The Education Department schedules fun and exciting classes that focus on animals and wildlife for kids of all ages throughout the year. Here are the programs that are currently available:
Pamela Cole, insect collector and artist
September 11 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Do you know what makes an insect, an insect? Find this out and more while observing live and mounted specimens.
Rocky Mountain Reptile Rescue
October 23, November 13 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Do you have a fear of snakes? Learn why these animals should be respected wile observing various snake and lizard species. You’ll even have the opportunity to touch one!
Organization for Bat Conservation
October 27 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Do you know what the only flying mammal is? Bats! Observe several live bat species including the largest in the world, the Malayan flying fox. You don’t want to miss this!
Lauren’s Live Animal Days are brought to you by a generous donation from the Lauren Townsend Memorial Wildlife Fund. All special presentations are included with paid regular museum admission.
Hands-on Outdoor Skills for you and your Children
September 25, 10a.m – 2p.m. at The Wildlife Experience
Discover what the great outdoors can offer you and your family. During Wild Outdoor Workshops at The Wildlife Experience, you will learn everything you need to create great memories enjoying the outdoors with your family. Best of all, no experience is necessary, all equipment is provided and you get all the instruction and advice you need from highly skilled outdoor specialists!
The day includes both a morning workshop and afternoon workshop. Five separate workshops run concurrently in the morning and afternoon. Each adult/child group chooses two of the five workshops to participate in.
A Camping Basics.
Learn about the large variety of equipment available when camping alone or with children. Discuss the pros and cons of the gear. Learn about the must-haves with children for an unforgettable experience. Practice preparing your campsite, setting up a variety of tents, and taking down camp. Water treatment, field sanitation, plus bites and stings (tics, fleas, bees, mosquitoes) will be covered. Hands-on. You will be amazed at how your child will thrive in the out-of-doors! All ages welcome.
B Archery.
Learn how to select bows, arrows, and other archery equipment. Target range is set up for participants to try various archery equipment and develop shooting skills. Training on how to apply your skills, judging distance, and various techniques will be offered. A great pastime, an activity most can duplicate in their own backyard, and Olympic sport! (Everything furnished, but if you have a bow, you may bring it.) Must be a minimum of 8 years old.
C The Art of Not Getting Lost – Compass, Map Reading, and GPS Basics.
Hands-on with compass fundamentals, basic topographic map reading skills, and how to read the terrain. Learn to combine the use of a map and compass with a GPS unit. We’ll keep it simple! Venture outside for a short orienteering course. A true confidence builder for adults, parents, and children. All ages welcome.
D Prep for an Outing - Survival and Gear Basics.
Before you practice surviving in woods, you need to get there first! Learn about, handle and try out the best in gear; what to prepare before leaving your house; do you stay or do you go when faced with a survival situation; fire starting, signaling, and shelter construction (particularly important in Colorado where the weather can change without a moment’s notice). If prepared to survive you’re much less likely to end up in a life-threatening situation. You’ll receive a booklet outlining basic survival rules. Feel more comfortable in your ability to cope with the unexpected! By the end of the class you’ll be teaching us how to build a campfire! Bring your personal survival kit if you have one and find out what you might be missing. Lots of hands-on fun for adults and children.
E Trek, Track & Tell – Wildlife Identification with a twist including translating English into ‘wildlife’ – animal calling.
In this wildlife ID and tracking session, learn to read the story animals leave behind by deciphering and IDing tracks and signs of common Colorado wildlife. Whether you're sharing a viewing experience with your family/friends ortaking photos with your camera, animal calling skills enhance every encounter. This is a fun one! Learn with hands-on activities.
Members: $25/Adults, $10/Children 6+
Non-members: $30/Adults, $15/Children 6+
To register download this form and
- Fax to Lee Evans at 720.488.3399
- E-mail it to Lee Evans at levans@twexp.org
- Mail it to Lee Evans at 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker, CO
- Call Lee Evans with registration information 720.488.3344
Signatures and billing address must be included, typed signatures are accepted. Cancelations less than 5 days before the workshop or persons unable to attend due to an unforeseen event are still responsible to pay the program fee.
Evening Lecture Program
Want to learn more about the wildlife around you? Join us September 21 for an evening panel and interactive discussion highlighting living with coyotes and bears along the front range. Learn directly from Colorado’s experts about these magnificent animals.
Doors open 5:30 p.m.
Program begins 6 p.m.
Call 720.488.3344 to register.
Join The Wildlife Experience staff, and spend the night learning about animals from around the world! Enjoy a pizza dinner upon arrival, cruise around the museum for an evening tour and watch a late-night movie in our Extreme Screen Theater. Scouts will also complete activities to earn the new Globeology patch. Wake in the morning and eat some delicious breakfast, finish the patch activities and spend some time in the Discovery Den. The rest of the day is yours to spend at the Museum, enjoying our exhibits and Nature Trail! Call Heidi at 720.488.3385 or e-mail for questions and further information.
Fall 2010
- September 10/11
- October 15/16
- November 12/13
Spring 2010 we will be introducing our new Globeology fun patch program that will earn the girls a Globeology patch! We will explore different biomes and animal from around the globe. Globeology is a very dynamic and interactive journey along a quarter mile path in an expansion of over 25,000 square feet of new exhibit space. Visitors experience many compelling places that help maintain the planet's ecological equilibrium. Along the way, they'll encounter state-of-the-art animatronics and special visual effects, sound effects and interactive touch screens with bio-facts and trivia games that are relative to the different biomes. These features in conjunction with the realistic exhibits provide visitors with a unique and immersive experience with the world's wildlife and habitats.
Price:
- $40 per Girl Scout
- Chaperone (2 free up to 12 girls for Brownies; 2 free for 16 girls for Juniors admitted free)
- $35 Extra Chaperone
Call Heidi Seeland at 720.488.3385 or via e-mail for questions and further information.
Daily Programs in the Galleries
Stop by our Wild Colorado touch cart for “Colorado Creatures” Tuesday – Saturday at 1 p.m. to learn more about animals in our own state while examining pelts, bones and more. Test your knowledge of wildlife at ”Animal Bingo” at 3 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday. Don’t miss “Tuesdays Tales” every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. in Cubs Corner to hear fun animal stories and play with puppets. Be sure to check out “Theater Thursdays” every Thursday at 11 a.m. for a puppet show based on animal adventures. Have the opportunity to learn about our LIVE snake collection at demonstrations at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Join us for “Art in Program Post,” Wednesday and Friday at 11 a.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. to create a special art project to take home with you. Projects may include picture frames, noodle art, bug houses, light catchers, windsocks and more. Due to a limited supply of materials we ask that school and daycare groups refrain from participating in Art in Program Post.
Globeology programs are the perfect way to maximize your exhibit experience. Watch the coral reef come to life daily at the fish feeding at 11:30 a.m. Explore planetary wonder and amazement daily at Science on a Sphere at 1:30 p.m. Visit the Arctic tundra Tuesday – Saturday at 2:45 p.m. and check out the “Global Warming and Wildlife” display to learn about climate change and how it is affecting wildlife in the frozen Arctic tundra.
Click here to see a schedule of our daily programs. Daily programs are subject to change. See the Welcome Board in Discovery Den presented by FirstBank for today’s schedule.
Introducing Program Post
We are proud to announce the opening of Program Post, a new educational activity space located in the lower gallery between the changing art gallery and Wild Colorado. Several daily public programs have moved to this new location including: Live Snake Demos, Art in Program Post (formerly Art in the Den), Africa Adventures and Animal Bingo. The best part of Program Post is that it provides another space for special programming like live animal demos and artist workshops. School Programs and Family Programs will also make use of the space. A complete list of the day’s activities and their locations is posted on the Welcome board at the Discovery Den entrance and at the Program Post entrance. We hope to see you there soon!
Discovery Den presented by FirstBank
The Wildlife Experience created Discovery Den with the adventurous nature of children in mind. Designed for children ages six to twelve, Discovery Den will engage children of all ages and enhance their knowledge of animals and the natural world. Hands-on exhibits such as "Marble Mountain" describe erosion and how it can be minimized to protect wild lands. "H2Ohhhh!!!!" is a fun exhibit that traces the water cycle and addresses the issue of water conservation in Colorado. For adventures from around the world, kids can enjoy special videos presented by The Wildlife Experience's own "Bear Adventurer," Max Brown. Max will show videos in "Max Brown's Theater" that take kids on a world-wide adventure as they learn about animals and habitats in remote parts of the planet. Additionally, there are arts and crafts areas where kids can make their own animal masterpiece. It is here that children develop a life-long curiosity and respect for our natural world.
Cubs Corner
Designed for children ages five and under, Cubs Corner is a place where a kid can be a kid and a place that provides a stimulating environment in which kids can learn basic concepts and ideas about the natural world. Children are encouraged to use their imaginations as they dress up as various animals, or as they learn how beavers construct their dams in "Build Like a Beaver." The gallery also includes a reading area and an arts and crafts area where children can create their own artwork. The "cubs" in Cubs Corner can build and solve puzzles that correlate to specific environments, such as a rainforest, mountain or the ocean. It is here that children are introduced to a wide variety of animals and concepts and where they begin to understand the natural world.
Exhibit Interactives
Many of the galleries throughout the museum host a variety of interactive games for children of all ages. "Prairie Trivia," "Animal Sounds of the World," "Habitat Trivia" and "Nature's Pyramid" add enjoyment and a challenge to our exhibits and galleries. In addition to the many games, public programs led by The Wildlife Experience educators and volunteers are held throughout the day.
Science Bulletins
iodiversity and Earth Bulletins from the American Museum of Natural History provide updates on the latest issues in conservation from around the world. The Bulletins show fascinating graphics on earth events and in-depth coverage on specific current efforts. Visit the AMNH Web site to see what bulletin topics are playing.