Keystone Science School
With the outdoors as a backdrop for learning, Keystone Science School inspires curiosity and critical thinking through the lens of science to change lives and strengthen communities.
Financials
Programs
Outdoor Education - School Field Trips
At Keystone Science School, we turn the great outdoors into the ultimate classroom, where curiosity runs wild and science gets real. Whether it’s following the path of a mountain stream, digging into alpine ecology, or discovering the physics of snowflakes, our hands-on programs make learning stick. Located in a high mountain environment, our immersive overnight or single-day experiences mix Science, Adventure, and Fun in ways that spark wonder and ignite young minds. Each outdoor education and environmental education field trip we create is tailored to the goals of each participating school. Our dorm-based field trips are the flagship programs of Keystone Science School where each teacher designs the trip to best suit their students. Students enjoy the comforts of home with dorms, hot meals and hot showers, all while exploring the outdoors through guided science and adventure activities. We also offer off-site programs, meeting schools at campsites or state parks for their trips.
Discovery Camp
Discovery Camp is our flagship overnight camp for kids entering grades 1st through 8th. Set against the stunning backdrop of our 23-acre campus and the surrounding Rocky Mountains, Discovery Camp blends traditional camp fun with hands-on science and adventure. Each 6 day session features core activities and exciting outdoor adventures, all while exploring a unique science theme each week. Adventures include rock climbing, rafting, mountain hiking, backpacking, campfires, talent shows, and more! For older kids, the CAP (Counselor Assistant) program for 9th-12th grades is the next step in our camp progression.
Girls in STEM
We believe in empowering girls with immersive, hands-on experiences to ignite curiosity and confidence in STEM. Through real-world challenges, mentorship from female STEM professionals, and an engaging, supportive environment, we empower girls and non-binary students to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, and innovators. We offer four distinct Girls in STEM programs: - Snow Science - Medical Explorers - Film Fest - Wildlife Crossings Through a weekend spent at KSS, these programs aim to encourage and model female empowerment through all female & non-binary enrollment, expose participants to careers in STEM and female professionals in those roles, and promote teamwork and collaboration through the creation of a culminating project.
Summit School District Partnership
We aim to help support our local community through our partnership programs with the Summit School District! KSS provides discounted summer day camp rates for local families. Our sliding fee scale ensures that families in the community have access to affordable childcare. SSD programs extend beyond the summer months. We provide Summit County students with more opportunities for outdoor education throughout the school year with our Mountain Ecology program and other school specific programs. Through this and other specialized programs, we aim to enhance the educational experience and support what students are learning in their classrooms.
Adventures
Our offsite, camping-based Adventures are focused on the development of outdoor skills and leadership while exploring Colorado’s stunning parks, monuments, and most scenic natural environments by foot, on rope, or watercraft. Students on this expedition expect to wake up early, carry a heavy backpack, step out of their comfort zone, and support each other through physical and mental challenges.
Day Camp
Our week-long Day Camp immerses campers in nature, using our 23-acre campus and surrounding wilderness to inspire outdoor exploration. Each session features a unique science theme, sparking curiosity through hands-on learning, core activities, and exciting adventures. Campers discover the natural world, challenge themselves outdoors, and experience the perfect mix of science, fun, and exploration!
Volunteering + Events
Spring + Fall Volunteer Days
Each Keystone Science School volunteer is a critical member of our community through reinvesting their time, expertise, and/or interests in our mission. Our Volunteer Days, happening in the Spring and Fall are crucial in preparing our campus for the summer camp or school year seasons.
An Evening Under the Stars
A Night of Celestial Wonder at the Keystone Science School Observatory
October 23rd, 2025 at 6:30pm
Join us at the Keystone Science School Campus Observatory for an evening of stargazing and discovery. Our astronomer, AstroMark, will guide guests through the night sky using the newly repaired observatory telescope—made possible by the generous support of Victor Leonard.
We will be offering wine tastings and light hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening. This event is both indoors and outdoors – there will be heaters on the patio but please dress appropriately.
Speaker Series: Nature's Educators
Join us on October 17th at 5:30 PM for a special Speaker Series event with Nature’s Educators! This session will give you an inside look at careers in wildlife care, including what it’s like to work with raptors and the unique experiences of women in this field.
Nature’s Educators will also discuss wildlife crossings and how these structures help protect raptors by reducing roadkill—connecting real-world conservation to practical solutions.
This event is presented in partnership with the new Girls in STEM: Wildlife Crossings program. The evening begins with a public speaker session, followed by a more focused discussion with the Girls in STEM group.
5pm – Doors open
5:30pm – Presentation by Nature’s Educators
6:30pm – Q&A
This event is free to attend, but donations are encouraged to support our educational programs. Space is limited!
Join our Scholarship Committee!
Keystone Science School distributes approximately $70,000 in scholarship funding throughout the year. Over 80% of our scholarship funding is awarded to families whose children will attend a summer camp experience at KSS.
Scholarship recipients are determined in collaboration with a Scholarship Committee. Our Scholarship Committee reviews all applications. Members are given detailed instructions to assist with their review of applications and the completion of a rubric that guides their recommendation of awards.
KSS is currently seeking Scholarship Committee members to review applications to our summer programming. Applications for our Summer Program Scholarship are offered in three cycles to families with three review periods.