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  "description": "A complete guide to 2026 summer camps in Grand Junction, including registration steps, costs, locations, and programs for all ages. Learn how to register before spots fill and explore full-day camps, sports, and outdoor programs.",
  "path": "/grand-junction-parks-and-rec-summer-camps-2026-what-families-should-know/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-09T19:12:37.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.westernslopetrellis.com",
  "tags": [
    "Grand Junction Parks and Recreation",
    "Apply for Scholarship Funds"
  ],
  "textContent": "## Choose the right camp based on your child’s interests, schedule, and goals\n\nSummer in Grand Junction offers a full ecosystem of programs designed to keep kids active, learning, and connected across the valley.\n\nThe Grand Junction Parks and Recreation 2026 summer camp lineup includes full-day camps, wilderness programs, sports clinics, STEAM experiences, and aquatics training for ages 2 through 16.\n\n* * *\n\n# Best for full-day childcare and consistent schedules\n\n## Reliable, all-day camps with structure, field trips, and social development\n\nAll core camps run 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and are mobile, meaning kids regularly leave their base site for field trips and excursions across the valley.\n\n* * *\n\n### Little Sunshines Camp (Ages 5–6)\n\nThis camp is designed specifically for younger children who are just starting their camp experience. Each day is structured to keep them active, help them meet new friends, and build foundational social skills while trying a wide variety of activities.\n\nCampers rotate through different types of play and exploration designed to spark new interests and build confidence in group settings. It’s a strong entry point for kids new to structured summer programs.\n\n📍 Locations:\n\n  * Bookcliff Activity Center (540 29 1/4 Rd)\n  * New Emerson Elementary (2660 Unaweep Ave)\n\n\n\n📅 Schedule: Weekly sessions from May 26 through August 7\n💲 Cost: $125/week ($100 for shortened weeks)\n\n* * *\n\n### STARS Camp (Ages 7–11)\n\nA long-standing program in Grand Junction, STARS focuses on helping kids build self-confidence while staying active and connected.\n\nCampers spend their days rotating through games, group activities, and field trips across the valley, giving them a chance to explore their “backyard” while building friendships. The program emphasizes social development, healthy activity, and exposure to new experiences.\n\n📍 Locations:\n\n  * Bookcliff Activity Center\n  * Grand River Academy\n  * New Emerson Elementary\n\n\n\n💲 Cost: $125/week ($100 for shortened weeks)\n\n* * *\n\n### SCORE Camp (Ages 7–11)\n\nSCORE Camp is built for kids who want to stay active all summer long. Each day is centered around sports, with campers rotating through basketball, soccer, football, baseball, and other activities.\n\nThe structure focuses on repetition and skill-building, making it ideal for kids who enjoy physical activity and want consistent movement throughout the day.\n\n📍 Location: Chipeta Elementary (950 Chipeta Ave)\n💲 Cost: $125/week ($100 for shortened weeks)\n\n* * *\n\n### Tween Camp (Ages 12–15)\n\nTween Camp is designed for older kids who want more independence and social connection.\n\nThe program blends structured activities with flexible time, allowing participants to move at a pace that fits their age group. Campers are encouraged to discover new interests, stay active, and build friendships in a more self-directed environment.\n\n📍 Location: CMU Maverick Innovation Center (730 Mesa Ave)\n💲 Cost: $125/week ($100 for shortened weeks)\n\n* * *\n\n# Best for outdoor skills and wilderness experience\n\n## Hands-on survival training and real-world problem solving\n\n📍 Kindred Reserve — 2064 South Broadway\n\nThese camps use real-world scenarios to teach practical outdoor skills while building confidence, teamwork, and communication.\n\n* * *\n\n### Intro to Wilderness Survival (Ages 6–9)\n\nDesigned as an introduction to outdoor skills, this camp covers a wide range of basics through fun, team-based scenarios.\n\nCampers learn shelter building, fire basics, navigation, knots, and primitive skills while developing confidence, communication, and problem-solving abilities.\n\n📅 June 1–5 and June 22–26\n🕘 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM\n💲 $348\n\n* * *\n\n### Intermediate Survival (Ages 8–12)\n\nThis full-day program expands on foundational skills with more complex scenarios.\n\nCampers practice knife safety, tracking, foraging, teamwork, and orienteering while working through real-life survival challenges.\n\n📅 June 15–19\n🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM\n💲 $396\n\n* * *\n\n### Advanced Survival (Ages 9–14)\n\nThis camp dives deeper into survival systems and independent problem-solving.\n\nParticipants learn advanced skills including tool use, traps, plant identification, and animal tracking, working both individually and in teams through challenging scenarios.\n\n📅 June 8–12\n🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM\n💲 $396\n\n* * *\n\n### Bush Crafting Camp (Ages 9–14)\n\nThis camp focuses on building and creating.\n\nEach day introduces a new project, such as carving wooden tools, creating cordage, or building outdoor gear. Campers develop patience, focus, and practical problem-solving skills while creating items they can take home.\n\n📅 June 29 – July 3\n🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM\n💲 $372\n\n* * *\n\n# Best for STEM, creativity, and problem-solving\n\n## Engineering, storytelling, and hands-on challenges\n\n* * *\n\n### Challenge Island STEAM Camps (Ages 6–10)\n\nThese camps combine imagination with engineering through themed challenges.\n\n**Slimetopia** transforms favorite books into hands-on science activities, where kids create themed slimes while learning the concepts behind them.\n\n**Islandmon Quest** takes a game-style approach, with campers completing missions, collecting creatures, and solving engineering challenges as a team.\n\nBoth programs emphasize creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.\n\n📍 CMU Innovation Center (730 Mesa Ave)\n💲 $175\n🕘 Half-day sessions\n\n* * *\n\n### Fencing Camp (Ages 8+)\n\nThis camp introduces Olympic-style fencing as both a physical and strategic activity.\n\nParticipants learn attack and defense techniques using Foil and Epee, while developing agility, focus, and decision-making skills through structured practice and competition.\n\n📍 Bookcliff Activity Center\n📅 June 1–3\n💲 $150\n\n* * *\n\n# Best for active kids, sports, and physical development\n\n## Movement-based camps, sports training, and aquatics\n\n* * *\n\n### Skyhawks Sports Camps (Ages 5–10)\n\nWeek-long programs focused on soccer, flag football, and tennis.\n\nThese camps emphasize core skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship while giving kids consistent practice in a supportive environment.\n\n💲 $250\n\n* * *\n\n### Pickleball Clinics (Ages 8–16)\n\nAn introduction to one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.\n\nPlayers learn fundamentals, gameplay strategy, and full-court play through structured instruction.\n\n💲 $39\n\n* * *\n\n### Baseball & Softball Camps (Ages 8–13)\n\nThese camps are designed for players with experience who want to improve.\n\nParticipants focus on hitting, fielding, and fundamentals through intensive sessions.\n\n💲 $84\n\n* * *\n\n### Tots Programs (Ages 2–4)\n\nEarly childhood programs that introduce sports through play.\n\nActivities focus on motor skill development, confidence-building, and basic coordination with parent participation encouraged.\n\n💲 $85\n\n* * *\n\n### Swim Camp (Ages 8–15)\n\nA structured introduction to competitive swimming.\n\nCampers work on stroke technique, participate in daily drills, and get exposure to diving and swim club training.\n\n💲 $83\n\n* * *\n\n### Triathlon Camp (Ages 6–16)\n\nA multi-sport program covering swimming, biking, and running.\n\nCampers learn transitions, equipment basics, and race preparation, culminating in a Kids Triathlon event.\n\n💲 $269\n\n* * *\n\n### Junior Lifeguarding (Ages 11–15)\n\nAn introduction to lifesaving skills and aquatic safety.\n\nParticipants learn CPR basics, rescue techniques, and teamwork while building confidence and responsibility.\n\n💲 $84\n\n* * *\n\n# Best for climbing and individual skill development\n\n### Grip Bouldering Camps (Ages 6–14)\n\nThese camps provide structured indoor climbing instruction with a strong focus on safety and progression.\n\nYounger participants build foundational movement skills through games, while older campers work on technique and problem-solving.\n\nThe program maintains a 4:1 climber-to-instructor ratio with certified staff.\n\n📍 Grip Bouldering (716 Scarlet St)\n💲 $255\n\n* * *\n\n# Registration information\n\nRegistration opened March 3, 2026.\n\n  * Online: Grand Junction Parks and Recreation\n  * In person: 1340 Gunnison Ave\n  * Phone: 970-254-3866\n  * Email: summercamp@gjcity.org\n\n\n\n**Important:**\n\n  * Full payment required\n  * Enrollment paperwork must be completed in advance\n  * Processing may take up to 48 hours\n\n\n\n* * *\n\n# Scholarships available\n\nFinancial assistance is available through the Round Up 4 Recreation program for qualifying families within Grand Junction city limits. Visit Apply for Scholarship Funds\n\n* * *",
  "title": "Grand Junction Parks and Rec summer camps 2026: what families should know",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-09T19:12:37.480Z"
}