A Year of Seeing
Building Confident, Creative Kids Through Photography, Nature & Adventure
Our First Summer
Intro Story
After an inspiring inaugural summer in 2026, more than 24 children explored photography, art, and outdoor adventure through The Outdoor Studio. What began as a summer camp quickly became something much bigger. As we watched children grow in confidence, curiosity, and creativity, we realized our community needed opportunities like this long after summer ended.
Summer Snapshot
24
Young Explorers
11 weeks
Summer Program
100+ Hours Outdoors
Photography, Art & Nature
1 Community Inspired
Vision for Year-Round Learning
The Experience
More Than a Photography Camp
Photography was never the destination—it was the pathway. Every activity was intentionally designed to help children observe more closely, ask questions, solve problems creatively, and develop confidence through hands-on exploration.
🎨 Creating Through Art
Photography was paired with watercolor, nature journals, and historic photographic processes, allowing children to express what they experienced in multiple ways.
🥾 Exploring the Valley
From alpine trails to beaver ponds, every outing became a classroom where movement, curiosity, and discovery happened naturally.
🤝 Building Confidence
Working together outdoors encouraged teamwork, leadership, patience, and friendships that extended beyond camp.
📷 Learning to See
Children learned camera basics while slowing down to notice textures, colors, wildlife, and light they might otherwise overlook.
The Impact
What We Observed
✓ Confidence grew with every adventure.
✓ Children became more comfortable trying new things.
✓ Friendships formed across schools and ages.
✓ Curiosity replaced hesitation.
✓ Time outdoors inspired creativity and problem-solving.
Why It Works
✓ Children learned to observe with intention and curiosity.
✓ Photography encouraged confidence through creative expression.
✓ Nature became the classroom for discovery and adventure.
✓ Art transformed experiences into meaningful memories.
✓ Every adventure strengthened connections to community and the natural world.
Founder Spotlight
Why I Started The Outdoor Studio
"Photography changed my life. Picking up a camera gave me confidence, purpose, and a completely new way of seeing the world. I created The Outdoor Studio because every child deserves the opportunity to experience that same sense of wonder and belonging." -Kiki
Looking Ahead
From One Summer to A Year of Seeing
What began as a successful summer camp revealed an even greater opportunity. Families consistently shared how meaningful the experience had been and how few programs existed to continue this type of creative outdoor learning during the school year.
Program Overview
Beginning November 2026 through May 2027, A Year of Seeing will offer year-round programming for children ages 4–12 throughout the Gunnison Valley.
Seasonal Journey
Winter
Animal Tracks
Ice photography
Snow ecology
Spring
Wildflowers
Nature journals
Watercolor
Summer
Rivers & Mountains
Photography
Adventure
Fall
Golden Aspens
Historic processes
Storytelling
Our goal is to make this program available at little or no cost through grant funding and community support, ensuring every child has the opportunity to participate regardless of financial circumstances.
Our Vision
We hope to nurture thoughtful observers, creative thinkers, confident leaders, and lifelong caretakers of the places they love.
As children learn to notice the small details around them, they begin to understand something even more important—they belong to this landscape, and they have the power to care for it.
"When a child learns to truly see the world around them, they begin to understand that they are an important part of it."