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Unlock the Secrets of Nature’s Classroom

Welcome young explorers and curious minds to the Sly Park Environmental Education Center, where we believe that learning doesn’t stop when you leave our magical forest.
 
We’ve created a treasure trove of resources to keep the spirit of outdoor education alive no matter where you go.
 

Your Virtual Backpack of Knowledge

Imagine you’re packing for an adventure. Instead of snacks and water bottles, we’re filling your backpack with tools for discovery.
 
From field guides to flora and fauna, dive into the world of plants with our comprehensive guide. Uncover the mysteries of local wildlife with our animal identification resources.
 
Find out if the rocks can talk when you consult our rock and mineral handbooks and chart the course of water cycles and weather patterns.
 

Your explorer’s toolkit

Every great adventurer needs the right tools. Our downloadable worksheets and activity guides are like compasses to guide you through:
 
  • Ecosystem exploration challenges
  • Wildlife tracking adventures
  • Geological scavenger hunts
 

Continuing the adventure at home

The Sly Park experience doesn’t end when you leave our grounds. Here’s how you can keep the spirit of outdoor education alive:
 
  • Start a nature journal and document your backyard discoveries
  • Create a mini herb garden and learn about plant life cycles
  • Set up a bird feeder and become an amateur ornithologist

The Adventure Never Ends

Every leaf, rock, and raindrop has a story to tell. With the resources we introduce at Sly Park, you’re learning about nature while becoming a part of its grand narrative. So, pack your virtual backpack, put on your explorer’s hat, and let’s continue this incredible journey of discovery together.
 
We look forward to seeing you soon!
 
The Sly Park Environmental Education Center is nestled in the beautiful Sly Park Recreation Area and the Eldorado National Forest. Here at Sly Park, the curriculum is standards-based, the classrooms are outdoors, the instruction is hands-on, and the experience is amazing!
 
Whether students are building shelters, identifying trees, hiking to the lake, panning for gold in the creek, taking on challenge activities or gazing at the stars through our many telescopes, the Sly Park experience is rich in active participation. Students, visiting staff, and chaperones are rewarded with the knowledge they gain as they "do" science with our full-time, certificated teaching staff. Throughout their stay, students also learn cooperation, problem solving, and team building.
 
Please feel free to check out our Photo Tour, call us, or drop us an email for more information. We look forward to hearing from you – or even better, seeing you soon!
Photo of a child exploring the outdoors.
 “Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives.”
–Thomas Berry