Ranger Guided

Free ranger guided field trips may be scheduled year round. Reserve your program at least two weeks in advance. May is a particularly busy time of year so groups should plan ahead. 

Teachers can chose from the options below or custom build a program according to their curriculum needs. 

Request a ranger guided program:

• By phone: Call Education Ranger at 719-378-6344
• Download the Education Program Request Form (704K, .pdf file requires Adobe Reader). Fax: [phone], or
• Email the Education Ranger

 

NPS Photo

Act I of the Great Sand Dunes story -- exploding a supervolcano.

One-hour programs

All of the following one-hour programs take place outside, meeting at the Dunes parking lot. Very inclement weather may mean bringing the program into the Visitor Center. These are good options for a school with limited time at the park. 

 

Generalist programs (a broad view covering many topics)

• Your National Park and Playground (K-2nd): National parks like this one are created to protect special places for everyone, for ever.
• What’s Great About Great Sand Dunes (3-5th): More than just tall dunes, this park includes all sorts of surprising superlatives. 
• A Park for People (6-8th): Science, democracy, exploration, and recreation. Human history is integral to the Great Sand Dunes story. 

Earth Science programs (more focused and in-depth)

• A World of Wind (K-2nd): The air meets the earth in this program about wind, weather, and dunes.
• Mountains to Sand (3-5th): Great volcanoes, splitting crust, and the ever-present force of erosion can turn mountains to sand… and back again.
• Rock ‘n Roll! (6-8th): The building blocks of our planet lead a wild and sometimes tragic existence. 
• Medano Creek Crawl (6-8th): A beach with waves -- in Colorado? Measure creek flow and observe the rare phenomenon of surge flow. Creek conditions dependent.

Life Science programs (more focused and in-depth)

• Creepy Crawly Habitat (K-2nd): Examine the four aspects of habitat (food, water, shelter, and space) through the eyes of Great Sand Dunes endemic insects.
• Sand Land (3-5th): The food chain, the web of life, the ecosystem, the trophic pyramid. No matter what the name, we’re a part of it here in the sand land.
• Ancient Animals (6-8th): Go back in time to explore a community of life that once thrived but is now forgotten.

 

NPS Photo

In less then 1 mile, this trail crosses grasslands, dunes, a riparian corridor, and one very special tree.

Escape Dunes

Topics may vary, but the landscape never disappoints on this exciting 2-3 hour guided hike. Even students who have visited the dunes many times in the past have probably never seen the Escape Dunes or the unique resources along the way. Adventure and surprise await on this "secret" trail. Appropriate for K-12.

Come prepared for all types of weather and closed toe shoes to protect against cactus.

 

NPS Photo

Fifth graders construct and practice a pulley system to use in winter rescue.

Junior Ranger Academy

Introduce your students to the range of jobs that park rangers do.  Plan almost a full day (4-5 hours) to run the course of a Junior Ranger Academy.  Learn how to track elk, perform winter rescues, search buildings, dig fire line, and build a snow cave.

This program is available in winter only and intended for Grade 5-8.