SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2008

STARSMORE DISCOVERY CENTER
At the Park's east entrance
2120 S. Cheyenne Cañon Road
Phone:  719-385-6086
September - October Hours:
9 A.M. – 4 P.M. Wed - Sat.
10 A.M. – 4 P.M. Sundays

HELEN HUNT FALLS VISITOR CENTER
At the top of the Cañon
4075 N. Cheyenne Cañon Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Phone: 719-633-5701
September - October Hours:
10 A.M. – 4 P.M.   WEEKENDS only


For more info, contact 385-6086 or www.springsgov.com, search “Starsmore calendar.”

Programs co-sponsored by the Friends of Cheyenne Cañon,
www.cheyennecanon.org

Donations are welcome for all free programs.

Discover the Rocky Mountains in North Cheyenne Cañon Park!



*School Programs at Starsmore
To schedule a program for your students, call 385-6086.

This fall’s outdoor school programs are conducted at Starsmore Discovery Center in Sept. and Oct.  Each program corresponds to State Science Standards.
Cost is $2.00 per student.


Andy's Animal Senses
Ages 3 – 5; Wed. morn, Thurs. afternoons
“Andy” the puppet helps preschoolers learn to experience nature with their 5 senses.

Nature Detective
Grades K – 2; Wed. – Fri.
Explore North Cheyenne Cañon Park through hands-on activities.

Wildlife Habitats
Grades 1 – 3; Wed. – Fri.
Find out more our native wildlife and their habitats by hiking to the “habitat log” learning stations.

 
 
*Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center
Hours:  Saturdays & Sundays, 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.
September & October Weekend Programs
Programs are Free.  Reservations NOT required.

Presentation del Dia
Ongoing topics may include Animal Tracks, Geology, Gold Panning, Helen Hunt Jackson, Zeb Pike’s Pack, Julia Archibald Holmes’ Haversack, and American Indians of the Pikes Peak Region.

Guided Nature Hikes on the Silver Cascade Falls Trail
11 A.M. and 2 P.M.
Hike with a park interpreter to the top of Silver Cascade Waterfalls. Discover the wonders of the diverse ecosystems in this beautiful Cañon. The trail is 1/3 mile one way, elevation gain of 200 feet.


September and October 2008 Programs

STARSMORE DISCOVERY CENTER
Reservations NOT required.

*Weekly Programs in September and October

At Starsmore    Free!  Reservations NOT required.

Discovery Walk
1 P.M. on Saturdays and Sundays

Enjoy a family outing while exploring the beautiful Lower Columbine Trail. This easy one-mile hike (round trip) begins on the west veranda of the Discovery Center and follows North Cheyenne Creek. Discover more about Colorado Springs’ own mountain park and its wildlife.


Technical Rock Climbing

2:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. every Saturday
Space is limited. First come, first served.
Challenge yourself and scale our indoor, granite climbing wall. Learn about climbing safety, proper equipment, and technique from a trained belayer. Climbers must be at least 4’6” tall and wear closed-toe shoes.

The Journey of Starsmore
Upon request Wed. – Sundays

This inspiring 14-minute movie tells the story of Mary Starsmore and how her stone home was moved and transformed into the Discovery Center.

*Special Event

Canvases in the Cañon Art Show
North Cheyenne Cañon Park at Helen Hunt Falls & Starsmore Discovery Center
Monday, September 1, 2008
10 A.M. – 4 P.M.
Free; reservations NOT required.

Watch local artists in action as you stroll near the creek and waterfall
of North Cheyenne Canon Park. Paintings and photography will be exhibited outside at Starsmore Discovery Center and Helen Hunt Falls. Artists will donate 15% of sales to the Friends of Cheyenne Canon for park preservation and programs. (Note: Colorado weather is unpredictable and may cause cancellation of this outdoor event.)
Please call 385-6086 for more information.


 
Park Stewardship

Trail Maintenance Day
Saturday, September 13
8:30 A.M. – 1 P.M.
Free. Call 385-6086 for required pre-registration. For adults and youth ages 14 and older.
Help take care of this 123-year-old city park by working on the trails in North Cheyenne Cañon. Lunch provided for volunteers by the Friends of Cheyenne Cañon. Bring water, gloves, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, and wear sturdy boots
and long pants.

Cañon Clean-up
Saturday, September 27
8:30 A.M. – 1 P.M.
Free.  Call 385-6086 for required pre-registration. For adults and youth ages 14 and older.
Help make this natural treasure sparkle! Volunteer to clean North Cheyenne Cañon Park. Lunch provided for volunteers by the Friends of Cheyenne Cañon. Bring water, gloves, sunscreen, hat and insect repellant; wear sturdy shoes and long pants.


*Discovery Programs

For children accompanied by an adult:

Family Fun with Maps, Compasses, and GPS Units
Series of 3 Programs (attend 1, 2 or all 3 programs)
Free. Reservations Required -385-6086.

Where's "X" on the Map?
Saturday, September 6
10 A.M. – 11:30 P.M.

For ages 7 and older with an adult. Create your own simple map then test your map-reading skills to find hidden treasures.

Treasure Hunt by Compass
Saturday, September 13
10 A.M. – 11:30 P.M.

For ages 7 and older with adult.
Learn how to operate an orienteering compass by setting and following bearings, and then navigate your way to places with “cached” prizes.

GPS/Geocaching for the Navigationally-Challenged
Saturday, September 27
10 A.M. – 11:30 P.M.

For ages 10 and older with adult.
Learn the basics of using a GPS unit for navigation,then practice your skills by entering “waypoints” of nearby geocaches and try to find them on the actual
land.

"Cafeteria-Style" Programs at Starsmore
You pick the Saturday and topic (subject to staff/volunteer availability).
Saturdays in October, 10 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
For groups of 6 to 15 (adults + children)

Gather your friends and family for a special program experience specifically tailored to your group’s interest and ability level. Program is free but donations are appreciated.

Topics:
Frogs, Toads, and Origami; Basics of Bird Identification; Butterflies and Their
Relatives; Plaster-casting Animal Tracks; Pat’s Wild Cañon Adventures; Wildlife Habitats


No Child Left Inside Weekend
October 3 – 5

Visit Starsmore and/or Helen Hunt Falls this weekend.  Go on a Discovery Hike
at 1 P.M. Saturday and Sunday, explore the hands-on exhibits, and enjoy discovering the natural world with your children, family or friends in your mountain park!

"Wild About Wildlife" Project WILD - Early Childhood Workshop
Saturday, October 4,  9 A.M. – 3 P.M.

Instructors: Lynda Grove & Brenda Holmes-Stanciu
For all people who work with young children, especially preschool – grade 2. For information about registration and fee, call Lynda Grove at 4731741, ext. 139, or email Lgrove@hsppr.org.

Participate in activities that exemplify “No Child Left Inside.” Discover exciting ways to share nature with others, discuss age-appropriate techniques, explore literature connections, increase your personal knowledge of the natural world, and create materials to use with your students. Participants will receive the Early Childhood Project WILD activity guide. Leave enthused and prepared to help your early childhood students learn to love the natural world!

One Bicycle, One Family
One GREAT Green Adventure!
Sunday, October 5
2 P.M.
Free. Reservations Required – 385-6086
Looking for an alternative family vacation that’s filled with adventure, family bonding and a small carbon footprint? The Lieber Family embarked upon a family
vacation, an experiment in outdoor "simple" living, and a life-changing adventure. Our family of four, including children ages 9 and 10, went for a bike ride. Trains, planes, trams and buses and our feet carried us and our gear to Yorktown, Virginia. Our bike ride began with dipping our tire in the Atlantic Ocean, and then we started riding towards our home in Colorado. We did not know, nor care, how many miles we would cover. We were immersed in grass roots America, camping each night in locations discovered along the way. We cycled with all of our gear... no wimpy sag-wagon for us. All this on ONE long, yellow bike, built for four... the
ultimate SUV! Please join us for a special PowerPoint presentation as the Lieber Family shares their cycling adventure. The program will include travel tips,practical “how-to” advice, and encouragement for families to embark on their
own family cycling adventures. 





SAVE THE DATES!!

Canvases in the Cañon Art Show:  Monday, September 1

Cañon Clean-up:  Saturday, September 27

Canya Cañon - 3rd Annual 6K Family Hike and Trail Race to Helen Hunt Fall:  Sunday, November 2

Audubon Bird Count:  Saturday, December 13