Registration for Spring 2025 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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Program Dates and Descriptions
Monday, February 16th
Mission: Decomposition
Have you ever wondered where all the leaves go after they fall? What happens inside an old tree stump? What roles do bugs, bacteria, fungi, and lichens play in their ecosystems? We’ll explore these questions and more by diving into the oh-so-important world of dirt and decomposers!
Friday, March 13th
Forest Fables and Folklore
Let’s learn about the legends and lore of the woods we all love to explore! We’ll look at nature through the eyes of different cultures and think about how symbols and stories shape the way we see the world around us. Then we’ll use art, crafts, and our imaginations to tell our own tales!
Thursday, April 23rd
Migration Exploration
Animals spend a lot of time on the move! Why do bats, butterflies, and birds fly thousands of miles? How come whales travel back and forth across oceans? What motivates these massive migrations, and how do these animals navigate without maps? At the ELC, we’ll try to spot some migratory birds, make some art, and play games to better understand these fascinating journeys.
Friday, April 24th
Wind, Water, Weather
Colorado has a wonderful array of seasons and with them some wild weather! As winter turns to spring, snow melts and washes down the Poudre River from the mountains to town. Join us as we investigate weather and the water cycle through science experiments, art, crafts, and games!
Registration Process
Registration for Spring 2025 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].