Adult Family Programs | The Wildlife Experience

ARCHERY I
June 8: 10 am – Noon
June 22: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
June 22: Noon – 2 pm
July 6: 10 am – Noon

Learn international style target archery utilizing Genesis compound bows which are designed especially for the beginning archer. The Genesis bow takes little effort to draw and is very easy to shoot. During this workshop, we will cover safety, equipment, technique and shooting skills. Our staff is certified through the National Archery in the Schools Program. This workshop counts as a prerequisite for Basic II Archery. Open to all ages 8 and up. Parents must register and attend with children.

Members $15/non-members $18. Register today, call 720.488.3344, payment in full is required during the registration process.

ARCHERY II
May 11: 10am – noon – SOLD OUT
June 8: 1pm – 3pm
July 6: 1pm – 3pm

This fun and challenging 2-hour class will take your archery skills to the next level. Archers will briefly review the “eleven steps to archery success” shooting process, then become proficient at greater distances. Fun for the whole family this course is sure to put a smile on your face.

Prerequisite: Basic I Archery Workshop at The Wildlife Experience. Minimum age is 8 years old. Members $15/Non-members $18. To register, call 720.488.3344 or send an e-mail. Payment in full is required during the registration process.

ARCHERY III

July 27: Noon – 1pm
July 27: 1:30pm – 2:30pm

TWE Archery workshop alumni! Are you looking for an opportunity to practice your new archery skills? Then we have an opportunity for you – Archery III. This workshop is for those archers that have completed both Archery I & Archery II at the Wildlife Experiences. We will have an open range this evening where you can shoot on your own from a variety of distances. A NASP certified archery instructor will be on hand to run the range and provide tips and pointers if you desire. Otherwise, you are free to shoot and hone your archery skills and technique. No worries about the weather this evening as we will use our indoor range.

Fee: $10 members/$12 non-members (includes all necessary equipment and one hour of range time)

Please pre-register by calling 720-488-3344

Nature Nights: An Evening with Dusan Smetana
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
6:30-8:30 p.m.

$5 Museum members/$8 Non-members

View our new exhibit Called to the Sporting Life and meet Dusan Smetana, one of the most recognized international wildlife and sporting photographers. Mr. Smetana will talk about his career and background as a wildlife photographer and lead a special walk and talk in his new exhibit.

A Field & Stream contributing photographer, his work appears broadly in national and international publications by editorial and corporate clients such as Cabela’s, Orvis, Orion Entertainment, L.L. Bean, Winchester, Remington, Outdoor Life, Sports Afield, Forbes Magazine and many others. He has a gifted eye for translating the bedrock experiences that sportsmen and women cherish, and his wildlife images let everyone share the intimacy he achieves with his wild subjects. This exhibit displays the breadth and range of his work.

Pre-registration requested, call 720-488-3344.

Wild Outdoor Workshop: GPS Navigation 101

Saturday, May 4 12:30pm-4pm
Saturday, June 29 12:30pm-4pm

Cost: $15 members/$18 non-members

Interested in using a GPS to navigate the great outdoors or in finding hidden caches in the international treasure hunting game of Geocaching? Join us for an afternoon and discover the ins and outs of navigation. We’ll begin at The Wildlife Experience with a classroom session where we will learn how to use a GPS unit and what it can do for you. We will then head off-site to the nearby Schweiger Ranch just south of the museum to practice our navigation skills in a treasure hunt! Ages 8+ welcome.

Please dress for the weather and keep in mind that it may be muddy. Additional information on exact location and what to bring will be provided to participants the week prior.

Pre-register to reserve your spot, call 720-488-3344. A parent is required to register and attend with children.

Brought to you by:
The Wildlife Experience and the Schweiger Ranch Foundation

Wild Outdoor Workshop: Fly Fishing
May 18 & 25 - Adults & Families, ages 10 & up
June 22 & 29 – Ladies Only, ages 10 & up

Cost*: Cost $99 Members/$110 Non-members
*Participants will need to purchase terminal tackle. A gear list will be provided at the Session I class.

Session I will teach fly fishing basics including trout identification, gear, tackle, and casting technique. This two hour session will meet at The Wildlife Experience at 3:00 p.m.

Session II is a four hour fishing excursion to a local trout stream under the guidance of expert instructors from Colorado Skies Outfitters. Major gear will be provided including rods, tackle and waders. This session will meet at Colorado Skies fly shop at 9:00am. Directions will be provided for the fly shop and the river at the first class.

Pre-registration is required. To reserve your spot, call 720-488-3344.

Wild Outdoor Workshop: Butterfly Gardening – CANCELED
Saturday May 18, 2013 10 am – 1 pm
$5 Members/ $8 Non-members

Spring is here and so are some of Colorado’s most beautiful summer residents, BUTTERFLIES!! Come join The Wildlife Experience and Butterfly Pavilion to learn how to attract these amazing creatures to your own home. We will begin with a presentation by the Butterfly Pavilion on Colorado’s native butterflies. Then head outside to plant a butterfly garden here at The Wildlife Experience with plants provided by Highlands Garden Center. Along the way we will learn which native plants are great for attracting butterflies. Get tips and take-homes to get started on your own butterfly garden at home!

Call (720) 488-3344 to reserve your spot.

Wild Outdoor Workshop: Hiking Skills Adventure
Sunday May 26, 2013 1 pm – 4 pm
$10 Members/ $12 Non-members

Are you interested in hiking but not sure of the proper gear and skills necessary for a successful day hike? Or are you interested in learning more about the wildlife and habitats in our area? Then our Hiking Skills Workshop is for you! We will meet at the museum and briefly cover essential hiking skills such as map reading, safety, ethics, footwear, clothes, packs, poles, food, water and first aid. Following this, we will head off-site to a nearby location and embark on a 3-mile round trip hike. On the trail we will share additional hiking tips and discuss the surrounding habitats. This workshop will be led by Museum Educator, Ed Blum, who is also a veteran hike leader for the city of Aurora as well as a Volunteer Naturalist at Castlewood Canyon State Park.

Ages 7+ Welcome. Children must be able to complete a moderate 3-mile hike.

Call (720) 488-3344 to reserve your spot.

Wild Outdoor Workshop: Camping Skills
Saturday, June 1
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

$15 Members / $18 Non-members

Want to take the family camping but never done it before? Not sure what gear you need? We’ve got you covered! We will start with a presentation by REI staff on the basics of car and family camping. You’ll find that preparation is key as we discuss gear, weather, wildlife safety and other pre-trip concerns. Next, you will learn how to set-up tents provided by REI. The workshop will end with a camp cooking demonstration where you will get to sample a camp meal.

Ages 8+ welcome. Parents must register and attend with their child.

Call 720-488-3344 to reserve your spot.

Wild Outdoor Workshop: Rock Climbing Basics
Saturday, June 15 – Purchase Tickets
Saturday, July 20 – Purchase Tickets
Saturday, August 31 – Purchase Tickets
9:00 am – 2:30 pm

$42 members / $49 non-members (Includes all gear and instruction.)

Have fun on the rocks! Join us at The Wildlife Experience along with Climbing for Life and learn the basics of rock climbing. Skills you’ll learn include: climbing protocols, proper use of communication signals, knot tying, equipment basics and belaying techniques. Then test your new skills out on the cliffs of Castlewood Canyon. Participants will get plenty of time climbing safely outdoors while building confidence and trust under the careful eye of a certified guide and volunteers from Climbing for Life.

This is a five hour workshop; participants will meet at The Wildlife Experience for a 1 hour classroom training and equipment check-out before driving to Castlewood Canyon State Park for some time on the rocks!

Ages 8+ welcome. Parents are not required to participate but must attend with their child. A state park pass is required for the day.

Space is limited to ensure quality time with instructors. Call (720) 488-3344 to reserve your spot.

Wild Outdoor Workshop: Kayaking Basics
Saturday, July 13, 9am – 2pm Reserve your spot
Saturday, August 17, 9am – 2pm Reserve your spot

Cost: $75 members / $85 non-members (Includes all gear and instruction.)

Join us with Confluence Kayaks for a day on the water learning the basics of kayaking! During this 5 hour workshop, you’ll learn the basic skills and techniques needed to get you started with gear and certified instructors provided by Confluence Kayaks. We’ll start at The Wildlife Experience for a 1 hour classroom session, then head to Chatfield State Park for time on the water.
Please bring your swimsuit. and provide your height, weight, and shoe size when registering to ensure you get the correctly sized gear.

Ages 10+ welcome. Parents must register and attend with their child. A state park pass is required for the day.

Space is limited to ensure quality time with instructors. Call (720) 488-3344 to reserve your spot or buy your tickets online.

Wild Outdoor Workshop: Spin Fishing
Thursday, June 6, 9am – noon
Friday, July 5, 9am – noon (Guest Instructors: Lake Ice USA)
Saturday, August 10, 9am – noon
Saturday, September 14, 9am – noon (Guest Instructors: Lake Ice USA)

Cost: $15 members / $18 non-members (Includes all gear and instruction.)

Discover the art of knot tying, casting and landing fish while also learning about the types of fish in Colorado and how to find them. We’ll start with an introduction to spin fishing and practice our casting skills before heading down to the water to try our luck. This workshop will take place off-site at a private lake in the southwest metro area.
Professional fishing guides from Lake Ice USA will be joining us on select dates.

Ages 7+ welcome. Parents must register and attend with their child. Fishing licenses are required for those 16 and older. Season and one-day licenses are available from most sporting goods retailers or online at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website.
Call (720) 488-3344 to reserve your spot.

See animals up close from around the world that you might not have a chance to encounter in the wild. Learn about myths and misconceptions of animals, and how every animal has a role in the ecosystem. Do your part to protect wildlife and habitat for generations to come.

Rocky Mountain Reptile Rescue
January 6, 2013 10am – 2pm
February 3, 2013 10am – 2pm
March 3, 2013 10am – 2pm
April 14, 2013 10am-2pm
May 5, 2013 10am-2pm
June 2, 2013 10am-2pm
Do you have a fear of snakes? Learn why these animals should be respected while observing various snake and lizard species. You’ll even have the opportunity to touch one!

Denver Zoo
January 27, 2013 11am – 2:30pm
Have you had a chance to visit the Denver Zoo lately? Not too worry – we are bringing the zoo to you! Denver Zoo representatives will host a booth featuring various live animals and biofacts like furs and bones.

Butterfly Pavilion
February 10, 2013 11:30am – 2:30pm
Did you know that bugs are an essential part of our ecosystem? Visit the booth and learn bug basics and meet ambassador invertebrate, Rosie the tarantula. This is a great way to confront your insect insecurities!

The Traveling Sea
March 17, 2013 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Do you know how ocean invertebrates move, eat and protect themselves? Learn about some of the ocean’s smallest treasures while exploring The Traveling Sea touch tank. Take the opportunity to hold live sea stars, hermit crabs and more!

Colorado Wolf Adventures
April 7, 2013 12pm – 2pm
Have you ever seen a live wolf up close and personal? Meet a wolf-hybrid ambassador and learn about wolf history, biology and their significance in the animal kingdom. Have your picture taken with the wolf for a small donation to help support Colorado Wolf Adventures and The Wildlife Experience.

Nature’s Educators
April 28, 11:30am – 2:30pm
What animals have hooked beaks, sharp talons and excellent eyesight to help them hunt? Raptors of course! Learn about bird anatomy, hunting strategies and habitats while you meet amazing live ambassador birds.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
May 12, 12pm – 2 p.m.
Interested in learning about animals from around the world? Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is bringing their ZOOM (Zoo on the Move) outreach program to the museum! Several live animals will be shown which may include skunks, snakes, prairie dogs and more.

OUTREACH
Bring The Wildlife Experience to you! Outreach pricing is $80 per program. Locations within 30 miles round trip from The Wildlife Experience are included in program fee; travel fee applies for locations greater than 30 miles round trip. For more information or to book an outreach, contact Erin Kendall at 720.488.3327.

Globeology
A journey of discovery awaits you with this program based on our 25,000 square-foot exhibit, Globeology, which spans seven different habitats, known as “biomes”, from around the world. By investigating the skulls and skins of exotic animals, you’ll learn about places such as the Savanna in Africa, the Arctic Tundra and the Tropical Rainforest and the variety of wildlife that call these places home.

Incredible Invertebrates
They may not have a backbone, but invertebrates are some of the most resilient creatures on earth! Discover why this group of animals, comprised of 97% of the animals on earth, are so successful, their important roles with in the animal kingdom and interact with a few of the museum’s live animals!

Spine Spotlight
Salamanders and turkeys and turtles oh my! Vertebrates cover a wide array of animals and exhibit some of the most unique and ingenious adaptations on the planet. Explores the worlds of birds and reptiles and amphibians and fish and their unique behaviors and characteristics and get up close and personal with some of the museum’s own unique vertebrates!

ONSITE MUSEUM TOUR
Onsite programs are $12 per senior which includes museum admission, a guided tour, and one of our Extreme Screen Theater films. Your visit is enriched and enlivened by a docent-led tour of the museum’s galleries and presentations on our six-foot diameter globe on Science on a Sphere.

For more information about booking an onsite tour or to make a reservation, contact our reservationist 720.488.3344.

Adult and Family Programs Sidebar

DAILY PROGRAMS IN THE GALLERIES

The Wildlife Experience is pleased to facilitate interactive programs in the galleries throughout the day. Check out the daily program offerings posted at the Discovery Den entrance for a complete list of today’s programs. Programs may include, but are not limited to:

Traveling Exhibit Programs

Find your way to GPS Adventures for fun, hand-on activities all about navigation February 11 – May 27. If weather permits, we’ll go geocaching on the museum grounds! Indoor activities include: secret
word scavenger hunt, paper plate compasses, learning cardinal directions and how to read a map.

Journey through Paint the Parks to learn more about our national parks system March 9 – June 16. Activities may include: national parks trivia games, “Can you find…” activities and a biofact cart
featuring bones, feathers, furs and more from animals living in our national parks.

Globeology Programs

Watch the coral reef come to life in Globeology in our live fish feeding program. Learn about one of the planet’s most significant and fragile ecosystems.

See the world from an astronaut’s view with our Science on a Sphere. View data sets about animal migrations, tsunamis, earthquakes, lightning strikes and more.

Make new and exciting discoveries on a guided tour of Globeology with museum volunteers and staff. Find critters you may not have seen before on the Creepy Crawly Tour, learn awesome animal facts
on the Strange but True Tour and more.

Live Animal Demos

Meet our resident animals during a live animal demonstration. Get an up close look at snakes, frogs, salamanders, cockroaches and other live critters.

Wonders of Nature Programs

Take a walk outside on the museum grounds to explore the wonders of nature (weather permitting). Activities may include: sensory scavenger hunt, sculpture tour or geocaching adventure.

If the weather is too poor to enjoy an outdoor activity we have a lot of options for indoor activities. These may include: scat and tracks, nature journals, craft projects, story time, bingo and more.