Natural science education, summer camps, hiking, snowshoe tours and things to do in the Eagle River Valley and Vail, Colorado.

Students from Eagle County Schools examine fossils near McCoy, Colorado.

Digging into Eagle County’s Prehistoric Past

Posted by Walking Mountains on Jul 1, 2025 9:15:00 AM

At my Kindergarten graduation circa 2005, I stood watching my friends confidently announce their future dreams. One by one, they rattled off their answers to the phrase, “When I grow up, I want to..

Topics: Curious Nature, Environmental Education

Youth Programs Educators & School Programs Manager sit in the UNC sign

Spring Site Visit to Greeley, CO

Posted by Walking Mountains on Jun 3, 2025 9:15:00 AM

On May 28th, the Walking Mountains Youth Programs team packed into the van and hit the road before sunrise, heading East for a professional development day. Our destination? Greeley, Colorado, where..

Topics: Environmental Education

Ania is introducing her intervention by showing emotions as characters from the movie, Inside Out.

Empowering Educators through Action Research

Posted by Walking Mountains on May 6, 2025 9:15:00 AM

As graduation approaches for the four graduate students of the 2025 class of Foley Graduate Fellows, so does the final submission of their year-long action research projects. During the Walking..

Topics: Environmental Education

Get to Know the Incoming 2025 Foley Graduate Fellows!

Posted by Walking Mountains on Mar 31, 2025 9:15:00 AM

Walking Mountains is excited to welcome the new 2025-2027 cohort of Foley Graduate Fellows! The fellows will begin pursuing their Master of Arts in Science Education this summer, while stepping into..

Topics: Environmental Education, Staff Highlight

Introducing the 2024-2026 Foley Graduate Fellowship Cohort

Posted by Walking Mountains on May 6, 2024 11:10:58 AM

The Foley Graduate Fellowship provides graduate students the ability to live, educate, and learn with Walking Mountains as their home. This year, we are excited to introduce the 2024-2026 Foley..

Topics: Environmental Education, School Programs, Staff Spotlight

Tour the Pete and Pat Frechette Educator Community Housing

Posted by Walking Mountains on Mar 28, 2024 3:19:14 PM

Housing is often considered the most essential benefit educators and interns receive when employed by Walking Mountains. The Pete and Pat Frechette Educator Community housing enables the Walking..

Topics: Environmental Education, School Programs, Staff Spotlight

March 19th: Spring Equinox

Posted by Walking Mountains on Mar 1, 2024 5:00:26 PM

In Colorado, the vernal equinox holds deep significance as it marks the transition from winter to spring in the high-altitude landscapes of the western slope. Rooted in ancient traditions and..

Topics: Environmental Education, School Programs, Staff Spotlight

From Paper to Practice: Creating and Implementing a New School Field Program

Posted by Walking Mountains on Feb 5, 2024 1:00:35 PM

Nine students huddled around the outdoor learning laboratory, working in small groups to build models of living communities in specific climates. I felt an unexpected burst of excitement as I..

Topics: Environmental Education, School Programs, Staff Spotlight

Foley Graduate Fellowship Personal Reflection

Posted by Walking Mountains on Jan 2, 2024 12:54:34 PM

In the summer of 2021, I embarked on a journey with Walking Mountains as a seasonal Summer Naturalist. Little did I know that this adventure would eventually lead me to the Foley Graduate..

Topics: Environmental Education, School Programs, Staff Spotlight

Saying Goodbye to a Great Friend

Posted by Walking Mountains on Dec 5, 2023 10:51:00 AM

The Walking Mountains community is sad to report that we lost a longtime colleague and friend, Tom Gaylord, in November. Tom was the Director of the Vail Nature Center for nearly 20 years and was..

Topics: Environmental Education, School Programs, Staff Spotlight

Graduate Fellow Passion Projects

Posted by Walking Mountains on Dec 5, 2023 10:18:02 AM

The Youth Programs team has been busy this fall! As of November 8th, we’ve taught 1,443 students! As winter creeps in, it’s time for a seasonal shift in our work. We’re starting to plan for..

Topics: Environmental Education, School Programs, Staff Spotlight