Thorne Ecological Institute Online!

THORNE NATURAL SCIENCE SCHOOL 1957-2010

Celebrating 53 Years of connecting kids to nature!

Don't let your kids miss out on the Front Range's best, safe, fun, educational summer camp! Classes are filling fast - Register now to secure your child's space!

For more than 50 years Thorne has been connecting kids to nature through summer classes like At Home in the Woods, Intro to Fly Fishing, and Bird Banding! This summer we are offering more than 125 hands-on outdoor programs for kids ages 3-15 in Boulder and Littleton! New classes for 2010 are I Dig Dinos for 3-5 year-olds and Eco Explorers: Intro to Thorne for 5.5-6.5 year-olds at our Waterton Canyon site in Littleton.

Register Now!

Take the TNSS survey after your child has taken class to give us feedback for future programs!

Download the catalog online now:

TNSS Boulder 2010 Catalog

2010 Boulder schedule chart of classes

TNSS Waterton Canyon 2010 Catalog

2010 Waterton Canyon schedule chart of classes

Send an e-mail with your mailing address if you'd like the catalog mailed to your home.

Watch the TNSS 2009 video on YouTube!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is TNSS?

Thorne Natural Science School is Thorne Ecological Institute’s 53 year old, flagship, summer program. All morning classes are outdoors where students explore and learn about the ecosystems they are a part of through hands-on activities. Classes are split into age groups: 3-5 (with grown-up only), 6-8, 9-11, and 12-15 year olds.

What are the TNSS class times?

Most TNSS classes are from 8:15 – noon. Afternoon session is from 12:30-5pm. Biking & Birding, Biking Boulder’s Greenways, Fly Fishing, Intro to Fly Fishing: Rivers and Reels I, Advanced Fly Fishing: Rivers and Reels II, Wild Skills Advanced, and Survival Skills have different class times. Wild Skills Advanced and Survival Skills have an overnight at Calwood Education Center in Jamestown from Thursday to Friday.

How much does a TNSS class cost?

One class M-F, 8:15am-noon costs $180. Biking Boulder’s Greenways costs $300, Rivers and Reels I and Advanced Rivers and Reels II costs $200, and the overnights (Wild Skills Advanced and Survival Skills) cost $430. The Afternoon Session is an additional $225. When you register for an 8:15am-noon class with the Afternoon Session, there’s a $10 discount! (See below) TNSS tuition breaks down to $9 an hour for (award-winning) educational child care in nature with experienced, enthusiastic staff!

Do you offer discounts

Early Bird Discount: Register by 3/21/10 – save 15% on classes. (Does not include 3-5 yr old classes) $180 classes = $153, Afternoon Session = $191.25, Full Day = $344.25, etc.

Full Day Discount: Register on and after 3/22/10 - Families who sign up for the Full Day at time of registration may receive a $10 discount on the total for a morning class (8:30am-noon) and Afternoon Session class for a total of $395 (as opposed to $405). This full day discount does not apply during the Early Bird Discount. No refunds for discounts will be given.

Do you have a sibling/multiple student discount?

No, we do not offer a sibling discount because of the Early Bird Discount described above.

Can I register with you right now over the phone?

You sure can, but it will be easier and quicker if you go online because your registration and payment is processed right away and a confirmation is instantly e-mailed to you! Staff members may not be able to process your registration right away because of other families who call or other programs going on right now.

When is payment due?

At time of registration or 5 days after. We can work with you on setting up a payment plan. If payment is not received within 5 days your spot will not be held, unless other arrangements have been made.

Do you provide transportation?

In Boulder the schoolbus transports the morning students to various field sites (explained above) and to the Afternoon Session at Sombrero Marsh Environmental Ed Center. This is where Thorne’s offices are located as well as a classroom, science lab, open space trails, mini-wetland, organic gardens, and the Marsh.

In WC, the students walk on foot to various nature spots via a trail system and walk back to the Kassler Center for pick-up at noon. Boulder’s gear-intensive or full day field classes meet at a different location each day. Parents (usually one large vehicle) are asked to volunteer to drive students up to Cal-Wood for the WSA/SS overnights.

Thorne Staff does not transport students in personal vehicles nor does Thorne own company vehicles to transport students.

What is the class ratio?

Our Colorado State Child Care license requires 15:1…15 kids to one Teacher. Thorne’s student/teacher ratio policy is 12:1 but we strive for 6:1…One teacher and one volunteer teaching assistant. The maximum number of students is 12 for most classes, however some classes have a lower max number, such as 8 or 10 for safety or learning reasons. Minimum 5 students for a class to run! Spread the word!!

Who are the teachers?

All TNSS Teachers have background checks and fingerprints checked by the State. All are trained in First Aid, CPR, Universal Precautions, and Medication Administration. Most are over the age of 25 and are elementary or middle school teachers but all have one year minimum outdoor environmental education experience with children. TNSS Teachers are required to call each family the week before class to introduce themselves and answer any questions. We also e-mail parents a letter from the teacher with daily activities and locations a week before class starts. The teacher’s cell phone is on the letter as well as their e-mail address.

Where do the morning classes go?

Most TNSS Boulder classes meet at Boulder High School (1604 Arapahoe Ave) north parking lot at 8:15am and leave on the BVSD schoolbus by 8:35am. We go to a different Open Space trail or park each day for varied ecosystems. Examples of trails we visit include Chautauqua Park, Mount Sanitas, Walden & Sawhill Ponds, Bobolink Trail, NCAR, and more! We return to Boulder by noon for pickup. Other more gear-intensive classes (bikes and fishing rods aren’t allowed on the bus) or full day field classes meet at different locations each day. Locations, directions, and a gear list are e-mailed (2 weeks) before class and the Instructor will call before class to check-in with each family.

Waterton Canyon TNSS meets at the Kassler Center (11250 Waterton Canyon Road) at 8:30am and the classes walk to their designated field site for the day. They return to the Kassler Center by noon for pick-up.

Are you a licensed child care provider & what does this mean?

Yes. We are licensed by the State of Colorado as a child care provider. We are supervised by state regulations for our programs and meet strict criteria. A copy of our State of Colorado Child Care license and inspection reviews are available at request.

Can my child and his/her friend be in the same class?

Yes, if you register for the same class, the same week they will be together. Some classes have an A and B session and the Director will e-mail you before the class begins to ensure that your child's friends are all together.

What do the kids need to bring to a morning class?

A large, full bottle of water, healthy non-perishable snacks, waterproof raingear, sandals with straps (closed-toe is best) or hiking shoes, brimmed hat, a sweatshirt or fleece, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Please no electronics, games, toys, wallets, gadgets, or money.

What should they bring for the full day?

Everything above plus a healthy lunch (kids will not have to carry this in the field in the a.m. – Steph collects PM Session kids’ lunches/bags in the a.m. at Boulder High), and Boulder kids can bring a bathing suit, water shoes, and a towel (Sombrero Marsh has a sprinkler for really hot days.)

Are classes full?

Classes begin filling up in March/April. Register as soon as possible to ensure your child and friends get a spot in their preferred classes. Feel free to check this website, call 303.499.3647, or e-mail info@thorne-eco.org to check class availability. Online, once classes are full, the system will prompt you to get on the waiting list for the class. You will not be charged to be on the waiting list and will be notified immediately if a spot opens in the class.

My child will be 6 years old come summer – can s/he attend a class for 6-8 yr olds?Our child care license is for children ages 5.5 and up or who have gone through kindergarten. Your child must be 5.5 years old by the start of class according to our Child Care License. We highly recommend that they have completed kindergarten and are comfortable riding a schoolbus, understand group dynamics, and know they will be around or in a class with older kids. Please consider the Eco-Explorers: Intro to Thorne class for 5.5-6.5 year olds! It was created specifically for kids in this age group who are new to summer camp!

My child has special needs – can you accommodate us?

This needs to be discussed on a case-by case basis to ensure the safety of your child. Please call or e-mail the Education Director at 303-499-3647.

My child has allergies and asthma but he never needs to use medicine – can I pack some Sudafed and inhaler in his backpack/Do I still need to fill out your medical forms?

All medication requires medical forms to be completed and signed by the child’s physician. Medicine should never be placed in a child’s backpack and the Instructor must know about any medication the child may need. Any medicine must be labeled from the Health Care Provider. We are not allowed to give medicine without having written instructions and a properly labeled bottle. Medication administered during TNSS must be logged. Please speak with the Education Director or Administrative Director about medications or health concerns.

Do you offer scholarships?

We do – we work hard all year fundraising for the scholarship fund because we think every child should be able to experience nature through a TNSS class. You can download the scholarship application online (below) or we can mail it to you. All scholarship recipients are asked to write a letter of thanks to scholarship donors after their class.

What is the Refund Policy?

If cancellation is necessary, refunds will be allocated based on the chart below. To process ANY refund, Thorne Ecological Institute requires a letter with the parent name, student name, class title, class dates, and reason for cancellation. This letter may be mailed, e-mailed, faxed, or dropped by the office and MUST BE RECEIVED by the refund deadlines referred to below.

* 14+ days notice before the class start date: 80% refund

* 7-13 days notice, but spot is filled by cancelling family: 75% refund

* 7-13 days notice, but spot is not filled: 50% refund

* 3-6 days notice, but spot is filled: 50% refund

* 3-6 days notice, but spot is not filled: 25% refund

* After 3pm on the Friday before class starts: No Refund

* Withdrawal the week of class: No Refund

Thorne Natural Science School Downloadable Forms:

Parent/Guardian Release & Sunscreen/Insect Repellent Permission Form

Colorado Immunization Record Form

Asthma Health Care Plan with Thorne's Medication Policy - If your child uses an inhaler or nebulizer

Allergy Health Care Plan with Thorne's Medication Policy - If your child has an Epi-pen or uses an antihistamine