Step back in time and explore the fascinating world of early small engines — also known as hit-or-miss or skip motors — that once powered farms, mines, and more. Watch these historic machines in action, including a museum model that's more than 100 years old. Learn how they worked, what made them so reliable, and why they were essential to everyday life. Drop in anytime during the event — no registration required!

What are bugs? Some are tiny, others are big. Some are colorful, some fly. Some can sting, and others can jump. Come explore the life of the creepy crawly. Learn about what makes a bug, a bug, and the different types of insects that live in Boulder County.

The animals of the Walker Ranch ecosystems are all around, but they are experts at staying hidden. We are recruiting citizen detectives to help track their movements by identifying the secret clues they leave behind. Join this mission to learn about critters large and small and how to search for the amazing animals of Walker Ranch. This program is geared toward children ages 6 to 8, but all are welcome. Registration required.Register .tribe-events-c-subscribe-dropdown{display:none;}

Join volunteer naturalists on a moderate 2.5-mile hike to explore Hall Ranch's remarkable geology. During the hike, you'll observe different rock formations that took millions of years to form. Learn more about how the mountains and canyons in this area were created while taking in incredible views!Registration required.Register .tribe-events-c-subscribe-dropdown{display:none;}

Drop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to go inside the historic Altona Schoolhouse where students studied and played from 1880 to the World War II era. Volunteers will be on hand to share the school’s history and restoration with visitors. If time allows, you can take part in a game or spelling bee.

Have you ever been curious about those colorful gems flying over pond and stream? Join volunteer naturalists to learn about the amazing life of dragonflies and their damselfly cousins, including their acrobatic flying, huge multi-faceted eyes, convoluted mating schemes, and behavioral quirks. Sign for this program on the Louisville Public Library website. .tribe-events-c-subscribe-dropdown{display:none;}

Join us for a special open house at the Assay Office Museum, a surviving structure from the heyday of hard rock mining in the Colorado mountains. Discover how miners once tested ore for valuable metals using assaying. Explore original tools and historical artifacts and hear stories from the mining boom era. Learn about the families who lived and worked in this rugged landscape and helped shape the region's rich mining heritage. This is a must-visit for anyone passionate about mining history, geology, or Colorado history. No registration needed.

Join us to learn practical strategies that can be implemented for improving land resilience in our changing climate. Managing our natural resources more efficiently, improving our land management, and using well adapted plant species can better prepare our land to deal with drought, temperature fluctuations, floods, and more. Registration required. Register .tribe-events-c-subscribe-dropdown{display:none;}

Discover the drama of eclipses—nature’s most impressive shadow play. We’ll explore how lunar and solar eclipses happen and why they don’t occur every month. This program offers a fascinating look at how moving shadows reveal the motions of Earth, Moon, and Sun. Presentations will be at the picnic shelter, followed by stargazing in the parking area. The Longmont Astronomical Society provides telescopes. Bring a chair or blanket, a light jacket, and a red flashlight, and get ready to enjoy a night under the stars! Registration required. Register .tribe-events-c-subscribe-dropdown{display:none;}

Step into Colorado’s hard rock mining past with this guided tour of historic sites once buzzing with picks, pulleys, and perseverance. Discover the tools, towns, and larger-than-life characters who shaped the region’s mining boom. Tours include moderate walking and are open to ages 10 and older with an accompanying adult. This tour involves visiting historic mining sites. Due to their nature and history, these sites may contain soil and water contaminated by heavy metals. Registration required. Register .tribe-events-c-subscribe-dropdown{display:none;}

Bring the whole family for a nighttime adventure at Walden Ponds! We’ll learn about Boulder County’s amazing bats, why they’re important to nature, and what challenges they face. We’ll use a bat detector to listen in on their high-frequency calls and explore the park’s nighttime soundscape. A fun and educational adventure for nature lovers of all ages!Registration required.Register .tribe-events-c-subscribe-dropdown{display:none;}

Join volunteer naturalists for a late-summer walk along the 1.3-mile Lichen Loop to explore the ancient rock formations and landforms that shape Heil Valley Ranch. This moderate trail includes some rocky, narrow sections. We’ll move at the pace of our most curious hiker, with limited benches available for rest.Registration required.Register .tribe-events-c-subscribe-dropdown{display:none;}

This inclusive trailhead event allows park users to both stand and sit to watch birds. Spotting scopes and optics will be available to borrow and use. This is a drop-in event for anyone who wants to see birds. All ages and skill levels are welcome. We will be under the shelter near the parking lot.

Strike it rich! Try your hand at gold panning and learn how the search for treasure sparked the European settlement of Boulder County. Do you have what it takes to uncover gold like a 19th-century prospector? Fun for kids 5 and older (and grown-ups, too). Registration required. Register for the Noon Session Register for the 12:45 Session Register for the 1:30 Session .tribe-events-c-subscribe-dropdown{display:none;}