Let us supplement your science, history and geography curriculum with one of our free programs. Whether a classroom visit or a field trip, we can tailor our programs to enhance a variety of curriculum topics and meet a number of state and district standards.
Field Trip & Program Requests
Nature Programs
Enhance your environmental studies with hands-on field trip experiences and classroom activities.
History Programs
Explore the agricultural, mining, and pioneer history of Boulder County through these interactive cultural history programs.
Please request programs at least one month in advance.
We have lots of opportunities to enhance environmental studies with hands-on field trip experiences and classroom programs.
Explore Your Environment Program
This free program is designed for students in grades 3-5 and helps them develop an eye for observation, appreciation, and conservation of our natural world. It starts with an environmental program in your classroom and is followed up on another date with a visit to one of our open space properties.
Field Trips
Field trips can be arranged for any grade level.
- Wetlands Exploration at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat or Pella Crossing
- Foothills Ecology at Heil Valley Ranch
- Birds and their Habitat at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat, Pella Crossing, or Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm
- Wildlife, Habitat and Life Zones at any of the above properties plus Betasso Preserve, Bald Mountain Scenic Area, Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain, Caribou Ranch, or Mud Lake
- Geology Hikes at Heil Valley Ranch, Hall Ranch, Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain, Caribou Ranch, or Mud Lake
- Request a Field Trip or contact Angela Borland, 303-678-6215
Classroom Programs
Classroom programs can be arranged for any grade level.
- Living Map (room-sized map of Boulder County used to teach about water resources, geology, wildlife and life zones)
- Backyard Wildlife, Wildlife in Winter, Insects and Spiders, and other wildlife and natural history topics
- Geology with 3-D map of Boulder County and hands-on demonstrations and activities
- Request a Program or contact Angela Borland, 303-678-6215
Middle & High Schools
More advanced field trips, presentations, and citizen science projects can be arranged by contacting Angela Borland, 303-678-6215.
Bus Funding
Limited bus funding is available for Boulder Valley School District and St Vrain Valley School District schools needing assistance with transportation costs. Please contact
Jim Drew
720-564-2290
Explore the agricultural, mining, and pioneer history of Boulder County through these interactive field trips.
Agricultural Heritage Center
Take a guided tour of the Ag Heritage Center and experience early 1900s farm life first-hand. Exhibits include live animals, a fully furnished 1909 farmhouse, and interactive displays about farming. After a guided tour, stay to enjoy lunch on our picnic grounds. Teachers can choose to add on one of several prepared natural history lessons at nearby McIntosh Lake.
- Request a Program or contact Jim Drew, 303-776-8688
Altona Schoolhouse
Visit the historic Altona Schoolhouse at Heil Valley Ranch and choose from three program options (each one takes approximately one hour):
- 1880s School Day
- World War II School Day
- Mining History: Explore Boulder County’s gold, silver, and tungsten roots
The schoolhouse comfortably fits up to 25 people, or about one class. If your group is larger, we will split your group so half “attend school” while the other half hikes a nearby trail for the hour, then switch the groups. This option makes for a two-hour program combining natural and cultural history.
Field trips available any day of the week May-October. Morning field trips begin at 10 a.m.
- Request a Program or contact Sheryl Kippen, 303-776-8848
Nederland Mining Museum
Take advantage of this free, unique opportunity to fulfill curriculum requirements for history and science. This field trip for up to two classes, or about 50 students, can include two sites: The Nederland Mining Museum, where students engage in hands-on activities about Colorado mining history, and Mud Lake Open Space, which offers students the chance to explore the foothills ecology and wildlife with a Volunteer Naturalist. Groups spend about an hour at each site. Morning field trips during the schoolyear begin at 10 a.m.
School field trips are available Sept. 18, Sept. 25, and Oct. 2. Summertime visits also available.
- Request a Field Trip or contact Sheryl Kippen, 303-776-8848
Walker Ranch School Days
Geared toward classes in 3rd-5th grades studying local and state history, we offer hands-on field trips at the Walker Ranch Homestead to explore the lives of the Walker family. Students try their hands at churning butter, doing laundry on the washboard, and compare ranch life in the late 1800s to today. Field trips run 10 a.m. – noon.
School field trips available May 1-5 and Sept. 11-15.
- Request a Program or contact Sheryl Kippen, 303-776-8848
Bus Funding
Limited bus funding is available for Boulder Valley School District and St Vrain Valley School District schools needing assistance with transportation costs. Please contact
Jim Drew
720-564-2290
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Scout groups, adult classes, faith-based groups, community clubs and organizations of eight or more are all welcome.
It depends on the location. Most locations can accommodate between 40-60 people.
Yes. Our programs are aligned with a number of the grade level expectations for Life Science, Earth Science, History and Geography standards. We can provide more specific information about alignments to certain programs upon request.
Yes. Limited bus funding is available for Boulder Valley School District and St Vrain Valley School District schools needing assistance with transportation costs. For information, contact Jim Drew, 720-564-2290.
We ask that you schedule programs at least 4 weeks in advance. Reservations are taken up to a year in advance.
We have a few naturalists with Spanish language skills – with advance notice we can plan a bilingual English-Spanish program.
We welcome children with special needs to our programs, but need advance notice to be adequately prepared. You must bring an aide or assistant who is familiar with the children. When you register, we can discuss with you any special preparations or limitations.
Field trip sites have outhouse pit toilets, but no running water. Groups should bring drinking water and hand sanitizer if desired.
Sites have shelters or picnic tables available for you to enjoy. Please mention your desire for a picnic lunch when you register so we can reserve the shelter for you when possible.
There is a collaborative effort among all the EE providers in the county. To learn more about educational opportunities, visit https://emovement.org/for-educators/
Request a program using one of our special program or field trip request forms found on our event registration website. If you do not have a Discover Boulder County account, you’ll need to create one. But it’s easy and we only use your contact information to communicate about events you register for. We will never sell or give your information to a third party.
- Agricultural Heritage Center Tour Request
- Alton Schoolhouse Tour Request
- Classroom Program Request
- School Field Trip Request
- Walker Ranch Homestead Tour Request
Direct Contact
If you would rather contact someone directly:
- Nature Programs: Angela Borland, 303-678-6215
- History Programs: Sheryl Kippen, 303-776-8848