MDC Junior - Boulder

In each one-week session, campers have fun making friends and connecting with their counselors and nature.

Based near downtown Boulder, these young campers are outside as much as possible, including trips to OSMP, State Parks and the Spruce Pool.

The highlights of this intentionally planned program include: hiking, fishing, teambuilding, crafts, stories and camp songs.

Caring camp counselors are hired because of their experience in youth development and interest in the creating a playful and nurturing atmosphere for each camper and Cabin Group.

Program Highlights

Authentic Nature-Based Activities: In all areas of our program, we promote opportunities for learning about and interacting directly with the natural environment.

Teambuilding: Throughout the session, counselors present cabin groups with age- and ability- appropriate teambuilding challenges. Through these experiences campers practice working together and listening to each other.

Hiking: While hiking on the beautiful trails of Boulder County’s OSMP, campers are lead by at least 2 staff per group that teach Leave No Trace environmental ethics, hiking techniques, trail etiquette, and outdoor games.

Swimming: At Spruce Pool, campers participate in a swimming skills evaluation on pool day and are allowed into areas of the pool according to ability.

Rock Climbing: AO Junior campers get to climb once during the first week of every session on Altogether Outdoor's 26 foot portable rock climbing tower.

Sample Session Schedule

Each day we spend time inside and outside. Campers this age need a break from the heat and sun and love to cool off indoors. This is also a requirement of State Childcare Licensing. Here are some details of these varied activities:

Monday: Design Water bottles, Cabin Group name and Code, counselor skit, hike and picnic
Tuesday: Travel by bus to an Open Space / Mountain Park for hike, theme craft
Wednesday: Travel by bus to an Open Space / Mountain Park for hike, theme nature activity
Thursday: Walk to Spruce Pool, t-shirts, and photos
Friday: Hike and picnic to Boulder Creek, closing Cabin Group activities

Transportation

How Campers Get To And From Camp:

Most campers are dropped off at the Junior Program site. There is a before-camp option in which campers can be picked up on the MDC Eldorado Canyon bus from North Boulder to Base Camp.

Hiking and Trips out:

On Open Space hike days, campers are transported in a camp bus. BJR has its own big yellow bus. Drivers have the appropriate Commercial Drivers License and driving experience. Drivers are carefully selected for their ability to manage a bus full of campers and their driving records. There will almost always be additional counselors on the bus to supervise, lead songs, and check in with each camper. Because of the safety features of the bus, car seats for smaller campers are not necessary.

Daily Transitions

Opening the day:

We love to open each morning with energizing camp songs. We build connections with each other by playing teambuilding games.

Closing the day:

Each day wraps up with stories and quieter camp songs that help campers unwind and get ready to share their days with their families.