A photo of Great Sand Dunes National Park

Dunes, Dark Skies and Diversity: A Natural History Immersion Experience in Colorado’s San Luis Valley

Field Course for K-12 Educators, family members & friends age 12 and older

Join us for a three-day, two-night immersion experience in southern Colorado, camping and exploring at the foot of the towering Sangre De Cristo mountain range. We will explore the largest sand dunes in North America and learn about the geology, hydrology and natural history of this unique area, in and around Great Sand Dunes National Park. We will also visit a waterfall and spend a day hiking up into the surrounding mountains doing some citizen science and learning about montane ecosystems. By night we’ll enjoy the night skies of one of the darkest places in the country. With a combination of dry air, little light pollution, and high elevation, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is certified as an International Dark Sky Park by Dark Sky International, meeting strict standards for sky darkness.  

 

Topics Covered in Course

Geology, Hydrology, Human and Natural History, Astronomy, Citizen Science, Botany, Zoology 

A photo of wildflowers at Great Sand Dunes

Cost 

Basic Package:  $375 (includes all meals, showers, campsite, and programming) 

Optional Add-ons:
$75 per camping rental package (dome tent, 1-2 sleeping bags, 1-2 sleeping pads)
$150 for a safari style tent (w/queen bed) – supply is limited 

 

Basic Package Price Includes: 

  • All meals (prepared by guides) & snacks 
  • Shower, bathroom, camping and cooking facilities 
  • Guide services & presenters 
  • Necessary permits 
  • All materials 
  • Re-licensure credits

Does not include: 

  • Tent, sleeping bag and personal gear (can be rented) 
  • Transportation to and from the San Luis Valley 
  • Hotel night before (if you choose to come down ahead of time) 

General Overview (subject to change with weather and availability)

ORIENTATION DAY (optional unless taking for credit): June 7 at DMNS

Introduction to local history and sites, introduction to citizen science, interaction with museum collection items related to the field experience

FIELD DAY 1: June 19 Dunes Day 

9 am arrival, set up camp and unpack, orientation, travel to Great Sand Dunes National Park for lunch, guided ranger interpreter activity, hike on dunes, play in Mendano Creek, return to camp, dinner, night sky astronomy 

FIELD DAY 2: June 20 Mountains Day 

Breakfast, short drive to trailhead, guided hike on Mosca Pass Trail, along stream following path used by early settlers and American Indians to travel into the valley, optional hot springs stop following the hike, pre-dinner birding or botanizing, dinner, evening campfire, music & stories 

FIELD DAY 3: June 21 A Return to the Dunes 

Breakfast & pack up, short drive to trailhead, short hike to Zapata Falls, lunch at dunes, more naturalist activities at dunes, 2:30 pm depart for home. Possible stop at nearby Fort Garland Historic Site & Museum for a lecture and dance presentation by the Dine' Tah Navajo Dancers

 

Grades

For K-12 educators & adult family members & friends age 12 and older

Optional 1.5 Graduate-level re-licensure credits

Included in cost of course

Registration Information

Coming Soon!

Registration opens mid to late February
Limit 30 participants