Bear Creek Nature Center

245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
719-520-6387

Active Adults: On a Cough and a Prayer- Tuberculosis and the City

Saturday, November 30, 2pm

Join a guide from the CO Springs Pioneers Museum for a 1-mile downtown stroll! In the late nineteenth century, Colorado Springs declared itself “America’s Greatest Sanatorium.” And it worked! The dreaded “White Plague” built a local economy reliant on medical tourism. We’ll explore both the reputable and infamous people, places, and treatments that made Colorado Springs famous as a health resort.
$6 per person. Pre-registration required.

Nature Explorers: The Big Sleep

Wednesday, December 11, 10-11:30 a.m.

Children, ages 4-5 with an adult, will enjoy hands-on activities, puppet shows or stories, crafts, and a hike. $3 per person including siblings and adults. Preregistration and prepayment required.

Kids’ Night Out– The Hoot-ennany

Friday, December 6, 5:30-9pm

Caregivers, drop your child (ages 7-11) off at Bear Creek Nature Center for a “hoot-ennany” where we will learn about the amazing owl through games and activities, a craft and a night hike. Dinner is provided. Preregistration is required.
$25 per child/ $20 per member child.

Bear Creek by Candlelight

Friday, December 13, 5-8pm

Celebrate a family tradition or make a new one at Bear Creek Nature Center’s annual holiday celebration! Walk on luminary-lit nature trails, enjoy live music, a bowl of warm chili from Texas Roadhouse, and festive crafts. Holiday story read-a-louds by Santa.
Pre-register for specific times. $8 per person // $7 per member.

Bear Creek Nature Center Audubon Christmas Bird Count

Saturday, December 14
Bird Count– 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Tally Rally– 5:00-6:30 p.m.

All are welcome for Bear Creek Regional Park’s portion of the 2024 Christmas Bird Count. Be prepared for cold, snow, and icy trails. Afterwards, gather at Bear Creek Nature Center from 5-6:30 pm for a potluck and species compilations.

Little Wonders- Come & Play with Towhee

Wednesday, December 19, 10-11:15 a.m.
Wednesday, December 19, 1:00-2:15 p.m.

Discover the world of nature with your 2 or 3 year-old. Interactive activities and a short hike make this the perfect introduction to the outdoors for your child. Child must be accompanied by an adult. $3 per person including siblings and adults. Preregistration and prepayment required.

Mighty Mindful Kids at Bear Creek
The Art of Mindfulness!- Introducing mindfulness in a fun, engaging way.

Thursday, January 9, 1-2:30pm
or
Saturday, January 11, 1-2:30pm

Introduce your child to the magical world of MINDFULNESS with Mighty Mindful Kids at Bear Creek Nature Center! Each class in this 3 month series offers new, hands-on activities and a fun craft to match the unique theme.
February 5 or 8- Understanding Emotions
March 5 or 8- Move your Body, Find your Calm!”
Ideal for kids 5-10. A parent or guardian must accompany each party and are free. Additional adults, please consider a donation.
Prepaid registrations required.
$30 per child/ $20 per member child per class.

Nature’s Classroom– Homeschool Field Trips
Foothills Habitats– ages 8-11
Discover Bear Creek– ages 5-7

Thursday, January 16, 1-3pm

Take a learning adventure, just for homeschool families!
Simultaneous programs for the whole family to enjoy
$4/person, prepaid registration required.

Adult Day Camp-Seeing Stars

Saturday, January 18, 3-9pm

Learn with fellow nature nerds at this adults only day camp! We’ll view our day star, the Sun, as well as night stars and constellations. Join Colorado Springs Astronomical Society to gaze through telescopes and learn the science of stars. Take a hike to enjoy the night sky. Roast hotdogs and make s’mores to feed your inner child.
Adult only program. Prepaid registration required.
$30/person, $25/member.

Little Wonders- Come & Play with Squirrel

Wednesday, January 22, 10-11:15 a.m.
Wednesday, January 22, 1:00-2:15 p.m.

Discover the world of nature with your 2 or 3 year-old. Interactive activities and a short hike make this the perfect introduction to the outdoors for your child. Child must be accompanied by an adult. $3 per person including siblings and adults. Preregistration and prepayment required.

Drawing the Winter Landscape

Saturday, January 25, 10am-12pm

Enjoy an art class with practicing artist Saraiya Kanning using water-soluble Pilot V5 ink pens to draw a variety of local trees, snow-capped mountains, and icy creeks in this fun, all levels class. Saraiya’s classes aim to nurture the seeds of creativity in each participant through art-making. Students can bring their own supplies from the list provided (Pilot V5 ink pens), or bring an additional $5 supply fee to class.
$40 per person. Pre-registration required .

Puppet Theater- Bear Creek Habitats
Series 1

Saturday, January 25, 1-2pm

It’s the third season of “As the Bear Creek Flows” puppet show! This year, our puppet pals will teach you about the amazing habitats at Bear Creek– and who might be living there. Come prepared for a short, winter hike. Next puppet plays in the series will take place February 22 & March 15
Suggested $2 per person or $5 per family donation.

Go, Go, Gopher

Wednesday, January 29, 10-11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, January 29, 1-2:30pm

Children, ages 4-5 with an adult, will enjoy hands-on activities, puppet shows or stories, crafts, and a hike. $3 per person including siblings and adults. Preregistration and prepayment required.

Fountain Creek Nature Center

320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817
719-520-6745

Nature Adventures: Whiteout

Thursday, December 12, 2-3:30pm
Friday, December 13, 10-11:30am

Children ages 3-6, with an adult, will enjoy puppet shows or stories, crafts, hands-on
activities, and discovery time on the trail. $3 per person including siblings and adults.

Nature Hikes with Santa

Saturday, December 14, 10-11:30am or 1-2:30pm

Participate in an interactive reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” while waiting for Santa to arrive at the Nature Center! Then, hike with Santa to see what gifts nature gives us. Afterwards, enjoy seasonal tunes with the band Peppergrass and make paper snowflakes! $4 per member, $5 per nonmember.
Prepaid registration (per child only) is required.

Solstice Night Hike, ages 6+

Saturday, December 21, 4:30-6:30pm

The winter solstice brings our longest, darkest night to the northern hemisphere. For centuries this event has been a call for celebration; come find out why! We’ll investigate old ways to celebrate this celestial event while creating new traditions. Our new tradition includes a luminary-candlelight night hike and ending at a warm campfire. Each family will work together to create a modern version of a Yule Log.
$6 per member, $8 per nonmember. Prepaid registration is required.

Two’s & Three’s Outdoors- When Winter Comes

Thursday, December 19, 2-3:15pm
Friday, December 20, 10-11:15am

Explore nature with your 2 or 3 year old through interactive activities, a story, and a short hike. $3 per person including siblings and adults.

Sleeping Snakes

Thursday, January 2, 2-3:30pm
Friday, January 3, 10-11:30am

Children ages 3-6, with an adult, will enjoy puppet shows or stories, crafts, hands-on
activities, and discovery time on the trail. $3 per person including siblings and adults.

Morning Hike & Campfire

Saturday, January 4, 10-11:30am

Start the New Year off right by joining us for a short winter hike followed by a campfire, stories, and s’mores! Geared towards ages 6 and up.
$4 per member, $5 per nonmember. Prepaid registration is required.

Under the Ice

Thursday, January 9, 2-3:15pm
Friday, January 10, 10-11:15am

Explore nature with your 2 or 3 year old through interactive activities, a story, and a short hike. $3 per person including siblings and adults.

Winter Bird Count

Saturday, January 11, 8:30-11am

All levels of birders are invited to help us observe and record the bird species in Fountain Creek Regional Park.
Preregistration is required and space is limited.
$5 donation per person recommended.

Children’s Coping Skills with TESSA

Friday, January 24, 2-4pm

Looking to provide your child with the language and tools needed to manage stress, prioritize their mental health, and find healthy coping skills? Join us and staff from TESSA for an afternoon centered around these topics and how nature relates. Program includes a mindful hike and indoor presentation. Designed for children ages 5-12. Guardian must be present. Free program, donation recommended.

Live Birds of Prey

Saturday, January 25, 10-11:30am

Learn about hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, and vultures through a live birds of prey program with Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center! The presentation includes two different birds of prey and a discussion of adaptations, predator/prey relationships, natural history, and personal stories of the birds presented. You’ll also hear about the work the Center does to rehabilitate sick, injured, and orphaned birds of prey.
$4 per member, $5 per nonmember. Prepaid registration is required

Pre-registration is required for most programs. Space may be limited. General cancellation policy: No refunds are given for public program registrations unless the program is cancelled by the Nature Centers. In the case of severe or dangerous weather staff may deem the conditions unsafe and may reschedule or cancel an event or program. All refunds will be paid by check. Check refunds may take 3-4 weeks to process.