Academy staff: The Telluride Academy is proud of our high-caliber instructors, who are carefully hand picked from a large and qualified applicant pool. The average age of a Telluride Academy instructor is 27 and the average instructor works with Telluride Academy for three years. Instructors maintain minimum certifications of Wilderness First Aid and CPR. All have a passion for teaching young people, possess skills appropriate to the job, have passed a criminal background check and undergo intensive staff training annually.

Medical protocol: Safety is our priority and our excellent 25-year record reflects that commitment with no major injuries. We take care in hiring and training our staff and choosing recommended outfitters who value safety. Since 1981, we have successfully taken responsibility for the well being of thousands of children without any major incidents. Although safety is our primary concern, there is always risk inherent with outdoor activities. In fact, it's the thrill of trying new activities that has drawn a lot of us to this beautiful corner of the Rocky Mountain West. In case of an emergency, instructors are trained to first seek medical attention and contact a staff administrator who will in turn contact parents to discuss the best plan of action for a child. The Academy also retains the services of a highly-qualified local medical professional for training and questions. Please carefully fill out our medical form for each of your campers to let us know about any special needs, medical issues, fears or past experiences that will help us assist your child in an emergency.

Vehicles: In order to explore our beautiful region, all campers will travel in 15-passengers vans. We lease the very newest models each summer and follow guidelines advised by the National Transit Safety Board to increase safety. In compliance with Colorado law, all of our campers wear safety belts at all times, children that weigh less than 40 pounds will use a forward-facing car seat and 5- year-olds over 40 pounds use booster seats. If you are registering your young child for a camp, you will be asked to verify which means of restraint they will need. Our instructors receive instruction on van operation following national training standards and our own safety protocols. In addition, instructors must be at least 21 years of age and pass a background check to verify a clean driving record in order to drive vehicles.

Membership: Each year, the Academy engages in a membership drive that allows us to continue to hire the high-caliber instructors and open the door to all children, regardless of need. Through a donation to the Academy, members are offered priority enrollment during the month of January. To become a member, contact the Academy at 970-728-5311 or click here to download a MEMBERSHIP Form.

Special Needs: The Telluride Academy strives to accommodate any child who wishes to attend our program. Our administrative staff will work closely with families to find the right program for students with special needs or requirements. In some cases, programs may require an additional staff person or specialist and parents could be asked to help defray some or all of that expense. It is important that we understand any special needs in advance so that we may work with you to provide the best experience for your child and the other campers.

Evacuation Policy: Academy staff are trained and prepared to evacuate injured students. Should an injury occur, Academy staff will contact parents immediately to communicate a plan of action.

Contractors: Instruction in horseback riding, whitewater rafting, kayaking and other specialized activities may be performed by subcontracted professional guides and specialists. They provide expertise, equipment, permits and the extra supervision needed for more individualized instruction in these activities. Many of these contractors will require a separate release form that requires a parent signature prior to the start of a program.

Water: Swimming is not part of the Academy curriculum for children under age 7. Children in this age group, however, are able to wade up to their knees in the many streams and lakes of this region. Students of all ages are required to wear life jackets while in boats.