Welcome to Camp Colton!

Camp Colton is celebrating more than fifty years of discovery, exploration, and adventure. Through Camp Colton programs, kids are immersed in nature and inspired to learn about themselves and their world. Operated by Flagstaff Unified School District in partnership with Friends of Camp Colton, this off-grid residential outdoor environmental education center on the slopes of the San Francisco Peaks is an integral part of what it means to grow up in our community. 

Learn more about the benefits of outdoor environmental education.

Programs

At Camp Colton, students explore local environmental issues related to ecology, forest health, wildfire ecology, hydrology, geology, and more. All learning at Camp Colton is place-based and all activities cannot happen within the four walls of the classroom. First and second graders learn about drought and local flora and fauna through day expeditions, 6th graders explore ecology and forest health through the lens of climate change, and 7th and 8th graders lead their own research projects in Hart Prairie through the weeklong STEM Environmental Enrichment and Discovery Summer Experience. 

Learn more about Camp Colton programs.

Information for Parents and Guardians

At Camp, we learn and live together. For residential programs, we sleep on bunk beds in small groups, and even in the middle of the night the nearest adults are only a few tent-lengths away. Between expeditions, special guest presenters, learning new games, and trying new things, we take breaks for 3 meals and 2 snacks per day, all prepared by our Camp Cook. With so much to do and see, we’ll be enjoying the outdoors almost all day. 

Register your child online.

Learn more about sending your child to Camp Colton.

History

Teachers at Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) created Project LIFE (Life in the Flagstaff Environment) in 1971 to introduce children to their local environment. From 1971-1975, FUSD’s Project LIFE took place at Mormon Lake. In 1976, Dick and Jean Wilson donated a 33 acre off-grid property on the western slope of the San Francisco Peaks to FUSD for the purpose of outdoor education. Upon receiving the Camp property from the Wilson’s, FUSD renamed Project LIFE “Camp Colton.”

Learn more about the history of Camp Colton.

Camp Colton acknowledges the sacred nature of the space where we learn, teach, and build community. Stewarded by Indigenous people from time immemorial, this land is revered by more than 14 tribes including Diné, Hopi, Zuni, Tewa, Hualapai, Havasupai, Yavapai-Apache, Yavapai-Prescott, Tonto Apache, White Mountain Apache, San Carlos Apache, San Juan Southern Pauite, Fort McDowell Mohave Apache, and Acoma. We extend our respect to the past, present, and emerging tribal members. Being at Camp Colton is a special experience and we are grateful to have the opportunity to connect with nature and each other, on this sacred land.