Denver Youth Naturally

Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK)

Denver Youth Naturally is for students 8-14 years old, and is all about outdoor experiences, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and career exploration.  The DYN program focuses on hands-on learning and takes students out of the classroom. Field trips include one-day and overnight wilderness experiences, and include fishing, camping trips, biking, kayaking, hiking excursions, outdoor play, snowshoeing, nature journaling and so much more! Students have the opportunity to visit outdoor spaces and museums throughout the Denver metro and beyond. This program offers 2-5 field trips per month. Programs typically take place on weekends, non-school days, after school, and during the summer. Transportation from Montbello Open Space Park is provided for most DYN field trips. With mentoring by ELK Staff and STEM professionals, DYN youth find the support necessary to discover new doors of opportunity and grow a connection and understanding of our natural world.

For more information, contact Samantha Gilmore

Phone: 303-810-3984  |  Email: sgilmore@elkkids.org

Activities Include:

  • Outdoor experiences
  • Hands-on STEM education
  • Career exploration
  • Overnight camping trips
  • Visits to local museums
  • Visits to National and State Parks, wildlife refuges, parks, reservoirs, and other natural areas within the Denver metro area and beyond
  • Community service projects
  • ELK staff mentorship

Benefits & Outcomes of ELK’s DYN program:

  • Exposure to new outdoor experiences within a framework of science & conservation education
  • Stimulates interest in the outdoors and learning about the environment
  • Invokes Environmental Stewardship
  • Improves motivation to excel at school
  • Stimulates interest in higher education & science careers
  • Youth are part of a learning community that they feel connected to