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Top Sleep Away Summer Camps For Kids In Colorado

It's that time again, time to start planning your son or daughter's summertime activities. If you have never taken a look at some of the great summer camps available in Colorado, then your child is really missing out on memories to last a lifetime. There are traditional camps, with plenty of hiking and nature-based activities or some less traditional camps based on things like science or archaeology. No matter what your child is interested in, there is sure to be a camp perfectly tailored to his or her needs, and you will even get a full week's vacation from parenting while your kids have the time of their lives.

camp
(credit: aocamps.com)

Altogether Outdoors
P.O. Box 3666
Boulder, CO 80307
(720) 249-2997
www.aocamps.com

Altogether Outdoors (AO) has offered day camps in Boulder and Denver for many years, but it also offers great one- and two-week sleep away camps for boys and girls ages seven to 16. The AO camp is all about youth development in the outdoors. Your child or children will spend time in a nature-based camp experience with tons of fun activities like rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, rafting, horseback riding, kayaking and so much more. Your kids will even get to participate in a great high ropes and team building course followed by a relaxing soak in the Silver Cliff Ranch's hot springs.

Renaissance Adventures
2450 Central Ave., Suite P-11
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 786-9216
www.renaissanceadventures.com

If you've got a little adventurer on your hands, perhaps traditional summer camp might not be quite the ticket. But how about Renaissance Adventures Summer Quests? For more than 20 years, Renaissance Adventures has created quests that will take children and teens through fun and dynamic adventures with all sorts of challenges, puzzles and mysteries to solve. For the true explorer, the four-day quest in Jamestown for ages nine to 18 is the experience of a lifetime. Your child will become immersed in elaborate plot lines, surprise encounters and authentic Renaissance props, all working together to create the ultimate Renaissance experience.

Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
23390 Road K
Cortez, CO 91321
(970) 565-8975
www.crowcanyon.org

If your son or daughter has an interest in history and archaeology,  this is the perfect camp for them. Crow Canyon Archaeological Center is designed specifically to give your child hands-on experience with archaeological research and collaboration with American Indians. With lots of great field trips, activities and discussions, history-loving kids will have a blast at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center. The week-long camps are designed for either middle school or high school age kids, and scholarships are available.

Related: Top Spots for Summer Playdates in Denver

iD Tech Camp
University of Denver Location
2044 E. Evans Ave.
Denver, CO 80208
(877) 479-3826
idtech.com/locations/colorado-summer-camps/university-of-denver

What are you to do if your child is more into science than hiking? Check out the iD Tech Camps. This great camp takes your child to one of two university settings in Colorado (The University of Denver or Colorado State University in Fort Collins) and has him or her spend time learning all about great technical interests. With classes on creating iPhone and Android apps, Java, C++, video games, websites and even robots, there is something for every child and every interest. Your child will stay in college dorms, eat in the university dining hall and tour the college campus to get a great idea of what going to college life will really be like.

Colorado Mountain Ranch
10063 Gold Hill Road
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 442-4557
www.coloradomountainranch.com

Looking for the perfect traditional summer camp experience for your son or daughter? Then check out the Colorado Mountain Ranch at Gold Hill. With more than 60 years of camping experience, the counselors at Colorado Mountain Ranch will ensure your kids have the time of their lives. All of the expected activities are there, from archery and hiking to outdoor living skills and even mountain boarding. There will be so much to do that your kids will want to go again and again. Colorado Mountain Ranch at Gold Hill is the best choice for any family looking for a traditional summer camp experience for ages seven to 13.

Related: Top Spots to Spend a Summer Day with your Family in Denver

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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