Nature Camp (Grades K-2) - Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

Nature campers explore different leaf shapes

Summer 2026 Nature Camp Offerings Below!

**To give more children a chance to attend, campers may register for only one week, though they may join waitlists for additional sessions.**

2026 Registration Information:

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.

We ask families to register during the period that accurately reflects their eligibility. RMBL reserves the right to deny registrations submitted outside the appropriate period. This helps us keeps our system running smoothly.

Nature Camp 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

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!

Scholarships: A limited supply of scholarship funds are available for the K-9 programs. If you need financial assistance, please complete the RMBL-Youth-Program-Scholarship-Application.

RMBL’s nature camp is designed for children entering kindergarten, first and second grades in the fall of 2026. Programs are based out of the Youth Nature & Science Center in Gothic, CO and in surrounding outdoor areas that students will access by hiking. Nature Camp cultivates a multidisciplinary and playful approach to immersing students in the natural world and field science through hands-on activities such as experiments, nature inspired art and games and guest scientist interactions.

Camps are offered in weekly, Monday-Thursday daily sessions. Three different weekly themes will be offered throughout the summer. To give more children a chance to attend, campers may register for only one week, though they may join waitlists for additional sessions.

Program cost:

$600 per session, plus $25 non-refundable registration fee

Crested Butte, Gunnison and Lake City students– $550 per session, plus $25 non-refundable registration fee

*Limited partial scholarships are available and can be applied for when applying for camp sessions*

Program times:

9am-3pm Monday-Thursday (8:30am-3:30 drop off/pick up at CB 4-way or Mt. CB)

2026 Session Dates:

Session 1 June 15-18: Birds of a Feather (4 SPOTS AVAILABLE!)

Session 2 June 22-25: Birds of a Feather (FULL)

Session 3 June 29- July 2: Life Underwater (FULL)

Session 4 July 13-16: Life Underwater (FULL)

Session 5 July 20-23: Survive and Thrive: Life in Gothic **Transportation offered from Gunnison in addition to CB (FULL)

Session 6 July 27- 30: Survive and Thrive: Life in Gothic (FULL)

Nature Camp Theme Descriptions:

Birds of a Feather: Join us for a science-filled Birds of a Feather week at RMBL Nature Camp, where K–2 explorers become young ornithologists investigating the amazing birds of Gothic! Campers will discover how hummingbirds sip nectar, how songbirds use their voices to communicate, and how birds of prey, like hawks and owls, use sharp senses to hunt. Through simple field observations, fun experiments, nature walks, and hands-on crafts, kids will learn how different beaks, feathers, and feet help birds survive in the wild. With plenty of outdoor exploration and real science sprinkled into every activity, this week is the perfect blend of curiosity, discovery, and feathered fun!

Life Underwater: Join us for a splashy Life Underwater week at RMBL Nature Camp, where K–2 campers become junior aquatic scientists discovering the amazing creatures that live in our Rocky Mountain rivers, lakes, and ponds! Campers will peer into clear mountain waters to find tiny insects, fish, and other hidden critters, learning how each one swims, breathes, and survives in its underwater home. From peeking under rocks to exploring pond edges and creating underwater-themed art, kids will see how brisk mountain waters help shape entire underwater communities. It’s a week full of discovery, curiosity, and outdoor adventure as young scientists dive into the wonders beneath the surface!

Survive and Thrive- Life in Gothic: Join us for an exciting Survive and Thrive week at RMBL Nature Camp, where campers investigate the clever ways animals and plants survive in the wild! Campers will become junior scientists as they observe marmots, bumblebees, wildflowers, and other living things in their natural habitats. Through hands-on experiments, nature observations, and outdoor investigations, they’ll learn how animals find food, avoid danger, and interact with their environment, and how plants, trees, and shrubs grow, reproduce, and adapt to changing seasons. By exploring food webs, observing adaptations, and recording their discoveries in field journals, campers will see science in action and gain a deeper understanding of the strategies that help living things survive and thrive. It’s a week of curiosity, discovery, and outdoor learning– all rolled into one unforgettable nature adventure!

Nature Camp Weekly Feel and Daily Rhythm:

Nature Camp contains a combination of structured and open-ended age and developmentally appropriate activities.

Opening and closing circles help campers connect to our weekly and daily themes in the morning and reflect in the afternoon.
Structure at the beginning of the day and end of the day and mealtimes.
Designated time exploring as a group throughout the day on hikes and in the designated youth programs cabin.
Organized games, crafts, and rotation groups that introduce and reinforce the weekly themes.
We try to make camp fun for everyone by asking participants to follow the RMBL community expectations of taking care of people and place.