Summer Camp – Pathfinders
Colorado Youth Outdoors Pathfinders Camp is a one-week, career exploration and skill-building day camp for 14- and 15-year-olds. Running from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., campers learn CYO campus operations to gain hands-on experience, earn resume-ready volunteer hours, and learn practical skills. Participants hear from community leaders and outdoor professionals about career pathways in conservation, recreation, and environmental fields, while still enjoying CYO’s signature activities like canoeing, archery, and fishing. The week wraps up with a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work at CYO, helping youth take confident steps toward future leadership and employment opportunities.
Pathfinders Camp Learning Outcomes
By the end of the Pathfinders Camp, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate responsibility, teamwork, and communication through structured work-force education
- Become exposed to career pathways in outdoor recreation, conservation, agriculture, and environmental fields
- Describe the education, skills, and experience needed for entry-level outdoor and youth development jobs
- Build confidence in professional settings through interactions with community leaders and mentors
- Develop resume-ready volunteer experience and an understanding of how to document work hours
- Apply problem-solving and time-management skills in real-world, hands-on environments
- Strengthen leadership skills and gain insight into working with youth as a future camp instructor or staff member
WHO
CYO camp is young adults who will be 14-15 years old at the time of camp.
WHERE
Our entrance is on the south side of Kechter between I-25 and County Rd 5. Drop off and pick up are typically at Erion Pavillion, the first structure you’ll see when you drive thru our gate.
OTHER DETAILS
Campers must bring lunch (Mon-Thurs), one snack, water & sunscreen. Parents must download the ProCare app. Schedule of activities, and additional FAQ’s can be found in the parent manual below.
WHAT
A week of work-force readiness training combined traditional outdoor recreation and developing new relationships through our PACD model.
WHEN
Drop off 8:15-8:30am, pick up 3-3:30pm. Starting June 1st, we will be hosting one week sessions though July 31st.
COST
$200/week* includes all equipment and camp swag.. Scholarships available
CYO Summer Camp 2026
Registration for camp weeks will be live February 4, 2026 at 10am.
For the first month of registration, we only allow one week per child. If there is availability after March 4, we will open additional weeks to already-registered families.
Applying for a scholarship? You only need to fill out the scholarship application. Please write your preferred week in the comment section of that form.
Any additional questions or additional information can be answered by Andy Te Slaa at ateslaa@coloradoyo.org.
Colorado Youth Outdoors would like to make our programming available to anyone who would like to participate. If cost of our programming is preventing you from attending, please complete the form found here: Scholarship Application
Thank you Program Sponsors
