Tag Archives: #getoutside

ALL Colorado K-5th Grade Kids Get 16 days of FREE Skiing! Find out how…

Posted on by
2

Screen Shot 2015-03-23 at 11.35.21 AM

Elementary kids in Colorado – It’s your lucky day! Colorado elementary school kids don’t have to wait until they are in 5th/6th grade to get their own ski pass – Vail Resorts’ Epic School Kids now offers FREE skiing to ALL elementary school children.

The catch? Get your kids registered by October 8, 2016!

Q: WHAT IS THE EPIC SCHOOL KIDS?

Epic School Kids is a FREE program for Kindergarten through 5th graders that provides skiing and riding at some of Colorado’s best areas – Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Keystone. That means 4 days of FREE Skiing at each area or 16 days in all.

The pass also includes one FREE first-timer ski or ride lesson with equipment rental.

Q: ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS?

The following are blackout dates: 11/25/16-11/26/16, 12/26/16-12/31/16, 1/14/17 and 2/18/17-2/19/17

Q. HOW CAN PARENTS ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN IN EPIC SCHOOL KIDS?

Parents can take their children to a participating Front Range Colorado Ski & Golf, or Boulder Ski Deals location to register their child in person. In Boulder – just head to Boulder Ski Deals. Take a look at what you need to bring below.

Want more details? Epic School Kids

ALL Colorado K-5th Grade Kids Get An Epic Kids Pack [4 days of FREE Skiing at 4 Colorado Vail Resorts]

Posted on by
Reply

Screen Shot 2015-03-23 at 11.35.21 AM

Elementary kids in Colorado – It’s your lucky day! Colorado elementary school kids don’t have to wait until they are in 5th/6th grade to get their own ski pass – now Vail Resorts is offering their new Epic SchoolKids Colorado Pack – and it offers FREE skiing to ALL elementary school children. Vail Resorts just announced that they will be offering Colorado K-5th grade kids a FREE pass as part of their newly launched Epic School Kids Colorado Pack program. That means 4 days of FREE Sking at Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Breckenridge. Vail Resorts is saying that this is a limited time opportunity, so I say get over to Boulder Ski Deals – see below for what you will need to provide them as proof of eligibility.

Current School of Shred [this is the old 5th/6th grade FREE ski program] participants can get the same deal for their child who is going into 6th grade next year – 4 FREE days at Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, and Breckenridge.

Q: WHAT IS THE EPIC SCHOOLKIDS COLORADO PACK?

The Epic SchoolKids Colorado Pack is a FREE program for Kindergarten through 5th graders that provides skiing and riding at each of the state’s top-ranked resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Keystone (restricted: 11/27/15-11/28/15, 12/26/15-12/31/15, 1/16/16 and 2/13/16-2/14/16.)  It includes one FREE first-timer ski or ride lesson with equipment rental during the month of January. (The first-timer lesson is only available from 1/5/16-1/31/16 as a part of “Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month” and is not available 1/1-1/4/16 or 1/15/16-1/17/16.)  Additionally, Epic SchoolKids Colorado Pack provides unlimited summer 2015 scenic chair lift rides at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Keystone.

Q. HOW CAN PARENTS ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN IN EPIC SCHOOLKIDS?

Parents can take their children to a participating Front Range Colorado Ski & Golf, or Boulder Ski Deals location to register their child in person. In Boulder – just head to Boulder Ski Deals. Take a look at what you need to bring below.

Q. WHAT DO PARENTS NEED TO BRING TO REGISTER THEIR CHILD FOR EPIC SCHOOLKIDS?

The parent must bring

  • The child must be present at the time of registration
  • A physical copy of the student report card/transcript/school ID or birth certificate
  • A physical photo of the student (no sunglasses, hats or others in the photo)

 

Want more details? Epic School Kids Colorado Pack

How Memories Are Made: Family Travel Through Nicaragua and Costa Rica

Posted on by
Reply

“There is a great hotel in San Jose!”, was my son’s response to our friend’s request for suggestions of what to do in Costa Rica.

Screen Shot 2015-01-30 at 10.04.27 PM

For almost three weeks we traveled throughout Nicaragua and Costa Rica – all eight of us – two families traveling together. We intended to have an adventure so we spent our days on volcanoes, zipping through the jungle canopy of Costa Rica, surfing in San Juan del Sur, hiking through the heat and humidity of a remote volcanic island, and riding horses. It was all adventure, but not all of it as positive as others; during the course of the trip the kids’  backpacks had been stollen and the kids managed to puke all over at least two hotels. It was an amazing [multi] family adventure! It really was. Honest.

Screen Shot 2015-01-30 at 9.44.33 PM

San Jose Marriott

When I think back on our trip I remember watching the sun set on the Pacific Ocean while drinking smoothies along the coast in Nicaragua, my husband remembers “Tyler’s Place” where we stayed to surf and explore Nicaragua. BUT if you ask my kids they will tell you that there is a great Marriott in San Jose!

They did just that the other day. We have friends who scored last minute United Airlines mileage tickets to Costa Rica and knowing we had been there, asked for recommendations. I offered up mine in a detailed email. In the soccer carpool this friend asked my son this question and he offered what was most vivid in his mind – The Costa Rica Marriott Hotel in San Jose. This friend sent me an email to confirm this was his response. We both laughed. Then I started thinking about how it could possibly be that my son’s best memory of our extended family trip was of a hotel?

Screen Shot 2015-01-30 at 9.34.27 PM

The white sheets!

Until the other day I hadn’t thought about the moment when we got to San Jose, after a long drive and our stollen backpack fiasco, for a long time. It reminded me that you cannot always predict what memories will be indelibly etched in your children’s minds. What will make the biggest impact. You just never know! In this case I believe it was the contrast of the relatively rustic way we traveled for close to three weeks, the stollen backpacks, being sick, then the safety of this simply luxurious hotel.

When we walked into the hotel it felt cloistered. It felt safe. It felt welcoming. The sheets were so white. The beds so tall. The restaurant had the most amazing buffet any of us had ever seen. They prepared anything the kids requested. My kids noticed ALL these details. All of them. We had not left Costa Rica but the Marriott made us feel like we had been swept up into the best of all worlds – local culture and amenities galore. This experience is indelibly woven into the fabric of my children’s beings. They may forget the other amazing things we did on our trip, but they will not forget this simple luxury.

Kid-Friendly Bicycle Classics Are Coming Our Way In Boulder!

Posted on by
Reply

Boulder is a cycling mecca. Yup, we love our two wheeled friends. If your kids are into cycling then here are two upcoming events you will want to know about- Kids Challenge and Little Buffs. These are both the kids’ version of larger cycling events in Boulder this summer. These both look super fun, so get your kids registered and psyched to get on their bikes! 

usaprochallenge

1. Kids Challenge [part of the USA Boulder Pro Challenge] – This one is for kids 11 & under. They meet pros, eat Ben & Jerry’s, get t-shirts and other swag, and have a great time biking around East Pearl. $5 donation suggested. Register here!  Date: August 24, 2014

Screen Shot 2014-07-31 at 3.05.05 PM

2. Little Buffs [Buffalo Bicycle Challenge] – This one is longer. 14 miles around East Boulder. Not sure about swag options – the kids always love the stuff – but I’m sure there will be some! Take a look at the Little Buff course – here. Date: September 7, 2014

I am super excited about these two fun events. Any time we get our kids involved in the community, outdoors, and doing something positive it’s a good thing! Enjoy, Boulder Families!

Family-Friendly Summer Options – Museum Free Days

Posted on by
Reply

Screen Shot 2014-05-16 at 2.18.42 PMThe summer is upon us. Usually I recommend getting the kids outside, but sometimes a day trip to a museum can be just the ticket. Mix it up. Get out of the heat. The listings here are all for FREE Days to some of the big museums around – I know my kids always love going!

2014 Free Days at Local Museums & Events

June

Boulder History Museum: 6/1

Denver Museum of Nature & Science: 6/2

Denver Botanic Gardens: 6/3

Denver Art Museum: 6/7

Denver Museum of Nature & Science: 6/30

July 

Denver Art Museum: 7/5

Boulder History Museum: 7/6

Denver Museum of Nature & Science: 7/20

August

Denver Art Museum: 8/2

Denver Firefighter Museum 8/2

Boulder History Museum: 8/3

Denver Botanic Gardens: 8/4

#boulder #free #freedays #outdoorfamilies #getoutside #whattodo

 

National Kids to Parks Day is May 17, 2014 – What Are You Planning? Here are some great Boulder options…

Posted on by
Reply

eben-g-fine

We live in Boulder so most of us get out kids outside on a regular basis. But hey, May 17, 2014 is a National Kids to Park Day. So lets get outside and help support a great national effort to get outdoors more! Maybe think about heading to a park you have not been to. Or doing something you have not done. Or just making the time to go together as a family. Whatever your reason here are some ideas of where to go. what to do, and why do it.

The National Park Trust is asking people to pledge to get to a park on National Kids to Park Day: Take The Pledge Here!

Why Get Kids Outside?

Getting outdoors benefits the body, mind & spirit! When you are outdoors at a park you are moving your body and getting exercise, taking in some vitamin D, laughing, and enjoying time together. There is research showing that being outdoors can do everything from reducing ADHD symptoms, increasing test scores, etc… [You can find more details here at the National Wildlife Federation’s website] But we know that being outside just increases our overall wellbeing. Get outside. You will get something from the experience!

Where To Go?

What To Do?

There is always something to do at your local park or on a hike. Think about bringing a picnic and making sure you gage what you do to ensure your children have fun out there. There are a few things the City of Boulder’s Open Space & Mountain Parks is planning for National Kids to Parks Day on May 17, 2014, which sound really fun for the whole family! More details here.

Screen Shot 2014-05-12 at 10.28.50 AM

What are you going to do for National Kids to Parks Day?

#getoutside #outdoorfamilies #nationalkidstoparksday #boulder #colorado

Check Out These Cute Boulder Area Eaglets + More!

Posted on by
Reply
eagletIt’s baby bird season! Here is a list of local Boulder area live feed cameras aimed at some amazing birds! There are 3 eaglets that just hatched and more to come. Take a look…
  • Osprey Camera – Live feed on nest at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. Will hatch June 2-11.
  • Eagle Camera – XCEL’s Plattville, CO. 3 eaglets hatched in April.
Want to see more wildlife? Take a hike!
  • The Wild Bird Center in Boulder offers free bird walks every Saturday from about 7:45 to about 9:45. Call them at 303-442-1322 for more information. Reservations not required.

 

Kids Love Extreme Sports? Looking for a Summer Camp? Check Out Woodward at Copper!

Posted on by
Reply

photo copy 2Recently my family took a trip to Copper Mountain to check out Woodward at Copper. Have you heard of it? If not, you’re not alone. Their facilities blew us away! I thought of Woodward as a winter weather program, but when I found out that they have to offer this summer, well my kids were ready to sign up and move right in! We busted a move. Signed up. Here are the details… photo

At Woodward at Copper you walk into what they call – The Barn. The space is relatively unassuming until you enter. But your senses are quickly overwhelmed with this amazing space chock full of ramps, jumps, trampolines, half-pipes, pump tracks, bowls, and foam pits! Got extreme sports enthusiasts? Woodward may be the place for them!

Woodward at Copper Summer Programs

Got tweens, teens, or groms [younger kids – ages 8 – 12] with X-Games dreams or just thephoto copy interest in going big? Maybe they are just not ready to give up skiing or snowboarding OR want to take their extreme sports to the next level – this place rocks! Where else can our kids jump and flip and learn in the safety of the Woodward Barn AND get outside with professional instruction? It’s not easy to find this combo! Woodward at Copper offers week long camps for kids throughout the summer.

In the summer camps kids get an opportunity to explore and train in their favorite extreme sports. They get coaching in their sport in and out of the Barn daily, but they also get to work with pros in their field! There are also amazing sponsors for each summer camp week – a lot of them are the leaders in the extreme sports world! Have younger kids? There is also a Grom camp option which is a shorter program for kids ages 8 to 12. You can choose either the overnight or day option for your child. If you are from Boulder I’m guessing your are going for the overnight option. Copper really isn’t that far but it’s not an easy commute!

Woodward at Copper Camp Options

Details on summer camp options and costs can be found here.

  • Ski Camp – They get to ski in the terrain park with a new surface lift!
  • Snowboard Camp – They get to snowboard in the terrain park with a new surface lift!
  • Skateboard Camp – They head out to amazing local parks!
  • BMX Camp – They head out to amazing local parks!
  • Mountain Bike Camp – Take your mountain biking to new heights!
  • Scooter Camp – They head out to amazing local parks!
  • Cheer Camp – Play it safe by practicing those tough tricks in the Barn!
  • Digital Media Camp – Kids have a great opportunity to take extreme sports shots!

What Does a Woodward at Copper Camp Cost? Screen Shot 2014-04-15 at 2.31.20 PMI had to take a deep breath when I saw the prices. But I still signed them up! My kids have never done an overnight camp like this so I did some research to see if the prices at Woodward were far off the mark. The deciding factor – there really is nothing like this for my skiing-crazy sons besides in Oregon and that was a lot more expensive & complicated! The camp prices start at $999 and go up.  It looks like until April 20, 2014 they are offering $100 off a bunch of different camp options. A special thanks to Copper Mountain and Woodward at Copper for letting my family review your facility. We are excited about summer camps! 

5th and 6th Graders: Get Your Free/Cheap Ski Passes!

Posted on by
Reply

If you have a 5th or 6th grader it is time to start thinking about getting them their Free/Cheap Ski/Snowboard passes. The way it works is that there are two different programs: School of Shred & Colorado Ski Country USA. They both offer 5th graders free skiing, but at different locations, so you want to get both! They offer 6th graders cheap or free skiing depending on the program. More details below.

5th Graders: You get 4 days of free skiing at all Colorado Vail Resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and A-Basin [School of Shred]. In addition you get 3 days of free skiing at 20 other Colorado ski resorts including Aspen, Buttermilk, Steamboat, Copper Mountain, Winter Park, and many more [Colorado Ski Country USA]. In addition you also get one free ski/snowboard lesson and equipment rental through both programs. They really want you to get good!

6th Graders: You can purchase a pass for 4 days at the Ski Country USA resorts for $99. This is a screaming good deal! The School of Shred is offering the same deal for 6th graders as they did for 5th graders–4 free days of skiing at their resorts. Woohooo!!!!

How To Apply: Don’t forget to apply to both!

School of Shred Passport Sign Up: Starting now you can bring your child’s 5th or 6th grade report card to Boulder Ski Deals or other Front Range locations to get a pass.

Colorado Ski Country USA Passport Sign Up: Sign up online at the link to the left. Deadline to sign up is January 31, 2013.

Have fun skiing/snowboarding!

#getoutdoors #skiing #vailresorts #snowboard #free #colorado

5th and 6th Graders: Get Your Free/Cheap Ski Passes!

Posted on by
Reply

If you have a 5th or 6th grader it is time to start thinking about getting them their Free/Cheap Ski/Snowboard passes. The way it works is that there are two different programs: School of Shred & Colorado Ski Country USA. They both offer 5th graders free skiing, but at different locations, so you want to get both! They offer 6th graders cheap or free skiing depending on the program. More details below.

5th Graders: You get 4 days of free skiing at all Colorado Vail Resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and A-Basin [School of Shred]. In addition you get 3 days of free skiing at 20 other Colorado ski resorts including Aspen, Buttermilk, Steamboat, Copper Mountain, Winter Park, and many more [Colorado Ski Country USA]. In addition you also get one free ski/snowboard lesson and equipment rental through both programs. They really want you to get good!

6th Graders: You can purchase a pass for 4 days at the Ski Country USA resorts for $99. This is a screaming good deal! The School of Shred is offering the same deal for 6th graders as they did for 5th graders–4 free days of skiing at their resorts. Woohooo!!!!

How To Apply: Don’t forget to apply to both!

School of Shred Passport Sign Up: Starting now you can bring your child’s 5th or 6th grade report card to Boulder Ski Deals or other Front Range locations to get a pass.

Colorado Ski Country USA Passport Sign Up: Sign up online at the link to the left. Deadline to sign up is January 31, 2013.

Have fun skiing/snowboarding!

#getoutdoors #skiing #vailresorts #snowboard #free #colorado