Alpine School District announced this week that it will place Clear Creek Camp on the market, ending a decades-long tradition for generations of fifth-grade students. Located in the mountains near Scofield Reservoir, the camp has served as a rite of passage for students within the district.
Superintendent Robert Smith stated that the decision followed extensive discussions among the boards of ASD and the three new districts formed from its split: Aspen Peaks, Lake Mountain, and Timpanogos. Smith noted that the boards weighed costs and benefits against other needs, ultimately determining that sale proceeds could be more effectively used to meet student needs across the three new districts.
The summer program for Clear Creek will continue as planned this year, providing a final group of students the opportunity to experience the camp.
Aspen Peaks board president Diane Knight said the decision was difficult because the camp holds special historical significance for the district and its families. Knight noted that the traditional week-long experience is no longer feasible, as the program currently primarily serves students through day trips. She cited rising maintenance costs and the two-to-three-hour bus rides each way as factors making it increasingly difficult to provide the original experience.
ASD originally purchased the property in 1972 to establish an outdoor learning program. The site features five cabins, a large maintenance building that houses administrative offices, a kitchen, cafeteria, and assembly room, as well as an amphitheater and shower facility.
Former camp director John Jay Harris, who served from 2008 to 2020, described the week-long excursions as full of learning opportunities regarding Utah's history, geology, and wildlife. At its peak, the camp hosted over 100 students per week, with high demand often resulting in the summer sessions filling up within minutes.
Brad Greenwood, who served as director for six years following Harris, noted that the camp provided a coming-of-age experience where children could connect with nature away from screens. He expressed hope that elements of the curriculum could be adapted for future student opportunities.
Smith stated that the district will list the property through a commercial real estate agent and that any sale will follow an open and transparent process, requiring final approval in a public board meeting.
