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Providers

Providers are agencies (federal and state), non-profits, science centers and other organizations in Western Colorado committed to educating youth about the environment and providing nature/outdoor experiences. 

Providers are listed by county, with a link to their exceptional programming opportunities.

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​Black Canyon Audubon Society
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The BCAS is one of 11 National Audubon Society chapters in Colorado. The BCAS is committed to the conservation of natural resources through birding, conservation, and education. We promote the conservation of natural resources through informative public programs, educational activities, field trips and stewardship projects. One of our premier educational opportunities for youth involves fall bird banding activity stations at Ridgway State Park. This half day of learning includes a visit to the banding table to see birds in the hand, a bird hike while learning how to use binoculars, an interactive game about the challenges of migration, an avian food and habitat analysis activity, and an activity related to bird adaptations (bills and feet). Classroom bird skin programs can also be requested of the BCAS education staff.
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Grade: all grades, age groups, families, seniors
Language: English (Spanish if requested)
Experience Type: Outdoors: Canyons/Rivers, Classroom, Lecture
Cost: no cost
Website: Black Canyon Audubon

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​Black Canyon Boys and Girls Club is at the forefront of youth development.​​
Black Canyon Boys and Girls Club (BCBGC) provides programming that focuses on social & emotional development, educational enhancement & leadership skills, and healthy lifestyles. BCBGC located in Montrose and Olathe provides after school and summer programs for youth ages 6-18. Program activities focus on helping youth attain leadership skills, decision-making skills, positive behaviors, successful life skills, creativity and cultural awareness. There is an emphasis on positive use of leisure time, and an appreciation for the environment. After-school programs include homework help, technology activities, sports and more.  Summer camps include sports, STEM activities and field trips.
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Grade: ages 6-18. 
Language: English
Experience Type: Outdoor/indoor class
Cost: After school program $100/year; summer camps vary $90 (Montrose) or $50 (Olathe) per child per session, Scholarships available.
Website: bcbgc.org/home


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The Montrose Regional Library offers programming for children under 15 and their families incorporating early literacy, science and art.
The library provides weekly and monthly programming, as well as summer and off site programs.  The library has sponsored several outdoor field trips and nature programs annually or as special funding allows, such as a nature "Bioblitz" where students visit a natural area such as the Black Canyon National Park and respond to nature challenge questions.
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Grade: K-12 school programs, youth summer programs, adult programs
Language:
English, Spanish
Experience Type:  Library, school classroom, outdoors field trips
Cost:  free
Website:  http://www.montroselibrary.org/


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​The District offers applied science opportunities through the Outdoor Club, Farm to School programs and problem-based learning.
The following district supported programs offer applied science learning opportunities:
Outdoor Club provides high school students with experiential, standard- based, on-site specific stewardship opportunities across Western Colorado and Eastern Utah.
Problem Based Learning (PBL) is a student-led STEM program implemented throughout all grades encouraging critical thinking, communication and collaboration on real world problems.
Valley Food Partnership Farm to School (VFP FTS) is a health and wellness nutrition education program seeking to inspire access for student and families to healthy foods and lifestyles connecting schools and communities with local farms and agriculture. VFP FTS offers both school and summer programs (for more information contact:
Jake Wilson (970 261 3329 jake@valleyfoodpartnership.org)
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Grade: Classroom programs/Stewardship Field Trips 9-12th grade; School gardens K-5
Language: English (Spanish translators available upon request)
Experience Type: Indoor/outdoor classrooms, field trips
Costs: Varies, scholarships and financial assistance available
Website: Montrose High School


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Montrose Recreation District (MRD) offers year-round youth programs designed to promote outdoor activities and interaction with nature, or challenging youth to try new outdoor sports endeavors.
MRD offers archery, climbing, mountain biking, tennis, swimming, soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, flag football and more! There is also a growing after-school program at the Field House. For current offerings, please refer to the website and  printed seasonal activity guides. Several summer camp options are scheduled including  Summer Adventures (age 6-10) and Club 1114 (age 11-14). These are structured afternoon programs that run Monday-Thursday for 8 weeks over separate 4 week sessions. Three day micro-camps run several times throughout the summer. Each has a specific focus, such as wilderness adventure, paddle boarding/river surfing, wrestling, jujitsu, and skateboarding.  Ages vary, but typically are 7+. Friday field trips are individually offered throughout the summer.
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Grade/Ages: Vary depending on programs: 6 to 14 years of age, 
Language: English (Spanish translators may be available at the larger programs)
Experience Type:  indoor/outdoor classrooms at CRC, Field House, Columbine Middle School, or field trip locations.
Cost: Vary, scholarships and financial assistance available. 
Website: montroserec.com/


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​​Montrose Botanical Gardens
offers children’s programs on plantings, garden art, pollinator activities, edible gardens, and holiday festival activities.
Located in the high desert, the Montrose Botanical Gardens are an inspiration and an invaluable educational tool for all ages to learn about native plants, seeds, pollinators and how to create amazing gardens. Montrose Public Library provides related readings on garden topics and activities at each youth event.
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Grade: all grades, age groups, families, seniors
Language: English (Spanish if requested)
Experience Type: Outdoor
Cost: Children 5-18 years $3, adults $5, families of four $12
Website: montrosegardens.org/

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The Ute Indian Museum offers educational opportunities directly related to our community’s early native history.
Programs are related to historic preservation and archaeology for students, teachers, families and adults. The museum has a native plant garden and 9 acres of land associated with the museum which includes several teepees. The complex also includes shady picnic areas, walking paths, the grave of Chipeta, a memorial to the Spanish conquistadors who traveled through the area in 1776 and a link to the citywide trail system. The Museum frequently offers featured events such as fry bread class and hands-on history day camps (ages 6-10). An environmental and botanical program is currently being developed.
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Grade:  Pre K-12, adults and families, spring break camps (grades 1-5)
Language: English
Experience Type: Classroom at the Museum, outside gardens and grounds
Cost: free programming, financial assistance available for schools  bus fund for schools (historycolorado.org/history-colorado-bus-fund; Museum entrance fees: Students $3.50, Seniors $5, Adults $6
Website:  historycolorado.org/ute-indian-museum
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U. S Park Service
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - South Rim

With a paved drive, park visitor center, and large campground, the South Rim is the busier, more developed side of the park. The visitor center is staffed with rangers and has exhibits, the park film, and a bookstore.
The park has age-relevant Junior Ranger activity books.  The colorful books are geared for ages 4 to 6 and 7 to 12, but parents can decide which one they want.  Older kids and adults like filling them out, too, so spread the fun and share with however many people you have.  The book, “Official Black Canyon pencil,” and junior ranger badge are all free.  You can pick the book up at the South Rim Visitor Center.
The National Park Service provides curriculum-based education programs guided by Colorado P-12 Academic Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Both in-classroom programs and field trip experiences are offered free to schools. Please go to the website for scheduling.
The park is a designated International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) possessing an exceptional quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment. The park partners with the Black Canyon Astronomy Society and regularly provides night sky viewing at the telescopes site near the campground. An astronomy festival is held in September, 2020 (moved from its usual week in June) with many nighttime events.
Three hiking trails and Gunnison Point Overlook may be accessed from the visitor center. Maps, newspapers, junior ranger books, and wilderness permits are available there.
There are 12 overlooks and several hiking trails along the South Rim and a campground near the Visitor Center. Ranger programs take place during the summer season at the nearby amphitheater.  The park also provides  opportunities for camping, fishing, wildlife observation, and many climbing routes. Winter activities include cross country skiing on the rim road, snowshoeing and backcountry winter camping.
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Location: 7 miles north on CO Highway 347 from the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 east of Montrose.
Grade/Ages: Presentations/programs for all ages
Language: English
Experience Type:  indoor/outdoor, range led field trips in the Park
Cost:
Park entrance fee 
Website:  nps.gov/blca/index.htm

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The Ouray Ranger District
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest (GMUG)
The District Office is located in Montrose, Colorado. The District participates as a partner in community/school district sponsored youth education events such as the 4th grade Natural Resource Day, Public Land Day, Cottonwood Days, Outdoor Festivals, and other special events.  The District staff make an effort to accommodate specific requested for school or community field trips to the National Forest and requests for specific presentations. 
Dave Wood Interpretative Trail, located at the National Forest boundary on Dave Wood Road is designed for hikers to experience the typical habitats of the Uncompahgre Plateau. The guide can be downloaded from the web or obtained from the District Office.
The GMUG National Forest Website provides links to a variety of EE publications on forest related ecosystems to help our youth understand our resources: the GMUG Geology Coloring Book, Junior Ranger/ Snow Ranger booklets, Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl publications, the Lorax Activity Guide, Discovering Your Forest, Pollinators and much more.
Learn how the dynamic geology of the area has shaped the land and settlements of western Colorado—download the road logs with descriptions of the geology of McClure Pass, Kebler Pass, Imogene Pass and the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway. Road Logs
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Grade/Ages: Presentations/programs for all ages
Language: English
Experience Type:  indoor/outdoor classrooms, field trips to the forest
Cost: free 
Contact:Ouray Ranger District (970) 240-5300
Website:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/gmug/learning
NF Conservation Education: www.fs.usda.gov/main/conservationeducation/home


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Shavano Valley Conservation District
Shavano Conservation District serves as the grassroots leadership to the Natural Resource Conservation Service in the protection and conservation of our natural resources.  The Conservation District sponsors the annual Children’s Natural Resource Festival for fourth graders in Montrose County and Ouray County. Children learn about all aspects of the area’s natural resources including the path of the Colorado River, healthy soil and soil erosion, aquatic insect identification, leave no trace principles, National Parks, agricultural irrigation systems, waste water treatment, recycling, and much more!
A resource specialist from the district visits each classroom prior to the festival to engage the students on they importance of natural resources and conservation.
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Grade:  K-12
Language: English
Experience Type: Classroom- Lecture/activity/experiment, Outdoors- learning stations
Cost: free
Website: https://www.shavanocd.org/



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Step back in time and a get a hint of what life was like in the early days of Montrose.
The museum, located in downtown Montrose is the original 1912 Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Depot where the narrow gauge railroad operated daily passenger and freight trains in the 1800s. Operated by the Montrose Historical Society, the museum houses numerous collections of the regions pioneer families and other facets of the area’s history including Native Americans, homesteaders, farmers, ranchers, railroaders, and miners. Outdoor artifacts include tractors, caboose, carriages, a stagecoach, ice wagon, and 2 furnished cabins.  Tours (Public and school groups), special exhibits and events such as the “pioneer social” are provided at the museum.
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Grade: Youth and school groups (pre K-12th grade), adults.
 Language: English (Spanish translators)
Experience Type:  Tours of Indoor/outdoor artifacts, group activities
Cost:  $1/student/teacher  
Website: montrosehistory.org/

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We all have something to learn from the horses whether we are horse owners and long time equestrians, brand new beginners, simply curious about horses or even afraid of them! Using horses to guide you to your best personal self! Metphorse facilitates and provides support, clarity and lasting skill sets to assist individual’s personal growth
Metaphorse specializes in assisting those surviving trauma to move forward into balanced thriving lives, helping corporations and families learn healthy communication skills while honoring each other’s unique ways of communicating and leadership styles as well as setting healthy boundaries.
Several workshops are offered specifically designed to build self-confidence, empowerment, strengthen intuition and to reveal your personal style of leadership. Whether you need help with clear communication; managing co-workers, juggling a home full of children while balancing a career, the horses will guide us to the best version of ourselves. We help you learn the “message behind the emotion” to foster growth and understanding of your experience.
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Grade/Participants: Services provided to youth and adults of all abilities, survivors of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Autism Spectrum, and physical impairments.
 Language: English
Experience Type: Outdoor/indoor environments
Cost: contact us for more info on costs of various workshops
Website: https://www.metaphorse.com/#1 

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Ridgway State Park offers a variety of recreational, outdoor and educational activities.
The park offers nature programs, wildlife viewing/monitoring, school field trips, summer activities/camps, camping, boating, picnicking, summer speakers series, winter hikes and programs, fishing events, archery, community events, and family programs. Park staff provides materials to classrooms, host teacher trainings through CPW, raptor monitoring training, butterfly monitoring training, small-mouth bass fishing contest, disabled veterans’ fishing and hunting, special needs fishing events, and specifically designed field trips at teachers' request such as forestry, pollinators, stewardship, and wildlife SCI investigations. Every fall, bird banding demos are held  for students and the public. Their volunteer group, Friends of Ridgway State Park, pays half the cost for busing from any school that attends one of their field trips.
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Grade: All ages, Can accommodate 120 students outdoors and 40 indoors
Language: English
Experience Type: school yard, classroom, field trips in the park, indoor or in shelters, overnights and a combination of the above.  
Cost:
Park Entrance fee $8
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoParksandWildlife/

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The museums mission is to educate children and adults in the history and culture of the American West through the collecting, historic preservation, stewardship, restoration, and display of historical buildings and artifacts.
The park offers nature programs, wildlife viewing/monitoring, school field trips, summer activities/camps, camping, boating, picnicking, summer speakers series, winter hikes and programs, fishing events, archery, community events, and family programs. Park staff provides materials to classrooms, host teacher trainings through CPW, raptor monitoring training, butterfly monitoring training, small-mouth bass fishing contest, disabled veterans’ fishing and hunting, special needs fishing events, and specifically designed field trips at teachers' request such as forestry, pollinators, stewardship, and wildlife SCI investigations. Every fall, bird banding demos are held  for students and the public. Their volunteer group, Friends of Ridgway State Park, pays half the cost for busing from any school that attends one of their field trips.
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Grade: All ages, Can accommodate 120 students outdoors and 40 indoors
Language: English
Experience Type: school yard, classroom, field trips in the park, indoor or in shelters, overnights and a combination of the above.  
Cost:
Park Entrance fee $8
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoParksandWildlife/


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Arts for All (A4A)
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Every child deserves an opportunity for creative expression. Arts education is vital for the health and well-being of children. Arts for All offers Gift Model after-school and summer indoor and outdoor arts programs in Paonia and has expanded to Hotchkiss in 2019.  A4A provides high quality, in-school music performances at each of the North Fork elementary schools. Currently A4A has an ongoing community project intended to increase arts access in the community. This is a clay-based relief mural which encourages students to create a story and express it through a coordinated picture illustration in the mural. The mural is built with clay that is cut into tile, fired, glazed, and finally assembled and grouted onto a permanent weather safe frame. A4A is a collaboration between The Learning Council, The Mountain Harvest Creative and The Blue Sage Center for the Arts. Kid’s classes and events are an important part of the mission of the Blue Sage offering dance, drama, film making, orchestra, choir, fine art and more to the kids of the North Fork Valley.
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Grade: all ages, community mural calls (4th -8th grade)  
Language: English
Experience Type: indoor classroom programs, outside mural project
Cost:free
Website:bluesage.org
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Bill Heddles Recreation Center (BHRC) is the hub for all things recreation in Delta County
BHRC offers a variety of programs and activities for all ages in the realm of sports, fitness, family fun, and outdoor recreation.

BHRC is home to an assortment of sports facilities and programs that include volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, flag football, racquetball, swimming, weights, yoga, dance, and land/water fitness classes. Fun and adventurous trips such as hiking, rafting, mine tours, skiing, and special events (baseball games, dinner theatre, etc.) are also available each season with experienced guides.

Located at Confluence Park – facilities in the area include a pavilion, event arbor, grills, picnic shelter/tables, walking/running trails, disk golf course, pickleball/tennis courts, wildlife viewing, boat launch to Gunnison River, handicapped fishing access, outdoor fitness station circuit, skate park, sports fields, pedestrian bridge, single track mountain bike trail, playground, restrooms, RV dump, and dog park. There is also a large lake at Confluence Parks that is a popular location for outdoor activities such as fishing, paddle boarding, canoeing, and bird watching.
Outdoor Heritage Day (OHD) is an annual event held the first Saturday in June each year. OHD hosts partners and vendors that introduce our community to outdoor sports, events, places, and safety. Activities for families and youth at OHD include paddle boarding, pump track, archery, scavenger hunts, games, contests, lunch, mascots, and lots of fun for all!

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Grade/Ages: Vary depending on programs: Youth Programs 3 to 14 years of age | Adult Programs ages 15+ 
Language: English (Spanish translators may be available at the larger programs)
Experience Type:  Indoor/outdoor classrooms, sports courts/fields,  Confluence Park, and various field trip locations.
Cost: Vary by program, scholarships and financial assistance available. 
Website: cityofdelta.net

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Crawford and Switzer State Parks
Crawford and Switzer State Parks provides wildlife viewing, recreational opportunities, educational programs and a variety of activities from boating, camping, picnicking, fishing, wildlife viewing and school field trips.
Some of the programs these parks offer include school field trips in the spring and the fall, summer youth programs and field trips, special events, winter hikes and programs, fishing events, archery, community events, family programs.
Environmental education projects include: hosting teacher trainings through CPW, a partner with The Nature Connection, and specifically designed field trips at teacher’s request such as forestry, fishing, stewardship, water based programs, local geology, and archery
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Grade: All ages, Can accommodate 100 students outdoors and 20 indoors
Language: English
Experience Type: school yard, classroom, field trips in the park, indoor or in shelters, overnights and a combination of the above. 
Cost: Park Entrance fee $8
Website: 
https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoParksandWildlife/

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The Delta County School District (DCSD) offers applied science opportunities through The Nature Connection and Farm to School
The Nature Connection (TNC) is the outdoor education and recreation hub for Delta County and Olathe, serving K-12 school-based programs and summer camps.
The DCSD Farm to School is a health and wellness nutrition education program seeking to inspire students and families to choose healthy foods and lifestyles. This program connects youth with local farms through K-12 programs.
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Grade: K-12th grade
Language: English, Spanish translators upon request
Experience Type: indoor/outdoor classrooms, field trips, summer programs
Cost: Varies, scholarships and financial assistance available

Websites:
The Nature Connection: 
​
thenatureconnection.net/

Farm to School: 
sites.google.com/deltaschools.com/farmtoschool


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At Fort Uncompahgre on the Old Spanish Trail, stand where tribes and trappers exchanged furs for guns, knives, beads and other prizes of the sprawling frontier.
Your history lesson begins!

Historians re-enact period roles at this living history and interpretive center. Re-enactors demonstrate primitive outdoor/survival skills during the following special events:
  • Trade Day Saturday
  • Mexican Heritage Day Celebration
  • Colorado Old Spanish Trail Day
  • Spring and Winter Encampments
  • Delta Heritage Day (June)
Self-guided tours, scheduled group tours, youth group activities and summer camps are available. This facility is  administered by the Interpretive Association of Western Colorado and is located at 440 North Palmer Street, Delta.
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Grade: PreK-12th grade scheduled tours with historians; Summer Camp K-8th grade, all ages and families welcome
Language: English (Spanish translators)
Experience Type: On site activities outside/indoor
Cost: 12 years and younger free; families $15, 4th grade$3/student, teachers/chaperones free); youth summer camp (Fort Awesome) scholarships and financial aid available.
Website:  fortuncompahgre.org/for-kids/

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The Learning Council provides community education with a focus on the arts, agriculture and practical skills
​The Learning Council offers after school and summer arts programs for elementary age students in subjects from filmmaking to circus arts, a strong mentorship opportunity for youth through the North Fork Community Band, as well as cooking and other classes. The Learning Council is the founding agency/sponsor for the North Fork School of Integrated Studies, a public Waldorf-inspired arts school. The Learning Council collaborates with Mountain Harvest Creative and the Blue Sage to offer Arts for All.
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Grade: all ages,
​Language: English
Experience Type: indoor classroom, outside projects
Cost: free
Website: thelearningcouncil.org

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Crossroads Park, the gem of the North Fork Pool, Park & Recreation District is a mecca of outdoor activities for all ages and interests
Crossroads Park serves the communities of Hotchkiss, Paonia, and Crawford. The Park is home to the North Fork Pool, the District office, concession stand, restrooms, soccer fields, mountain bike trails, a bicycle pump-track, a climbing boulder, log challenge course, picnic shade structures, and a ball field complex.  The District also manages the Apple Valley tennis/pickle ball courts, and the skate park in Paonia. 
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Grade: Pool: (Summer only): swim classes for all ages,  water aerobics/lap swim (adults), open swim for all; Pickleball: adults; Skate Park: Unsupervised (over 7 year old); Other: (all ages) Bicycle amenities, climbing boulder and challenge course (parental supervision)
Experience Type: outdoor pool and team sports activities
Cost: Pool: $4 - $5 per day. Punch cards and season passes available.
Website: northforkrecreation.com
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U.S Forest Service
Paonia Ranger DistriCT

The Paonia Ranger District is part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest. The District Office and staff are located in Paonia, Colorado. Staff can connect educators with Junior Ranger/Snow Ranger booklets, Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl publications, the Lorax Activity Guide, Coloring book, Discovering Your Forest, Pollinators and much more.
District staff can provide classroom presentations on forestry, geology, wildlife, wilderness, Snow Safety/Snow Science and Leave No Trace concepts, and may accommodate a field trip to the National Forest. Please request well in advance!
Additional outreach programs:

National Public Lands Day at Lost Lake Campground, Smokey Birthday at Paonia Library, Delta County High School Forestry Day, Winter Ecology- Skis for Kids on the Grand Mesa NF, Earth Day Events, Conservation Days at Paonia River Park, Cottonwood Days at Gunnison Gorge NCA, Cherry Days Festival (Paonia),Outdoor Heritage Day in Delta.   
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Grade/Ages: Presentations/programs for all ages
Language: English
Experience Type: indoor/outdoor classrooms, field trips to the forest
Cost: free 
Contact:  Paonia Ranger District (970) 527-4131
Website:  
www.fs.usda.gov/main/gmug/learning
NationalForestConservationEducation: www.fs.usda.gov/main/conservationeducation/home

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U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area
Just north of Montrose in west-central Colorado lies the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (NCA), a diverse landscape ranging from adobe badlands to rugged pinyon and juniper-covered slopes. At the heart of the NCA, the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area encompasses a spectacular black granite and red sandstone double canyon formed by the Gunnison River.
Visitors are invited to explore the NCA’s daunting depths and wild, natural landscapes by foot, horseback, kayak, raft, mountain bike or motorized vehicle on designated routes.​The NCA provides a number of river access sites for non-motorized boating and fishing. For more information, a map and brochure, go to the website below.

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Grade: all ages,
Language: N/A
Experience Type: outdoor:hiking, fishing, camping, kayaking, rafting
Cost: free

Website: Gunnison Gorge NCA

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U.S. Park Service
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park- North Rim
The North Rim of the BCNP is rugged, offers limited services, and provides ample access to the inner canyon—the North Rim is the quieter, more primitive side of the park. The ranger station is open intermittently in the summer and closed in the winter. In the summer, maps and newspapers are available on the ranger station porch. There are 5 overlooks you can visit by car, and more along the hiking trails. Hikes include two longer trails and one short loop trail. Intrepid visitors flock to the North Rim for rock climbing and inner canyon scrambling routes.

Location: The North Rim is 11 miles southwest of Crawford. From CO Highway 92; turn west on Black Canyon Road approximately 3 miles south of Crawford. Follow the road signs to the park. The last 7 miles of the park access road and the entire North Rim Drive road are unpaved gravel. Typically, the roads are in good condition and passable by most vehicles. In winter, these roads are unplowed and the North Rim is closed to vehicles.

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Grade/Ages:  no programs offered at North Rims
Language:  English
Experience Type:   trails, overlooks, camping.
Cost:  Park entrance fee 
Website: nps.gov/blca/index.htm


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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery

The Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Hatchery System. The Hotchkiss NFH is open to the public, and welcomes visitors to the hatchery for a close up view of the fish production process. One can explore the Visitor Center (open 7:30am to 4:00pm Monday -Saturday) and raceways. Educational programs of hatchery production processes and tours are provided for the public and school groups during business hours when scheduled in advance (call 970 872-3170 or email craig_eaton@fws.gov). Five covered picnic areas on the 58 acre hatchery grounds are available for visitors to relax and picnic. Bring your binoculars and test your observation skills at the watchable wildlife viewing area with views of the surrounding canyon areas and many wildlife species. A short, wheelchair-accessible, self-guided tour is available at the hatchery as well
The hatchery participates in local public fishing festivities such as the Delta Outdoor Heritage Day at Confluence Park. Families and friends are invited to join the hatchery staff, volunteers, and sponsors for this fun-filled fishing event
Location: Hotchkiss NFH is located at 8077 Hatchery road, about 20 miles east of Delta, CO near the town of Hotchkiss

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Grade: All ages
Language: English
Experience Type: indoor visitor center, outdoor facilities  
Cost: free
Website: https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/fisheries/hotchkiss.php

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U.S. Bureau of Land Management

This provider information is under construction. 
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Whether you want to take a ride, camp in nature, hone your skills or give the experience of horses to your child, this farm has been created for you. It is a place for adventure, play, and growth.
We offer programs for the young, and young-at-heart. Camps for the littles, trail-rides, individual lessons, or just a night under the stars. Re-charge, re-connect, learn to ride or to just have fun!
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Grade: All ages (youth and adult)
Language: English
Experience Type: outdoor, trails, farm environment
Cost: fees vary (scholarships through FOYAN available)
Website:
www.4legadventures.com/

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Provider Information
more details on provider....
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Grade:
Language:
Experience Type:
Cost: fees vary (scholarships through FOYAN available)
Website:


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enjoy learning about horses in a peaceful non-judgmental environment from those with experience and who care.
Dare to Dream Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) equine assisted learning facility located in Austin, CO.  We offer classes for foster kids and at-risk youth; veterans and first responders; individuals with special needs; and western riding lessons. 
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Grade: All Ages (youth and adults)
Language:  English
Experience Type: Outdoor (trails) and Indoor (stables)
 Cost: fees vary (scholarships through FOYAN available)
Website: 
www.daretodreamincorporated.com/
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Colorado Canyons Association (CCA) provides environmental education and guided recreation in the three National Conservation areas in Western Colorado.​
Colorado Canyons Association is a non-profit organization working in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management to provide environmental education and guided recreation in the three National Conservation areas in Western Colorado: Gunnison Gorge, Dominguez-Escalante, and McInnis Canyons National Conservation Areas. CCA provides both land and water educational tours of these public lands, as well as instructional hikes and talks led by local professionals.
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Grade: all grades, age groups, families, seniors
Language: English (Spanish if requested)
Experience Type: Outdoors: Canyons/Rivers, Classroom, Lecture
Cost: reduced cost for schools
Website: https://www.coloradocanyonsassociation.org/
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The Outdoor Program is Colorado Mesa University’s headquarters for outdoor adventure and education.
This is a student-fee funded organization whose purpose is to offer and promote affordable, safe and environmentally-conscious outdoor trips. Training and equipment rentals are also offered.

The Outdoor Program is available to anyone (student, alumni or a member of the local community) seeking adventure on Colorado’s Western Slope. The program provides local land  and water trip plan ideas gear lists, meal plans, and can connect you with websites to obtain proper permits. Gear can be reserved at the rental shop.
 (see Gear Rental page)
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Grade: Adults, families, Enrolled CMU  students
Language: N/A
Experience Type: CMU-sponsored outdoor trips for enrolled students, trip guidance for community members, instructional videos on gear use.
Cost: N/A except for equipment rentals (varies by equipment) 
Website: coloradomesa.edu/outdoor-program


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The Eureka! McConnell Science Museum provides youth with exposure to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) education through hands-on learning.​
Inspiring a passion and respect for math and science in our communities since 1999, Eureka's programs engage and encourage youth to develop critical thinking skills and increase their science literacy—the keys to enabling the next generation of innovators. At the Eureka! McConnell Science Museum, the learning is in your hands with nearly 100 interactive, hands-on exhibits from astronomy to zoology, and everything in between. Eureka! also offers summer camps, after-school and “no school day” programs, family programs, senior (age 55+) trips, Friday Flicks, special events, and guided visits.
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Grade: Classroom programs/Field Trips  K-8th grade, Pre-school Programs, after-school and "no school day" programs K-8th grade, summer camps (preK-12th grade), Overnight Expedition Camp (4-12th grade)
Language: English (Spanish translators available)
Experience Type: School classroom,  indoor/outdoor classrooms at Eureka!, field trips, summer camps/overnight camps, field trips for ages 55+
Cost: Varies, scholarships and financial assistance available
Website:  https://eurekasciencemuseum.org/