Explorers Camp

Join us for Catamount Explorers Camp! We play and learn in a variety of outdoor environments to help campers improve their knowledge and skills to build more confidence in their abilities. We take pride in sharing our love for the natural world and hope to steward a lifelong passion in our campers.

Explorers Camp is designed to deepen campers’ connection with the outdoors through hands-on exploration paired with recreational adventure. We wander the wonders that Catamount Outdoor Family Center has to offer, sometimes on bikes and other times by foot.

 

Campers will have the opportunity to learn outdoor skills like navigation, knot tying, fire building, and shelter construction. They will also learn about VT’s natural history and local ecology by identifying native and non-native plants, fungi and animals and discuss how we are all interconnected. Explorers Camp sparks curiosity of the natural world that sticks with kids for years to come!

All Catamount’s summer camps integrate bike skills to create safe essential habits for safe fun riding in all situations. Biking at Explorers Camps allows the group to reach some areas faster, allowing for more time learning about the flora and fauna found here. We also take time to explore by hiking the trail network at Catamount. All Catamount OFC camps are staffed with the ability to split up into mild and spicy adventure groups to meet everyone’s exploration goals.

Catamount OFC offers two Explorers Camps based on your campers ages.

Half day afternoon EXP camp for ages 6-7

Full day EXP camps for ages 8-14

If your camper is interested in focusing more on bike skills while at camp, check out our Mountain Bike Camp options, here.

Prerequisite skills for all Catamount OFC camps: All Catamount summer camps require campers to have the ability to ride a bike on flat varied terrain (dirt, grass, gravel, etc.) without training wheels, turn in both directions, and stop safely. Need help getting your camper’s skills ready for camp? Check out our lesson options!

Bike requirements for all Catamount OFC camps: All bikes used at camps must have gears, hand brakes (rim or disc), and pedals (no striders/kick bikes). Bikes that use foot brakes and training wheels, one gear, and without pedals are not appropriate for camp uses. Catamount OFC offers rental bikes on a first come, first serve basis.

Half Day PM Explorers Camps for ages 6-7

Counselor to camper ratio is 1:8.

CAMP FEE $200

CAMP TIME 12:30pm – 4pm

CAMP LIMIT 12

2024 EXP CAMP DATES FOR AGES 6-7

  • June 17-21
  • June 24-28
  • July 1-5 -NO CAMP
  • July 8-12
  • July 15-19
  • July 22-26
  • July 29-Aug 2
  • August 5-9
  • Aug 12-16

Full Day Explorers Camps for ages 8-14

Counselor to camper ratio is 1:8.

CAMP FEE $350

CAMP TIME 8:30pm – 4pm

CAMP LIMIT 18

2024 EXP CAMP DATES FOR AGES 8-14

  • July 15-19
  • July 29-Aug 2
  • August 5-9
  • Aug 12-16

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.

Agenda for Explorer 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.

    • 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!