Tag: Keystone Kids Activities

Keystone Science School Offers Incredible Summer Camp Programs

Keystone Science School has amazing programs for kids ages 5 – 17, all summer long.  They offer many different camps during the summer and break them up based on age.  The day camps are Monday – Friday, 8 AM to 5, with an optional overnight on Wednesdays.  They have 1 camp counselor to about 6 kids. They also offer overnight camps, which are 6 days and they pack in a lot of outdoor adventure.  In both the day camps and overnight camps, the campers go on nature hikes, summit mountains, go white water rafting, learn to rock climb, have campfires and really live the wilderness camp experience!  Lastly, they also offer 2 Wilderness Adventure Camps where kids sleep in tents while exploring Colorado and Utah. The Keystone Voyagers Camp is for kids ages 12 – 14 and it is one week long. The other camp is Keystone Mountain Adventures and this is a multi-week camp.  These camps are field-based and not only do the kids learn a lot about science, and nature they also build leadership skills and friendships. The Keystone Science School also offers financial aid to campers to make this experience more affordable.  Families can plan a summer vacation based on the camp dates and parents can enjoy some alone time while kids attend camp during the day! Choose a condo or vacation home in the West Keystone area of the resort to be super close to the Science School headquarters! 

 

The camp I picked for my girls, 8 and 10 years old, was the Water Adventure Camp.  It was $449 for the week. We did get some financial aid so that really helped. In this camp my girls learned so much about water ecology and water safety through fun activities.  They went canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding and white water rafting, which was their favorite. They both wanted to spend the night on Wednesday and it was probably their most memorable part of camp.  They sang songs around the campfire with the new friends they made. They loved spending the night with their new friends and their super cool Camp Counselor. They also loved the independence. At the end of the week both my kids were happy, tired and couldn’t wait to do it again next summer.  This camp helped build their self esteem and leadership skills. Making friends was also a highlight and they are both busy planning their next adventure with the kids from camp. I love that my kids are involved with other kids that like the out of doors more than their electronics! This is definitely an experience that will positively affect both my girls’ lives and we will be signing them up again next summer!  

Keystone Science School

I think it is worth mentioning that the Keystone Science School also offers a few other programs.  The Catch Program is an after school and summer program for kids in the Summit County School District.  ‘Catch’ stands for Coordinated Approach to Child Health. These programs are offered on a sliding fee scale and teach healthy physical activity and eating habits, while having fun.  Keystone Science School also offers a Girls In Stem Program. It is an empowering, hands-on program that brings real-world learning in a fun environment. Female STEM professionals are involved in the program to help support females students who want to enter the male-dominated workforce, in science and math.

Whichever program you and your child pick, they are guaranteed to learn and grow so much, while having the best time of their lives.  The Keystone Science School is an amazing experience for kids!

Keystone Kidtopia: A Fun Festival that Never Quits!

Utopia can be defined as an ideal place or state. Kidtopia is defined as a rocking festival designed just for kids right here in Keystone, Colorado. With daily activities and events, Kidtopia is sure to be fun-filled and keep kids coming back for more. This year the schedule is packed with events for kids of all ages and families of all sizes, from face painting to ice cream with Ripperoo to meeting the Avy Dogs of Keystone Resort. Kidtopia kicked off this weekend and continues with daily events throughout most of the ski season. 
 
Daily Kidtopia events and activities are available through early April: 
 
The Biggest Snowfort
The Kidtopia Snowfort is back at the top of Dercum Mountain with all the fun a ginormous snowfort can offer. Explore, have a snowball fight, or just marvel at the world’s LARGEST snow fort, right here in Keystone! 
 
Theatre Thursdays
Every week  features a new, kid-friendly flick with 2 viewing times, 1 or 7 pm at the Kidtopia Headquarters.  Check out movies like Shrek, The Grinch, Polar Express, Finding Nemo and more, best yet it is free! 
 
Snow Tubing
Tubing is available at the top of Dercum Mountain and is a fun activity for everyone in your group!  Reservations are highly recommended.  To reserve call 970-496-3000. 
 
Fireworks Over River Run
Fireworks can be enjoyed by all ages and from both River Run and Lakeside Villages, happening every Saturday evening at 7pm! 
 
Ready, Paint, Fire
For those that need a creative outlet or who are ready to get inside away from the chill, Ready, Paint, Fire is available daily from noon to 7pm at the Kidtopia Headquarters inside Expedition Station. Ceramic mugs, platters and figurines are available and after your masterpiece is finished, it will be glazed, kiln-fired overnight and ready for you to pick up the following day. 
 
Parade & Cookies
Join the fun every Saturday at 4pm as Ripperoo leads a parade right through the middle of River Run Village with all of his Ski school friends! The parade ends deliciously with complimentary cookies and hot cocoa. 
 
Scheduled Snowball Fights
What could be more fun than launching a giant snowball? Mountain House Base area is where it’s at for testing your snowball launching skills! Targets and prizes are available for those that have the longest launch and the best aim.
 
Adventure Walks
Although we believe we have found the Yeti here at SummitCove, you can set out in Keystone on the “In Search of Bigfoot Adventure Walk” to learn about animals, nature and Bigfoot. 
 
Wild Wednesdays
Every Wednesday Kidtopia hosts Wild Wednesdays where kiddos can run, crawl and jump through a racecourse designed just for them! After the course closes, there is a DJ available with great music and games in the Kidtopia Headquarters, complete with face painting! 
 
Sunday Family Pajama Brunch
Kids will be excited for brunch with other kids while parents enjoy some time off from the kids at the adult table.  Parents will enjoy a classic brunch with all the fixings inside the main Bighorn dining room with views of lakeside ice rink and relaxing music.  Kids will love eating kid-friendly foods from their own buffet with a fun atmosphere in the Littlehorn dining room with a weekly movie on 2 TV screens, craft tables and an appearance from Riperoo.  
Much more is available throughout the week at Kidtopia! And don’t forget to save some time for skiing and riding! Take your family to experience Kidtopia this year! 

Five Fun Activities to Do With Your Family in Keystone

Keystone is one of the most family-friendly ski resorts in the world, but there’s far more to do with your kids while visiting than just ski!  We’ve got a few of our favorite family activities listed below for you to check out while you are visiting Keystone!

Ice Skating  at Keystone Lake
A must-do while visiting Keystone- check out North America’s largest Zamboni-maintained outdoor skating rink, 5 acres of fun!  Whether you want to try your toes at a triple axle or shoot the puck in a pickup hockey game, you are sure to have a great time skating on the Lake! The rink is the highlight of Lakeside Village– it’s surrounded by restaurants, shops and a number of properties available for rent, including Lakeshore 1561 which features amazing views!   After you’ve had enough on the ice, stop by the bar in the Keystone Lodge and enjoy a warm nightcap or hot chocolate. The rink is open daily from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.; Admission and skate rental prices are as follows: Adult $12/$10, Youth $9/$5, and Seniors $6/$3.  You are also welcome to bring your own skates!

Cupcakes and Canvases
If you are looking for a way to get creative, this class is the perfect outlet to let your little ones explore their artistic sides!  This 2 hour class is led by an art teacher who helps you and your kids create artistic masterpieces… all while enjoying delicious cupcakes!  The $15 registration cost includes all the supplies including a canvas, brushes and paint, cupcakes and guidance from a teacher. There are 2 more sessions this season, on February 10 and March 10, so sign up today!

Tubing at Adventure Point
Take a ride to the top of the River Run Gondola and head to Adventure Point- a tubing hill with a modern twist. Pick from 5 lanes and then let your kids decide- straight or spin and get ready to hold on!  Once its over, no more trucking up a steep hill, let the magic carpet whisk you back to the top to do it again!  Looking to get funky? Check out snow-tubing on Thursday Nights, which is disco themed under the lights and disco ball!

Explore the Nation’s Largest Snow Fort
Your kids will LOVE exploring this larger than life snow fort, based at the top of Dercum Mountain.  The fort is built with a dragon theme and has features like lookout towers, a drawbridge, ice sculptures and tunnels.  Can we say snowball fight? (Play nice kids!) Better yet, the fort is free to enter, all you need is gondola pass or lift ticket to get to the top of the mountain!

Winter Zip Line and Snow Cat Tour
If your kids are a little bit older (ages 7 & up) and are looking for a fun adventure, you should try the winter zip lining & snow cat tours with our partners, White Mountain Tours and Top of the Rockies Zip Lines.  A complimentary shuttle will pick you up in Keystone and after a short and scenic 25 minute ride, you will arrive at the spectacular 2000 acre private property near Leadville.  The area has views of Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, and rests on the splendid slopes of Mt. Arkansas, an almost “Fourteener” at 13,795 feet.  Strap in and enjoy 5 sections of zip lining and an informative snow cat ride, of course stopping at an original yurt for hot chocolate along the way- this is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip!  All SummitCove guests receive a discount from White Mountain Tours in the Key to Keystone Coupon Book! Complimentary coveralls and boots are available if needed, but personal warm winter apparel is appropriate and recommended. Guests must bring goggles or sunglasses as eye protection is not provided. Helmets, transportation and hot chocolate are included in the tour price.

 

Don’t Miss the Next Showing of the Kidtopida Kids Theatre: The Prince, on Friday July 27 at the Quaking Aspen Amphitheatre in Keystone

Actors at a previous performance in 2007 at Quaking Aspen Amphitheatre, photo credit from SummitDaily.com

Don’t miss this fun event that you and your children are sure to love at !

On Friday mornings at the Quaking Aspen Amphitheater, Keystone’s River Run Village hosts The Prince. This is a fun event especially designed for kids that takes place in the serene and beautiful setting in the forest near the bubbling Snake River at Quaking Aspen Amphitheater in Keystone’s River Run Village.

In the tradition of Pinocchio: An Americana Folktale, The Ant and the Grasshopper, Rapunzel: A Rock N Roll Fairytale, and The Red Cape comes a world premiere family musical, The Prince, from the Lake Dillon Theatre Company. The Kingdom’s royal princes have all mysteriously gone missing. That is, all except Prince Herbert, often dubbed the most ineligible bachelor in the land. But when the awkward Herbert is given the humorously impossible task of serving as royal king-to-be to all the Kingdom’s princesses, he discovers his true self. You and your children are sure to love this original family musical full of humor and heart as Prince Herbert and the entire kingdom discover that true nobility comes from deep within.

Tickets are $5 general admission for parents, children, and all guests.  All seating is general admission. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change at any time. Pets are prohibited. Look for additional showings of The Prince on August 3rd and 10th.

Quaking Aspen Seating

Warren Station in Keystone: Weddings, Comedy, Arts, Meetings & More


Warren Station is located in the heart of River Run Village. It has replaced the Keystone Pavilion as the new cultural arts and theater center. Built by the Keystone Neighborhood Company, Warren Station offers the public a year-round venue for the arts in River Run Village. This location also serves as one of the most popular sites for weddings and receptions in Summit County.

With over 7000 square feet of space, a full service bar, amazing views, and an outdoor patio complete with fire pit, this venue is sure to please everyone! In addition, the Quaking Aspen Amphitheater is connected via a walking bridge. The location itself is big enough to create the perfect atmosphere for any event, yet retains the intimacy of a smaller hall. Warren Station is easy to find, has a great central location and of course free parking is available nearby in the Montezuma Lot!

As the forefront gathering place in Keystone, Warren Station has the capability to host a large variety of events. A now-permanent structure, this building will remain the performing arts center for years to come. Whether you visit Keystone during the winter months for skiing or summer months for golfing, the year-round venue provides an increased opportunity for the arts! It is available to rent for private events, weddings, meeting spaces, and whatever else you might need!

Family Freedom Pack Deal for Vail Resorts Passholders

Do you have a season pass? It definitely is a good investment, for anyone who plans to ski more than five times this season, the Epic Pass basically pays for itself. Vail Resorts has also implemented a ton of great programs for pass holders this winter.

One Program at Keystone is in conjunction with the Ski and Ride school, and it’s called The Family Freedom Pack. For $439 you get:

  • 4 full-day lessons with Keystone Ski & Ride School
  • 4 complimentary days of slopeside parking at Mountain House base area

You need to act fast though, on this deal, because word from the SummitCove office is that these are selling out quick. So head on over to the Mountain Service Center at the base of the River Run Gondola to make you purchase. They are open 9 to 4 daily until the mountain opens.

Do you like us on Facebook?

It seems like everyone is on Facebook these days! Well over here at SummitCove we like to stay connected with the people, and keep up with all the social networking channels. So next time you are checking up on your friends on Facebook make sure you add SummitCove.com.

Our Facebook page links directly to this blog, so you will never miss another entry again. On top of that we like to post all kinds of other content such as “Guest of the Day,” as well as upcoming discounts and promotions. So keep your eyes on your Facebook news feed as we will be posting new stuff everyday!

 

Spend July 4th in Keystone!

Celebrate July 4th in Keystone

Get the 4th Night Free for the 4th!
Book 3 nights and we’ll give you the 4th night free.  Offer applies to new reservations only, at select properties.  Book by June 24 to get this deal!

Start the weekend off on Sat with a visit to River Run.  Kidsfest will be taking place and the kiddos eyes will light up when they see all of the activities just for them.  Pet a friendly farm animal at the petting zoo, chug along the main drag in a train, get a spider on your face at the face painting station, meet a true artist who happens to work with  balloons, play some mind boggling midway games, and jump to your heart’s content at the bounce houses!

July 4th in Keystone is a fabulous way to celebrate our nation’s independence!  The festivities begin at 9:30 a.m. The kids get to decorate their bikes with all the red, white and blue flair they can come up with.  They can paint their faces and hair if they truly have the spirit and the riding begins at 10:00.  We have spent several years at the bike parade and each year the community seems to outdo it self.  Be careful, these kids mean business as they tool around on trikes, bikes and unicycles!

After the bike parade, head back to your superb SummitCove condo and let the kids nap because the evenings events will truly be a “blast”!  The Edgewater Cafe will be serving up an old fashioned BBQ with live music and then it’s time to stake out your spot on the lake for a round of amazing fireworks.  Stay until the very end if you can because the grand finale is spectacular.

 

 

Ski School for Next Year!

Keystone has announced the sale of their Family Freedom Packs for 2010/2011! For only $249.00, your little ski and snowboard cuties can get on the mountain 4 times. Parents, that means you can head to the Outback and avoid the groomers at least 4 times next year! This package is cheaper than hiring a sitter for the day, and your kids will be keeping up with you by the end of the season. Why not send them to a lesson for the day, then enjoy a couple of hours night skiing so they can show you their new skills!

Traveling with Kids in Keystone

Keystone Resort in Colorado is a wonderful vacation destination for families with kids. When planning vacations for the whole family, there are some locations that are not always great for the entire family, however Keystone Resort is definitely the opposite.

With activities for every age, Keystone offers a family vacation you’ll never forget. Keystone’s Children’s Centers are a great convenience for parents, while providing activities for the kids like crafts, daycare and activities. In the winter, Keystone offers full-day ski school for kids ages 4 to 14, as well as learn-to-ski classes for 3 year olds as well. When traveling with kids, it is typically best to stay close to all the action and activities in Keystone Village. This will make it easier on everyone to get to groups, classes, daycare, activities, dining, shopping, and so much more. Don’t forget to check in with the Keystone Mountain Concierge, as they have the latest scoop on all the kids activities and resort activities.

Traveling with kids is a breeze at such a wonderful family resort as Keystone. So, bring the whole family and all the kids and spend your next family vacation at Keystone Resort in Colorado!