Bear Creek Nature Center

245 Bear Creek Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

520-6387

www.elpasoco.com/parks

Garden Stepping Stones Saturday, June 7, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Homemade stepping stones are a great way to personalize your garden or  walkway.  Choose from various materials for your own creation, and enjoy a tour of the Bear Creek Xeriscape Gardens. ($5.00, reservations required, 520-6387)

Little Wonders: Great Grasshoppers Tuesday, June 10, 10:00 - 11:00 a.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.  ($2.00/person, reservations required, 520-6387)

Guided Bike Ride: Santa Fe Trail Saturday, June 14, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. June is Bike Month!  Enjoy a ride along the Santa Fe trail with stops along the way to learn about the natural and cultural history of this historic path.  Bring your own bike, helmet, water and snacks.  Ages 6+ only.  ($2.00, reservations required, 520-6387)

Bear Creek Nature Camp: Bugs and Birds Monday-Friday, June 16-20, 9:00 a.m.-Noon

No Child Left Inside is the Nature Centers’ campaign for 2008. We never outgrow our need to play outdoors. Dedicated staff and volunteers are committed to restoring the bond between children and nature!  Camps are for children entering grades 1-5 and include naturalist-led hikes, interactive activities, puppet shows, storytelling, crafts, T-shirt, camp photo and much more. $90 for half-day sessions; $130 for full-day sessions. Discounts and scholarships available. Contact: Allison Plute 520-6972, or AllisonPlute@elpasoco.com

Trouble in our Forests Wednesday, June 18, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. With recent droughts, fire suppression and beetle infestation, trouble is brewing for our homes and forests along the Front Range.  City Forester Dennis Will and Firewise Program manager Chris Barth reveal how to improve the survivability of our homes and forests with potential solutions for reducing wildfire risk and treating mountain pine beetles. ($3.00, reservations required, 520-6387)

Summer’s Hummers Saturday, June 21, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Join ornithologist and photographer Steve Vaughan for an indoor presentation on these teeny feathered wonders, then go outside to find them along the trails.  ($3.00, reservations required, 520-6387)

Mountain, Canyon and Creek: Exploring the CO Birding Trail Saturday, June 21, 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. City, County, and State Parks have teamed up to offer guided walks for birders of all levels.  (FREE, reservations required, 520-6387)

Little Wonders: Terrific Turtles Tuesday, June 24, 10:00 - 11:00 a.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.  ($2.00/person, reservations required, 520-6387)

Bear Creek Nature Explorers: Fun with Frogs Thursday, June 26, 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 - 2:15 p.m. Children, ages 4-5 with an adult, will enjoy hands-on nature activities, puppet shows, crafts, and a hike.  ($3.00/person, reservations required, 520-6387)

Frog Fest Special Event Saturday, June 28, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Frogs are in trouble.  Find out what is happening, what you can do to help, and learn more about these hopping herptiles with live animals from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, exhibits, crafts, and more! ($4.00/person, reservations required, 520-6387)

Fountain Creek Nature Center

320 Pepper Grass Lane

Fountain, CO 80817

520-6745

www.elpasoco.com/parks

Kid’s Fishing Derby Saturday, June 7, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Kids ages 16 and under are invited to catch the “big one” and win prizes at the Willow Springs Ponds where everyone is a winner. Learn the basics of fishing, cast for prizes, and catch trout.  Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.  Registration starts at 8:00 a.m. or pre-register by calling 520-6745.  (FREE)

Beaver Sunset Hike Friday, June 13, 6:45 – 9:00 p.m. Enjoy the sunset and discover what’s happening during a walk at Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area.  Sightings of aquatic animals and more are guaranteed. ($3.00, reservations required, 520-6745)

Fountain Creek Nature Camp: Nature Defenders Monday-Friday, June 16 - 20, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. No Child Left Inside is the Nature Centers’ campaign for 2008. We never outgrow our need to play outdoors. Dedicated staff and volunteers are committed to restoring the bond between children and nature! 

Camps are for children entering grades 1-5 and include naturalist-led hikes, interactive activities, puppet shows, storytelling, crafts, T-shirt, camp photo and much more. $90 for half-day sessions; $130 for full-day sessions. Discounts and scholarships available. Contact: Nancy Bernard 520-6745 or NancyBernard@elpasoco.com

Bond at the Pond Saturday, June 21, 9:00 a.m. - Noon Grandparents, parents, mentors and kids will form special relationships during this fun-filled activity.  We’ll look at pond life, crawdads, frogs, and make an old- fashioned fishing pole and try fishing at Willow Springs. ($4.00, reservations required, 520-6745)

Fountain Creek Nature Adventures: Have to have a Habitat Wednesday, June 25, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Children ages 3-6, with an adult, will enjoy stories, hands-on activities, crafts, and discovery time on the trail. ($3.00/person, reservations required, 520-6745)

2’s and 3’s Outdoors: Frogs & Friends Friday, June 27, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Share in the joy of your 2 or 3 year-old child’s discoveries as he or she enjoys a story and explores the outdoors. ($2.00/person, reservations required, 520-6745)

Firefly Celebration & Night Hike Friday, June 27, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Make a firefly craft, learn about the fascinating lives of fireflies, and hike to find these elusive natural wonders in the park. ($4.00, reservations required, 520-6745)

Lizards, Snakes & Turtles Alive Saturday, June 28, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.  Get an up-close look at the adaptations of live reptiles as Mountain Aire Reptile Rescue & Sanctuary shares stories about the recovery of animals under their care.  ($5.00, reservations required, 520-6745)

 

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