activities · 14
what they do
direct service · 9
- Deliver outdoor environmental education programs for K-8 students Guided Environmental Field TripsHosts over 1,000 children annually at Camp Colton for immersive outdoor learning experiences, including a traditional 6th-grade program focused on environmental literacy, 1st and 2nd-grade day expeditions to explore local ecosystems, and the Colton Adventure Camp for 4th and 5th graders. Over 48,000 children have participated since 1971.
- Facility Rental for Retreats and Camps Camp Facility Rental & Retreat HostingRents out its facilities, including platform tents and cabins, for staff retreats, team trainings, and youth camps, providing well-balanced meals and access to an outdoor campus with various recreational amenities.
- Manage and maintain Camp Colton facilities for educational use Accessible Camping for DisabilitiesOperates a 33-acre outdoor campus with 16 platform tents, two cabins, fully accessible bathroom and shower facilities, a central lodge for meals and gatherings, and recreational amenities including fire rings, an archery range, and game areas. The site also includes a 24-hour nurse’s office and camp office.
- Operate Camp Colton Outdoor Environmental Education Programs Guided Environmental Field TripsOperates Camp Colton, an outdoor environmental education center, hosting over 1,000 children annually for various programs between May and October. These programs include a traditional 6th-grade curriculum focused on climate change, forest health, and local ecology, 1st and 2nd-grade day expeditions, the STEM Environmental Enrichment and Discovery (SEED) Summer Experience for 7th and 8th graders, and Colton Adventure Camp for 4th and 5th graders. The camp provides overnight stays, outdoor experiences like astronomy and lava tube exploration, and serves students from Flagstaff and reservation communities.
- Operate summer and enrichment programs for middle school students STEM Showcase & Expo EventsRuns the STEM Environmental Enrichment and Discovery (SEED) Summer Experience, a 6-day, 5-night program for 7th and 8th graders focused on nature exploration and STEM learning, and supports access through fellowship funding.
- Organize annual fundraising events and manage endowmentDevelops and manages a Camp Colton endowment and organizes the annual GORE-TEX Kahtoola Uphill winter race—their largest fundraiser—which will mark its 20th year in 2027.
- Partner with organizations to expand program offeringsCollaborated with external partners to create and deliver new programs, such as the Colton Adventure Camp for 4th and 5th graders.
- Rent camp facilities for external groups Camp Facility Rental & Retreat HostingMakes Camp Colton facilities available for rent to external organizations for staff retreats, team trainings, and youth camps.
- Undertake facility improvements and construction projects Youth Camp Facility ConstructionCurrently beginning construction on a new lodge at Camp Colton following State Fire Marshal approval, as part of ongoing facility development.
advocacy · 1
- Facilitate youth advocacy and leadership opportunities Summer and Program-Specific Camp ScholarshipsEnables past campers to advocate for future access by speaking before grant panels to secure funding for the SEED summer program, supporting youth voice in program sustainability.
capacity building · 4
- Conduct master planning and community engagement for camp development Youth Camp Facility ConstructionInvested in a community-based master planning process for Camp Colton, engaging hundreds of community leaders, teachers, students, and alumni to guide future programs and facilities. Phase 1 of the $6.7 million plan is currently underway.
- Facility Development and Master Planning for Camp Colton Youth Camp Facility ConstructionInvests in and manages a collaborative, community-based master planning process for Camp Colton, which includes connecting with community leaders, teachers, students, and alumni. Phase 1 of the master plan, valued at $6.7 million, is currently in progress, with construction on a new lodge beginning soon.
- Provide Scholarships and Grants for Youth Education Summer and Program-Specific Camp ScholarshipsAwards scholarships to Flagstaff graduates who are Camp Colton alumni and secures grants to expand outdoor learning access for local youth, including funding for future campers to attend the SEED summer program.
- Support alumni and community through grants and scholarships Summer and Program-Specific Camp ScholarshipsAwarded $25,000 from Fiesta Sports Foundation to expand outdoor learning access and provides $500 scholarships to Flagstaff graduates who are Camp Colton alumni.
strategies · 14
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Collaborative Program Development collaborative outdoor educationDesigns and enhances outdoor education programs through partnerships with classroom teachers and community experts, ensuring curricular relevance and meaningful, place-based learning experiences.
- Collaborative Program Development with Educators and Community collaborative outdoor educationDesigns and enhances outdoor education programs in partnership with classroom teachers and local experts to align with academic goals and strengthen community ties, ensuring relevance and impact.
- Community-Based Planning for Long-Term Sustainability community-based planningEngages in collaborative, community-informed master planning to ensure Camp Colton remains a sustainable, accessible, and innovative outdoor education center for future generations.
- Community-Driven Sustainability and Planning community-based planningAdvances long-term sustainability and program expansion through community-based master planning, inclusive fundraising events, and facility improvements focused on accessibility and environmental stewardship.
- Culturally Responsive Land Stewardship land_acknowledgementRecognizes and honors the Indigenous stewardship of the land at Camp Colton, fostering respect for the cultural and spiritual significance of the site among students and the broader community.
- Equitable Access Through Fellowship and Tax Credit Funding equity-focused program accessEnsures universal access to Camp Colton for all 6th graders, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, by combining the Arizona School Tax Credit Program with a targeted Fellowship Program to eliminate financial barriers.
- Equity-Centered Access Model equity-focused program accessEnsures all 6th grade students, regardless of financial background, can attend Camp Colton through a Fellowship Program and tax-credit funding, removing economic barriers to access outdoor education.
- Experiential Outdoor Education Model experiential_outdoor_educationUses immersive, hands-on experiences in nature to foster student discovery, personal growth, and scientific inquiry, believing that direct engagement with the outdoors enhances learning and inspires lifelong connection to the environment.
- Experiential Outdoor Education Model experiential_outdoor_educationUses immersive, hands-on experiences in nature to foster student discovery, personal growth, and scientific inquiry, believing that direct engagement with the outdoors deepens learning and inspires lifelong connection to the environment.
- Land Stewardship and Cultural Respect land_acknowledgementRecognizes and honors the sacred Indigenous heritage of the land at Camp Colton, integrating land acknowledgment and cultural respect into the foundation of its outdoor education mission.
- STEM-Integrated Environmental Enrichment STEM_enrichmentEnhances environmental education by integrating STEM learning through programs like the SEED Summer Experience, promoting scientific exploration and environmental stewardship.
- STEM-Integrated Environmental Enrichment STEM_enrichmentEnhances environmental education by integrating STEM learning through programs like the SEED Summer Experience, promoting scientific exploration and discovery in outdoor settings.
- Social-Emotional Growth Through Mentorship and Peer Connection social developmentFosters personal development by creating safe spaces for mentor-mentee relationships and encouraging social connections among students from diverse schools, promoting independence and community building.
- Youth Social and Emotional Development Focus social developmentIntentionally fosters social connections, independence, and mentorship by creating safe spaces where students from diverse schools can build relationships, separate from usual peer groups.
named programs · 5
what they call their work
Arizona School Tax Credit Designation
Allows individuals to designate their Arizona School Tax Credit to Camp Colton to support its programs.
Colton Adventure Camp
A new summer camp program offered in partnership with Camp Colton.
Friends of Camp Colton Scholarship
Awards $500 scholarships to Flagstaff high school graduates who are Camp Colton alumni.
GORE-TEX Kahtoola Uphill
An annual race and fundraiser to support Friends of Camp Colton.
SEED (STEM Environmental Enrichment and Discovery) Summer Experience
A summer program focused on STEM and environmental education for youth.
relationships · 20
who they work with
- APS Foundation Partner — Partnered to host the SEED Summer Experience.
- Arizona Daily Sun Partner — Recognized Camp Colton, FUSD, and Friends of Camp Colton as the organization of the year in 2011.
- Cambium Wealth Strategies Partner — Sponsor of the "Fun Climb" race course.
- Camp Colton Partner — Partnered to create and offer the Colton Adventure Camp summer program.
- Camp Colton Partner — Supports Camp Colton's sustainability and success.
- Dick and Jean Wilson Funder — Donated a 33-acre property to FUSD in 1976, which became Camp Colton.
- FUSD Partner — Partners with FUSD to process Arizona School Tax Credit donations for Camp Colton.
- Fiesta Sports Foundation Partner — Awarded a grant to expand outdoor learning access for local youth.
- Flagstaff Unified School District Partner — Camp Colton is the outdoor environmental education center for FUSD; FUSD created the program in 1971 and received the land donation in 1976.
- Flagstaff Unified School District Partner — Partnering to realize the goals of a $10 million dollar project for Camp Colton.
- Flagstaff Unified School District Partner — Partners closely with the district through its work.
- GORE-TEX Partner — Sponsor of the annual Kahtoola Uphill race.
- Gore Medical Partner — Employees volunteer for Camp Colton and the corporation makes monetary donations.
- Hart Prairie Partner — Location where students discover and explore through Camp Colton programs.
- Kahtoola Partner — Partners each year to put on the GORE-TEX Kahtoola Uphill winter race, a fundraiser.
- Kahtoola Partner — Sponsor of the annual Uphill race.
- Lumberyard Brewing Co. Partner — Sponsor of the "Öo’mawki Climb" race course.
- Mountain Sports Flagstaff Funder — Regular benefactor to Friends of Camp Colton to ensure opportunities for Flagstaff youth.
- Peace Outfitters Partner — Sponsor of the Race Raffle.
- Sinagua Middle School Partner — Accepts checks for school tax credit donations to Camp Colton.