team work Archives | Mountain Kids!

Santa Fe Baldy: Three-Day Backpacking Adventure!

July 28 – Aug 1 | Ages 10-13

Monday – Friday | $725 + tax

Get ready to unplug, explore, and level up your outdoor game!

This action-packed week immerses campers in the fundamentals of wilderness survival and backcountry skills while building confidence, teamwork, and resilience. They’ll learn to build shelters, read maps and compasses, purify water, practice Leave No Trace ethics, and safely use tools like camp stoves and fire starters.

The highlight of the week? A three-day, two-night backpacking adventure where campers put their new skills to the test—pitching tents, cooking over the fire, stargazing, and hiking to Santa Fe’s highest peak, Santa Fe Baldy. With support from experienced staff, they’ll learn to thrive in the wild and create unforgettable memories with new friends.

Whether they’re first-time campers or budding adventurers, this program is the perfect mix of challenge, discovery, and fun!

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 at 3:30 pm at their respective locations.

Challenge Level:

Scholarship Application

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.

A Walk on the Wildside

Our Saturday Wildside group had a blast this past week hiking along the Santa Fe River.

We started the day finding north and orienteering for treasure; it turns out kids can use their spidey senses to find treasure (apples and oranges), rather than compasses. 😉 We also used a stick compass to find north and all four directions, so easy and useful.

We were challenged in some physical agility; walking across logs, climbing and descending muddy slopes, and playing King of the Log; where one person tries to bounce an opponent off a log without touching them. A fun new game!

The rope swing was another fun-filled challenge, with some giddy swinging and Tarzan whoops filling the warm winter day. Only two kids took to the river for a wee splash and were none the worse for wear. Plastic bags and extra socks sure come in handy for wet feet on a winter day outside.

We hiked down the river through towering cottonwoods, in awe of the beauty, and the two hawks we encountered, who were just as interested in watching us as we were them.

We finished our day with a lesson on how to harvest willow and used our kitchen peelers to take the medicine rich bark from the plant. Each Mountain Kid went home with a paper sack of bark to make tea as a remedy for fever, diarrhea or sunburn.

What a beautiful winter day to wander and play along the Santa Fe river.