I am frequently asked about my recommendations for the best outdoor camp for kids in the Denver area and without hesitation, I always respond Avid4 Adventure!
My kids are going on their third year with Avid4 Adventure where Pre-K – 11th graders of all levels learn to kayak, canoe, stand up paddleboard, rock climb, bike, hike and thrive in the outdoors. Camps are offered in Boulder, Golden, Highlands Ranch, Washington Park and Stapleton. They also have Colorado Mountain Camp, a sleep away camp located at Windy Peak, a beautiful location near Bailey, Colorado.
What do I love about Avid4 Adventure? I don’t even know where to start!
- Avid4 Adventure isn’t just a camp or a school program (though their Outdoor Education School Program brings the power of outdoor adventure to Colorado schools). It’s an authentic outdoor experience that teaches kids the skills and confidence to climb, bike, paddle, hike and thrive outdoors. Founder Dave Secunda calls it an “empowering experience meant to inspire a lifetime of outdoor participation.”
- Their counselors aren’t just teenagers on summer break–they live and breathe the outdoors. All are age 21+, certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR and highly adept at the time-tested curriculum. And most importantly, they’re great with kids and are inspiring role models.
- Avid4 Adventure offers camps that build upon one another. One year, my kids did Survival camp. This year, we’re on our second round of Adventure Camp where every day is a different adventure—mastering mountain biking, climbing a local crag, hiking a trail, paddling a canoe or kayak. Campers take skills learned one year and then add to them the next, creating a virtuous cycle that teaches not only outdoor skills but also good communication and self-awareness.
- At the end of each day, pictures are uploaded to a private gallery where I can follow their adventures throughout the day.
- Avid4 Adventure is American Camp Association accredited and partners include outdoor industry leaders such as Black Diamond, Specialized Bikes, Clif Kid, Leave no Trace and many more.
What don’t I love about Avid4Adventure?
They don’t offer camps for parents! (Though I plan to live vicariously on parent’s day).
Register
Avid4 Adventure is an immersive experience that makes a deep imprint on kids, leaving them with lasting skills and new reserves of confidence they can use in all aspects of their lives. Learn more and sign up at www.avid4.com, see the full camp schedule here http://www.avid4.com/day-
CONTEST CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNER KATHY N.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
