Adventure Day Camp

adventure day camp kens lake swimming
adventure day camp hiking courthouse wash
adventure day camp playing in mud
adventure day camp playing mary jane canyon
adventure day camp moonflower canyon tree
adventure day camp playing mary jane canyon 2
adventure day camp hiking mary jane canyon
adventure day camp catching bugs granstaff 2
Adventure day camp bullfrog drawing
adventure day camp hiking mary jane canyon 3
adventure day camp racing boats in creek jpg
adventure day camp hiking mary jane canyon 2

A hands-on exploration camp in Moab’s natural surroundings!

Adventure Day Camp consists of daily excursions to some of Moab’s greatest gems, including Moonflower Canyon, the La Sal Mountains, and Grandstaff Trail, among others! Naturalist Educators fill the days with developmentally appropriate lessons, explorative play, team-building games, arts and crafts, and other activities designed to give kids the chance to make friends and be in nature. This summer, you can give your kids the gift of unplugged outdoor exploration in nature. 

Session 1, June 19 – 23: Eco-Splorers

Rising Grades 1-3 or ages 7-9

9:00am – 12:50pm

Eco-splorers is a summer day camp designed to introduce your kids to the wonders of the outside world. The camp visits a different location each day, spending time learning, exploring, and experiencing various sites around the Moab area. Through fun, hands-on activities, your kids will immerse themselves within the outdoors. CFI campers develop key motor skills through crafts and games, increase their communication skills through teambuilding activities, and spend time moving around outdoors.

Register for Eco-Splorers

 

Session 2, July 10 – 14: Desert Dwellers

Rising Grades 4-6 or ages 10 – 13

9:00am – 3:50pm

Desert Dwellers is a summer day camp designed to unravel some of the mysteries within the desert surrounding the Moab area. Who has lived here in the past? Who lives here now? To answer some of these questions, we will be exploring the ecology, archeology, and paleontology of the surrounding area through hands on games and educational activities. Your kid will develop communication skills through teambuilding games, and spend time moving about outside, while immersing themselves in the ancient past and intriguing present of Moab.

Desert Dwellers is full, join the waitlist!

Location:
Various points of interest within the Moab Area
Drop Off/Pick Up:
CFI Headquarters
Duration:
Monday - Friday
Cost for:
Eco-Splorers - $195
Cost for:
Desert Dwellers - $195
Challenge:
Level-
?

This is how we rate the challenges you might face on a CFI trip.


Level 1 - Easy

  • Low level of physical activity, minimal movement required
  • 0 nights spent camping or in the field
  • Hiking or walking 0-2 miles per day

Level 2 - Moderate

  • Medium level of physical activity, some movement required
  • 1-4 nights spent camping or in the field
  • Hiking up to 4 miles per day
  • Flatwater or mild whitewater rapids

Level 3 - Active

  • Medium or high level of physical activity
  • 1-5 nights spent camping or in the field
  • Hiking up to 5 miles per day
  • Class I - III whitewater rapids

Level 4 - Challenging

  • High level of physical activity
  • 1-6 nights spent camping or in the field
  • Hiking 5 or more miles per day
  • Class IV whitewater rapids
CFI's Essential Eligibility Criteria outlines specific challenges that you may face on CFI trips. Please consult the EEC for information on responsibilities of participants.
Notes:

See other trips in these categories:
Request More Information

Trip Narrative

Adventure Day Camp is a great addition to your kid’s summer activities!

Monday

Time to meet our new friends for the week! On day 1, we take our time to make sure that students have what they need for the day. We’ll play a fun introductory name-game before we work as a team to develop a group expectations contract. After that, we will head out on the day’s adventure in our air conditioned vans. We will have the campers back and ready for pickup by 3:50 (or 12:50 for Eco-Splorers).

Tuesday – Friday

We take our time to explore fun spots around Moab. Locations and activities vary with each camp, so kids returning from week to week will encounter new and different experiences. We will likely go fishing in the La Sals, swimming at Ken’s Lake, and explore dinosaur tracks in Mill Canyon. Other locations include Moonflower canyon, Courthouse Wash, and our field camp site in Professor Valley.

Kids will go on short hikes, play games, and complete activities designed to help them slow down and connect to each other. Our days are filled with hands on activities that will help your kid embrace nature. You can expect your camper to get dirty, enjoy new experiences, and have fun!

While lunch is not provided, CFI will provide snacks and drinking water throughout the day.

FAQ

Some people say food is the most important part of the adventure. On all our overnight trips, CFI will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a morning and afternoon snack, and an appetizer before dinner. If you have a dietary restriction or food allergy, note it on your medical form so we can best prepare.

Depends on the trip. As a general rule, CFI provides all group gear related to fully outfitting your trip. Specialized gear like PFDs, wetsuits, dry bags, educational materials are all provided by CFI. Additionally, we take care of all kitchen and dishware needs. 

Find out more about trip specific packing.

Most importantly, a willingness to slow down, connect to your surroundings, and experience the moment. Additionally, participants are required to bring a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, personal clothing, medication, and other essential personal items. Many gear items are available for rent. Reach out to us if you are interested in seeing a trip specific packing list, or learn more about trip specific packing here.

CFI provides options to rent gear:

  • Two person tent: $30 / trip
  • Sleeping bag: $20 / trip
  • Kid sleeping pad: $7 / trip
  • Adult sleeping pad (paco pad): $15 / trip
  • Package deal: Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and one tent per two people: $40 / trip

For any CFI summer camp, gear rentals are free!

Every CFI guide has either a Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification. Your trip leader will have a Wilderness First Responder certification. Anyone working with youth has passed a background check, and shuttle drivers are insured with clean driving records. Backcountry trips carry In-Reach satellite communication devices for emergencies. All guides have been evaluated by Canyonlands Field Institute as possessing the judgement, skills, and disposition required for mitigating risk in the field. 

As technology grows more and more invasive by the day, CFI promotes connection to what matters. To achieve this, all school and youth programs are unplugged and students are not permitted to bring electronic devices. Not only is there rarely cell service, devices are a distraction to our ability to connect to the present moment. On Private Group Trips or Adult Seminars, the use of devices is permitted but discouraged.

CFI works hard to ensure a positive experience for all guides and participants. Because of the unpredictable nature of outfitting, we have created a series of policies so maintain our ability to manage risk in the outdoors.

For critical information regarding cancellations, deposits, and other participant responsibilities, please view our trip policies page or contact us with any questions.

Thanks for asking...We know this can be an awkward subject. The fact is, our guides work extremely hard and appreciate getting tipped! 

On school trips tips are greatly appreciated. 

On an adult or private trip, an industry standard is for each customer to tip $25 per day.

If you wish to include a gratuity, cash is preferred, but sending a check or a payment to CFI's Venmo: @canyonlandsfieldinstitute is also a great way to thank your guides for their hard work.  Tips are always pooled and distributed.

Need to Know

  • CFI staff are trained educators and guides with first aid and CPR certifications. Back-country trips carry satellite communications devices.  
  • Lunch is not provided by CFI, but we will pack snacks and drinking water for throughout the day.
  • Your child could qualify for a scholarship. Check out our summer camp Scholarship Application.

See related Summer Camps

Explorer Base Camp

Youth River Skills Camp

Native Teen Guide in Training Program

Whitewater Academy Camp

Summer Camp: Guide in Training
Explore all Trips and Programs

CFI is a non-profit organization and fees are not taxed. By choosing CFI, you are supporting our efforts to provide lifechanging outdoor experiences for hundreds of children per year.  Scholarships are available on an as needed basis.