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May 2020
Tracking Wildlife in Rocky: Signs of Creatures Big & Small
A story exists all around us as we walk through the woods. Animals use the same area we do, but often go unnoticed since much of their activity occurs off trails, at night, or early or late in the day. Do you know how to read the signs they leave behind? If not, this class is for you. Walking through the woods, along streams and in meadows we will look for animals and their signs, visit den sites used by…
Find out more »Orienteering for Beginners: Map & Compass Basics in RMNP
This course is intended for the recreational hiker who has little or no experience reading a topographic map or working with a compass. Learn about map sources, map vintage, next generation U.S. topo maps by U.S.G.S. and map symbology. Learn to read contour lines, recognize landforms, calculate percent and angle of slope and become familiar with compass components, compass bearings and correcting for magnetic declination. More topics include overland navigation via map and compass and triangulation. The class will combine…
Find out more »Birding RMNP by Ear
Birds are far more often heard than seen – but learning to identify them by ear can be a challenge. This course will introduce the most common bird sounds of Rocky Mountain National Park. We will begin with a field trip in the morning to several different habitats, to hear and practice identifying as many birds as possible. In the afternoon, we will reconvene indoors for a class session to reinforce and extend the learning from the morning. Both indoors…
Find out more »June 2020
Hidden Valley Nature Hunt: A Virtual Geocache Adventure
Using a GPS unit, discover the natural treasures of the Hidden Valley area. Follow the clues left in nature to uncover the hidden mysteries located in this subalpine ecosystem. This class is designed for children who want to spend time in Rocky Mountain National Park learning about nature while enjoying the adventure and fun of practicing a new skill. (This class is recommended for first-time geocachers.) Meets at Hidden Valley
Find out more »Rocky Mountain Survivor: Kids’ Survival Basics!
Thunderstorms? Bears? Trails that lead to nowhere? Learn to prepare for whatever nature throws your way! IKids can learn the basics of outdoor survival, from what to pack for a hike to how to survive a night alone in the wilderness. Learn to make a fire and build a shelter from materials found outdoors. Meets at the Moraine Park Discovery Center
Find out more »Kids’ Fly-fishing & Stream Ecology
Fly-fishing is a sport that dates back centuries, and it draws beginners and seasoned anglers alike to Rocky Mountain National Park. Kids have a unique opportunity here to learn what fly-fishing is about — what lives in the riparian ecosystem, the aquatic food web, fly-casting techniques — and, finally, to dip their lines. (All fly-fishing gear will be provided.) Entrance into Rocky Mountain National Park is included in the registration fee. Ask for details when you register. Meets at Moraine…
Find out more »Kids’ Map & Compass Exploration
Introduce kids to how maps work, how to read a legend, and how to create their own map through a fun exploration of the surrounding environment. Using games and a navigational scavenger hunt, kids can discover the parts of a compass and useful mapping techniques. Kids will gain a basic understanding of navigation as well as develop the ability to plan a route and orienteer with or without a compass. Meets at Hidden Valley Picnic Area
Find out more »Birding the Life Zones
Rocky Mountain National Park is a birder’s paradise during the nesting season. This two-day class will explore the various ecosystems (life zones) of the park to find 50-70 bird species. We will identify hawks, falcons, eagles, ducks, white-tailed ptarmigans, brown-capped rosy-finches, swifts, broad-tailed hummingbirds, swallows, tanagers, sparrows, warblers, American dippers, wrens, woodpeckers, owls, nuthatches, chickadees, kinglets, jays, common ravens and other corvids, and a number of other members of the area’s avifauna. We will discuss the natural history of both…
Find out more »Hidden Valley Nature Hunt: A Virtual Geocache Adventure
Using a GPS unit, discover the natural treasures of the Hidden Valley area. Follow the clues left in nature to uncover the hidden mysteries located in this subalpine ecosystem. This class is designed for children who want to spend time in Rocky Mountain National Park learning about nature while enjoying the adventure and fun of practicing a new skill. (This class is recommended for first-time geocachers.) Meets at Hidden Valley
Find out more »July 2020
Kids’ Map & Compass Exploration
Introduce kids to how maps work, how to read a legend, and how to create their own map through a fun exploration of the surrounding environment. Using games and a navigational scavenger hunt, kids can discover the parts of a compass and useful mapping techniques. Kids will gain a basic understanding of navigation as well as develop the ability to plan a route and orienteer with or without a compass. Meets at Hidden Valley Picnic Area
Find out more »Kids’ Fly-fishing & Stream Ecology
Fly-fishing is a sport that dates back centuries, and it draws beginners and seasoned anglers alike to Rocky Mountain National Park. Kids have a unique opportunity here to learn what fly-fishing is about — what lives in the riparian ecosystem, the aquatic food web, fly-casting techniques — and, finally, to dip their lines. (All fly-fishing gear will be provided.) Entrance into Rocky Mountain National Park is included in the registration fee. Ask for details when you register. Meets at Moraine…
Find out more »Hidden Valley Nature Hunt: A Virtual Geocache Adventure
Using a GPS unit, discover the natural treasures of the Hidden Valley area. Follow the clues left in nature to uncover the hidden mysteries located in this subalpine ecosystem. This class is designed for children who want to spend time in Rocky Mountain National Park learning about nature while enjoying the adventure and fun of practicing a new skill. (This class is recommended for first-time geocachers.) Meets at Hidden Valley
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