Camp Granite Lake

Golden, CO

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About Camp Granite Lake

Activities — full list including on-site climbing crag, 8-acre lake, NASA ecology program

Our on-site climbing crag has 17 top-rope routes from beginner to advanced. We offer canoeing, kayaking, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, and swimming on our private 8-acre lake. Land activities include archery, disc golf, hiking, low ropes, out camping, Dungeons & Dragons, engineering, and nature & ecology (including participation in NASA's Globe Goes to Camp education program). Arts options include ceramics, culinary, dance, theater, woodworking, circus with aerial silks, and the CGL Times newspaper.

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11902 Camp Eden Road, Golden, CO 80403Approximate map location; confirm arrival directions with the camp.Open map ↗© OpenStreetMap contributors

At a glance

Address: 11902 Camp Eden Road, Golden, CO 80403
Camp type: Overnight camp
Setting: 135 acres in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at 9,000 feet, with a private 8-acre lake. Located where unincorporated Jefferson, Boulder, and Gilpin counties meet; about 30 minutes from Boulder and 1 hour from downtown Denver.
Cabins: Campers share cabins with peers within one grade or year of each other; 6–10 campers and 2–3 counselors per cabin. Rising 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders in cabins with attached bathrooms.
Ages: 7–17
Enrollment: Coed
Accreditations stated by camp: American Camp Association

Activities

Waterfront

Swimming
Canoeing
Kayaking
Sailing
Stand-up paddleboarding

Land Sports

Archery

Arts & Creative

Ceramics
Theater
Dance
Woodworking

Outdoor Adventure

Hiking
Camping

More activities

arts & crafts
cheerleading
circus
climbing
culinary
disc golf
Dungeons & Dragons
engineering
low ropes
nature & ecology
newspaper
out camping
stand up paddleboarding

Clues to fit

Community — inclusive, non-competitive, co-ed

Campers are a part of a kind, inclusive and supportive camp community where they build positive peer relationships, have well-trained, role model counselors, and enjoy over twenty fun activities. Technology is off the table, meaning our campers are present in conversations and with the world around them, and staff help campers develop meaningful, positive relationships while at CGL.

Explore on the camp’s websiteCommunity — inclusive, non-competitive, co-ed

Homesickness — advice for parents

Please don't present 'going home early' or 'calling home' as an option — this doesn't instill faith in your child to have a successful camp experience, and only encourages homesickness. Our Executive Director, Tom, likes to say 'while we can't guarantee that every camper is going to love Camp Granite Lake, we can guarantee that there will be someone there who will really care about them while they are at camp'.

Explore on the camp’s websiteHomesickness — advice for parents

Cabin life — home away from home

The cabin is not just a place to rest and sleep, it's also where campers make lifelong friends, learn to take care of themselves and their belongings, and wind down the day each evening with stories, games and debrief activities led by their counselors. Often, when campers mention their highlights of camp, time in the cabin is at or near the top of their list! Campers share cabins with peers who are within one year age or grade of each other, and range in size from six to ten campers and two to three counselors.

Explore on the camp’s websiteCabin life — home away from home

Setting — 9,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains

S'mores by the campfire, paddling on the lake, classic camp songs, rock climbing, dance parties, star-gazing, fort building… life moves a little bit slower at 9000ft, and there is something for everyone at Camp Granite Lake.

Explore on the camp’s websiteSetting — 9,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains

Traditions & shared moments

Daily schedule — Traditional Session

A typical Traditional Session day at Camp Granite Lake: 7:45am Wake Up Bell · 8:15am All-Camp Morning Meet Up in Town Center · 8:30am Breakfast · 9:15am Squads (Community Clean Up) and Cabin Clean Up · 10am Activity Period 1 · 11:15am Activity Period 2 · 12:30pm Lunch · 1:30pm Rest Hour · 3pm Activity Period 3 · 4:15pm Snack · 4:30pm Organized Free Time · 6pm Dinner · 7:15pm Evening Program · 8:30pm Cabin Time, Ready for Bed and Cabin Debrief.

Explore on the camp’s websiteDaily schedule — Traditional Session

Evening programs — campfire, talent show, silent disco, all-camp games

Evening programs at Camp Granite Lake include Opening Campfire, Color Tag, Silent Disco and S'mores, Talent Show, Keylog Campfire, and All-Camp Games. Cabin Time follows each evening program with a group debrief and individual counselor check-ins.

Explore on the camp’s websiteEvening programs — campfire, talent show, silent disco, all-camp games

Independence, growth & leadership

Lasting impact — confidence and resilience

At the end of the summer, our most common parent feedback is that campers go home having grown in confidence and resilience, and we help our parents feel connected and assured with regular communication and photos while your camper is away from home.

Explore on the camp’s websiteLasting impact — confidence and resilience

Parent review — organization, communication, confidence in safety

Overnight camp

19 nights. Runs alongside Mini-Camp programs. Drop-off Monday afternoon; pick-up 9:00 AM final Saturday.

Dates, rates & eligibility ↗

Programs & camp life

Activities — over 20 choices, camper-selected

Camp Granite Lake offers over twenty different activity areas taught by our well-trained staff, and best of all, campers in our 20-day sessions get to choose all their own activities while they are at camp. Activities are selected three times during the camp session and are done by Village (Eagles: rising 3rd–5th graders, Bobcats: rising 6th–7th graders and Rainbow Trout: rising 8th–10th grades).

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ADA and special needs — accommodations considered

Camp Granite Lake will endeavor to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and will consider accommodations so that, to the extent possible, those with disabilities may participate in our program. During our summer programs, a Director may help with the intake of campers with special needs. This individual creates goal plans for each camper with special needs that help the staff foster a successful environment for the camper.

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For parents & families

Cabin arrival — personalized bunks, counselor check-ins

When they walk in, your camper will have a bunk with their name on it (we want the first camper and last camper who walks in the cabin to know we have a place for them!), and it will be neatly made with camp provided sheets, blanket and pillow. Shortly after drop off, counselors help campers fully unpack their bags into either dressers or cubbies. During this time, counselors take a moment to touch base individually with each camper.

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Cabin counselor training

Your child's Cabin Counselor undergoes an 8-day staff training period and receives training on how to run and manage a cabin of campers. We are intentional from the moment campers arrive in the ways we help them build connections with their peers and establish a kind, welcoming and supportive cabin living experience.

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Financial aid — small self-funded program

We have a small, self-funded Financial Aid program to help support families give their camper/s the experience of overnight camp. We are not able to provide full scholarships at this time. Financial Aid applications for returning families opens in January 2027, and applications open in March 2027 for new families. Please email directors@campgranitelake.com for more information.

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Food — family-style meals and special diets

At Camp Granite Lake, we eat 3 meals per day family style. We offer campers a well-balanced diet at camp, making sure there are fruit and veggie options, and serve a mix of classic kid foods (think chicken fingers, spaghetti, grilled cheese, waffles), with a few things that may be new (stir fry, curry, etc.). We accommodate for lots of special diets, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free, and work closely with families and our Kitchen Team ahead of camp beginning to ensure that we keep campers safe from allergies and intolerances.

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