MPEC wants to show off the Horseshoe Lodge and make it affordable for you to come and spend the night. Winter is a great time to check into our cozy lodge, walk the trails or sit around the fire under the stars. There are still rooms available for as low as $65 ( and that includes a lovely continental breakfast!) Gather up some friends and come see us.
Details and Book a room here 
We are excited to announce the winners of our Summer Camp Giveaway that was held this past week here at the Mountain Park Environmental Center. For a chance to win a free summer camp for their child, participants were asked to write a paragraph telling us what their three favorite things about Summer Camp/Healthy Summer activities were when they were a child.
Here is Barbara’s Paragraph: “Some of my favorite camp memories were the thrill of making it to the top of a mountain even if looking back it might have been more of a hill; being so hot after an entire day of “walking” (now would be called hiking) thru the “Canyon” a huge wild area with trails, creeks, discovering crawdads, and seeing fields of beautiful orange poppies like in the Wizard of Oz then jumping into my friend Karen’s ice cold swimming to cool off. The thrill of hoisting myself onto what seemed to be a gigantic horse and taking that first trail ride–what a thrill!”
Even though our giveaway is over, and summer has nearly begun, there are still spots available on our summer camps and we would love to have your children join us! Check out all of our great camps Here.
“Ranger, Ranger Audra! Look! There are deer!” I lift my head from studying the ground to see four beautiful bucks, with their fuzzy winter coats and showy antlers, standing only 20 feet or so from my group of 5th graders and myself. We have been out learning about tracking animals this January morning, and I was so busy looking at the ground for signs of animals that I failed to notice if there were any actual animals around! My group comes to a stop and I do not have to ask them to be quiet so we can watch the deer- they are all silent and still, observing the bucks. The bucks are meandering through at small oak shrub area, and as they move they are picking off any leafs that are still hanging onto the bushes. Wow. I see mule deer almost everyday, but these bucks are beautiful. Their faces look gentle and their big brown eyes are kind. And those ears! What character those big ears give the bucks as the ears move independently from one another. We watch the bucks for 10 minutes or so before they begin to move farther away from us. After the deer leave, my group of students eagerly search the area the bucks were in to find animal signs. They successfully find many tracks, some hair that had caught on a branch, scat, and also small drops of blood. What a great experience for my students, and what a perfect way to learn about animal sign and mammals that live in the Pueblo Mountain Park!
Summer Camp was a huge success at MPEC! We are proud of the many children that came from far and wide. Parents reported that their children came home singing songs and telling stories of things they learned. Our strong staff of camp counselors ranged from our young Counselors in Training to our adult Nature Educators who bring years of Nature Education teaching experience to the camp agenda. 
Camp Mission Wolf was a hit again this summer as was Survival Camp.
Thank you to all of our MPEC donors who helped make it possible for many children to attend camp.
What is art? Nature concentrated. – Honore De Balzac
MPEC is pleased to offer our first Plein Air Art Class led by two amazing instructors Kim Furrh and Bonnie Waugh of Sage Art Studio in Pueblo. Both of these women are accomplished professional artists and well known instructors. This day long course, offered on Sept 14th, will inspire artists through the beautiful setting of the ponderosa forests of Beulah. For details and to register go here!
Since July 1, the park has seen over 8.5 inches of rain. Most of that came in 2 major rain events – 4.2 inches in just under 24 hours and 3.26 inches in about 2 hours. Of course when that much rain comes all at once it can be rough on human infrastructure. The park’s roads are certainly showing this. The crew at MPEC is working on the roads but it is tough. The upside is that the immediate fire danger has been significantly reduced and the land is certainly greening up. The creeks are full and I noticed that nodding onions are popping up everywhere and the land is responding to the moisture. If I could make one request to the rain gods; ” please keep the rain coming, but in much smaller doses. ”
Deadline to register for Family Camp is Noon Wednesday, July 24.
Family Camps at MPEC are designed to create memories for parents and/or grandparents and their children. We’ve designed them to make it really easy for parents to attend. Bascially all you have to do is pack light summer clothing, a couple of changes of shoes ( in case we play in the creek, and we will!) and that’s it. We do all the cooking and provide the bedding too. Plus our great Nature Educator Staff keep you moving, exploring and playing fun games the entire time. There is also downbeat time to just hang out with your kids, but you’ll love the guided relaxed atmosphere not to mention the magic of the Horseshoe Lodge and Park. This camp is just an overnighter starting Saturday July 27 and ends Sunday so it’s perfect for an easy weekend getaway.
Details on camp including pricing and registration are here
MPEC’s Low Ropes Challenge Course, which is tucked away in a lovely wooded area, consists of a series of real and imaginary obstacles. None are more than a foot or two off the ground. The Challenge Course is designed to challenge groups and individuals to work together to accomplish tasks.
Summer is here! Which means that we are busy at MPEC as our summer camps are in full swing! As I type this 17 children, Kindergarteners -2nd graders, are out having fun in the park with Ranger Tania as they explore, sing songs, build forts, and catch bugs in the pond. These kids are part of our first Little Kids Day Camp which runs 8:00 to 1:30 every day this week.
Ranger Greg is also busy this week leading a group of young men on our Mountain Man Camp, a three day and two night camp for guys only. These boys will get to camp out in the woods, rock climb in Devil’s Canyon, and go white water river rafting.
Almost halfway through our camp season, we are excited to be a part of so many children’s lives this summer as we help MPEC with what it does best: teach and help connect children with nature. These kids will not only walk away from our camps with a greater knowledge and love for the outdoors, but also memories that will last the rest of their lives. Our days are full and joyful, and we are thoroughly enjoying the busy summer season.
