Nature Exploration
Blackhawk offers countless opportunities to explore nature, and our outdoor exploration programs for children teach them skills like fire building and cooking. Check out our upcoming programs and events below!
Fall Nature Exploration
Hello outdoor explorers ages 5-14! Please join us for 3 classes at Blackhawk this fall-Saturdays Nov 5, 12, and 19, 3-4:15 pm ($40). Large-scale nature art, Leave No Trace principles and fun, and Building for Winter class. Registration is open now for all Limited and Full members on the website-limited spaces available. Parent volunteers needed, too!
Spring 2022 Outdoor Exploration Days were a great success!
HUGE thanks to board member Jill Stevenson and intern Lily Hubanks for putting this program together! 40 kids, grades 1-8, enjoyed exploring Blackhawk’s land in active, age-appropriate ways, with an emphasis on stewardship.
Here's what we focused on:
April 3: Creating shelters: Explore the needs of humans and animals who live at Blackhawk and use natural materials to build a shelter.
April 10: The role of fire and outdoor cooking skills.
May 22: Native plants: Learn to identify native and non-native plants, create a plant superhero cape, and plant hundreds of native seedlings.
June 5: Fish and fishing.
Blackhawk’s Outdoor Explorers learned to make campfires, build rocket stoves and cook outdoors in May. They enjoyed making pesto with foraged stinging nettle, roasting sweet potatoes and munching on breadsticks cooked over the fire.
Hiking
Blackhawk offers plentiful hiking trails to enjoy in all seasons, whether you're wearing running shoes in the summer, hiking boots in the fall, or snowshoes in the winter. Enjoy our Story Trail on foot in warmer months or on Nordic skis in the winter. Join us for quarterly night hikes.
Birdwatching
In the spring of 2021, we held our first birding hike, with Ben Lizdas, nordic skier and professional birder. We plan to continue to hold birding events and encourage members to enjoy birdwatching on their own.
Camping
Our first family campout took place October 15, and our second was 4/29. Stay tuned for more campout dates coming up!
Otter Den Nature Center
Blackhawk membership gives you access to the best picnic spot in town: the Otter Den Nature Center! A green heron is a regular on the partially-submerged log in front. The Otter Den hosts regular events for all ages: Walk our new story trail, try out letterboxing, enjoy a nature craft, use our new selfie stand, go fishing in the pond, explore the stream, and build fairy houses.