Scout, school & homeschool hikes near Denver

Hike and Learn

Guided outdoor learning near Denver for Scout troops, small school groups, and homeschool groups. Explore wildlife, Colorado history, and the natural world with an experienced educator.

Explore the programsPlan an outing

Outdoor learning for your group

Approximately one mile · Two hours · $250 per group · Up to eight people

Walk with goats, watch birds, or look for bighorn sheep. Each outing combines a relaxed hike with observation stops and activities suited to your group.

Scout troops, small school groups, homeschool groups, and recreational learners are welcome. Choose one of the programs below or tell us the topic, standard, or badge requirements you’re working on. We tailor the activities to your group’s ages and goals.

Choose your learning adventure

Three local outings for curious minds.

A goat standing on red rocks in the Colorado foothills
Elementary · Middle · High school

Goats: Built for Survival

Matthews/Winters Park · Morrison

Approximately one mile · Two hours

Walk with the rescue goats and look closely at their hooves, eyes, and coats. Compare these features with photographs of wild relatives, then connect structure to function.

Elementary · grade 4 focus

SC.4.2.1 · 4-LS1-1

Observe animal and plant structures and connect them to survival.

Middle school · grades 6–8

MS-LS1-8

Explore how animals receive information and respond to their surroundings.

High school · grades 9–12

HS-LS1-2

Connect animal movement with interacting body systems.

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A meadowlark among grasses at Crown Hill
Elementary · Middle · High school

Birds: Who Can Live Here?

Crown Hill Park · Wheat Ridge

Approximately one mile · Two hours

Explore the lake edge and nearby grassland, practice using binoculars, and look for food, shelter, and water. Use bird observations and species cards to compare what different birds need.

Elementary · grade 3 focus

SC.3.2.5 · 3-LS4-3

Discover how different habitats meet different birds’ needs.

Middle school · grades 6–8

MS-LS2-1

Investigate the relationship between habitat resources and bird populations.

High school · grades 9–12

HS-LS2-7

Explore ways to protect bird habitat while considering public access.

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View the regular tour

A herd of bighorn sheep on a grassy slope in Waterton Canyon
Elementary · Middle · High school

Waterton: Why Live in a Herd?

Waterton Canyon · Littleton

Approximately one mile · Two hours

Look for bighorn sheep and other wildlife along the canyon road. Explore how groups can help animals detect danger, find resources, and care for young.

Elementary · grade 3 focus

SC.3.2.2 · 3-LS2-1

Discover how living in groups can help animals survive.

Middle school · grades 6–8

MS-LS2-2

Explore patterns of competition and predator-prey relationships.

High school · grades 9–12

HS-LS2-8

Evaluate the benefits and costs of group behavior.

Request this program →

View the regular tour

What’s included

Guided hiking, educational activities, and learning materials matched to your group’s ages and interests. We agree on any requested curriculum or badge connections before booking.

Wildlife sightings vary. Photos and learning materials support the lesson when animals aren’t visible.

The Crown Hill learning outing includes the bird walk and activities. Restaurant meals and drinks are not included.

Planning your visit

Length & route

Approximately one mile of relatively flat walking over two hours, with observation stops and learning activities. Tell us about any access needs or firm return time when you inquire.

Group size

Private groups of up to eight participants, including accompanying adults. We confirm the outing against our permitted capacity before booking.

Pricing

$250 per private group, including your guide and learning materials. The same rate applies to all three outings.

Scheduling

Monday–Friday, with start times arranged for your group. Two weeks’ notice is preferred; some outings may need more advance notice for permit arrangements.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at Matthews/Winters Park and Waterton Canyon.

Payment & cancellation

Payment is by invoice. Cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours before your outing at no charge. Payment deadlines and cancellation terms within 48 hours are confirmed before booking.

Adult supervision

Children attend with parents, teachers, or troop leaders. Accompanying adults count toward the eight-person limit. Scout groups must also meet their organization’s supervision requirements.

Before you arrive

Wear closed-toe walking shoes and bring water, weather-appropriate layers, and sun protection. We send meeting details and a program-specific preparation note after arrangements are confirmed.

Weather & wildlife

Routes and activities may change with conditions. If Threaded Expeditions cancels for weather, trail conditions, or safety, you receive a full refund.

Tailored to your curriculum or Scout badge work

The science programs above are starting points. We can also adapt outings to other Colorado Academic Standards, homeschool topics, or selected Scout badge requirements. Share your goals when you inquire so we can confirm the activities and scope.

History with Hooves: Colorado history

Walk with the goats at Matthews/Winters Park and explore the story of Mount Vernon. Compare historic maps or photographs with today’s landscape, consider how travel and settlement changed the area, and ask whose perspectives historical sources represent.

A fourth-grade version can support Colorado history and geography expectations, including SS.4.1.1 and SS.4.2.2. Older learners can take a closer look at sources, perspectives, and evidence. We confirm the specific standards connection before booking.

Scout nature outings

Bird identification at Crown Hill, habitat investigations, and animal observations can support troop learning and selected badge activities. Tell us your Scout organization, age level, badge, and the requirements you want to work on. We coordinate the outing with your troop leader or merit badge counselor; completing a hike does not automatically complete a badge.

Ask about a custom learning outing →

Colorado science standards · Colorado social studies standards

Meet your educator

Kayson Cooper · Founder and Guide

Kayson has taught middle school science, special education, and elementary after-school science programs. He has also worked as an educator at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Denver Zoo, and Downtown Aquarium.

He is currently completing his master’s in conservation biology and a certificate in Global Culture and Conservation through Miami University. His programs bring classroom science outdoors, helping students explore wildlife through observation, questions, and discussion.

More about Kayson and Threaded Expeditions →

Kayson Cooper, founder and guide of Threaded Expeditions

Plan a Hike and Learn outing

Tell us your preferred outing, ages, and dates. Private outings are $250 for up to eight people, including adults. We’ll confirm availability before you pay.

Children, teens, and adults together must total eight or fewer. Adults-only groups can enter zero children.

Need funding? Apply for a Hike and Learn grant.

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Help more families learn outside

Sponsor a learning outing for a school, troop, or homeschool group facing a financial barrier.

Sponsor an outing · $250

Your sponsorship covers one private Hike and Learn outing for up to eight participants, including accompanying adults. The group receives the same guiding and learning materials as a paid outing.

Sponsor two outings for $500 or four for $1,000. Transportation and meals are not included. We match funded outings with approved applicants and provide a completion update without sharing children’s information.

Apply for an outdoor learning grant

If the program fee is a barrier for your school, troop, or homeschool group, apply for a funded outing. We ask about your group, interests, and funding need, without requesting individual income records.

Awards cover the program fee and depend on sponsorship funds, availability, and permitted capacity. An application does not guarantee funding or reserve a date.

Apply for funding →

Hike and Learn outdoor learning grants

Apply for a funded outing for your school, troop, or homeschool group. Sponsorships cover the $250 program fee for up to eight participants, including accompanying adults.

Tell us how funding would help your group and what you’d like to learn. We review applications based on financial need, learning interests, and available funding. We’ll contact you before confirming funding and a date.

Funding covers the approved program fee only. Your group arranges transportation and adult supervision. All participants, including adults, must fit within the eight-person limit. We confirm funding and dates before booking.

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