Intro to Backpacking & Wilderness Skills

July 7-11 | Ages 10-13

9:00 am – 3:30 pm, with overnight campout Thursday

Monday-Friday, $695 + tax

Campers will learn about backpacking and challenge themselves on a two-day, one-night backpacking trip close to home. We will hike the Borrego Trail and camp next to the Tesuque Creek for an overnight adventure in the woods.  Campers will learn how to prepare and pack for a backpacking trip, learn about menu planning and what to carry, and what to leave at home. There will be plenty of time for good old-fashioned fun; games and shelter building.

Drop-off/Pick-up Times and Locations
We are now offering two drop-off/pick-up locations to choose from: Patrick Smith Park and Swan Park. Swan Park campers will meet at 8:30 and be shuttled to Patrick Smith, leaving at 8:45 to join with other campers.  Pick up for all groups is between 3:30-3:45 at their respective locations.

Challenge Level:

Scholarship Application

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Para registrarse en español, haga clic en el botón Registrarse arriba y seleccione español en el menú superior derecho del sitio web de Active. Para obtener ayuda, envíe un correo electrónico a: hello@sfmountainkids.com.

Wilderness Survival Shelters with Campout

Build shelters, make fire, gain confidence—survive the wild!

Learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about survival shelters and sharpen your wilderness survival skills in this exciting week-long adventure! What exactly is a debris hut, and how is it different from a wicki-up? Why won’t a simple stick fort keep you warm and dry—and how can you build one that will?

As we explore the world of survival shelters, practice both primitive and modern fire-making techniques, and cook our own meals over an open fire during our overnight campout, campers will also build confidence in the outdoors—learning to trust their instincts, abilities, and teamwork.

Campers will need to bring their own camping gear.

June 23-27 | Ages 10-13

9 am – 3:30 pm | Overnight campout Thursday night 

Monday – Friday  $695 + tax

Challenge Level:

Scholarship Application

Register

Repetition is Good!

Why Repetition Matters in Nature-Based Learning

At Mountain Kids! camp, you might notice that certain themes, stories, and activities reappear from year to year—like building survival shelters, exploring insect habitats, or learning how to purify water. This repetition isn’t just tradition—it’s intentional, and it plays a powerful role in your child’s development.

Here’s why children thrive when themes and experiences repeat in outdoor education:

1. Familiarity Builds Comfort and Confidence

Returning to a familiar story or activity—like hiking a beloved trail or learning how to whittle—gives children a sense of security. In nature, where so much can change with the weather or season, predictable rhythms help children feel grounded and safe.

2. Mastery Through Repetition

Each time a child revisits an activity, they deepen their understanding and build new skills. Whether it’s identifying birdsong or safely using hand tools, repeated practice allows campers to grow more capable and confident each year.

3. Deepening Learning Over Time

Nature is a rich teacher, and repetition gives children the chance to notice more details with each encounter. A frog pond visited last year becomes a deeper source of curiosity this year, revealing new layers of learning as their brains and interests develop.

4. Emotional Connection and Joy

Familiar activities carry emotional memories. Singing the same campfire song or walking the same morning trail evokes joy, creates traditions, and builds a lasting bond with the natural world.

5. Pattern Recognition and Seasonal Awareness

Repetition in nature—like watching leaves change color each fall or tracking animal tracks in the snow—helps children recognize natural cycles. These patterns foster ecological awareness and support early scientific thinking.

6. Lifelong Learning and Transferable Skills

As children repeat and refine their outdoor experiences, they begin to apply what they’ve learned to new situations—understanding how weather affects different ecosystems or how teamwork improves a group project. This generalization is key to lifelong learning.

In Nature, Every “Repeat” Is a New Discovery

Even when we revisit the same activities, nature ensures that no two experiences are ever exactly alike. With each return, children notice something new, grow a little more, and deepen their connection to the world around them. That’s the magic of learning through repetition—especially when it’s rooted in the rhythms of the natural world.

Wilderness Skills

Have you ever wondered what it takes to survive in the wilderness? Come learn the essential skills for staying safe, building shelter, finding water, navigating and much more! You will not only have a fun time exploring the beautiful Santa Fe National Forest, but will leave feeling more confident and safe in the outdoors. Ready for adventure? Let’s go!

August 7-11 | Ages 5-7, 8-12

9 – 4 | Early Care Available 

Mon-Fri, $475 + tax

Challenge Level:

Scholarship Application

Register

 

 

Wilderness Survival Shelters with Camp Out

Learn everything you have ever wanted to know about survival shelters and gain wilderness survival skills in this week long adventure. What is a debris hut and how it is different than a wicki-up? Why won’t a stick fort keep me warm and dry, and how can I make it so it will? We will learn about survival shelters and about primitive and modern fire-making techniques, and make our own food over the fire on our overnight campout.  Campers will need a sleeping bag and sleeping pad at a minimum.  If you need gear, please contact us and we will do our best to provide it. 

July 17 – 21 | Ages 8 – 12

9 am – 4pm | Overnight campout Thursday night 

Monday – Friday  $595 + tax

Challenge Level:

Scholarship Application

Register

Extraordinary Earth!

In this week, we will explore all things connected to the earth! You will learn about many of the trees and plants in our high mountain ecosystem, build shelters with downed trees, play in the mud(dy earth!) and learn how to camouflage in the woods! Our plant expert will show you many wonderful uses for local plants, such as using yucca to weave rope and which plants can be used for food or medicine.  This will be a fun and learning filled week of mud, clay and skills. See you in the woods!

Did you know? Trees communicate and share nutrients with one another through an underground network of fungi in the soil!

June 19 – 23 | Ages 5 – 7

9 – 4 | Early Care Available

Mon-Fri $475 + tax

Challenge Level:

Scholarship Application

Register

 

Wilderness Skills with Archery

July 5 – 9 | Ages 5-7 & 8-12

8:30–3:30 | Early & After Care Available

Mon-Thu $347 | Mon-Fri $425 | Mon-Fri (8:00-5:30) $550 + tax

Challenge Level:

This is where the fun begins for our campers. Learn how to prepare for a hike and stay safe in the wilderness. Campers will learn the four cardinal directions, how to find north without a compass, signaling for help, and the importance of attitude in a survival situation. Survival shelters (and forts!) will be a key activity this week. Older campers will explore wilderness skills in more depth while planting the seeds of exploration and adventure in a safe, fun, and engaging environment.

Scholarship Application

 

Forts & Forests

June 21-25 | Ages 5-7

8:30–3:30 pm | Early & After Care Available

Mon-Thu $347 | Mon-Fri $425 | Mon-Fri (8-5:30) $475 + tax

Challenge Level:

Learn everything you have ever wanted to know about forts, survival shelters, forests and trees in this week long adventure of building forts and fairy houses. What is a debris hut and how it is different than a wicki-up? Why won’t a stick fort keep me warm and dry, and how can I make it so it will? We will learn about trees and use them for crafts, to make fairy houses, play Tree Tag, Meet-a-Tree and other favorite activities as part of this awesome week of tree loving fun!

Scholarship Application