National Park Service Mission
...to
conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and
the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the
same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired
for the enjoyment of future generations.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National
Recreation Area Outreach Education Programs are committed to
creating an awareness of and fostering an appreciation for the
mission of the National Park Service and the natural, cultural,
and historic resources of the two parks.
Programs are provided for over 10,000 preschool,
K-12, college/university students, and lifelong learners in
eleven communities and six school districts.
All of the K-12 outreach education units are linked to Colorado
Content Standards, the National Science Teachers Association
standards, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
standards, using primary National Park Service themes. The parks'
natural resources are appropriately used in experiential learning
challenges. These education units are developed using the UCLA-Madeline
Hunter method for unit design. Assessment models
have been implemented for all educational units.
The parks' outreach education staff are participating members
in GREEN (Gunnison
Resource and Environmental Education Network) and the UCEA
(Uncompahgre Conservation Education Alliance). The Black Canyon
of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation
Area Outreach Education Program has received the Garrison Gold
Award for regional excellence and the National Freeman Tilden
Award for the Journeys to Wilderness Canyons distance learning
project.
Program Times
Field trips may begin any time after 9:00 a.m., depending on
driving distance and school schedules, and should be concluded
in time for a safe return to your school. School site programs
may begin any time after 9:00 a.m. for Gunnison schools and
10:00 a.m. for all other school districts. All field trip and
school site program times will be clearly stated in the confirmation
materials you will receive. Telephone or e-mail confirmations
will be made prior to your scheduled program.
Locations
Field experiences include indoor and outdoor components. The
field experience will begin either at the Elk Creek Visitor
Center (Curecanti National Recreation Area, located 15 miles
west of Gunnison or 50 miles east of Montrose on Highway 50)
or at the South Rim Visitor Center (Black Canyon of the Gunnison
National Park located 6 miles east of Montrose/54 miles west
of Gunnison on Highway 50, to Highway 347 then 6 miles north
to the Visitor Center). After a brief orientation, students
will travel to an outdoor learning site in the park.
Outdoor learning sites include East Elk Creek, the Neversink
and Dillon Pinnacles Trails and overlooks on the rim of the
Black Canyon. Inclement weather alternatives are arranged when
possible. School site programs are held in your classroom and
on the school grounds. When possible, in-class programs include
indoor and outdoor components.
Pre- and Post-Visit Activities
To prepare students, a pre-visit activity including vocabulary,
concepts, and self-directed study material is provided. A post-visit
activity, summarizing the unit, will be left with the classroom
teacher. We will also provide a self-addressed, stamped evaluation
form to be completed so that we may accurately assess our programs
and personnel.
Program Dates
Programs are available Tuesday through Friday excluding federal
holidays. Program dates can be reserved by telephone,
fax or mail. Our schedule is determined on a first-come, first-served
basis according to school location, unit selection and ranger
availability. For more specific information please call us at
(970) 641-2337 ext. 203.
