Outdoor News Daily

COLORADO SPRINGS – Celebrate No Child Left Inside Weekend, Oct. 3-5, with your family at a Colorado State Park by involving children in outdoor activities that are an alternative to the electronic playgrounds of video games, television and hi-tech toys.

The events in the Pikes Peak area start with An Evening with Richard Louv on Oct. 3. Louv, author of the best-selling Last Child in the Woods, will speak at 7 p.m. in the Pikes Peak Center at 190 S. Cascade Ave. in Colorado Springs.

The event is hosted by Colorado State Parks and 13 partners, including the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds, the Catamount Institute, Colorado College, Sanborn Western Camps, American Camp Associations, El Paso County Nature Centers, Pikes Peak Community Foundation, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Pikes Peak group of the Sierra Club, Teller County Public Health and Fort Carson.

Louv, who won the prestigious 2008 Audubon Medal, will speak about the importance of unstructured outdoor play and the benefits to children’s physical and emotional well-being. The term nature-deficit disorder was coined by Louv to describe how youngsters throughout history spent most of their time outdoors, but now spend most of their time indoors. He will also talk about the impact on the future of the conservation and environmental movements.

Tickets for the Louv presentation are $10 for general admission, $7 for educators and $5 for students. Tickets are available at the Colorado Springs World Arena and the Pikes Peak Center box offices and through Tickets West at (719) 520-SHOW. There will be an additional $2 fee for online and telephone purchases.

For additional details, e-mail info@catamountinstitute.org or call the Catamount Institute at (719) 471-0910. During the No Child Left Inside Weekend, both Cheyenne Mountain State Park and Mueller State Park will be hosting events in the Pikes Peak area:

Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Saturday, Oct. 4

10 a.m. Who Lives Here? Meet at the trailhead parking lot to hold a cougar skull, wiggle a deer’s loose tooth or stick your hand into the mouth of a black bear’s skull. Ask questions about the park’s wildlife and head out with binoculars to see extreme behavior in a prairie dog colony.

1 p.m. Trail Savvy – How Observant Are You Meet at the visitor center to learn how NOT to miss all the cool stuff on the trail. Park staff will offer tips on being a terrific nature observer. Head out to take the Un-natural Trail Challenge to spot camouflaged objects.

Sunday, Oct. 5

10 a.m. Talkin’ Turkey: Meet at the visitor center and learn about the animal that look, move and sound funny. One lucky person will be selected to dress as a turkey and lead the group in practicing calling and gathering turkeys on the trail. More turkey adventures as well!

1 p.m. Wild Art in the Park: Meet at the visitor center to join a naturalist in discovering hidden places and treasures that many people never see. Head into the wild to build a nature journal from the textures, adaptations and structures seen along the trail.

Mueller State Park
Saturday, Oct. 4

10 a.m. Aspen Nature Hike: Meet at the Grouse Mountain Trailhead to enjoy the golden splendor of the golden aspen trees by joining a volunteer naturalist for a nature hike. The 2.0-mile trail is rated moderate. Wear hiking shoes; bring water, sunscreen and a snack.

7 p.m. Colorado Critters: Gather at Mueller State Park Amphitheater to learn what’s rustling in the bushes The park naturalist will discuss the smaller inhabitants of Mueller and the role they play in nature. Learn how to observe without disturbing them. Dress warmly.

Sunday, Oct. 5

10 a.m. Preacher’s Hollow Hike: Meet at the Preacher’s Hollow Trailhead to enjoy a leisurely hike and experience the breath-taking beauty of fall with the park naturalist. The 2-mile loop, rated moderate, features a scenic aspen and montane meadow trail. Bring water and wear hiking shoes.

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