Registration for Fall 2026 Great School Escapes is now open! Registration for each day is limited to 24 participants and will close automatically when full. If we have fewer than 10 participants sign up for a day, we may cancel the program. We will give parents a week’s notice if this will be the case.
Our Great School Escapes take place on Poudre School District school-out days and are available for students in grades K-5. Each Great School Escape runs 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Check out our FAQ document for more information about Great School Escapes.
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Registration Process
Registration for Fall 2026 Great School Escapes
Online registration is required for Great School Escapes. Registration is first come first served. Each Great School Escape is capped at 24 participants; once 24 participants have been registered, the event will automatically be removed from our online store.
You will have the option either to pay for Great School Escapes online with a credit card at the time of registration, mail us a check after registering, or pay on the day of the program (exact change or check). Payment for Great School Escapes is due in full by the day of the program.
Schedule
Great School Escapes run from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Drop off and pick up for Great School Escapes will take place at the ELC property. Please note, in case of cold weather, we may move the program to the CSU main campus where we have access to a warm indoor space. A decision will be made about moving the program to the CSU main campus 24-48 hours in advance.
Please note that if the weather forecast is favorable, we will spend the entire day at the ELC property and most of the day will be spent outside.
Prices
The cost for each Great School Escape is $50 per child for current ELC members and $75 per child for non-members. Learn more about membership benefits and prices.
We offer several need-based scholarships for these programs. Please request a scholarship prior to registering for these programs.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Cancellations made up to two weeks prior to the day of the program will receive a full refund. After two weeks prior, no refunds will be given, but you may request a credit towards future programs. Cancellations must be made in writing and emailed to [email protected].
Programs and Dates
Monday, September 28: Amazing Adaptations
Why are plants and animals so different from one another? How did they become this way? We’ll tackle these questions by exploring the ELC to find flora and fauna with adaptations that help them survive and thrive in our ecosystem.
Thursday, October 15: Carnivores and More
Join us for a day dedicated to the crazy carnivores (and omnivores too!) that live in our ecosystem. We’ll learn about coyotes, bobcats, foxes, wolves, weasles, raccons, and more. We’ll find signs that they’ve been hunting their prey at the ELC and we’ll discover the vital role these critters play in the landscape.
Friday, October 16: Hungry Happy Herbivores
Let’s learn all about herbivores! We’ll go searching the trails for signs of deer, rabbits, squirrels, and other plant-picking creatures. We’ll play games and make art to discover adaptations they have that help them gain nutrients and energy from the plant life they prefer.