Homeschool Outdoor Education

JPII Outdoor Lab Mission

JPII Outdoor Lab provides outdoor experiential education within the context of the Catholic faith. Through an authentic encounter with Christ in his Creation and sacraments, students are inspired to deepen their relationship with God, thus shaping their relationship with themselves, others and Creation. Students will further learn to apply faith and reason while exploring the wonder and beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

Our Homeschool Program

JPII Outdoor Lab is a program of Annunciation Heights Catholic Youth and Family Camp located at the base of Longs Peak in Estes Park, Colorado, two miles north of historic Camp Saint Malo.

Our three-day homeschool program offers inquiry-based lessons, exploratory hikes, small-group discussions, campfire activities, stargazing, Mass, Adoration, and Reconciliation. Students (your child) will participate in our Earth Science adventure track in co-ed small groups based on age. Our homeschool program is open to all homeschool students between the ages of 10-15. During their three-day stay, students are provided with meals and lodging. Chaperones are needed to make this program possible! If you are interested in attending the program with your child, please check out our “Chaperone Requirements”.

CHAPERONE REQUIREMENTS

OUR INSPIRATION

Founded in 2008, the John Paul II Outdoor Lab was inspired by Pope Saint John Paul II’s encyclical Fides et Ratio:

Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth—in a word, to know himself—so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves.

– St. John Paul II, Fides et Ratio

Dates:

October 27 - October 29, 2025

$295/student | $60/chaperone

Open to homeschool students ages 10-15

Age-appropriate programming and hike

Multiple Child Discount: a discounted rate of $195 for every additional sibling after the first child.

Additional scholarships available. Contact for more information.

REGISTER NOW

Every Program Includes:

Lodging & Meals
Altum Institute Missionary for each small group of 10-12 students
Sacraments: Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration
Lessons/Activities:
- Four Relationships Lesson
- Hike at Camp Saint Malo
- Evening Programming (campfire and astronomy lesson with age appropriate programming)

Hike Themes

Ages 10-11: Identity and Gift
Ages 12-13: Virtue
Ages 14-15: Saint Stories

Introducing a Three Year Track Rotation

2025 Adventure Track: Earth Science

Earth Science

Geology & Mining
Colors of Creation with JPII
Human Wilderness Survival
Mountain Meteorology
Night Activity: Astronomy

View the Program Guide for detailed adventure track descriptions.

JPII Homeschool Week 2025 - Cover Image.jpg

PROGRAM GUIDE

Frequently asked questions

A full payment is required at registration and a $100 deposit is non-refundable after registration has been confirmed. The balance of fees paid will be refunded if the student does not attend due to illness or injury.  In all other instances, no refund of camp fees will be given unless notice of cancellation is given to Annunciation Heights at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the camper’s session (though, the $100 deposit fee is non-refundable in this instance).

You are not required to chaperone, although we need both male and female chaperones committed to assisting our staff and maintaining a safe environment for all participants. Parents who serve as chaperones must complete our online registration form. We will try to put you with your child as much as possible. If you have multiple children attending, please note that your children might be in different groups, so you will have to split your time with them. For more information, check out our “Chaperone Information and Responsibilities” document:

Chaperone Requirements-Homeschool

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