Day Camp: Highlands Ranch & Castlerock Multi-Sport Day Camp

Avid4 Adventure’s Highlands Ranch & Castlerock Multi-Sport Day Camp offers fun, outdoor pursuits each day with an emphasis on developing friendships, understanding risks, and learning. All activities are age appropriate, including rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing and much more! Participants in the 7 to 12 year-old groups (further split by age) spend the entire day on their outdoor adventure, while those 5 and 6 years of age complement a half day of outdoor activity with a half day of art, story-time yoga, or music and movement. The maximum group size is 13, with either two or three instructors depending on the age of the participants and the activity.

Times, Meeting Location, & Dates:

Times: Drop-off at 8:45am and pick-up at 2:30pm. Optional Extended Care is available from 8:00am – 5:30pm.

Meeting Location: Meets at Horizon Community Church (no affiliation), 2121 Dad Clark Dr., Highlands Ranch, 80126

2012 Dates:

• Ages 5-6 & 7-12 (further split by age): June 11-15, June 18-22, June 25 – June 29

Activity Schedule for Highlands Ranch & Castlerock Multi-sport Day Camp:

The Wednesday before camp, you will receive an email from Avid4 Adventure with your camper’s group number. Below is an example of what their daily schedule may look like:

Highlands Ranch & Castlerock Multi-sport Day Camp Overview:

During a week of summer camp kids have an opportunity to try a wide spectrum of outdoor activities. Our program is about learning and having fun, not about competition or ability. Groups are formed by age and can accommodate a spectrum of experience, from “never-ever” to “proficient.”  We believe that by introducing kids to a variety of fun outdoor activities at an early age we can instill a love for play in the outdoors that will last a lifetime. We precede activities with a discussion about potential risks and how to minimize or avoid them, thus encouraging participants to develop understanding and judgment. All activities take place on public land within 25 minutes of our camp meeting place. Transportation is provided using our camp 15 passenger vans and Avid4 Adventure drivers, all of whom are over 21, have completed our defensive driving program, and whose driving records have been examined. Each day kids typically participate in a different outdoor sport (climbing, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking & canoeing). Here are a few examples:

• Rock Climbing – Kids will learn about techniques, precautions, equipment and history of the sport. 5-6 year olds will climb on a portable climbing wall at the camp location.  Please wear climbing shoes or sneakers.
• Paddle Sports: Kayaking & Canoeing – Our flat water instruction program gives kids a chance to learn about techniques, precautions, equipment and history of the sport. Our teaching progression emphasizes incrementally developing comfort with equipment and the environment in order to facilitate successful experiences. PFD’s (life jackets) will be worn at all times; please wear closed-toe sandals or sneakers.
• Mountain Biking -Avid4 Adventure’s fleet of mountain bikes can accommodate any size participant (if you prefer to bring your own bike, that’s fine too). We can work with all ability levels, from those that can’t ride without hands-on assistance (no worries if they are still on training wheels; we’ll help them learn to ride on 2 wheels), to proficient riders. Riders will not only learn technique, precautions, equipment and history of the sport, but also some basics of bicycle maintenance. Avid4 Adventure does provide bike helmets.
• Leave No Trace- Learning Leave No Trace outdoor ethics is integrated into all of our activities. Avid4 Adventure is an Official Partner of Leave No Trace, a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships.

Campers age 7-12 (further divided into groups by age):

Our older campers start each day of camp at our meeting location and then head out for a full day of outdoor adventure. We begin the day with ice breakers and team building activities, then head out to local parks, reservoirs, or trails. Groups of up to 13 will have either two or three instructors (depending on the activity) to provide instruction and guidance.

Campers Age 5-6:

Five and six year olds complement a half day of each of our outdoor sports (climbing, kayaking, canoeing, biking and  hiking) with a half day class (two days of art, two of story-time yoga, and one of music and movement) that provides a less active but engaging activity. All of our outdoor activities are age-appropriate and groups will have two or three Instructors with up to 13 kids. Don’t worry if your child is still on training wheels at home; we have a great progression to work kids toward riding on their own with our multi-sized bikes to help with the process. Please provide us with your child’s car or booster seat at drop-off clearly labeled with your name. For our rock climbing day, kids will climb on a portable climbing wall at the camp location. We will enjoy our lunches in the field, so please pack a nutritious meal to provide energy for the day.

Here’s a bit more information on each of our 5-6 year old classes that complement their outdoor activities:

Story-time Yoga Class

Our 5-6 year old story-time yoga class provides kids with the perfect complement to their outdoor adventure!  The children will learn about their bodies and how different foods affect how they feel and act. These fun projects use art, music, storytelling and other elements to engage the natural energy, curiosity and enthusiasm of the 5 and 6-year old.  The next part of class will really get them moving! Classes explore yoga poses, breathing exercises, and creative relaxation techniques while conveying lessons in self-expression, body image, social skills, positive thinking, and environmental awareness. Alive with animal imagery, flowing sequences, balancing poses, music and storytelling, children are sure to have a blast while learning lifelong techniques to stay flexible and balanced both physically and emotionally.

Art Class

The Avid4 Art Class is a playful, creative balance for the artist in all children! Each day will bring a new art activity: drawing, painting, mixed media, and more. We offer engaging, directive lessons along with an open art studio format where children will have the freedom to work with a wide range of art materials. Lessons will offer unique opportunities for children to engage with art materials in new ways, to learn about new techniques, and also learn about the Earth and the environment through art.  We seek to develop and strengthen each child’s creative skills, stimulate their imaginations, and encourage self-expression through playful and developmentally appropriate art activities. Children have the opportunity to work independently as well as on group projects, and are provided with enough structured guidance to be successful, yet enough freedom to express their own individual creativity

Music and Movement Class

This fun-filled, hands-on, interactive class is designed for five and six year olds to discover the sheer joy of music. The class will introduce your child to an extensive sampling of world music ranging from African percussion to Brazilian rain forest to Celtic harp as well as diverse American music such as folk, classical, jazz, funk, opera, rock, bluegrass and traditional children’s songs to make for a diverse musical exposure.  The program will focus on the development of the children’s auditory, visual and physical responses to music through singing, rhythmic movement, dramatic play, interactive songs, and the use of percussion instruments.  In addition, this class addresses social and emotional learning by helping children to develop good listening skills and to learn to co-operate and socially interact in a supportive group environment.

Parents’ Day at Camp:

Each week there is an opportunity for parents to watch and participate with their kids during an outdoor activity. This optional opportunity takes place on the day that your child is canoeing. This provides a chance for kids to show their parents what they have learned, as well as an opportunity for parents to get a few pointers from their kids as they try the activity. We encourage you to participate as well if you choose, or simply watch from the shore and take some pictures. Please bring sun protection, a full water bottle, and a lunch or snack if you desire. You will be asked to sign a release upon your arrival. If you choose to attend Parents’ Day you will be responsible for the entrance fee for the reservoir. Maps to the canoeing area can be found using the link below:

Highlands Ranch Camp Parent Day is at Chatfield Reservoir

Outside for Life Recommended Summer Camp Progression

Register Now for the Highlands Ranch Multi-Sport Day Camp!

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