2024 Summit School District Impact Report

Keystone Science School &
Summit School District Partnership

Since 2015, Keystone Science School has partnered with Summit School District (SSD) to offer Summit County students 11 consecutive weeks of summer day camp programming. The Summit School District provides:

Bus transportation to and from our 23-acre campus
Breakfast & Lunches for Summit School District campers
Bikes for activities
Resources on reading and social-emotional learning curriculum.
KSS provides the Science, Adventure, and Fun!

2024 was a remarkable year for Keystone Science School, marked by the continued success and growth of our Summit Day Camp and Pathfinders programs. This year marked the third season of on-campus programming for Summit Day Camp, which has become an essential resource for local families. This is the second year we have designated spaces in our Pathfinders program for local families. By offering these on a sliding fee scale, we ensure that affordable, high-quality summer childcare is accessible to our community, creating a lasting positive impact.

The sliding fee structure benefits local families by easing childcare’s financial burden and strengthening our broader community. By providing consistent, accessible support to families, we help to establish a stable workforce and promote community resilience. As we reflect on 2024, the success of these programs is a testament to Keystone Science School’s commitment to building foundational support within our community.

The Programs:

Summit Day Camp

Kindergarten-5th Grade
On-Campus
Monday-Friday
Core Components: Science Themes, Hiking, Traditional Camp Activities, Community Impact and Activities.

Pathfinders Day Camp

6th-8th Grade
On-Campus
Monday-Friday
Core Components: Adventure, Outdoor Recreation, Teamwork, Leadership and Stewardship.

Day 1
Earth Treks

Campers spend the day out on local trails exploring the science theme and enjoying a picnic.

Day 2
Skills Day

Campers develop a variety of traditional summer camp skills, including biking, archery, arts & crafts, sports, etc.

Day 3
Quest Day

Campers may embark on a fun-filled science-themed field trip or have the field trip come to us for a day full of exploration and learning.

Day 4
Community Day

We invite local community superheroes to come to KSS to facilitate an activity or to teach us about their passions, typically focused around the week’s science theme.

Day 5
Camp Day

Campers celebrate the science theme of the week with culminating activities that tie the week together.

Measuring Our Impact

194

unique Summit School District Campers

34,240

Total Contact Hours

= Over 170 contact hours per camper
A contact hour represents an hour of instruction given to students.

135

135 campers from 103 families across 797 sessions (weeks) of camp.

14

14 campers from 14 families across 59 sessions (weeks) of camp

The Towns We Serve

Sliding Fee Scale

What is the sliding fee scale?

KSS provides discounted summer day camp rates for local families enrolled in the summit school district. Half of the spaces in each session of day camp are reserved for these campers. The discounted rate is dependent upon the following qualifying programs:

Free & Reduced Priced Meals (F&R Lunch)
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
Local SSD Families who do not qualify for a program

Through the generous support of our donors, KSS was able to provide $298,394 in funding to support the sliding fee scale for our local families.

KSS Pricing and Support Per Session/Week

Full price, non-local: $525
Local SSD: $345 ($180 supported by KSS)
Child Health Plan+: $185 ($340 supported)
F&R Lunch: $55 ($470 supported)
F&R Lunch Pathfinders: $65 ($534-$634 supported)

Qualifying Programs

Where the Funds Go

2 Day Campers show the results of their water chemical tests near the Snake River

Funding & Scholarships

$298,394

funded the sliding fee scale
thanks to our generous funders

$9,231

in additional scholarships given
to families by KSS’s Scholarship Fund

Stories of Impact

“My husband and I would not be able to work if not for KSS day camp. We have tried in the past to get her into other program options. However, we have not been able to successfully register her. Not only is she taken care of in lieu of school, but I know she is having a deeply valuable experience, and I am constantly thankful to have this option in the county. “

“Nos ayuda mucho para que nuestro hijo se divierta y tenga muchos conocimientos y experiencias nuevas”

“I’m a single mother and I wouldn’t be able to work if I didn’t have camp for my kids”

“We appreciate the SSD rate for this camp as it helps us work and has high-quality programming.”

“This is a great choice for us to be able to send my son to a great program like this and I can continue working during the summer. “

“KSS not only allows both parents to work but also gives us a piece of mind knowing that our camper is in FANTASTIC hands and having fun!”

“My son loves the camp. It keeps him active and offers diverse educational experiences.”
“Es un espacio donde mi hijo está seguro y aprendiendo cosas nuevas, está activo y compartiendo con otros.”