Residential coed summer camp, ages 6-17
Glennville, California
Established in 1934
Since 1934, Jameson Ranch Camp has been a place where children come to find out who they are. Tucked into the Southern Sierra Nevada near Glennville, California, JRC is a family-owned, screen-free overnight camp on a working cattle ranch. Three generations of the Jameson family have built it, beginning with Roderick and Catherine, continuing with Ross and Debby, and led today by Director Erica Jameson, who grew up on the property. Campers ages ...read more6 to 16 come for two-week sessions of unhurried, purposeful living: collecting eggs, pitching hay to calves, gathering wood for the outdoor oven that bakes the evening's bread, and swimming in a lake built by hand. There's no camp store and no color-war formula. What JRC has instead is something rarer: a community built from scratch each summer by the people who choose to be there.
Every day at JRC belongs to the campers. Three times a day, morning, afternoon, and after dinner, they pick from 10 to 12 activities. The list includes horseback riding, rock climbing, archery, mountain biking, mountain boarding, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, riflery, drama, arts and crafts, the pool, and the famous rope swing. There's also "Trenting," a JRC tradition of activities made up purely for fun, nonsense, and whimsy. If four campers want to do something, staff will do their best to make it happen, so children learn to speak up for what they love and rally their friends around it. Every camper also has a daily ranch job, like garden crew, barn chores, feeding the pigs, or tending the fire with staff. Older campers join Work Crew, fixing fences and building structures the same way generations of campers have before them. At JRC, kids don't just do activities. They help run the place, and they can see what their work makes possible.
Everything at JRC rests on five pillars: unconditional love, celebration of the individual, working through fear, simplicity, and creativity. Children here are taken seriously and held to real standards. Every honest attempt gets celebrated, whether it ends in triumph or in tears. Without screens or social pressure, campers get a world that lives entirely in the present: an open sky, a bunk, new friends, and adults who truly enjoy their company. Each night ends at Evening Rose Arbor, where the whole camp stands arm in arm singing "Welcome to My Morning." Campers go home having lived the camp's mission: "To make the world a better place, one summer at a time." They bring home something they couldn't have found anywhere else, a stronger sense of who they are and what they can do.
Wilderness Adventure Program, ages 5-17
Denver, CO
Established in 1953
Set on 400 acres of forests, wildflowers, and trail systems, JCC Ranch Camp offers a summer adventure where campers can be fully immersed in the beauty of the Colorado outdoors. A premiere coed residential camp for ages 5-17, Ranch Camp offers activities from ziplining to horseback riding, mountain biking to art classes, and so much more. Campers will live, eat, sleep, and play in our updated facilities that are designed to encourage a connection ...read morewith the natural world, as well as build community (kehillah). In addition to our on-site program, we offer an extensive backpacking program for campers in grades 8-11. Whether a single overnight trip or a 25-day trip, we believe in growth through adventure. Ideally located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, JCC Ranch Camp is a place that inspires campers, staff, and families to strengthen their Jewish identity and develop life-long friendships.
Residential coed summer camp, ages 6-17
Glennville, California
Established in 1934
Since 1934, Jameson Ranch Camp has been a place where children come to find out who they are. Tucked into the Southern Sierra Nevada near Glennville, California, JRC is a family-owned, screen-free overnight camp on a working cattle ranch. Three generations of the Jameson family have built it, beginning with Roderick and Catherine, continuing with Ross and Debby, and led today by Director Erica Jameson, who grew up on the property. Campers ages ...read more6 to 16 come for two-week sessions of unhurried, purposeful living: collecting eggs, pitching hay to calves, gathering wood for the outdoor oven that bakes the evening's bread, and swimming in a lake built by hand. There's no camp store and no color-war formula. What JRC has instead is something rarer: a community built from scratch each summer by the people who choose to be there.
Every day at JRC belongs to the campers. Three times a day, morning, afternoon, and after dinner, they pick from 10 to 12 activities. The list includes horseback riding, rock climbing, archery, mountain biking, mountain boarding, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, riflery, drama, arts and crafts, the pool, and the famous rope swing. There's also "Trenting," a JRC tradition of activities made up purely for fun, nonsense, and whimsy. If four campers want to do something, staff will do their best to make it happen, so children learn to speak up for what they love and rally their friends around it. Every camper also has a daily ranch job, like garden crew, barn chores, feeding the pigs, or tending the fire with staff. Older campers join Work Crew, fixing fences and building structures the same way generations of campers have before them. At JRC, kids don't just do activities. They help run the place, and they can see what their work makes possible.
Everything at JRC rests on five pillars: unconditional love, celebration of the individual, working through fear, simplicity, and creativity. Children here are taken seriously and held to real standards. Every honest attempt gets celebrated, whether it ends in triumph or in tears. Without screens or social pressure, campers get a world that lives entirely in the present: an open sky, a bunk, new friends, and adults who truly enjoy their company. Each night ends at Evening Rose Arbor, where the whole camp stands arm in arm singing "Welcome to My Morning." Campers go home having lived the camp's mission: "To make the world a better place, one summer at a time." They bring home something they couldn't have found anywhere else, a stronger sense of who they are and what they can do.
Residential camp with separate sessions for boys and girls, ages 7-16
Florissant, Colorado
Established in 1948
Our non-competitive, adventure based individualized program emphasizes personal growth and connecting with nature in the high peaks of Colorado. We own over 6000 acres in the Rocky Mountains and have an outstanding staff and facility. We offer month-long terms for fourth through tenth grades as well as fifteen-day terms for second through fourth grades. Activities include: Backpacking, horseback riding, mountain climbing, natural sciences, water ...read moreactivities, arts & crafts, and much more. Sanborn Western Camps includes Big Spring Ranch for boys and High Trails Ranch for girls ages 7 to 16.
Horseback Riding Program
Estes Park, Colorado
Established in 1976
National Park Gateway Stables are horseback riding stables located in Estes Park, Colorado. We own and operate this public stable that offers horseback riding tours through Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest. We provide a safe, fun, memorable experience to our customers, creating a highlight for their vacation.
We specialize in all ages. With people visiting from all over the world, our staff (wranglers) never ...read moreknow who they will meet next on their trail rides to help them become a "cowboy" for a while.
Residential coed summer camp
Durango, Colorado
Established in 1969
Colvig Silver Camps sits on 600 acres surrounded by the beautiful San Juan Mountains near Durango, CO. As a small family-owned program, CSC offers a very personalized experience for campers age 7-17 by providing them the opportunity to choose from a broad range of activities on a daily basis. This combined with a large number of caring and dedicated role models allows each camper to create their summer and their place within our summer community ...read moreas well as develop key skills that lie at the core of our mission: self-esteem, trust, leadership, responsibility, communication, and teamwork.
Our unique program combines creative and diverse in camp activities with 3-5 day wilderness expeditions, a system designed to broaden our campers' experience with the natural world, provide them with real challenge that they can overcome, and through that challenge and experience, gain a better understanding of themselves and those around them. Above all, campers and staff members should expect a summer of fun and adventure.
Activities include: alpine and desert backpacking, canoeing, rafting horseback riding, archery, riflery, rock climbing, arts-and-crafts, campfires, songs-and-skits, non-competitive sports, and more!
Residential Coed Summer Camp
Estes Park, Colorado
Established in 1921
Cheley Colorado Camps is an overnight, western summer camp for campers ages 9-17 in Estes Park, Colorado. Campers come from across the United States and around the world and spend 4 weeks at camp. Activities include horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, sports, outcamping, crafts, riflery, archery, and more. We focus on community, resiliency, and independence.
Staff must be available for the full summer, which ...read moreincludes 10 days of staff training, two 4-week terms, and then a one week specialty camp.
Counselors live with campers and teach in a specific activity area. Support Staff work in an specific area such as directors, assistant directors, barn crew, transportation crew, office, stores, media team, childcare, and medical team, and live in Support Staff housing (not with campers).
Room and board is provided for all positions and staff members are expected to live on site. Uniform shirts are provided for days when parents are at camp (3-4 times per term). All staff have one day off and one night off each week.
Wilderness adventure programs for girls, ages 10-18
Northern Rockies; Pacific Northwest; New England; Europe
Established in 1997
Alpengirl is an overnight summer adventure camp for girls ages 11–17, offering 1- and 2-week outdoor adventure trips in the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rocky Mountains, New England, and Europe. Our all-girls teen camps combine outdoor exploration, adventure activities, leadership development, confidence-building, and meaningful connection.
Each trip is a multi-adventure experience where campers explore incredible destinations ...read moreand try activities such as backpacking, horseback riding, llama packing, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, rock climbing, surfing, and more. Small groups create a supportive, family-like environment where girls can challenge themselves, learn new skills, and build friendships.
Led by experienced and inspiring female Alpenguides, campers develop outdoor and leadership skills while practicing teamwork, resilience, independence, and environmental stewardship. Alpengirl is designed for adventurous, nature-loving girls who want to explore new places, try new activities, meet new friends, and discover what they are capable of.
Through hands-on experiences in the outdoors, campers return home with greater confidence, practical outdoor skills, lasting friendships, and meaningful memories that stay with them long after their summer adventure ends.
