|  | Excerpt from: Vail Valley Vacation Planning Advice
| | July 27, 2010 | | Vail Recreation summer activities | The Vail Recreation District's (VRD) summer activity lineup continues to buzz this summer at the Vail Nature Center with an assortment of activities to stimulate a wide variety of participants. From evening programs featuring beaver pond tours and campfires, to specialized instruction in fly-fishing or nature photography, to raptor programs, bird walks, wildflower walks and more, the Nature Center is offering outdoor-based activities that will educate and entertain all members of the family for the rest of the summer.
The Nature Center, which is located along the Gore Creek and adjacent to the Ford Amphitheater and Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, has a knowledgeable staff that teaches participants all about Vail's surrounding flora and fauna says Vail Nature Center Director Tom Gaylord. "We're the wild side of Ford Park," said Gaylord. "People come to Vail in part because they appreciate the gorgeous scenery here and want to spend as much time outside as possible, so we try to offer them lots of ways to do that."
Among the offerings is a unique workshop called "Learn to Think Like a Trout," which teaches fly-fishing and stream ecology to children, ages 6 to 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and provides child-sized fly rods. A similar program for adults is also offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays. Participants will learn about insects that support local fish populations and the artificial lures used in fishing, as well as a variety of fishing skills. Course instructor Ken Neubecker, who is the immediate Past-President of Colorado Trout Unlimited and involved in community watershed management efforts, says he enjoys leading these groups because he's able to share important ideas about protecting Vail's water ecosystems with young people. "We make the Nature Center programs very interactive," said Neubecker. "This means that not only are the kids and adults learning a lot, but they're also enjoying themselves."
A Camp Eco Fun participant learns about Vail's local flora and fauna.
Gaylord also says the Nature Center continues to offer its popular photography in nature classes known as Photo Safaris that are being taught by Colorado Photographer of the year Dennis Jones; Art in Nature courses for both adults and children through a partnership with the Art Centre of Gypsum and Town of Vail's Art in Public Places; wildflower walks and morning bird walks; campfire and stargazing programs and so much more. Additional Vail Nature Center programs continue throughout the summer as follows with details available by clicking here. Reservations are recommended for many programs, please call 970-479-2291 for details.
Monday
Photo Safari, 8 a.m. to noon
Half-Day Hike for Adults, 8:30 a.m.
Art in Nature for Adults, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wildflower Walk, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Hiking club members enjoy the views off of Mt. Thomas.
Tuesday
Full-Day Hike for Adults, 7 a.m.
Bird Watching Walk, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Learn to Think Like a Trout for Adults, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Evening Beaver Pond Tour, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Learn to Think Like a Trout for Youth, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wildflower Walk, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Family Fun Night, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday
Full-Day Hike for Adults, 7 a.m.
Bird Watching Walk, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Wildflower Walks, 2 to 3 p.m.
S'mores & More Family Campfire, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Friday
Half-Day Hike for Adults, 8:30 a.m.
Art in Nature for Youth, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Stories in the Sky, 8:45 to 10 p.m.
Saturday
Raptor Rendezvous with Raptor Education Foundation, 3 to 5 p.m. (Lionshead)
Programs and activities are subject to change and reservations are recommended. To volunteer or for program rates and reservations, call 970-479-2291.
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