Join Telluride Academy for “Elevate & Educate: High Camp,” a high-altitude adventure filled with hands-on scientific exploration and plenty of mountain fun. Participants will hike into High Camp, a cozy backcountry hut nestled in the San Juan National Forest—our home base for discovery, creativity, and connection. It’s here, in our remote outdoor classroom, that we’ll become citizen scientists! We’ll explore the richness of the alpine ecosystem through biodiversity monitoring and evaluate forest health by measuring tree growth.
Along the way, campers will enjoy the thrill of hiking through high-country forests, spotting wildlife, and learning how to live comfortably and confidently in the backcountry. We’ll break up our science sessions with games, challenges, outdoor play, a wood-fired hot tub, and the simple joy of spending time in a beautiful place with new friends. Together, we’ll venture through the forest to investigate the fascinating relationships between pollinators and native plants, turning every discovery into an adventure.
This camp promises an unforgettable blend of exploration, learning, and laughter at the intersection of nature, knowledge, and community. Join “Elevate & Educate” to not just experience, but deepen and elevate your understanding of the alpine environment—all while having a blast in the mountains—and actively contributing to its preservation.
All participants in need will receive Telluride Academy backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads for use during this program! We ask that you bring your child’s belongings in a duffel bag on the first morning so instructors can help students properly pack their provided backpacks. Students must also bring a bottom sheet and towel to High Camp!
Important Notes: This is a great intro backpacking program! The trail to High Camp is two miles with a moderate grade. Students should feel comfortable hiking this trail with a moderate amount of weight on their backs. High Camp is situated at an elevation of over 11,000 feet. We recommend arriving to Telluride a few days early for any students coming from lower elevations in order to prevent altitude sickness.
Please click here to read our overnight policy.
A detailed daily itinerary will be provided to you on the Monday morning of the program.
Schedule:
Daily: 9:00am – 4:45 pm
Monday, June 29th – Thursday, July 2nd
Overnights on Tuesday and Wednesday (Double Overnight), returning on Thursday at 4:45 pm.
