EXPLORERS CAMP (Ages 8-14)
Discover summer at Catamount’s Explorer Camps! Nestled within the stunning Catamount Community Forest, our camp offers kids the chance to immerse themselves in the wonders of nature. Guided by patient, curious, and fun coaches, campers will grow as adventurers and land stewards. We take pride in sharing our love for the outdoors and are dedicated to cultivating lifelong passions for exploration, conservation, and the natural world in every camper.
Explorers Camp is designed to deepen campers’ connection with nature through hands-on exploration paired with recreational adventure. We wander through the wonders that Catamount Outdoor Family Center has to offer, sometimes on bikes and other times on foot.
Campers will have the opportunity to learn essential outdoor skills like navigation, knot tying, fire building, and shelter construction. They will also explore Vermont’s natural history and local ecology by identifying native and non-native plants, fungi, and animals, and discussing how we are all interconnected. Explorers Camp sparks curiosity about the natural world that sticks with kids for years to come!
All of Catamount’s summer camps integrate bike skills, helping campers develop safe and essential habits for fun, responsible riding in all situations. Biking at Explorers Camp allows the group to cover more ground, providing additional time to learn about the flora and fauna found here. We also explore on foot by hiking the trail network at Catamount. All Catamount OFC camps are staffed with the ability to split campers into “mild” and “spicy” adventure groups to meet everyone’s exploration goals.
If your camper is more interested in progressing their bike skills, check out our MTB Camp options, here.
Is you camper 6 or 7 years old? Check out out MTB+EXP combo camps for 6-7 year olds, here.
Prerequisite skills for all Catamount OFC camps: Due to the staff support needed in teaching kids how to ride a bike, Catamounts camp require campers shown up with basic riding skills. Campers must have the ability to ride a bike on flat varied terrain (grass, dirt, gravel, small roots) without training wheels, turn in both directions, and stop safely.
Need help getting your camper’s skills ready for camp? We are eager to help-Check out our spring lesson options!
Bike requirements for all Catamount OFC camps: All bikes used at camps must have multiple gears, hand brakes (rim or disc) that your camper can reach with one finger, and pedals (no striders/kick bikes). Bikes that use foot brakes and training wheels, one gear/single speed, and without pedals are not appropriate for camp uses. Catamount OFC offers rental bikes on a first come, first serve basis.
No refunds will be issued for campers sent home from camp due to missing prerequisite skills for camp or due to improper bike.
Explorers Camps for ages 8-14
Counselor to camper ratio is 1:8.
CAMP FEE $350
CAMP TIME 8:30pm – 4pm
CAMP LIMIT 18
2025 EXPLORERS CAMP DATES
- June 16-20
- June 23-27
- June 30 -July 4
- July 7-11
- July 14-18
- July 21-25
- July 28-Aug 1
- August 4-8
- Aug 11-15
Our counselors blend activities both on and off the trail to make the most out of each day. Our goal throughout the week is to foster a relationship with our outdoor environment through participation in outdoor recreation both on and off the bike.
Agenda for MTB+ EXP COMBO Camp
A typical day at Explorers Camp involves….
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Forest Games
- Plant & Animal Identification
- Outdoor survival skills
- Invasive plant and bug conversations
- Tick ID
- Leave No Trace and land ethic principles
- Scavenger hunts
- Team building Activities
- STEM activities
- Lots of snack breaks
- Stretching
- and more!
Activities and Games List:
These engaging games provide balance to our program allowing campers to recover and let loose.
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- Evolution
- Camouflage
- Bass and BlueGill
- As the Wind Blows
- Park Ranger
- Oh Deer
- Leave No Trace: 7 principle games
- Wake-up Child
- Asteroids
- Giants, Wizards & Elves
- Tag games (blob, freeze, etc.)
- Captain is coming
- and more!
Bike Maintenance:
Age-appropriate introductions to bicycle mechanics may be covered during the week.
- A-H Safety Check
- Cleaning
- Tools for personal kit
- Flat Tires
- Chains
- Understanding your brakes
- Understanding your derailleur
- Seasonal Tune-Ups!