Start with our Registration 101 page. If you still have questions, please email carol.johnson@heartjcenter.org and let Carol know the best way to reach you. She’ll get right back to you to assist with the registration process.

Adventure Camp is directed by Heart-J Center’s professional education team:

Silas Binkley, PhD (ABD), Director of Programs & Operations: Silas joined HJC in 2018. He has over 20 years of experience leading adventure education-based expeditions and an academic background in sustainability education. Silas is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Angela Elzer, MS, Youth Programs Coordinator: Angela joined HJC in early 2022 and leads our outdoor education program and Nature School, a homeschool enrichment program. She is an energetic teacher and mentor for young people, with a  background in geology and sustainability education. Angela is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Additional camp staff are professional educators with a passion for sharing the outdoors with young people. All staff are provided with thorough training and are required to pass a State of Colorado background check.

Each week, we will have two groups of 20 campers. Each group will have at least three adult leaders.

Backpack: Every camper needs their own backpack sized to to hold all personal belongings listed below. If you have more than one child, please pack each child’s belongings in their own pack.

Lunch and Snacks (two snack times daily) – campers will be very active, so plenty of healthy food will make the day go better!

Full bottle of water (20+oz bottle preferred – we will have water stations available for refilling throughout the day)

Clothing for Colorado weather: Sweatshirt or fleece jacket for cool morning; rain jacket (bring every day even if you think you won’t need it).

Running shoes or hiking boots: We’ll do lots of outdoor exploration so comfortable close-toed shoes with socks are required.

Baseball hat or sun hat

Campers should arrive wearing Sunscreen and Bug Spray (then pack bottles in a plastic bag in the backpack for re-application if desired).

Please Don’t Bring: Phones and electronics, toys, knives, valuables, money. (Note: Cell phone service on the Ranch is spotty so phones won’t work well anyway. Parents/guardians will have direct access to the Heart-J Center office by phone and the office will be in contact with camp instructors via two-way radio.)

Campers will bring their own lunches and snacks every day, plus a water bottle.

Some weeks may include outdoor cooking activities. We will make sure that allergy information is collected from each camper and be mindful of allergies and dietary restrictions when planning any cooking activity.

Camp hours are 9:00 to 3:00, Monday through Friday. Campers may arrive at 8:45 AM and must be picked up by 3:15 PM. Extended care is available from 3:00 to 5:00 for $35 per day. If you know you are going to be unexpectedly late for pickup, please phone the Camp office. This way we can let your child know when to expect you. Unplanned late pickups may be charged at $10 per half hour.

Adventure Camp will be based at Daddy J’s Pavilion, a beautiful spot at Sylvan Dale that offers protection from sun, rain, and lightning. On hot days we’ll plan for water play and on chilly days, we’ll have a campfire. Heart-J Center is skilled at tailoring activities to suit the weather!

We know that every child has their own needs for activity and rest. After lunch, we’ll have time set aside for each camper to choose their own adventure for an hour or two, depending on their energy that day. Plenty of energy? Head out with leaders for a cool hike. Need a nap? Hang out with leaders at our basecamp and try one of our hammocks or a yoga mat under a shady tree. Bring a book, try a craft, do a puzzle, play a game. Plenty to do during choose your own adventure time. A chance to rest and recharge for kids who need a break and a chance to explore the wilds for kids who are raring to go, 24/7.

Registration will close automatically when a week reaches full capacity of 40 campers. If the week you want is showing as sold out, your best bet is to choose a different week. The system also offers a waitlist option.

Heart-J Center is a non-profit organization. We have grant funding for a limited number of partial scholarships to reduce the cost of attending Adventure Camp.

Please email laura@heartjcenter.org to find out more about scholarships. Scholarship funds are limited and will be available on a first come/first served basis.

Several payment plan options are available. Details are on our Policies page.

If you need more information to help you decide if Adventure Camp is a good fit for your child, please send an email to Angela at angela.elzer@heartjcenter.org with your questions and your phone number. Angela will get back to you within 24 hours.