Bear Creek Nature Center's 50th Party Is Happening Right Now — and It's Free
If your Saturday morning is still unplanned, here's an easy one. Bear Creek Nature Center's 50th anniversary "Bear-thday Party" is happening today through 2 PM at 245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs. There's no cost to walk in. The afternoon schedule is fully open to drop-in visitors, and there's still a lot of good stuff left on the program.
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The living history hikes that ran this morning required pre-registration and wrapped up their last slot at 11:15 AM — so those are done. But the rest of the afternoon program is open to anyone who shows up:
- Book readings by local author Nancy Bentley — running through the afternoon. Bentley has written about Colorado nature and wildlife, and her readings are a natural fit for younger kids who want to hear a story in an actual nature setting.
- Insect sweeps — always a hit with kids who like to get hands-on. You sweep a net through vegetation and see what you catch. It's the kind of activity that sounds simple and then turns into a half-hour of genuine excitement.
- Ribbon cutting for the "Life in the Shadows" exhibit at 12:30 PM — this is the centerpiece event of the afternoon. The new exhibit explores nocturnal habitats and creatures that thrive in low-light environments. The ribbon cutting is a good anchor if you're planning your arrival.
- Silent auction winner announced at 1:45 PM — if you entered or are curious about the custom artwork piece, stick around for the reveal.
Running alongside the main celebration is the Bear Creek Plein Air, Peak and Palette visual arts event — local artists have been working on-site, and their pieces are part of the creative atmosphere woven through the afternoon.
Why Bear Creek Nature Center Is Worth Your Time
Bear Creek Nature Center has been a free resource for Colorado Springs families for 50 years. That's not a small thing. The center offers year-round programming, nature education for school groups, and ongoing exhibits that change with the seasons — all without an admission fee. It sits at the edge of Bear Creek Regional Park, which adds miles of trails to whatever you do at the center itself.
For families new to Colorado Springs or new to the center, today is an ideal introduction. You're walking into a place that's been hosting COS kids for five decades, and it's genuinely throwing itself a party. The energy is celebratory in the best way.
Quick Reference
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Bear Creek Nature Center 50th "Bear-thday Party" |
| Date/Time | Today, Saturday August 22 — through 2:00 PM MT |
| Location | 245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, CO |
| Cost | Free |
| Parking | Bear Creek Regional Park parking lots |
| 12:30 PM | Ribbon cutting — "Life in the Shadows" exhibit |
| 1:45 PM | Silent auction winner announcement |
What's Next
Head over. The 12:30 ribbon cutting gives you a natural anchor point if you're working around nap schedules or other commitments. Arrive by noon for some time with the insect sweeps and book readings before the ribbon cutting, and you'll have a full two-hour block of free, genuinely engaging outdoor programming for your kids.
Bear Creek Nature Center's regular programming runs year-round — check elpasoco.com/bear-creek-nature-center for upcoming events after the party season winds down. It's the kind of local resource that's easy to forget about until someone mentions it and then you wonder why you don't go more often.
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