Thomas Edison's 1st Family Nature Night

With a crisp breeze rolling through the streets of Colorado Springs, Thomas Edison Elementary welcomes students and their families inside to enjoy Family Nature Night. You can feel the fun filling the hallways as families join in on the activities that give students and their families an opportunity to connect with the outdoors.

Students can learn and practice their archery skills in the gym. By the end of the night everyone is making the bullseye! Fishing is a skill that takes a lot of patience while maintaining a perfect cast. Luckily, students are able to practice their cast at the Backyard Bass station.

The Catamount Institute has provided a birding game by hiding fake birds throughout the hallways for students to find. As students search the hallways up and down with their binoculars, some trained eyes locate a Mountain Blue Bird hiding by an exit sign. “How many birds did you spot?” a fourth grader asks his older sister. Learning to search for birds takes patience and a keen eye. Thanks to the Catamount Institute, Thomas Edison has an army of new birders.

At the next table, students learn about all the artifacts that Chico Basin Ranch brought with them. Their table is covered with items found on the Ranch like a bison skull, bison hide and some small dried up cacti. “Who knew a bison hide was so soft?” A parent mutters. Families will definitely be visiting Chico Basin Ranch this summer!Bear Creek Nature Center enthralls students and their families with amazing animal facts and taxidermy. The main attraction is a full Great Horned Owl with it’s wings spread over students as the walked by. Nature is truly amazing and Bear Creak Nature Center is able to capture the awe of nature in their presentation.

As a part of the Generation Wild booth, students try to see how far they can jump and what animal jumps the same distance they do. Did you know a mountain lion is able to jump up to 25 feet?

Students are beside themselves during the outdoor prize raffle provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). One lucky fourth grader wins the 3-person tent. She talks about everyone she would share it with. She will have a fun summer sleeping under the stars. One lucky family wins the grand prize of a $70 gift certificate to CPW. This is enough for them to purchase an annual state parks pass and visit all of Colorado’s 41 State Parks.

The feeling of gratitude lingers in the hallways as families filter out of Thomas Edison Elementary. This night would not have been possible without the support from Great Outdoors Colorado, the staff at Thomas Edison Elementary and CPW. Family Nature Night will bring fun and connection to the outdoors back to Thomas Edison Elementary next year!