Pre-registration is required for most programs. General cancellation policy: No refunds are given for public program registrations unless the program is cancelled by the Nature Centers.
Fountain Creek Adult Birding Club – March 16, 2023 to February 17, 2024 Become a more experienced, confident birder over the next year by slowly learning details, tips, and tricks each month! Birding is a hobby that increases your observational skills, connecting you to nature even more. You’ll get outside and move more, see more,…
2023 Archery Camps Bear Creek Regional Park Join one of the fastest-growing outdoor sports! Bear Creek Regional Park has a series of archery camps. USA-certified archery coaches will lead a fun interactive camp to learn basic archery skills. Coaches teach the system that the Olympic team uses with a step-by-step approach to develop the individual’s…
Friday, April 21, Starts at 5:00 p.m. Let’s play Bunco in the Nature Center! Join us for a wonderful evening of excitement, laughs, and rolling dice. We will provide the dice, score cards, nacho bar, and prizes. Unlike other Bunco parties, this Bunco party is for everyone ages 13 and older. All minors must be…
El Paso County Community Services Department has implemented a Trailability Trail Access Program. As part of the new program, the county has acquired two (2) Terrain Hopper off-road mobility vehicles with the generous support from The Independence Center. Terrain Hoppers are the ultimate off-road mobility power scooter designed to provide access to adventure, making the…
Friday, April 7, 7:45, 8:00, 8:15, 8:30 p.m. 2110 Stella Drive, Colorado Springs, CO Egg hunts aren’t just for young children! Join us for a glow in the dark egg hunt at Fox Run Regional Park. Work with your team of 2-6 people to find eggs that will contain the answers you need to win…
Paint Mines Interpretive Park 29950 Paint Mine Rd, Calhan, CO 80808 Friday, April 21, 9:00 p.m.-Saturday, April 22, 7:00 a.m. Monday, May 22, 9:00 p.m.-Tuesday, May 23, 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, 9:00 p.m.- Wednesday, June 21, 7:00 a.m. Saturday, August 19, 9:00 p.m.- Sunday, August 20, 7:00 a.m. Monday, September 18, 9:00 p.m.- Tuesday,…
245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
719-520-6387
puppet show and discovery hike give children the opportunity to learn about and fine-tune their senses. Geared towards Pre-K and Kindergarten. $4/person, prepaid registration required
Taught by experienced gardeners from Bear Creek Garden Association. Topics include: starting vegetable plants indoors, best vegetable varieties, organic pest control and fertilizers, plant protection, and square foot gardening. For information about the community garden in Bear Creek Park, see: www.bearcreekgardens.org
$4 per person/$3 per member
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of 6 facilities breeding & reintroducing North America’s only ferret. The black-footed ferret was considered extinct until it was rediscovered in 1981. CM Zoo has been restoring this species to the short-grass prairies since 1991. New knowledge has been gained about the prairie ecosystem and the survival of the ferret. Join us in learning about the many challenges faced in the breeding program and in the wild.Prepaid registration required, $5 per person/$4 per member
Compare geologic timelines and conduct sediment tests to learn about the magnitude of geologic forces at work in and around Colorado Springs. Geared towards grades 5-8. Children (grades 5-8) can be dropped off. $4/person, prepaid registration required
This two-day seminar covers all aspects of beekeeping in the Pikes Peak region: how to acquire bees, equipment, bee biology and management through the seasons. All lectures are presented by local beekeepers with years of collective knowledge. Book ‘First Lessons in Beekeeping’ included. $65 per person
Register via Eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-ppba-bee-school-tickets-502854660827
Experience the therapeutic practice of Shinrinyoku and awaken your senses with a slow, mindful walk through the woods and a beautiful tea ceremony. More info at: www.listeningpines.com
$30 per person/ $20 per member. Prepaid registration required.
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.
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.
A puppet show followed by a discovery hike through 3 habitats, observing, comparing and contrasting each.
Geared towards Grades 1-2. $4/person, prepaid registration required
Join the Bunny Guide to search for eggs along the trail and exchange your finds for a chocolate bunny! Fun and educational. Ages 2+ $6 per person/$5 per member. Prepaid registration required
It is always a great time to learn to be prepared! Come out to Bear Creek Nature Center to learn about how to survive and thrive in the wilderness. Learn the basics of wilderness survival and wilderness navigation in this two-part series. These hands-on instructional courses are facilitated by professional instructors from The Survival University. Ages 13+. $30/person.
Saturday, April 15, 9:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Join the community in this effort to complete cleanup projects at parks, trails, creeks, and roadways. Bear Creek Nature Center will be clearing trails of downed trees and conducting fire mitigation.
To volunteer, please email kyleetaylor2@elpasoco.com
Pre-registration required
Experience the therapeutic practice of Shinrinyoku and awaken your senses with a slow, mindful walk through the woods and a beautiful tea ceremony. More info at: www.listeningpines.com
$30 per person/ $20 per member. Prepaid registration required.
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.
Caregivers, drop off your child (ages 7-12) for a morning exploring the world of Minecraft! We’ll be searching for resources in our foothills biome, doing fun activities, and of course, crafting! Lunch included. Prepaid registration required
$25 per person, $20 per member
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.
Join us for a two-part session for Beginning Birders! Aiken Audubon leaders will teach about bird identification, behavior and habitats, birding ethics, and choices for binoculars, scopes and field guides. Pre-registration required. $10 per person for both classes, $8 per member.
320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817
719-520-6745
$3 per person including siblings and adults. Children ages 3-6, with an adult, will enjoy puppet shows or stories, crafts, hands-on activities, and discovery time on the trail.
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.
Build a nesting box for common backyard birds, learn who they are and their calls. An adult able to handle tools must accompany children. Bring a hammer and pliers if you have them. Other materials provided. Prepaid registration required. $12 per kit/$10 per member kit
One Year * Twelve Classes * Twelve Field Trips
Become a more confident birder over the next year by slowly learning details, tips, and tricks each month! You’ll get outside and move more, see more, and feel accomplished. At the end of our club year, participants attending at least 18 meetings will receive a certificate. Classroom sessions will be held in-person at Fountain Creek Nature Center. Field trips will be at various places in El Paso County. Limited capacity, prepaid registration required
$250 for non-members, $220 for members
El Paso County Nature Centers use Terrain Hopper vehicles to provide trail access to those with disabilities. Volunteers help us enable a community with physical limitations to have access to trails and natural resources that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience- how meaningful and satisfying! Trainings will include topics such as Terrain Hopper operation, customer service and program etiquette, and pre-determined trail routes. Pre-registration is required for training classes. To register, contact Jessica Miller at jessicamiller@elpasoco.com/ 719-520-6765
Gain confidence and skills in the outdoors with your children this spring! Whether you’re headed out for an afternoon hike or a big camping trip, having some survival skills up your sleeve prepares you for a good time outside. After all, amazing outdoor adventures abound in Colorado! This series is designed to teach children 5 to 10 years old. $145 per child for all 6 classes or $30 per child per class. A parent must accompany each party and are free. Additional adults, please consider a donation.
Other classes include:
Saturday, April 15, 1:00-3:00 p.m.- Water Filtration
Saturday, April 22, 1:00-3:00 p.m.- Backcountry Cooking
Saturday, April 29, 1:00-3:00 p.m.- Maps and Compass
Saturday, May 27, 1:00-3:00 p.m. – Basic First Aid
After a long winter, March ushers in a season of growth and a time of new beginnings. Flowers begin to sprout, buds open on trees, migratory birds return, and many babies are born. Come explore with us as we observe nature Springing Back to Life.
Prepaid registration required. $5 per person/$4 per member
The Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area is a special place, providing habitats for many plants and animals. Students will use their senses to explore this wetland environment and consider the adaptations of the plants and animals seen along the way; Program consists of introductory puppet show, animal adaptations inquiry activity, Exhibit Room discovery, and guided hike. Grades K-2. $4 per person. Prepaid registration required.
$3 per person including siblings and adults. Children ages 3-6, with an adult, will enjoy puppet shows or stories, crafts, hands-on activities, and discovery time on the trail.
Meet a live rabbit, learn about rabbits via a fun, interactive slide show, then hunt for eggs as you hike through the woods. For children ages 2-10 with an adult. Prepaid registration required. $6 per person/$5 per member
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.
Join the community in this effort to complete cleanup projects at parks, trails, creeks, and roadways. To volunteer, please email jessicamiller@elpasoco.com All ages welcome! Preregistration required
Nature lovers ages 8 to 15 are invited to spend time together outdoors and practice their birding skills! In this meeting, we will learn about the very first birds… yeah, this one is 66 million years in the making! Lesson, craft, & birding walk included. $10 per meeting. Prepaid registration required.
Gain confidence and skills in the outdoors with your children this spring! Whether you’re headed out for an afternoon hike or a big camping trip, having some survival skills up your sleeve prepares you for a good time outside. After all, amazing outdoor adventures abound in Colorado! This series is designed to teach children 5 to 10 years old. $145 per child for all 6 classes or $30 per child per class. A parent must accompany each party and are free. Additional adults, please consider a donation.
Other classes include:
Saturday, May 27, 1:00-3:00 p.m. – Basic First Aid
Join us for an evening of excitement, laughs, and rolling dice. We will provide the dice, score cards, nacho bar, and prizes. This Bunco party is for everyone ages 13 and older. All minors must be accompanied by an adult but can venture on their own during game play. Pre-registration required, $8 per person
Introduce your child to mindfulness with Mighty Mindful Kids at the Nature Center! We’ll learn about what it means to be mindful, how using our 5 senses helps us to be present, as well as how we can use meditation to handle big emotions. There will be interactive activities as well as a fun craft. Ideal for children ages 5-10. Each class in this 2-part series will be unique but will also build on each other. Prepaid registration required. $30 per child/ $20 per member child. Sign up for both classes & receive $10 off the total!
A parent must accompany each party and are free. Additional adults, please consider a donation.
We’ll explore the communities of creek, woodland, meadow, marsh, and pond. Students will learn about living organisms, how they interact with one another, discover differences between living and non-living things, producers, consumers and decomposers. The program consists of a video, wetland metaphor activity, Exhibit Room discovery and guided hike featuring a pond study of macro invertebrates living in the water. Grades 3-6. $4 per person. Preregistration required.
Join author Patricia Meredith for a presentation about a facsimile of Edith Holden’s original diary which includes paintings and nature observations from the 1900s. Afterwards, gain inspiration from nature for a diary of your own during a guided hike. Bring a notebook to record observations. Recommended for ages 12+
$5 per person. Prepaid registration 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.
