Our mission: Dawson School is dedicated to excellence of mind, body, and character. We prepare students, through challenging and relevant learning, to become creative, resilient problem solvers who bring their best to the world.
Camp Registration Opens at 6:00 a.m. on February 9
For Summer 2023, there will be sports, arts, tech, and more - great choices for ages 5-15.
Camps fill up quickly, so register early for the best selection!
SUMMER 2023
GET READY FOR FUN AT DAWSON THIS SUMMER!
The Dawson Summer Camps schedule will be posted in January so you can plan for summer fun. We will be offering scores of fantastic camps again this year.
June through July
Sports, Arts, Tech, And More - something for everybody, ages 5-15
Dawson extras: Hot lunch, daily pool time, and exceptional campus facilities
Fully licensed, with experienced directors and a low staff-to-camper ratio
We can’t wait to see you!
Are you looking for a rewarding way to spend the summer and work at Dawson Summer Camps? CLICK HERE to submit your information, and we will keep you posted when the application is available in January!
2023 Dawson Summer Camp Descriptions, Schedule, Forms
* Cancellations made through March 31, 2022, will receive a full refund. * Cancellations made from April 1, 2022, through April 30, 2022, will receive a 75% refund. * Cancellations made May 1, 2022, up to two weeks prior to camp start will receive a 50% refund. * No refunds will be given for cancellations within two weeks of camp start unless the camp is canceled.
The Summer Camps Office can help with camp changes. Please send an email to summercamps@dawsonschool.org with your request. There is a $25 camp change fee that will be applied to all camp changes. If the change is made after 9:00 a.m. the Friday before your child’s camp begins, there will be a $60 camp change fee.
Families should send an email to summercamps@dawsonschool.org to report a child’s absence from camp. This email is checked throughout the day and first thing in the morning, and it’s very important we know if your child will not be at camp so we don’t call around looking for them and know they’re safe.
All campers should bring a backpack or bag with sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, pool shoes and bug spray. All campers have 50 minutes of swim time and plenty of outdoor time, so they should be well prepared with enough sunscreen and swim gear. Some camps require specific equipment; such as lacrosse camp and tennis camp. Please make sure to check your specific camp description for additional details on items to bring to camp.
Yes, there is a swim test for all campers under 7 years. Jr. Adventure and Jr. Mustangs campers are not allowed in the deep end of the pool. Older campers who want to swim in the deep end will be required to show that they can tread water for at least one minute.
We do not offer one-on-one swim instruction or supervision at the pool. If your child is a non-swimmer, then we will require they wear a life-vest, which we can provide, while they’re at the pool. If you have a vest you’d like your child to have at the pool, please make sure your child has it in their backpack.
We care very much about safety at the pool, which is why we have hired an Aquatics Director who oversees our pool area. Along with our Aquatics Director, we have certified lifeguards who watch over all swimmers and non-swimmers at the pool.
Please note!
Dawson Summer Camps reserves the right to cancel any program that does not have sufficient enrollment.
Dawson Summer Camp is located on the pristine, 107-acre campus at Dawson School at 10455 Dawson Drive, Lafayette, CO 80026. Camps take place on the beautifully maintained fields and the state of the art buildings.
Dawson Summer Camps are not technology free, however, we highly encourage campers to stay off their cell phones and to leave technology at home. We feel the use of too much technology can take away from the camper’s experience.
Megan Carpenter is the Director of Summer Camps. Megan graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor’s of Science, in Business Administration. Her love of children led her to receiving a Master of Education from Arizona State University. Megan joined Dawson Summer in 2016 as a Director of Jr. Adventure Camps and All Sports Camp. In 2018, Megan joined the Dawson Summer team full-time as the Assistant Director. Megan also works in the Dawson School Business Office and helps with After School Academy in addition to coaching Middle School Soccer, Basketball and Volleyball as well as Varsity Basketball.
Many of our camp directors are full-time Dawson faculty, staff, coaches and administrators. We also have directors who are teachers at area schools and want to continue teaching throughout the summer. All of our directors enjoy working with children and are seasoned educators.
Dawson Summer Camp counselors are young adults who love to work with children. Many are students and graduates of Dawson School. All of our counselors go through an application process and a full day of orientation and training to ensure they are well prepared for the summer ahead.
Dawson School’s athletic trainer, Josh Lanham, is on campus throughout the day to assist with any bumps or bruises and to hand out medication. We also employ a nurse, Bryan Maki, who can be contacted anytime if we need extra assistance.
Cancellations through to March 31, 2023, will receive a full refund.
Cancellations made from April 1, 2023, through April 30, 2023, will receive a 75% refund.
Cancellations made May 1, 2023, up to two weeks before the camp starts, will receive a 50% refund.
No refunds will be given for cancellations within two weeks of camp start unless the camp is canceled.
In the event Dawson Summer Camps cancels a program, all deposits and fees paid will be refunded. If the closure is for a partial week, the refund will be prorated for days attended.
CAMP CHANGES:
After May 1, any changes are charged a $25 change fee.
Last-minute changes (made after 9:00 am the Friday before your child’s camp week are charged a $60 change fee.
Camp hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We do not offer before or after care services. There will be a $10 late fee incurred for each child picked up after 4:15 p.m.
Dawson provides lunch every day at no additional charge. Campers can choose from hot lunch, deli bar, salad bar, and fresh fruit. There are vegetarian options daily.
The Dawson swimming pool is open to campers each day. Those taking advantage of this chance to cool off should bring swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen. Lifeguards are on duty. In order to help keep your child safe, you must notify us on your registration application if your child does not swim and needs a flotation device in the pool. The pool is 3 feet deep in the shallow end and 10 feet deep at the deep end.
During Dawson Summer Camps, staff pays close attention to campers’ health. The Director, Assistant Director, and camp counselors are CPR, First Aid, and AED certified through Colorado CPR & Safety Professionals. The staff works closely with a school nurse consultant to identify students with any health needs. The school nurse consultant appropriately trains camp staff and delegates healthcare responsibilities to them.
All information related to health or health needs must be addressed thoroughly. Because the camp staff is administering medications under RN delegation, a physician's signature and a parent's signature are required for all medicines, including over-the-counter products. This is not only mandated under the delegatory clause of the Nurse Practice Act, but it is also necessary for camp licensure. It also provides for the safe care of all the campers. Throughout the summer, an RN is available for on-call consultation.