OUTDOOR EXPLORERS PROGRAM
Register for the 2024-25 school year today!
The Outdoor Explorers Program (OEP) combines place-based natural science with experiential learning and community-building. Our staff ensures your child grows in their knowledge of ecology while gaining skills in teamwork and outdoor activities. The program is conducted year-round (weather permitting) at Bluff Lake Nature Center in partnership with the Alpine International Preparatory Academy. A variety of activities, experiments, challenges, service projects, explorations, and just plain fun help our participants build nature knowledge, self-awareness, and skills outdoors.
This tuition-free program is designed to supplement your homeschool curriculum with social development, conceptual understandings of ecology, and practical applications of outdoor skills in our unique setting. We have age-appropriate options for grades K-5.
Each student enrolled will have the option to take two self-paced online classes in addition to the weekly Outdoor Explorers Program.
Register for the 2024-25 school year below!
Questions? contact us at education@blufflake.org
2023-24 School Year Logistics
LOCATION:
Bluff Lake Nature Center (building by parking lot)
11255 E. MLK Jr. Blvd, Denver CO 80238
9:00am-3:00pm, Daily Drop-off & Pick-up
COST:
If your student is already enrolled in an options program, or if you would like to join part-way through the year there is a pro-rated cost of $3,000/year per student.
YEARLY SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE:
34 Week Long Program from September 2nd, 2024 thru May 24th, 2025
Fall Trimester September 2nd**-November 15th
(Fall Break Nov. 25th-29th)
**First Monday session will be held on Tuesday September 2nd due to Labor Day on the 1st.
Theme Ecosystems: Team and Community Building
Winter Trimester Dec. 2nd – Feb. 28th
(Winter Break Dec. 23rd - Jan. 3rd)
Theme Adaptations: Problem Solving, Decision Making, Safety and Risk Management
Spring Trimester Mar. 3rd - May 23rd
(Spring Break Mar. 24th - 28th)
Theme Biodiversity: Leadership & Stewardship
AGES/DAYS OF THE WEEK:
Mondays: Kindergarten-1st
Wednesdays: 3rd-5th (WAITLIST ONLY)
Thursdays: 1st-3rd (WAITLIST ONLY)
STUDENT TO STAFF RATIO:
16 students per day along with 2 staff members
DAILY SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE:
9:00am-3:00pm, Daily Drop-off & Pick-up at location listed above
Sample Daily Schedule:
9:00-9:30am Check-In time and Community games
9:30-10:30am Morning Activity #1 (hike, lesson, skill development)
10:30-10:45am Snack Time
10:45am-12:00pm Morning Activity #2 (hike, lesson, skill development)
12:00-12:30pm Lunch
12:30-1:00pm Free Time
1:00-2:00pm Afternoon Activity #1 (hike, lesson, skill devel.)
2:00-2:30pm Snack and Free Time
2:30-3:00pm Reflections, journaling, games
Students will engage and learn with the following activities:
Social and Community Development
Mindfulness practices
Leadership / Followership
Challenge Course
Teambuilding Games
Service-Learning Projects
Group Problem-Solving
Outdoor Skills and Experience
Fire building and safety
Basic first aid
Leave No Trace practices
Clothing and shelters
Hydration / Nutrition
Navigation and travel techniques
Place-Based Environmental Science
Flora and fauna
Colorado’s life zones
Astronomy
Weather patterns
Geology
Water Cycle
Ecological concepts
