COVID Information

What are your pre-screening procedures?

All campers are required to document their temperatures 14 days before arriving at camp. The document where this information should be recorded is found in Required Paperwork Campers are required to have a negative COVID test within 72 hours of arrival day. When your camper arrives at camp, they will undergo a health screening.

Will campers be required to wear masks?

As the programs will be kept to limited numbers and campers will be tested prior to arrival, generally masks will not be required. The group will operate as a “bubble” and will spend most of their time outdoors and away from the general public. When the group is indoors or travelling on the bus, masks will be required.

What other precautions will be taken?

Additional protocols being taken will include decreased occupancy in tents, daily health and temperature screenings, and increased cleaning measures.

Are your guidelines changing?

We will be updating our guidelines to align with the Tri-County Health Department and the Governor’s office. For the most updated guidelines please click here.

Parent Questions

What is the trip lead like?

The Backpacking Leads on this trip are Wilderness First Responders and have extensive experience with risk management in the backcountry as both guides and program directors. All program staff undergo a background check and have a minimum of first aid and CPR training and participate in an intensive training.

Will I be able to contact my child during the trip?

For backcountry trips, no communication is good communication. The Backpacking Leads will carry a DeLorme inReach Satellite tracker. This will allow Stone Canyon admin to track the group and allow for emergency communication capabilities in the event of an incident.

At any point, you can reach out the Summer Camp Coordinator, Amy Paulsen, who will be the primary admin contact for the Backpacking Leads.

How will food work on the trip?

All food will be provided. Nutritious meals and snacks will be prepared as a group and are planned to ensure they provide enough calories to cover the physical activities. We are able to accommodate most dietary needs and food allergies; if you have any questions about this please contact our Summer Camp Coordinator, Amy.

What if my child takes a medication?

During check-in, all medications will be processed and kept by the Backpacking Leads. A Backpacking Lead, who has Medication Administration training, will be responsible for carrying, administering, and documenting medication administered during the trip. Medications will be returned during checkout.

At Stone Canyon, medications are defined as prescription medications, over the counter medications, topical creams, and supplements.

• A medication form is required for all medications. The medication form can be found here. This form is not complete unless it has a signature from a physician and a parent or guardian. If we do not have a completed form for a medication, or if the medication is not in the original packaging, then we cannot administer that medication
• We can administer Tylenol and Benadryl on the trip as long as you give Stone Canyon permission to administer over the counter medications on the registration form.

Who is eligible for the backpacking programs?

The beginner and intermediate trips are open to middle school students, the advanced trip is open to high school students. All spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

How physically fit does my child need to be?

The programs are inherently physically strenuous. Participants do not need to have prior experience backpacking to sign up for this course, but should be physically active.

For the intermediate and advanced programs, participants should be able to hike 4 miles and carry a pack weighing 30% of their body weight. Above all else, it is important that participants have a positive attitude.

Will the group be co-ed?

The group will be co-ed. In order to ensure participants comfort in discussing and dealing with medical as well as general issues there will be both male and female staff on this program.

What are the sleeping arrangements like?

Campers will sleep in 4-person tents and will be separated by gender.

How will I know if my child is safe?

• The Backpacking Leads on this trip are Wilderness First Responders and have extensive experience with risk management in the backcountry as both a guide and program director. All program staff have a minimum of first aid and CPR training and have participate in an intensive training.
• The DeLorme inReach Satellite tracker that the group will be carrying is equipped with GPS tracking that will allow the Stone Canyon admin to track the group during their time in the backcountry. The device also has emergency communication capabilities that will allow the group to contact emergency services in the event of an incident.
• Stone Canyon Admin as well as the Backpacking Leads will have a copy of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) that the group will follow in the event of an incident while on the trip. The EAP includes detailed information about potential risks and how to mitigate them as well as protocol for dealing with an incident and detailed evacuation procedures.
• No communication is good communication. The group will have limited contact while in the backcountry. The DeLorme device will allow the group to contact, then notify the appropriate agencies in the event of an emergency.

What is the trip itinerary?

The beginning trip itinerary can be found here.

The intermediate trip itinerary can be found here.

The advanced trip itinerary can be found here.

Due to the unpredictable nature of wilderness environments there may arise situations that may cause these itineraries to change. All changes will be made by our experienced Program Leads.

What equipment will my child need?

All food and group equipment is included in the cost of this program. Students will only be required to provide the following:

• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Backpacking pack
• Personal utensils
• Two 32 oz water bottles
• Headlamp
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Clothing
• Rain jacket and pants
• 1 warm jacket (fleece or down)
• 1 mid-weight non-cotton top (lightweight fleece, wool flannel or sweater, etc.)
• 1-2 non-cotton long sleeved shirts
• 2 non-cotton short sleeved shirts
• 1-2 pairs of non-cotton shorts
• 1 pair of non-cotton long underwear bottoms
• 1 pair of non-cotton hiking pants
• 3-4 pairs of non-cotton hiking socks
• Hiking boots
• Closed toed shoes to be worn at camp and for creek crossings
• 2-3 masks (will only be worn indoors or in vehicles)

**We have partnered with Outdoors Geek in Denver to put together a rental package that includes: a sleeping bag, sleeping pad and backpack for a discounted price. If you would like to take advantage of this package please indicate choice when you register so that we can ensure that a package is reserved for your child.

What if there is inclement weather?

Although we will monitor the weather leading up to our departure, mountain weather is unpredictable. Our staff are trained to assess and manage risks, including weather related risks, in the backcountry.

What about wildlife?

There is a variety of wildlife in Colorado. The Stone Canyon team is working with the rangers at each location for the different backpacking trips to stay up to date on wildlife activity in the area. While in the backcountry the group will follow Leave No Trace guidelines and food storage procedures to mitigate the risk of wildlife encounters.