Image of Visit COS Award with Bear Creek Nature Center in the background

All programs require pre-registration. Please call the nature center or check website for current status.

CONTACT: Mary Jo Lewis, Nature Center Supervisor

719-520-6388

maryjolewis@elpasoco.com

Bear Creek Nature Center; 245 Bear Creek Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

ONLINE REGISTRATION: www.elpasocountynaturecenters.com

Night Sky/Milky Way Photography Workshops at the Paint Mines

Friday, July 1, 9:00 p.m. – Saturday, July 2

These guided overnight photography workshops led by Mike Pach of 3 Peaks Photography & Design will include how to photograph the Milky Way and the stars as points of light, how to photograph star trails, light painting techniques, how to post-process your images in Photoshop and Lightroom. Limit 6 participants. Prepaid registration required $300 per person

Nature Explorers: Bedding and Building

Wednesday, July 6 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. & 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

$3 per person including siblings and adults. Discover the world of nature with your 4- or 5-year-old.

July Forest Bathing Walk

Wednesday, July 6, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

Experience the therapeutic practice of Shinrinyoku and awaken your senses with a slow, mindful walk through the woods and a beautiful tea ceremony. More info at: www.listeningpines.com Prepaid registration required. $30 per person/ $20 per member

Little Wonders: Ants on Parade

Thursday, July 7 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. & 1:00 – 2:15 p.m.

$3 per person including siblings and adults. Discover the natural with your 2- or 3-year-old.

Children’s Mindfulness Series

Saturdays, July 9, 16, & 23, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Introduce your child to mindfulness with Mighty Mindful Kids at the Bear Creek Nature Center! We’ll learn about what it means to be mindful, how using our 5 senses helps us to be present, as well as how we can use meditation to handle big emotions. There will be interactive activities as well as a fun craft each week. Ideal for children ages 5-10. Each class in this three-week series will be different. Sign up for all three classes to receive $15 off your total! A parent must accompany each party and are free. Additional adults, please consider a donation. Prepaid registration required. $30 per child/$20 per member child

Active Adults: 50 Species Challenge

Saturday, July 16, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Have you ever found an insect, plant, or animal you didn’t know much about? Let’s get curious about the world in our backyard and find 50 unknown species in the park to identify! Prepaid registration required. $4 per person/$3 per member

Sustainability Series: Pickling & Water Bath Canning

Wednesday, July 20, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Learn how to pickle vegetables, fruit and summer relish. You will learn tested and research- based techniques to safely pickle. Covers water-bath canning basics to ensure safe preservation. This is a hands-on workshop where you will water bath can a jar of pickled green beans to take home with you! Prepaid registration required. $10 per person

July Forest Bathing Walk

Saturday, July 23, 1:00-3:30 p.m.

Experience the therapeutic practice of Shinrinyoku and awaken your senses with a slow, mindful walk through the woods and a beautiful tea ceremony. More info at: www.listeningpines.com Prepaid registration required. $30 per person/ $20 per member

NEW Santa Fe Open Space Sunset Photography Workshop

Saturday, July 23, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Photographer Mike Pach of 3 Peaks Photography & Design will guide this evening photography workshop ending at sunset at the newly opened New Santa Fe Open Space in Palmer Lake. Bring camera with wide variety of lenses and tripod/ monopod if you have one. All skill levels. Limited participants. Prepaid registration required. $20 per person

Night Sky/Milky Way Photography Workshops at the Paint Mines

7:00 a.m. Sunday, July 31, 9:00 p.m. – Monday, Aug 1, 7:00 a.m.

These guided overnight photography workshops led by Mike Pach of 3 Peaks Photography & Design will include how to photograph the Milky Way and the stars as points of light, how to photograph star trails, light painting techniques, how to post-process your images in Photoshop and Lightroom. Limit 6 participants. Prepaid registration required $300 per person