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.
Summer in Grand Junction offers a full ecosystem of programs designed to keep kids active, learning, and connected across the valley.
The 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.
All 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.
This 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.
Campers 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.
📍 Locations:
📅 Schedule: Weekly sessions from May 26 through August 7
💲 Cost: $125/week ($100 for shortened weeks)
A long-standing program in Grand Junction, STARS focuses on helping kids build self-confidence while staying active and connected.
Campers 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.
📍 Locations:
💲 Cost: $125/week ($100 for shortened weeks)
SCORE 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.
The structure focuses on repetition and skill-building, making it ideal for kids who enjoy physical activity and want consistent movement throughout the day.
📍 Location: Chipeta Elementary (950 Chipeta Ave)
💲 Cost: $125/week ($100 for shortened weeks)
Tween Camp is designed for older kids who want more independence and social connection.
The 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.
📍 Location: CMU Maverick Innovation Center (730 Mesa Ave)
💲 Cost: $125/week ($100 for shortened weeks)
📍 Kindred Reserve — 2064 South Broadway
These camps use real-world scenarios to teach practical outdoor skills while building confidence, teamwork, and communication.
Designed as an introduction to outdoor skills, this camp covers a wide range of basics through fun, team-based scenarios.
Campers learn shelter building, fire basics, navigation, knots, and primitive skills while developing confidence, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
📅 June 1–5 and June 22–26
🕘 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
💲 $348
This full-day program expands on foundational skills with more complex scenarios.
Campers practice knife safety, tracking, foraging, teamwork, and orienteering while working through real-life survival challenges.
📅 June 15–19
🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
💲 $396
This camp dives deeper into survival systems and independent problem-solving.
Participants learn advanced skills including tool use, traps, plant identification, and animal tracking, working both individually and in teams through challenging scenarios.
📅 June 8–12
🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
💲 $396
This camp focuses on building and creating.
Each 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.
📅 June 29 – July 3
🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
💲 $372
These camps combine imagination with engineering through themed challenges.
Slimetopia transforms favorite books into hands-on science activities, where kids create themed slimes while learning the concepts behind them.
Islandmon Quest takes a game-style approach, with campers completing missions, collecting creatures, and solving engineering challenges as a team.
Both programs emphasize creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
📍 CMU Innovation Center (730 Mesa Ave)
💲 $175
🕘 Half-day sessions
This camp introduces Olympic-style fencing as both a physical and strategic activity.
Participants learn attack and defense techniques using Foil and Epee, while developing agility, focus, and decision-making skills through structured practice and competition.
📍 Bookcliff Activity Center
📅 June 1–3
💲 $150
Week-long programs focused on soccer, flag football, and tennis.
These camps emphasize core skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship while giving kids consistent practice in a supportive environment.
💲 $250
An introduction to one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
Players learn fundamentals, gameplay strategy, and full-court play through structured instruction.
💲 $39
These camps are designed for players with experience who want to improve.
Participants focus on hitting, fielding, and fundamentals through intensive sessions.
💲 $84
Early childhood programs that introduce sports through play.
Activities focus on motor skill development, confidence-building, and basic coordination with parent participation encouraged.
💲 $85
A structured introduction to competitive swimming.
Campers work on stroke technique, participate in daily drills, and get exposure to diving and swim club training.
💲 $83
A multi-sport program covering swimming, biking, and running.
Campers learn transitions, equipment basics, and race preparation, culminating in a Kids Triathlon event.
💲 $269
An introduction to lifesaving skills and aquatic safety.
Participants learn CPR basics, rescue techniques, and teamwork while building confidence and responsibility.
💲 $84
These camps provide structured indoor climbing instruction with a strong focus on safety and progression.
Younger participants build foundational movement skills through games, while older campers work on technique and problem-solving.
The program maintains a 4:1 climber-to-instructor ratio with certified staff.
📍 Grip Bouldering (716 Scarlet St)
💲 $255
Registration opened March 3, 2026.
Important:
Financial assistance is available through the Round Up 4 Recreation program for qualifying families within Grand Junction city limits. Visit Apply for Scholarship Funds
