Forts & Foraging

Aug 4 – 8 | Monday – Friday | 9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Ages 5-7, 8-10 & 11-13 | $570 + tax

In this week, we will explore shelter building and grow our understanding of our plant friends! From foraging for nutritive teas to scouting shelter building materials and learning how to camouflage in the woods; with plants we can thrive in nature. By the end of the week, the knowledge we gain will leave us feeling inspired and empowered!

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

Challenge Level

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

 

Scholarship Application

Register

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.

 

Wonders of Water!

July 28 – August 1 | Monday – Friday | 9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Ages 5-7 & 8-10 | $570 + tax

Strap on your water shoes and get ready to cool off in the beautiful mountain streams in Santa Fe. Not only will you get to play and explore in our magical waters, you will also learn where our water comes from, where it goes, and the importance of taking care of our watershed. We will hunt for aquatic macroinvertebrates in our streams, and learn what they can tell us about water quality. Last but not least, we will share multiple techniques for safe water purification so that you always have enough water on your next outdoor adventure. Of course, there will be plenty of time for fun and games with and without water! On Friday, we will head to Abiquiu Lake to cool off and enjoy swimming. (All campers are required to wear life jackets.)

Did you know?  The Santa Fe River Watershed is 285 square miles – from Lake Peak (12,408’) in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the confluence with the Rio Grande at Cochiti (5,220’)

 

Challenge Level

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 am and be shuttled to Patrick Smith, leaving at 8:45 am to join the other campers. Pick up for all groups is at 3:30 pm at their respective locations.

 

Scholarship Application

Register

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.

Amazing Animals!

July 21 – 25 | Ages 5-7, 8-10 & 11-13

9:00 am – 3:30 pm 

Monday – Friday $570 + tax

Animal lovers unite! This week we will learn about some of the amazing animals of New Mexico. We will examine animal tracks and signs on our hikes in nature and we’ll examine pelts and skulls of local mammals. We will learn about bird language, look for birds in the wild.

We will also get up close and personal with raptors and other rescued animals at the Wildlife Center in Espanola. Of course, making new friends, games and teamwork are a part of all Mountain Kids! adventures.

Drop-off/Pick-up Times and Locations
We are 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

Register

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 Skills

July 14 – 18 | Ages 5-7, 8-10 & 11-13

9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Monday – Friday $570 + tax

Have you ever wondered what it takes to survive in the wilderness? Come learn the essential skills for staying safe, building shelter, finding water, making fire, navigating, archery and 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!

Drop-off/Pick-up Times and Locations
We are 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

Register

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.

Mud, Clay, and Camouflage

July 7 – 11 | Monday – Friday | 9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Ages 5-7 & 8-10

$570 + tax

Getting dirty has to be one of the greatest joys of childhood! This week we will get dirty; learning about mud, clay and camouflage in a variety of ways.  We’ll play in the mud, create with clay, and combine both art forms to camouflage ourselves in nature. We’ll become stealthy stalkers in sneaking and hiding games, and be ready for a good scrub after this week of muddy fun!

Challenge Level

Drop-off/Pick-up Times & 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 at 3:30 pm at their respective locations.

 

If you are unable to pay all program fees, you may apply for our scholarship fund which aims to reach all children, regardless of ability to pay.

 

Register

 

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.

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

Register

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.

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.

Raising Resilient, Confident, Aware, Nature-Loving Kids

As a parent of young adults (my kids are now 18 and 20), I look back on the years my kids spent with Mountain Kids! with gratitude for who they have become as a result of their time in nature. I know that the qualities of resilience, confidence, problem solving, awareness, and a deep love of the natural world stem from the summers they spent in the mountains.

At Mountain Kids! campers build resilience by climbing a mountain peak or camping for the first time. They build confidence by learning skills such as building a campfire or a survival shelter and sleeping in it. They develop problem solving skills by working together, resolving conflict, and helping each other through compassionate, self-aware actions. At Mountain Kids! we learn that we need to function as a team to thrive.

Our campers develop a deep love of the natural world by learning about it; tracking animals, gaining plant knowledge, and spending mindful time in nature which translates to greater awareness in all areas of life. Importantly, kids also have fun! They are developing a love of the natural world, a relationship that lasts a lifetime.

Because of who my kids have become, I am even more passionate than ever for all kids to spend time in nature. I know that these experiences have made them who they are today; confident, resilient, aware, compassionate, lovers of nature. These values contribute to their sense of trust and adventure in the world, and their willingness to try new things. 

My son spent last semester in Chile, living in a new culture with a family, learning a new language, climbing mountains, and navigating it all with confidence and grace. He is now bilingual and has gained even more confidence by thriving in a new environment.

My daughter is a high school senior, and despite the challenges that adolescence brings, she remains keenly aware of her surroundings, resilient in the face of disappointment, and one of the best problem solvers I know. 

I can rest at night knowing that nature did its job. Their nature-rich childhoods have given them the tools to thrive as young adults in an ever-changing and challenging world. 

My wish is for your kids to have the same opportunity and the gift of time in nature. 

Together, let’s build resilient, confident, compassionate, problem solving, aware and nature-loving kids.