Summer Camp Guide 2023

GUIDE 2023

LIFT OFF

Colorado Springs Rocket Society gets kids hyped for STEM

BY AMELIA ALLEN

AS DOZENS OF STUDENTS AND PARENTS WAIT

in an open field by a middle school on a clear Saturday morning, “the air is electric,” says Colorado Springs Rocket Society President David Virga. They’ve gathered to launch model rockets, and anticipation runs high. The first flight of the day sees a small rocket exploding upward, then slowly parachuting down, with the crowd in “absolute bedlam.”

“It takes us probably a good 20 to 30 seconds for the crowd to calm down enough to where we can then move on to the second section of rockets,” says Virga. “That’s what energizes us doing this program for kids — to see that kind of enthusiasm. It’s inspiring them to go into more science- and technology-related career fields.”

sions are comprehensive — beginning with a “this is rocket science” introduction to the history and science of the field, then moving to assembling the actual rocket.

This is what Virga calls “cradle-to-grave support” in the rocket-building arena. He says they help answer questions like, “What even is a rocket, and how would I

to explore beyond the flight itself and consider why and how a rock-

Rocketry is more than just the launch; it’s a combination of math, physics and chemistry. On a launch day, COSROCS encourages kids to explore beyond the flight itself and consider why and how a rocket can function. Society members help explain what’s scientifically happening to the rockets as they’re propelled into the air.

begin to build one?” COSROCS covers all the bases with information on where to get rocket supplies, how to assemble them and launch them safely, as well as an introduction to scientific concepts like the law of acceleration, power, thrust and lift. The society has a 76-slide PowerPoint that’s used during educational sessions, which happen a

them safely, as well as an introduction to scientific concepts like the few times a month, Riegel says.

before,” says COSROCS member Steve Riegel. “So we’ll have people

“A lot of times kids that are showing up have never done rocketry before,” says COSROCS member Steve Riegel. “So we’ll have people all over the place, helping them prepare the rockets, get them set up to go to the launch pad.”

Launches through COSROCS are free for attendees, happening the fourth Saturday of each month at Challenger Middle School. The organization started back in 1988 with a mission to “support rocketry and rocket science education for all of Colorado Springs and surroundings,” says Virga.

Flying can be dangerous without experts around. “You’re playing with fire,” says Virga. COSROCS provides a safe environment for people to test out their own rocket kits.

The Rocket Society doesn’t have a formal educational program, but “we make ourselves available to any organization that wants to incorporate rocketry into their own curriculum,” says Virga. Families, Scout groups and clubs have sought COSROCS’ expertise. The rocketry ses-

porate rocketry into their own curriculum,” says Virga. Families, Scout

Riegel is the astronomy, chemistry and rocketry teacher at The Vanguard School, and his students are required to attend at least one COSROCS launch. “It’s not hard to get the students excited” about

Riegel is the astronomy, chemistry and rocketry teacher at The Vanguard School, and his students are required to attend at least one rocketry, he says.

also Challenge, a nationwide competition that “gives middle and high

lenges participants to build a rocket that carries a raw egg to an

He also gets his students involved in The American Rocketry Challenge, a nationwide competition that “gives middle and high school students the opportunity to design, build, and launch model rockets and hands-on experience solving engineering problems,” according to TARC’s website. The contest, established in 2003, challenges participants to build a rocket that carries a raw egg to an exact altitude and brings it down unbroken. Riegel mentors his students through the competition in teams of three to 10.

Students use simulator software called OpenRocket, which allows them to design all parts of their craft virtually. OpenRocket tells students how their rocket might fly based on the parts they chose in their virtual mock-up. “On a good year, 700, maybe over 800 teams around the nation will compete,” says Riegel. “We’ve had teams competing almost every year since

allows them to design all parts of their craft virtually. OpenRiegel. “We’ve had teams competing almost every year since the start.”

Riegel

$100,000 in prize money, with the winner getting a trip to Europe sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association

Riegel has been to nationals three times with student groups he’s mentored. The top 10 TARC finishers split $100,000 in prize money, with the winner getting a trip to Europe sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association to test their skills in international competition.

“The students that we have had in the program here, it’s

really exciting to watch them go on into engineering, computer science — lots of different technical fields,” says Riegel.

“Pun intended,” says Virga, “we have a blast.”

Learn more at cosrocs.org.

Rocket scientists

Blast off with family and friends.

Courtesy COSROCS

Courtesy COSROCS

Summer Camps

COMPILED BY AMELIA ALLEN

Kids in STEM

Pikes Peak Library District ppld.org | 719-531-6333

At PPLD’s makerspaces, kids and adults alike can use equipment ranging from 3D printers to button machines at the district’s Sand Creek Library, East Library, Library 21c and Manitou Springs Library/Manitou Art Center. Check ppld.org/kids for activities geared to ages 0-5, and click on “Programs” at ppld.org to find activities for teens and tweens.

Western Museum of Mining and Industry wmmi.org/education/stemcamps.html | 719-488-0880

If your kid likes rocks, chemistry or electricity, they’ll definitely like WMMI’s summer camp for third to fifth graders. The program features a new STEM topic every day, with guest speakers and activities catered toward each day’s theme. This year’s camps run June 19-23 and July 17-21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 225 North Gate Blvd. Camps are $225 for members, $250 for non-members.

INSPIRE CREATIVITY

Challenger Learning Center

challengercolorado.org/whatwe-do/public/summer-camp. html | 719-598-9755

The Challenger Learning Center will be hosting summer camps for kids. Information about camps will be posted on Feb. 15 and registration opens March 1.

Pikes Peak Children’s Museum

pikespeakchildrensmuseum.org

719-357-7726

Interested in making rock slime or color-changing volcanoes? Every second Thursday of the month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., the Pikes Peak Children’s Museum offers “Stories and STEAM” for children of all ages. The program consists of “two stories, an art project, and a science project that goes along with a particular theme,” says Spring Jones, “Stories and STEAM” Project Coordinator. Visitors must pay museum admission to attend the program: $5 for children 11 and up, $10 for 2 to 10-year-olds, and free for kids under 2 years old.

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FAC THEATRE SCHOOL

ages 5–18 | one and two-week workshops June–July

Offering innovative and comprehensive professional theatre training from award-winning instructors.

SUMMER DAY CAMPS AT LA FORET

ages 6–11 | five one-week sessions June–July

Experience a variety of artistic styles and techniques, including painting and printmaking. Explore your acting skills with theatre games, improvisation, and more.

Details & Registration: fac.coloradocollege.edu

Concrete Couch concretecouch.org/calendar.html

Concrete Couch offers summer programming for kids and kids at heart — like citizen science, trail maintenance, tree care, and arts and crafts! Check out the calendar for more information about specific programs, dates, times, and locations.

Bill Nye: It’s not magic, it’s SCIENCE! billnye.com

Want to bring STEM learning to your living room? Explore everything from the science of music to mammals, or delve into an athome science experiment with Bill Nye’s guidance.

42 Virtual Field Trips for Kids to Get Them Learning About

the World tinyurl.com/gh-virtual

“Kids can go from Ellis Island to Mars without leaving the couch,” writes Good Housekeeping’s Marisa LaScala. And she’s right.

Catamount Institute

catamountinstitute.org

719-471-0910

Colorado-ology, Rocky Mountain Highlights and the Front Range Playground are a few of the camps hosted by the Catamount Institute this summer. Week-long programming offered for children ages 5-16 will allow them to explore the state’s natural beauty, learn about its ecosystems, and challenge themselves. Programs are $395, except for “Extreme Education Excursions,” which is $575. Scholarships available.

Space Foundation Discovery Center discoverspace.org

719-576-8000

The Space Foundation offers “a gateway to education, information and collaboration for space exploration and space-inspired industries that drive the global space ecosystem,” and has educational events all summer. 4425 Arrowswest Drive.

Get Creative and Active!

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum cspm.org/summercamps

719-385 5990

The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is offering two camps this year for students interested in museums and becoming a “steward of local history [to] help preserve the present and the past.” There’s “History Detectives” for fourth through sixth graders, June 19-23, and “Museum Discovery” for seventh and eighth graders, July 10-14. Summer camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and registration opens on Friday, Feb. 3.

Pikes Peak Artist Collective pikespeakartist.com

717-875-5200

The Pikes Peak Artist Collective will host summer kids camps in 2023. More information about the camps will be posted on their website in early March.

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UCCS RecKids recwellness.uccs.edu/campus-rec/ rec-kids/summer-camps

719-255-3429

Calling all young adrenaline junkies!

UCCS RecKids is hosting three camps for kids entering first through eighth grade with activities like rock climbing, swimming, hiking and paddleboarding. Campers will “have fun with other campers as well as the Campus Recreation Counselors as they experience and discover the world around them.” First through eighth graders are eligible for the “Mountain Lion Camp” and the “Splish ‘N Splash Swim Camp,” and third to eighth graders can participate in the “Outdoor Adventure Camp.” Camp dates and times coming soon, with pricing ranging from $300 to $350 based on membership status and sibling discounts available during registration.

Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Youth Sports coloradosprings.gov/sports-office/ page/youth-sports

719-385-5981

Summer baseball, T-ball and softball is offered for pre-kindergarteners to high

school seniors through the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services youth sports program. The “philosophy is to instill a positive attitude, sportsmanship, basic fundamentals, confidence, and high moral standards.” Practices start the week of May 8 and the season ends no later than July 14, with prices ranging from $70 to $75.

CityROCK climbcityrock.com | 719-634-9099

CityROCK climbing gym will offer single- to four-day summer rock climbing programs for kids 6 and up from June to August. Youth programs are “designed to teach [kids to] explore vertically while learning technical climbing skills.” Single-day classes are $65, four-day programs are $279, at 21 N. Nevada Ave.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park skyzone.com/coloradosprings/ programs/skycamp

719-354-2626

Sky Zone, at 1750 E. Woodmen Road, will be offering SkyCamp for kids this summer, with more information to be released later this spring.

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It is 1904... big ideas & even bigger laughs are flying at the Parisian bar “Lapin Agile.” Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso meet for the first time, then spar with the regulars and each other about art, science, love, and the promises of the 20th century. This long-running Off-Broadway hit by comedy legend Steve Martin features an all-star local cast. Throw in some piano and lively Can Can tunes and what you’ll have is a wonderful evening of lively, enjoyable, intelligent theatre!

Soccer Buddies

coloradosoccerbuddies.com

719-330-9642

Colorado Soccer Buddies is offering one-week long summer camps for kids 4 to 12 years old. “Our high energy coaches will develop their soccer skills and their love for physical fitness.” Camps run from 9 a.m. to noon at a different local park each week.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado voc.org/youth-programs

303-715-1010

Get more involved with Colorado’s landscape through VOC! Every summer, VOC hosts youth projects to help Colorado kids learn more about their natural environment. Projects range from community gardening to habitat restoration to family camping. Information about upcoming projects should be posted in mid-February.

National Gallery of Art NGAkids ArtZone for iPad nga.gov/learn/kids-app.html

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo cmzoo.org | 719-633-9925

Kids ranging from pre-K to eighth grade are eligible for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s summer camp. There are full week camps and day camps where kids can “share the wonders of wildlife and wild places in fun and exciting ways.” Registration is open for members and opens to the general public on Feb. 9. Scholarships available.

SoccerHaus Sports Camps

soccerhauscs.com/camps/summer-camp | 719-761-7586

Children 5 to 13 years old can learn flag football, T-ball, basketball, soccer, kickball, dodgeball and other schoolyard games with SoccerHaus this summer. Camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 1-July 29, with daily, weekly and monthly packages available.

Gripstone Climbing & Fitness

gripstonecs.com/camps-clubs 719-559-4747

Gripstone has day and week-long climbing camps for 4- to 17-year-olds with morning and afternoon sessions. “The day will consist of a group warm-up and stretching, followed by lots of climbing (children will get to boulder, use autobelays, and climb top rope routes), and varying activities such as crate stacking, traverse games, rope swings, obstacle courses and sit-down activities for when the children need to rest.” Morning sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and afternoon sessions run from noon to 3 p.m. $65 for a one morning or afternoon session, $300 for a week of half-day sessions. 6220 Tutt Blvd.

BLUE MOUNTAIN RANCH

Phone: (719) 748-3279

Website: bluemountainranch.com

7:30 THU FRI SAT 2PM SUN

FOR TICKETS & INFO

Learn about and create art with NGAkids. The child-friendly interface “has eight interactive activities inspired by works in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, plus a sketchbook for freehand drawing,” according to NGA’s website.

Millibo Art Theatre themat.org | 719-465-6321

Millibo Art Theatre is offering half-day and full-day camps this summer for youth of all ages. More information about summer programming will be posted in midFebruary.

Blue Mountain Ranch is a third generation owned and operated summer camp that is located just outside Florissant, CO. For the past 77 years BMR has been enriching the lives of children from across the country and globe. BMR is a residential coeducational camp for children ages 7-15 years old who are placed in cabins based on their age but will interact with campers of all ages throughout the day. Our campers gain independence and confidence through the ability to choose their daily activities. We encourage our campers to try as many activities as possible. With our emphasis being participation over competition we provide a welcoming environment for all children. Blue Mountain Rach is a fun safe place for kids to be kids and disconnect from technology and reconnect with childhood in the great Colorado outdoors. We are the camp you have been looking for!

SOCCER HAUS

Phone: (719) 761-7586

Website: soccerhauscs.com

Are you ready for some fun? This summer send your kids to Soccerhaus Sports camp. This is a full day, multi-sport camp that will give your kids a chance to learn the value of teamwork with kids their age! Camp is Monday - Friday from 9am-3pm with early morning drop off and late afternoon pick up options. Kids ages 5-13 will have a great time being active all summer long!

This collection of summer camp listings is paid for by advertisers. To be included in future camp listings, contact our sales team at sales@sixty35media.org.

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