Exciting Updates for 2026 Summer Youth Programs Registration 

We’re making summer camp registration simpler and more efficient! Instead of a lottery, we are moving to a first-come, first-served system with priority registration periods for our K-9 summer programs: Children of RMBL community; past program participants, and local families get early access before spots open to the general public.

K-9 Registration Periods (open at 8am MST on the following start dates): 

• Feb. 1–14: RMBL Community (family members of RMBL scientists, staff, or others closely connected to RMBL) 

• Feb. 15–28: Past RMBL Youth Programs participants 

• March 1–15: Gunnison County full-time residents (children attend GWSD, Lake City Community School or are full-time homeschooled in the county) 

• March 16–Ongoing: General public 

The High School Introduction to Field Biology course applications and acceptances are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so spots are secured in the order applications are received with a select number of spots held for Gunnison Watershed School District students. Apply starting on Dec. 1st!

This new approach makes it easier for everyone to secure their preferred sessions while keeping the process transparent and efficient. We can’t wait to welcome campers for a fun summer of science outside! 

Please see individual program pages for program offerings and registration details.

If you have registration questions, please email youthscience@rmbl.org.

Parent Registration Help Guide: 

Camp registration is completed online through rmbl.sawyer.com. Registration links will be available on the program webpages. All forms and waivers are completed during online registration. Please review RMBL’s cancellation and refund policies prior to registration. 

Step 1: Create or log in to your Sawyer Account 

1. Visit rmbl.sawyer.com
   2. Select “Login / Sign Up” at the top right.
   3. Existing users: log in or recover your password.
   4. New users: select “Sign Up” and create your family account.
   5. Add participant information and save your payment method before registration opens. 

Step 2: Registration Phases & Dates 

K-9 Registration Periods (open at 8am MST on the following start dates):  

• Feb. 1–14: RMBL Community (family members of RMBL scientists, staff, or others closely connected to RMBL)  

• Feb. 15–28: Past RMBL Youth Programs participants  

• March 1–15: Gunnison County full-time residents (children attend GWSD, Lake City Community School or are full-time homeschooled in the county)  

• March 16–Ongoing: General public 

 Step 3: How to register 

1. Log in to Sawyer shortly before your registration phase opens.
2. Select the Day Camp tab and choose your desired camp week(s).
3. Click “Register” and proceed to checkout.
4. Complete all forms, waivers, and payment.
5. You’ll receive an immediate confirmation email from Sawyer once payment is processed.
6. If a camp is full, select “Join Waitlist” to be added automatically. 

Step 4: Payment Details 

– A $25 non-refundable registration fee and camp tuition are due upon checkout.
– Payment must be completed to confirm registration.
– Scholarship codes must be entered before checkout, if not you will be asked to pay in full and reimbursement will happen at a later date if scholarship is awarded

Cancellation and Refund Policy:  If you need to cancel your child’s spot, please contact our Youth Programs Coordinator at youthscience@rmbl.org. You will receive a refund from RMBL according to these guidelines for K-9th grade programs (see High School course page for refund guidelines for that program): 

• Full refund (minus $25 fee per camp) if canceled within 48 hours of registration opening. 

• 50% refund (minus $25 fee per camp) if canceled before April 30th. 

• No refunds after May 1st. 

• • • Emergency cancellations due to medical reasons will be reviewed individually; documentation may be required. 

Full Programs and Waiting Lists:  We keep this website up-to-date with information regarding when programs fill. For each full program, we create a waitlist, and when we receive a cancellation, we will contact you to see if your child would still like to attend the program.

Scholarships: RMBL believes every child should have access to science and nature learning opportunities. Scholarship applications are available prior to registration to allow families to apply early. After review, approved scholarship recipients will receive an email with a coupon code to apply during checkout. If you do not have a scholarship application submitted by the time of registration, you may be eligible for a refund of the amount of your awarded scholarship after you have completed your registration. 

If you need financial assistance, please complete the RMBL-Youth-Program-Scholarship-Application

The application questions should be answered from your most current US Federal Income Tax Return. All financial Information is kept confidential. Applying for a scholarship has no effect on admittance into the program. However, our scholarship funds are limited, and the size of awards may not always meet the need. You will have the opportunity to accept the award and pay the difference to enroll your child or to decline the award and withdraw your child’s application.

Youth Instructor to Student Ratios and Learning Groups: Nature Camp, Science Camp and Project Eco-STEM groups operate at a maximum capacity of no more than 12 students with 2 instructors.

RMBL Youth Programs Grade-Level Policy: RMBL offers engaging, hands-on summer programs designed for children and teens entering Kindergarten through High School. We do not offer week-long programs for children younger than those entering Kindergarten in the fall. 

To create the best possible experience for all participants, our camps are organized by the grade your child will be entering in the upcoming school year: 

• Nature Camp – Rising Kindergarten–2nd Grade 

• Science Camp – Rising 3rd–5th Grade 

• Project Eco-STEM – Rising 6th–9th Grade 

• High School Program – Rising Sophomores through just-graduated Seniors 

We’ve found this grade-based structure helps us provide age-appropriate activities, ensure balanced group dynamics, and support our instructors in creating meaningful learning experiences in nature and science. 

We love having your children in RMBL’s youth programs! Please help us by registering them for the appropriate grade-level program.
RMBL reserves the right to cancel and refund any registration that does not match the correct grade level. 

Together, we can provide an enriching, fun, and inspiring summer experience for your kids — and set our educators up for success.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! 

Where do I drop off and pick up my child?  Drop off and pick up for RMBL youth programs will take place at the 4 Way Bus Stop in Crested Butte, at the bus stop in Mountaineer Square in Mount Crested Butte, at the Snodgrass Trailhead or in the townsite of Gothic. For Nature & Science Camp, you will be required to sign your child in and out of camp each day, either in Gothic or at the bus stops.

At the bus stops, RMBL youth program instructors will pick students up in the RMBL van.  Mountain Express, the public bus, is no longer offering a route to Gothic.  During Nature and Science Camp sessions The RMBL van will leave the 4 Way Stop in Crested Butte at 8:30am and Mountaineer Square in Mount Crested Butte at 8:40am daily and returns to Mount Crested Butte at 3:15pm and the 4 Way Stop in Crested Butte at 3:30pm (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays).  Please arrive at least 5 minutes prior to van departure times in order to keep the van on schedule.

For those living in or near Gothic, please sign your child(ren) in with a YP instructor in front of the RMBL visitors center.

What does my child need to bring to RMBL programs?

• Full Water Bottle
• Big Lunch
• Three Snacks!
• Sun Hat
• Sun Glasses
• Sun Screen
• Sturdy Walking/Hiking Shoes
• Warm Layers
• Rain Gear (Remember we are outside all day!!!)
• Long Pants and Long Sleeves (to put on when the bugs are bad; bug spray is an option too)
• Curiosity!

How do I communicate with RMBL Staff prior to or during programs?  You can reach Katie Lawn, Youth Programs Coordinator, through the youth programs email at youthscience@rmbl.org. If you need to reach us during the day when we are with children in Gothic, please use the main RMBL phone number 970-349-7231 (mobile coverage is spotty in Gothic).  Youth Program Instructors all carry radios so that the office can contact us in the field with the students.

You will also have an opportunity to check in with staff prior to and after the program during pick up and drop off times. If your child is going to be picked up by someone other than you, we will require you to document who is allowed to pick up your child that day.

Who are the youth program staff?  We hire enthusiastic science educators who love working with youth in the outdoors! Each staff person must pass a background check as well as have First Aid and CPR certifications. Our youth programs team is trained not only in safely managing groups in the outdoors, but in how to engage children in both fun and meaningful field science learning experiences. Staff are typically hired after already having experience as teachers and guides for youth in a variety of camps, schools or non-profit organizations.