Roots & Shoots - Summer Field Studies

Explore, play, and learn in our expanded outdoor education program. Here children have up-close and personal interactions with the natural world, using their senses and observation skills as they develop an understanding of local ecolorgy and become more connected to the earth and to our community.

Our experienced environmental educators guide young people in the playful, informal setting of the Mountain Roots Food Project Youth Gardens to the wider classroom of the rivers, woods, fields, mountains and farms surrounding Crested Butte. Our hands-on, minds-on, child-centered approach to teaching provides a safe, fun, and rich learning environment.

During mornings in the garden, young people will learn how to prepare the soil, germinate seeds, plant seeds and seedlings, and care for the plants as they grow. We’ll help worms turn food scraps into rich compost, learn about wildflowers, edible flowers, native plants, pollinators, and discover the insects and animals that will share the garden with us. We explore the garden with our taste buds and find out how plants turn the sun’s energy into fuel for our bodies! By the end of the summer, we will be harvesting the food we’ve grown, and learning how to make healthy, delicious food, and sharing the food with family and friends.

In the afternoons, the group ventures into the field to learn more about the natural world around us. We’ll be Habitat Hunters, exploring different habitats, learning how to track animals, and making a habitat for one of the creatures that live here. We’ll plant trees, pick berries and other wild edibles, explore area wetlands and conduct weather and water experiments to see how water affects our plants and lives. Afternoon field studies will take us to streams, fields, wetlands, and woodlands, as well as a local farm, a local bakery, a scientific research station, and more.

Every day of camp brings new adventures in field studies, earth science, botany, cooperative games, literacy, nature-based arts and crafts, water play, and fresh, garden snacks. Themes include: Seeds, soil, compost, plants (life cycle and parts of), insects & pollinators, water, trees, pollinators, photosynthesis, farm to fork (food preparation) and wildflowers / edible flowers / native plants.

Scholarships are available for anyone needing financial assistance.

Camp Format
Our weekly format for 2013 enables students to experience the full growing cycle, from soil and seed to harvest, market, and table, and build upon their knowledge throughout the summer. Individual days in our weekly themes can stand alone, but for the best experience, full session registrations are encouraged.
Themes include: Seeds, soil, compost, plants (life cycle and parts of), insects, water, trees, pollinators, photosynthesis, and wildflowers / edible flower / native plants.
Follow this link for Daily Field Studies Camp Descriptions.

What to Bring
Please drop your child off at camp each morning at 9:00 am with the following:
* raincoat, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, water shoes, water bottle, fleece
* a no-waste lunch and one snack (one snack will be from the garden)
Please dress for the weather. We will explore the natural world in all kinds of weather!

K & 1st Grade
For those beginning kindergarten or first grade for the 2013-2014 school year. Tuesdays only 9:00 am – 12:30 pm.
Half Days, offered Tuesdays only, ages 5-6, 9:00 a.m. -12:30p.m. Full Session Discount! Prior to the early registration deadline, $120 = one day free!
Drop-off and pick-up at the Crested Butte Community School Garden, next to the HS parking lot on the East end of the school.

2nd - 7th Grades
For those entering 2nd through 7th grades for the 2013 – 2014 school year. Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Full days, offered Wednesdays and Thursdays, ages 7-12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Full Session Discount! Prior to the early registration deadline, $160 = one day free!
Drop-off at 9:00 a.m. at the Crested Butte Community School Garden, next to the HS parking lot on the East end of the school. Pick-up at 3:00 p.m. at Crested Butte Town Hall 507 Maroon Ave., next to the library.

Registration Information

Registration will open March 1, 2013.
Full session dates and registration are available below. Have prior commitments? Go to our Individual Day registration and information page.
Early Registration Deadline for each camp are two weeks prior to the first day of the camp.
Each Registration completed prior to the early registration deadline will have a $20 discount applied at checkout.
Cancelled registrations not due to injury will be charged a $10 cancellation fee.
Days may not be traded. No pro-rating for half days, missed sessions, etc.