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Connect to Nature at Camp Backcountry

Swap Screen Time for Green Time

Camp Backcountry is where your kid comes to explore our local wild place—the Backcountry Wilderness Area. This 8,200-acre conservation property offers unparalleled opportunities to discover nature, get dirty, play in the woods, and experience uninterrupted time in the outdoors—rooted in environmental education and scientific discovery. Each day, campers may hike, build forts, ride horses, create art, play games, and make new friends. Count on Camp Backcountry’s traditions, community, and adventure to make up your kid’s best week(s) of summer.

Nature Camp

Nature Camp at Camp Backcountry offers a full-day, week-long adventure into the Backcountry Wilderness Area—an 8,200-acre, close-to-home conservation property. Opportunities abound for campers to hike to nature hideaways, practice outdoor skills, observe wildlife (or signs of wildlife) in their natural habitat, and trade screen time for much-needed green time. From building forts to playing games, each day at Camp Backcountry’s Nature Camp is filled with exploration, excitement, and unforgettable adventures.

Registration & Information

  • Ages 7-13, entering 2nd-8th grade
    Campers are broken up into three groups based on age and grade: 

    • Explorers 7-8
    • Voyagers 9-10
    • Adventurers 11-13
  • Drop-off Time: 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
  • Pickup Time: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. 

Session Dates Member Non-Member
Week 1 May 27-30 $340 $375
Week 2 June 2-6 $425 $465
Week 3 June 9-13 $425 $465
Week 4 June 16-20 $425 $465
Week 5 June 23-27 $425 $465
Week 6 June 30-July 3 $340 $375
Week 7 July 7-11 $425 $465
Week 8 July 14-18 $425 $465
Week 9 July 21-25 $425 $465
Week 10 July 28-August 1 $425 $465
New!

Horse-Nature Camp

Introducing the new, all-encompassing Camp Backcountry option: Horse-Nature Camp! In 2025, we’re thrilled to launch our brand-new, full-day, week-long adventure combining the best of equine experiences and outdoor exploration.

Registration

The mornings kick off at the Horse Corrals, where campers will spend two immersive hours learning horsemanship, including grooming, saddling, and riding. After the horses are tucked back into their corrals, campers get transported to Base Camp for our popular Nature Camp for the remainder of their day spent in camp games, wildlife discovery, hiking, and even fort building in epic destinations. Full-day camper care for you, a full-day adventure for your camper. Every day at Horse-Nature Camp is packed with adventure, learning, and unforgettable opportunities from both the Horse Corrals and Base Camp. This new opportunity gives your camper the full Camp Backcountry experience in 2025!

  • Ages 7-13, entering 2nd-8th grade
  • Campers are broken up into groups based on age and grade at both the Horse Corrals and Base Camp
  • Drop-off Time: 7:15 – 7:30 a.m. at the Horse Corrals
  • Staff Transport from Horse Corrals to Base Camp 9:30 a.m
  • Pick-up Time: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. at Base Camp

Session Dates Member Program Guest
Week 1 May 27-30 $496 $543
Week 2 June 2-6 $620 $675
Week 3 June 9-13 $620 $675
Week 4 June 16-20 $620 $675
Week 5 June 23-27 $620 $675
Week 6 June 30-July 3 $496 $543
Week 7 July 7-11 $620 $675
Week 8 July 14-18 $620 $675
Week 9 July 21-25 $620 $675
Week 10 July 28-August 1 $620 $675
New!

Half-Day Horse Camp

Give your young horse enthusiast a leg-up in learning everything about their favorite equine friends at our new Half-Day Horse Camp! This full-week camp packs a slate of hands-on horse experiences—including groundwork, horse anatomy, grooming, saddling, games, and group riding lessons—into a three-hour, morning window. It’s the perfect combination of horsemanship, group lessons, Camp Backcountry with friends … and a launchpad to our beginner horseback riding lessons.

Registration

  • Ages 7-13, entering 2nd-8th grade
  • Drop-off Time: 9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the Horse Corrals
  • Pick-up Time: 12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Horse Corrals

Session Dates Member Program Guest
Week 1

May 27-30

 No Session Offered
Week 2

June 2-6

$425

$475
Week 3

June 9-13

$425

$475
Week 4

June 16-20

$425

$475
Week 5

June 23-27

$425

$475
Week 6

June 30-July 3

 No Session Offered
Week 7

July 7-11

$425

$475
Week 8

July 14-18

$425

$475
Week 9

July 21-25

$425

$475
Week 10

July 28-August 1

$425

$475

Art Camp

Camp Backcountry Art Camp is a blend of an art camp and our popular Nature Camp. There are no “cookie-cutter” projects here. We introduce campers to a wide range of materials and unleash their creativity and imagination to build new skills, all while spending time outside in the Backcountry Wilderness Area. Each session follows a similar format with campers active in traditional camp activities, outdoor adventures, and creating unique take-home art projects.

Registration & Information

  • Ages 7-13, entering 2nd-8th grade
  • Camp sessions are broken up by age: 7-8, 9-10, and 11-13 
  • Drop-off Time: 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. 
  • Pickup Time: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Session Dates Ages Member Non-Member
Week 1 May 27-30 7-8 $385 $430
Week 2 June 2-6 No Session Offered
Week 3 June 9-13 9-10 $480 $535
Week 4 June 16-20 No Session Offered
Week 5 June 23-27 11-13 $480 $535
Week 6 June 30-July 3 No Session Offered
Week 7 July 7-11 No Session Offered
Week 8 July 14-18 7-10 $480 $535
Week 9 July 21-25 No Session Offered
Week 10 July 28-August 1 No Session Offered

Girls of the Outdoors Camp

Our week-long all-girls camps are a one-of-a-kind experience for young women. We will come together to explore, learn, and thrive in the great outdoors. Our all-girls camp is designed to provide a unique and empowering experience for girls aged 7-13, fostering self-confidence, teamwork, and a deep connection with nature. We love to grow empowered women of the outdoors, and that starts with you! 

Registration & Information

  • Ages 7-13, entering 2nd-8th grade
  • Camp sessions are broken up by age: 7-8, 9-10, and 11-13 
  • Drop-off Time: 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. 
  • Pickup Time: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Session Dates Ages Member Non-Member
Week 1 May 27-30 No Session Offered
Week 2 June 2-6 7-8 $455 $490
Week 3 June 9-13 No Session Offered
Week 4 June 16-20 9-10 $455 $490
Week 5 June 23-27 No Session Offered
Week 6 June 30-July 3 No Session Offered
Week 7 July 7-11 11-13 $455 $490
Week 8 July 14-18 No Session Offered
Week 9 July 21-25 7-10 $455 $490
Week 10 July 28-August 1 No Session Offered

Leaders-in-Training

The Leader in Training (LIT) Program is a mentorship program for high school students that focuses on leadership development and prepares them for future jobs, whether as a counselor at Camp Backcountry or elsewhere. This program gives students training, mentorship, and real-life experiences to sharpen their organization, social, and responsibility skills, all while earning volunteer service hours.

LITs will be paired with a counselor-mentor on Monday mornings, who they will learn from throughout the week. LITs will spend the week assisting with, and going on adventures with, this one camp group. Throughout the week, LITs will participate in special activities, leadership training, and exclusive programming designed specifically for the teens.

Application

About the Program

  • LITs may choose to work with nature camp, girls of the outdoors camp, or art camp based upon their interests
  • Camp Backcountry prides itself on being an inclusive program that celebrates diversity and differences
  • LITs come from all surrounding high schools and districts
  • The program is competitive and requires an application. 

LIT Requirements

  • LITs must be ages 14-17 at the time of the program, no exceptions
  • LITs must commit to participating in a minimum of 2 weeks in the program
  • LITs must be able to attend a mandatory training session on either the preferred date of May 22 from 1-3:30 pm or secondary date of May 15 from 3:30-5:30 pm. Students should reach out if other accommodations need to be arranged.
  • Students, not parents, are responsible for communicating with Camp Backcountry staff regarding the Leader in Training opportunity.
  • Hours for our Horse Camp LIT’s are from 7:15 a.m. to 1:00 with drop-off from 7:15 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. and pick-up from 12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Our Leadership In Training (LIT) program is an exciting opportunity for teens to develop leadership skills while sharing their passion for horses. LIT participants will work closely with campers from both our Horse-Nature Camp and Half Day Horse Camp, gaining hands-on experience mentoring younger participants. Through collaboration, problem-solving, and direct interaction with a larger group of campers, LITs will build confidence, enhance communication skills, and learn the art of teamwork—all while supporting camp activities, riding lessons, and horse care routines. This program is perfect for those who want to grow as leaders and role models in a dynamic, horse-focused environment! Hours for our Horse Camp LIT’s are from 7:15 a.m. to 1:00 with drop-off from 7:15 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. and pick-up from 12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Week 1: May 27-30

  • Camp Options:
    • Nature: Wild Wanders
    • Art: Ages 7-8
  • Price:
    • Member: $100
    • Program Guest: $115

Week 2: June 2-6

  • Camp Options:
    • Nature: Galactic Adventures
    • Girls of the Outdoors: Ages 7-8
    • Horse: Cowboys & Cowgirls
  • Price:
    • Member: $115
    • Program Guest: $130

Week 3: June 9-13

  • Camp Options:
    • Nature: Wilderness Survival
    • Art: Ages 9-10
    • Horse: Rodeo All-Stars
  • Price:
    • Member: $115
    • Program Guest: $130

Week 4: June 16-20

  • Camp Options:
    • Nature: Legends and Lore
    • Girls of the Outdoors: Ages 9-10
    • Horse: Stirrup Some Fun
  • Price:
    • Member: $115
    • Program Guest: $130

Week 5: June 23-27

  • Camp Options:
    • Nature: Ecology Explorers
    • Art Camp (ages 11-13)
    • Horse: Everything English
  • Price:
    • Member: $115
    • Program Guest: $130

Week 6: June 30-July 3

  • Camp Options:
    • Nature: Elemental
  • Price:
    • Member: $85
    • Program Guest: $100

Week 7: July 7-11

  • Camp Options:
    • Nature: Wild Engineering
    • Girls of the Outdoors: Ages 11-13
    • Horse: Rodeo All-Stars
  • Price:
    • Member: $115
    • Program Guest: $130

Week 8: July 14-18

  • Camp Options:
    • Nature: Secret Life of Plants
    • Art: Ages 7-10
    • Horse: Stirrup Some Fun
  • Price:
    • Member: $115
    • Program Guest: $130

Week 9: July 21-25

  • Camp Options:
    • Nature: Color Wars
    • Girls of the Outdoors: Ages 7-10
    • Horse: Everything English
  • Price:
    • Member: $115
    • Program Guest: $130

Week 10: July 28-August 1

  • Camp Options:
    • Nature: Best of Camp Backcountry
    • Horse: Cowboys & Cowgirls
  • Price:
    • Member: $115
    • Program Guest: $130

  • Both new and returning LITs must submit an application. Participating in the program one year does not guarantee a spot in subsequent years.
  • Applications for the summer of 2025 will be accepted between January 1, 2025, and April 30, 2025. While applications may be submitted through April 30, there is no guarantee all spots will not be filled prior to this date.
  • Slots are competitive and will be filled on a rolling basis.
  • If you are accepted into the program, you will be given more information on how to choose your sessions and register. LITs must be formally accepted into the program before they can register.

School Break Camps

Any day school doors close, the gates at Camp Backcountry are open! We offer School Break Camps (single-day and week-long) during Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, and other days off for multiple local school districts. Give your kids their day off to explore and play in nature. Campers (ages 7-13) get to explore their favorite spots at Camp Backcountry in the fall, winter, and spring!

Registration
Camp Backcountry

Additional Information

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