2024 Donor Impact Report
Letter from Howard Carver,
Board Chairman
Dear Friends and Supporters of KSS:
2024 was a year of challenge, change, opportunity and wonderful results for KSS.
Early in the year, registration for our programs and camps encountered extreme difficulties when the registration system, provided and operated by a third party, could not handle the significant increase in enrollment volume (roughly a 250% increase year over year in attempted enrollments the first hours enrollment was open). That problem was fixed and our camps were virtually 100% full with wait lists for most sessions.
The camping season was extremely successful serving nearly 2,500 students. Both the day camps and overnight camps received extremely good ratings and comments from students, parents and grandparents about the high quality of the programs along with indications from many campers that they are looking forward to returning in 2025.
The KSS board has implemented a Facilities Task Force to study our current campus and facilities and make recommendations to the board and senior staff regarding how we might best begin preparing KSS for the future and provide quality facilities for both our students and staff.
Our CEO for the last 15 months, Kim Krebs, has decided to move on, but in her time with KSS, Kim implemented many system changes and improvements and spearheaded strategic planning and branding initiatives which will serve KSS well in the coming years. The board and staff thank Kim for her many contributions.
KSS is financially sound but will have many calls on its resources in the relatively near future, including the need to build new facilities, improve old ones and provide newer vans for transporting our students. Thanks to those of you who have provided financial support in the past. We will need your continued support and that of new donors yet to be identified.
It has been my pleasure to serve as the Board Chair for the last two years and to have been on the KSS board and various committees since 2015. My board term ended in December 2024, and I want to take this time to thank the KSS staff and fellow board members as well as so many donors and volunteers for all your help and support. You made my time with KSS meaningful and enjoyable. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Howard Carver
Board Chairman, Keystone Science School
Letter from Michelle Perl,
Interim Executive Director
Dear Keystone Science School Community,
It has been a wonderful year. As I reflect on my time as Interim Executive Director, I can’t help but feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help steward Keystone Science School during this period of transition. Though my time in this role has been short, it has been nothing if not inspiring—and let’s be honest, an adventure! From the dedicated staff to the curious students and the passionate supporters, I have been constantly reminded of the magic that makes KSS so special.
This year, we doubled down on what we do best—connecting kids to the outdoors, sparking curiosity, and making learning an unforgettable experience. But we also took a big step forward by incorporating even more science into our summer programs. Whether talking about aquatic ecology while playing in a mountain stream, exploring geology while climbing a local ledge, or learning about ecosystems while hiking through them, our campers didn’t just experience nature—they understood it in a deeper way. It was hands-on, messy, and full of “aha” moments, just the way learning should be.
At the same time, our other programs continued to thrive. We ignited a passion for STEM in girls, bringing science to life through immersive, hands-on experiences. Schools from across the country joined us to explore the outdoors as their classroom, where students investigated ecosystems, conducted field research, and discovered the power of science in the outdoors. Through it all, we remained true to our mission—empowering the next generation of curious, confident, and community-minded learners.
This year also brought big leadership changes. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kim Krebs for her incredible leadership as Executive Director and her dedication to strengthening KSS. And now, I couldn’t be more excited to pass the torch to our new Executive Director, Eric Rightor. Eric brings deep passion, energy, and a vision for the future of KSS, and I have no doubt he will continue to grow and strengthen this organization in amazing ways.
Looking ahead, KSS is poised for even greater impact—expanding our reach, enhancing our programs, and continuing to create transformative experiences for young learners. And, as always, none of this would be possible without you—our donors, families, and community partners. Your support keeps the campfires burning (literally and figuratively), and we couldn’t do it without you!
So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your commitment to KSS. Whether you’ve donated, volunteered, sent a child to camp, or simply cheered us on, you are a vital part of this community. I’m excited to see what’s next and know that the future of KSS is in great hands.
With gratitude (and maybe a little extra sunscreen),
Michelle Perl
Interim Executive Director, Keystone Science School
Summer Camp
We celebrated another successful summer at Keystone Science School, where we served over 1,600 campers across 2,400 sessions. This year’s “Summer of Stories” allowed campers to create, share, and live unforgettable adventures while fostering a love for discovery through outdoor and scientific exploration. Through physical challenges, leadership development, and personal growth, our campers created lasting memories that will shape their lives for years to come.
Thank you for your continued support in empowering youth and enriching our community.
“KSS might be the most wholesome place on planet Earth. The counselors are from all over the world and every one of them exudes positivity and compassion. My kids come back covered in dirt after being outdoors all day, and they almost have a glow about them. You can really see how humans were meant to be in nature.” – 2024 Day Camp parent
“My 8 year-old had an amazing time at his first-ever sleep away camp. He loved the supportive, fun atmosphere and terrific adventures and activities. – 2024 Discovery Camp parent
“Its great that KSS can cultivate independence and push my camper beyond her comfort zone.“ – 2024 Discovery Camp parent
“We LOVE how KSS is inclusive of all backgrounds and beliefs, focused on science- and adventure-based activities. This is our second year and we continue to be very impressed with the counselors; they radiate such positive high energy, are fun, and keep the kids engaged.” – 2024 Discovery Camp parent
2,458
Camp Sessions
$22,000
Over $22,000 in Camp Scholarships
funded by donors!
218
Challenge Hikes and Earth Treks, where campers pushed themselves physically and mentally, conquering peaks like Quandary Peak at 14,000 feet
31
Campfires, where campers stepped outside of their comfort zones while learning it’s ok to let loose, laugh, be silly and make friends!
52
Adventure Activities, where campers got out in nature and went horseback riding, rafting, rock climbing, backpacking, paddle boarding and more.
Outdoor Education
In 2024, KSS continued to provide schools from around Colorado and surrounding states outdoor education field trips that combined science, adventure, and fun for schools. Our programs provided hands-on learning in the forest, streams, and trails of Summit County. These trips incorporated environmental science, social-emotional learning, community building, and outdoor exploration. Students overcame challenges, built confidence, and collaborated, all while engaging with our skilled and passionate instructors, leaving a lasting impact on their growth and development.
52
Schools
2,457
Students
50,000
Contact hours
“It was awesome to see them be scientists out in the field. Watching them overcome challenges and things that are hard. You guys always have top notch instructors which is why I love KSS – they have good knowledge of the curriculum and engaging with kids.” – 2024 School chaperone
“Students develop in confidence, independence and working well with others.” 2024 School chaperone
Girls in STEM
In 2024, KSS’s Girls in STEM Program continued its mission to break down gender barriers in STEM fields, inspiring girls to embrace their authentic selves and empowering them to become confident leaders in their classrooms and communities.
We are deeply grateful to the participants, experts, and mentors whose contributions made this program a success. Your support is integral to the growth and impact of our Girls in STEM programs.
“My daughter loved her weekend and now thinks she wants to be a biologist.” – STEM parent
“Keep inspiring more young women!” – STEM mentor
“I was inspired by Tika, Stella and their dog handlers, because my dream job is to be a dog handler for ski patrol!” – STEM student
99
Girls Served
$1,480
in funds subsidized to ensure more girls could join the fun!
2,772
Hours of exploration & learning
34
female mentors including film directors, ski patrollers, medical researchers, and more!
Summit School District Partnership
Summit Day Camp & Pathfinders
Our partnership with the Summit School District in 2024 was another tremendous success, highlighted by our Summit Day Camp for elementary students and Pathfinders Day Camp for middle schoolers.
Our mission remained steadfast: to provide a dependable and affordable childcare option for hardworking families in the county. Through a sliding fee scale, we were able to offer reduced registration fees to local families based on income, ensuring that camp was accessible to those in need.
194
Total Summit School District campers
$298,394
Funded our sliding fee scale, with discount rates for families with financial need
Over 53%
of our Summit Day Camp enrollments were from families that qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch or Child Heath Plan +, receiving significantly reduced cost programming.
3rd Grade Mountain Ecology
Summit County elementary schools also joined us for our 3rd Grade Mountain Ecology program, designed to supplement the elementary school curriculum by taking students into their backyards to learn about our unique forest dynamics, climate change, and how to maintain forest health.
“It’s been a pleasure to see the kids get outside, be creative, have fun with one another, interact socially, to apply their learning, with touch and feel rather than just sitting in a classroom.” – Melissa, Breckenridge teacher
H2O Outdoors
Our annual H2O Outdoors program offers Colorado high school students a standards-based, hands-on educational experience focused on water science and conservation.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and visiting experts whose support and expertise make this program possible and impactful!
“Going to the waste water management plant really changed my perspective on how large scale these things are carried out at. Generally making more conscience about how I use my water.” – H2O Outdoors student
“I found it interesting that all these different people are coming from different ideals and different desires and it is just really fun coming up and working together to come up with a solution.” – H2O Outdoors student
Honoring Paul & Carole Weller Champions of Philanthropy
Summit Foundation’s 2024
Outstanding Philanthropists of the year
In 2024, Keystone Science School had the distinct pleasure of celebrating one of our own—Paul Weller—who, alongside his wife, Carole, was recognized as Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year by The Summit Foundation. While Paul may insist he was simply “muddling through,” his contributions were nothing short of transformative.
As a board member and dedicated volunteer, Paul brought his sharp mind, dry wit, and an almost alarming enthusiasm for databases to KSS. His leadership in implementing our database management systems revolutionized our ability to connect with supporters—though he would probably describe it as “just pressing a few buttons.” In reality, his work ensured our fundraising and outreach efforts ran smoothly.
But it wasn’t just about the systems. Paul had a knack for making himself indispensable, whether that meant strategizing in meetings, lending a hand at events, or at times, being the sole driving force behind our facilities. His generosity wasn’t just about time or expertise—it was about a deep, genuine belief in the power of education and the outdoors.
Of course, no celebration of Paul would be complete without recognizing Carole, his partner in philanthropy. Together, the Wellers have been an unstoppable force for good, not just at KSS but across the entire Summit County community. Their recognition from The Summit Foundation was well-earned—though if you ask Paul, he might claim they just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
We, however, know better. Paul and Carole’s generosity, humor, and dedication left a lasting impact on KSS in 2024, and we are all the better for it.
2024 Financial Overview
In 2024, thanks to our supporters, Keystone Science School provided transformative learning experiences to thousands of students, ensuring access to quality education for all. Despite some financial challenges this year, our commitment to our mission remains strong.
Why Your Support Matters
Your generosity enables us to provide scholarships, sustain vital programs, and expand access for students in need. In 2024:
- We subsidized nearly $350,000 for local families through our sliding fee scale for our camp and outdoor education programs.
- We also awarded almost $30,000 in scholarships for these programs, ensuring financial barriers did not prevent participation.
- We maintained high-quality programs
Looking Ahead
Join us in 2025 to ensure long-term financial sustainability, continue to expand access, and
implement key initiatives:
- Enhanced Fundraising Strategy: We are engaging new donors and deepening relationships with existing supporters to build a more diverse funding base.
- Program Adaptation: We have adjusted program structures to maximize enrollment and tuition revenue while maintaining affordability.
- Cost Management and Investment: Through strategic planning and prioritization, we have identified cost-saving measures without compromising the student experience as well as key areas of investment to improve the sustainability of our program.
Your Impact
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. Your support helps provide life-changing experiences for students, ensures financial barriers do not prevent participation, and strengthens our ability to offer high-quality programs. Join us in making 2025 a year of growth and greater accessibility for all students.
Keystone Science School remains dedicated to its mission, and with the continued support of our donors, partners, and community, we are confident in a strong and sustainable future.
Our Supporters
Catalysts ($1,000+)
Marci and Andy Aerenson
Jane and Gail Allaman
Donald Allan
Richard Arsenault
Dawn and Chris Banas
Deborah and Neil Bienstock
Annette and Craig Bolt
Jennifer and John Broker
Julia Metzger and Samuel Bufford
Kambria and Skye Callantine
Susan and Martin Carter
Sue and Howard Carver
Alison and Ed Casias
Paige Royer and Kerry Clayton
Robert Conway
Steve Corneillier
Susie Quinn and Randy Culver
Jo Marie and George Dancik
Nancy and Steve Deppe
Rick Eisenberg
Jean and John Fitzgerald
Bob Follett
Mi-Sun and Roger Freeman
Jane and Ken Gansmann
Geri and Louis Gasperut
Karen Handelman and Marc Hirshman
Kamrin and Eric Helland
Bob Hinderholtz
Joan Houlton
Ellen and Harry Hufft
Nancy and Daniel Kaye
Christine and Grant Kurtz
Victor Leonard
Deborah and Mark Lesinski
Carol and Dick Lewis
Laurie and CH Maguire
Sherry Manetta
Dani and Justin Manning
Rob Mathes
Patti and Joel Meier
Jean and Pete Naka
Shaden and Chad Newton
Norma and Dave Paynter
Diane and John Riccolo
Yanitza Rivera and Brett Stuart
Anne and Barry Sabloff
Abigail and Richard Sexton
Trish and Steve Shapiro
Nancy Sims
Clarise Watters and Mark Smith
Sue and Michael Steger
Marnie and David Stelzer
Sherry and Wilson Strong
Marilyn and Bill Taylor
Karen and Scott Trosset
Barbara Vonderheid
Debbie and John Walker
Karen and Jim Warrick
Carole and Paul Weller
Bruce Williams
Ignitors (up to $999)
Katie Adams
Joshua Blanchard and Chris Alleman
Terry Whitehouse and Richard Ansbacher
Merril and David Aschkinasi
Victoria Mintz and Geoff Baird
Jeanne Bistranin
Meredith and Charles Bleskan
Alesia and John Blum
Jill Lohmiller and Daniel Boromisa
Linda Borowski
Patti and Eddie Bowers
Leela de Souza Bransten
Taryn Brooke
Nicole Burns
Chelsea and George Connolly
Colleen O’Connor
Mary Cary and Gary Coughlan
Della Crone
Carolyn Davis
Blake Davis
Gretchen Davis
Leslie Demiranda
Tara and Robin Dew
Molly and Owen Dodd
Barbara Dodd
Rebecca Doster
Diane and Dan Duke
Meredith Van Dyne
Kathleen Ebinger
Terri, Carter and Emily Eggert
Candy Elkind
Thomas Escott
Kristel Euclide
Angela Fisher
Laurie and Robert Fisher
Jordan Fishfeld
Lisa Wilson Foley
Michelle Perl and Robert Gagnon
Cherry Garcia
Lieschen Gargano and Aaron Quilling
Maryann Gaug
Kendall Gelner
Gertrude Grant
Phyllis Guy
Barbara and Greg Hamilton
Sophie Gallant and Paul Hancock
Susie and Greg Hess
Emily Hoaglund
Jill and David Hughes
Christine Hunter
Ramsay Huntley
Edward Johnson
Kathleen and Victor Kassel
Barbara Keiger
Lisa Start and Michael Khalilian
Barb and Thomas Kimball
Heather and Mark Kimball
Emily and JP Kimmel
Jon Kirkpatrick
Melissa Klonsinski
Kristina and Noah Klug
Tom Koehler
Tamara and David Kriese
Valerie Kuo
Carolyn Lamar
James Letson
Connie Lewis
Erin Leyba
Laura Lochen
Jenny and Michael Lundin
Julie and Michael Magliocchetti
Nikki Main
Gary Martinez
Julie McCluskie
James McCluskie
Lindy McDonald
Janeen McGee
Lisa McKnight
Dominique McLerran
Sharon McLin
Jill Meola
Elaine and Ernest Michelfelder
Jane Michener
Elizabeth Miller
Debra and Boyd Mitchell
Brian Moeller
Thomas Moloney
Brooke and Chandler Morehardt
Pamela Murano
Martin Murphy
Vicki and Aaron Murray
Brent Mutsch
Sue and Greg Oberlag
Meg Oberlag
Dale Oberlag
CJ and Christian Ornes
Elizabeth Ossowski
Katie Weber and Doug Pflugh
Louise Pickford
Laura and Joe Pinkowski
Scott Poniewaz
Hattit and Robert Potts
Cindy and Bill Putnam
Hannah Rand
Guff Van Vooren and Vicki Raport
Elizabeth Redente
Ellen and Scott Reid
George Rhodes
Erin Ricker
Angi and Tom Rigot
Bridget Rogers
Elaine Rosen
Mary-Bob and Jack Rubenstein
Philip Russell
Leah Rybak
Heath Sample
Julie Schafer
Carrie Scheick
Claudia and Paul Schickler
Barbara Schneeman
Diane and Mark Sheridan
Penny Short
Carolyn and Blake Shutler
Polina and Rob Sims
Catherine Smith
Rebecca and James Spearot
Linda St. John
Laura Steben
Suzy Stone
Susan Strand
Vicki and David Strand
Callison Strey
Leah and Tige Stromire
Gail Swisher
Mike Tabb
Martha Tableman
Daphne Trammell
Kevin Urban
Giovanna and Jeremy Voge
Chad Wagoner
Megan and Patrick Walker
Alan Warholoski
Torri Weese
Beth Williams
Linda Wimbush
Anna Winstead
Kate Wodder
Jenny and JW Wong
Matthew Wozniak
William Yahr
Nicole and Alan Yue
Karen Zaitz
Tim Zander
Gary Bernard
Julie and Jeff Brewer
Vicci and Bill Caton
Lawrence Jackson
Lisa Lara
Daryl Miller
Diane and Rick Pajot
Jennifer Riberdy
Foundations
Xcel Energy Foundation
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation
United Way of the Greater Lehigh
Valley, Inc.
JP Innovation Project
Assurant Foundation
Colorado Gives Day Foundation
The Joanne Crull Tribute Fund
UK Online Giving Foundation
Copper Environmental Foundation
Slifer Smith & Frampton Foundation
Valley of the Sun United Way
Summit County Rotary Foundation
The Bobolink Foundation
Government
Denver Water
Town of Silverthorne
Town of Dillon
Corporations
Breckenridge Grand Vacations
Occidental Petroleum Corporation
Axis Sports Medicine
Pinnacle Mountain Homes, Inc
Freeport McMoRan Foundation
St. Anthony Summit Medical Center
Otis Elevator
Starbucks Foundation
Copper Mountain Resort
Angry James Brewery
The Kroger Co.
Mountain Angler LTD
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Breckenridge Film Festival
American Express Foundation
Country Boy Mine
Dillon Marina
Broken Compass Brewing
Breckenridge Mountain Massage
Stork & Bear Company
Iron Forest Building Company
Robbie’s, Bird & Cow, The Canteen, The Boot Saloon
Community First National Bank
Ready, Paint, Fire
Summit Cove Property Management
Alpine Bank
US Bank
FirstBank of Summit County
iFurnish
Climax Molybdenum Company
Breckenridge Associates Real Estate
Chevron Corporation
2024 Winner!
Best of Summit
Top Summer Camp Program
Thank you for your support!
With your help, we are not only meeting the challenges of today but laying the groundwork for a brighter, more sustainable future for our campers, students and community.
Support our mission today at keystonescienceschool.org/donate!
View Full Impact Report PDF
For further details on the impact of this year’s summer camp at Keystone Science School, please refer to the 2024 Donor Impact Report linked below.
