fun before the summer!
Check out what’s happening during the school year!
Summer Schedule:
Sessions run June 1 – August 6, 2027
Monday–Friday.
K–6th: Weekly · 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
6th+: Two-week sessions
Drop-off & Pickup
Drop-off: 8:45-9:00 AM | Pickup: 3:00-3:15 PM
Extended Care
Parent Hub
Parent Handbook
Explore Camps by Grade
FAQs
Policies
Registration with Sawyer
Contact Camp
2027 Summer Camp Schedule
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Lafayette Littles
Waterway Connections
Nature Art
Wild Skills
Water & Colors
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Explore camp options by grade
Grades are for the upcoming 2027-28 school year
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 in Lafayette if they are they are entering Kindergarten in fall of 2027. Visit thornenaturepreschool.org/summer
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Thorne Nature Preschool offers preschool summer sessions for currently enrolled in Thorne Nature Preschool families. Typically there are not any available spaces for families who aren’t enrolled in the school year program, but families can join the summer session waitlist by emailing preschool@thornenature.org. Visit thornenaturepreschool.org/summer to learn more.
If your child will be entering kindergarten in the fall and will be five by October 15th of the current year, they can participate in our camps for K-2nd graders. -
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.
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Connect with the Camp Team
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Camp Questions
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Max Whitson
Camp Director
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Molly Murphy
Camp Program Director