top of page
Search

Summer Camp Options in Durango (aka: How to Financially Humble Yourself Every January/February)

  • 9 minutes ago
  • 5 min read

When I was in late elementary and middle school, I basically lived at the public pool. I was there every day, bothering the lifeguards, treading water for hours like I was training for the Olympics (I was not), playing card games, and getting the kind of sunburn that would now require a dermatologist and a therapy session.



It was simple. It was cheap. It was feral but safe.


Eventually, someone finally asked if I wanted a job since I clearly wasn’t leaving. So at 14, I became employed because I was aggressively committed to loitering.


Fast forward to raising kids in Durango.


There is no public outdoor pool to drop them at all summer. And even if there were, I’m not sure we’d collectively allow the 1990s level of benign neglect anymore. So instead, we have… summer camps.


Which is adorable. And expensive as hell.


They say (those people again) that once your kids get to elementary school, you “save money” because you’re done with daycare.


I’m calling bullshit.


You still work 9–5. So now you’re paying for after-school programs, travel sports (fuck me), and summer camps. You never save money with kids. The expenses just get more creative.



The Great Summer Camp Hunger Games

The first year I had to tackle summer camps was the summer after kindergarten (2022? I think? Time is fake). I was wildly unprepared. By March, camps were already full for July. I was absolutely skunked. 


Skunked like I am on every river permit lottery. 


WAITLIST = YOU ARE TOO LATE


Now I know that every January, while it’s snowing sideways, you must start planning summer like you are coordinating a military operation.


You enter lotteries.

You stalk websites.

You refresh registration pages like you’re buying Taylor Swift tickets.

You email organizations asking, “Hi, do you know when dates will be released?” while trying not to sound unhinged.


Meanwhile, you also have to plan river trips, camping trips, family visits, and whatever illusion of spontaneity you pretend you’ll have.


I print out blank May–August calendars and start penciling things in. Pencil. Because this schedule will absolutely implode at least twice.


And while I joke about “spoiled Durango kids,” the truth is this: it takes a village. Coordinating carpools like you’re running a small transportation company. Texting other moms at 9:42 pm asking, “Did you get into that one??” Panic-Google searching backup camps when you inevitably forget one registration window.


It’s chaos. It’s expensive chaos. But it’s also kind of amazing that this little mountain town offers so much.


Still… if anyone wants to bring back the unsupervised public pool model for $50 a summer, I’d strongly consider it.


Durango does not mess around when it comes to keeping kids busy. And honestly, beyond just filling the childcare gap, a lot of these camps are doing the real work of helping us raise good humans. Kids who know how to be outside, solve problems, try hard things, be part of a team, respect the river, tip their pottery wheel toward humility, and maybe even look an adult in the eye when they say thank you.


If I missed a camp your kids love, send it my way. Here’s my growing, slightly overwhelming, financially humbling list. We’re all just trying to survive summer without going broke, losing our minds, or accidentally raising entitled little monsters.




Outdoor Adventure


4Corners Riversports Paddle School

If you live here, your kids need to know the river. Period. River safety, kayaking basics, confidence on the water, and they come home so tired they can barely argue with you. River tired is elite tired. Youth kayak classes progressing from flatwater to Class III whitewater. 


Bonus: Combo camps with The Powerhouse, Duranatangs, Durango Devo, and Parks & Rec.

  • Ages: 6–16

  • Skill Level: Beginner → Intermediate+

  • Scholarships: Available through Animas River Days √

  • Registration Opens: February 20, 2026

  • Website: riversports.com

  • Tucker & Milo Rating: 10/10 (they are absolutely forced to love it)


Sail Durango

Learn the basics of sailing — rigging, teamwork, confidence, environmental stewardship, and plenty of time on the water. No experience required.


SCIENCE & NATURE


San Juan Mountains Association

Nature, bugs, dirt, hiking, and actual environmental education. If you want your child to correct you about native plant species at dinner, this is your camp. They will come home dusty, educated, and slightly smug about ecosystems. Junior Naturalist Field Camps include hiking, fort building, river exploration, and hands-on environmental education.

  • Ages:

    • Rising 1st–6th (JNFC)

    • Rising 7th–12th (Adventure Camp)

  • Skill Level: All welcome

  • Scholarships: Available √

  • Registration: Lottery Feb 1–14 (Closed 2026)

    • Lottery Draw: March 1

    • Confirm by: March 10

    • Waitlist available

  • Website: sjma.org

  • Tucker & Milo Rating: 10/10



The Powerhouse Science Center

STEM, experiments, building things, and contained indoor energy. Excellent option when you realize maybe 12 straight weeks of full-sun outdoor camps is ambitious. Sometimes we need shade and electricity. Week-long STEM camps: robotics, engineering, hands-on science, and creative problem-solving.

  • Ages: 1st–8th Grade

  • Skill Level: All welcome

  • Scholarships: Available √

  • Registration Opens:

    • March 1 at 10 am (Members & Scholarship)

    • March 15 at 10 am (General Public)

  • Website: https://powsci.org/

  • Tucker & Milo Rating: 10/10

GENERAL CAMPS


Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County

Structured, full-day summer programming in a safe, supportive environment.

  • Ages: 4th–12th Grade

  • Scholarships: Available √

  • Registration Opens:

    • April 1 (June dates)

    • May 1 (July dates)

    • June 1 (August dates)

  • Website: bgclaplata.org

  • Tucker & Milo Rating: 10/8



Boys & Girls Club of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe

Nothing posted yet. Check the website for summer program updates.



GameTime (Parks & Rec)

Full-day activity-based camp option.



Colvig Silver Camps

Family-owned summer camp offering both day and overnight programs rooted in outdoor adventure, challenge, and good old-fashioned summer fun.


  • Ages: Varies by program (Day & Overnight options)

  • Skill Level: All welcome

  • Scholarships: Check website

  • Registration: Check the website for summer dates

  • Website: colvigsilvercamps.com


MUSIC & ARTS


Durangotangs

Arts & crafts camps and creative programming in a supportive studio environment.



Colorado Clay Studio & Gallery

 Hands-on pottery camps focused on wheel throwing, sculpting, and creative clay projects.

  • Ages: 6–12

  • Skill Level: All welcome

  • Scholarships: Yes

  • Registration: Open

  • Website: coloradoclaystudio.com

  • Tucker and Milo Rating: 10/10



Stillwater Music

Youth lessons and band programs focused on skill-building and confidence.

Bonus: Look for a combo class with the Seed Studio! 

  • Ages: 5–12

  • Scholarships: Available √

  • Website: stillwatermusic.org

  • Tucker & Milo Rating: 10/10



Seed Studio

Fine art–based camps blending creativity, mindfulness, and collaboration.

  • Ages: 3–5 & K–5th

  • Scholarships: Available √

  • Registration: Full / Waitlisted

  • Website: seedstudioart.org



Durango Dance

Dance camps focused on teamwork, body awareness, and age-appropriate instruction.



Durango Arts Center

Visual arts programming and creative camps.



SPORTS CAMPS


Fort Lewis College Sports Camp

Recreational multi-sport camp.

  • Ages: 6–12

  • Registration: Opens the at beginning of March

  • Website: fortlewis.edu



Hive DGO

Skateboard camps focused on skill development and confidence-building.

  • Ages: 5–18

  • Scholarships: Available √

  • Registration Opens: March 2nd for more info

  • Website: thehivedgo.org

  • Tucker & Milo Rating: 10/10



Durango DEVO

Community-based mountain bike development program.

  • Ages: 3–18

  • Scholarships: Available √

  • Registration Opens: March 21 at 8am

  • Website: durangodevo.com



Durango Parks & Rec Enrichment Programs

Mountain biking, BMX, archery, survival camp, various youth sports, and recreation programs.



Nifty Nanny Summer Bike Camp

Adventure-based summer programs that use bikes and Durango’s River Trail system to build courage, confidence, and connection. Translation: they ride bikes, get outside, and come home tired. 

  • Ages: 3–10

  • Skill Level: Beginner → Intermediate+

  • Registration: Check website for 2026 dates

  • Website: niftynanny.net



EveryPedal MTB

Inclusion-focused, mentorship-based mountain bike program that teaches life skills through bike skills.

  • Ages: 7–14

  • Skill Level: Beginner → Intermediate+

  • Scholarships: Available √

  • Dates Released: March 1

  • Registration Opens: March 30

  • Website: everypedalmtb.com


 
 
 

Comments

Share Your Thoughts with COgromMama

© 2026 by COgromMama. All rights reserved.

bottom of page