Outdoor Explorations Program
"We don't own the Planet Earth, we belong to it"
~ Steve Irwin
NWDC's Outdoor Explorations Program (OEP) offers a nature-based enrichment experience that fosters adventure, learning, and environmental stewardship. OEP serves children ages 5-17.
OEP is on a hiatus for the 26-27 school year. To stay connected, we are offering a new Friday camp series that includes the same educational and adventurous programs you know and love. . .
BIOQUEST
Our new Bioquest Camp Series is offers three 5-session Friday camps during the school year. These camps are designed for students interested in science and conservation who want to gain skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, research, and more. Students will study invasive plant species, native mammal conservation, and raptor conservation.
Inspired by Future Problem Solvers’ Global Solutions Challenge and the 6-step problem-solving method, these camps will encourage Budding Biologists to ask questions, think through problems, and propose creative solutions. Registration opens on OCTOBER 8th.
We never want cost to be a barrier to your child's chance to experience quality nature education. We are happy to offer partial scholarships for those who demonstrate the need for financial assistance.
Do you know a student who loves science and the outdoors? Does your Budding Biologist love to come up with creative solutions to problems?
Outdoor Explorations Program
Grades K - 12 | Ages 5 - 17
(On-Hiatus for the 2026-2027 School Year)
A Nature-Based Learning Experience
The Outdoor Explorations Program (OEP) is an extended enrichment program designed for homeschoolers ages 5 - 17 who love nature. OEP emphasizes preparedness, mindfulness, and environmental responsibility through respectful expedition behavior. Students practice Leave No Trace principles, participate in stewardship projects benefiting local wildlife, and collaborate with organizations like the Raptor Center and Pueblo Zoo to make meaningful local conservation impacts.
Where We Explore
OEP is primarily based at our River Campus in Pueblo, with opportunities to explore the Mountain Campus in Beulah, immersing students in riverbanks, prairies, and mountain trails. At the Raptor Center, students experience up-close learning with ambassador birds of prey, gaining a deeper connection to conservation and ecology.
Hands-On Learning & Outdoor Skills
Throughout the year, OEP students engage in practical outdoor skills, including:
- Fishing techniques and archery
- Animal tracking and wildlife identification
- Gardening and ecological restoration
- Annual science fair featuring student-led natural science experiments
These hands-on activities provide real-world experience, fostering critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity in a supportive outdoor setting.
Contact Us
- NWDC Program Coordinator –
education@hikeandlearn.org
Ages Accepted: 5 – 17
OEP serves children ages 5 - 17, from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade! Students must be at least 5 years old by September 30th.
Locations
With the NWDC River Campus as our home base, students will also get to explore Lake Pueblo, City Park, the Pueblo Zoo, and of course, our very own Raptor Center!
