AURORA, Colo. – For only the cost of a Colorado State Parks pass, you can have a fun-filled summer right here in town. Every weekend in the campground, Cherry Creek State Park has a Junior Ranger Program which meets at 2 p.m. on Saturday and again at 10 a.m. on Sunday for graduation. The Junior Ranger Program encourages children to be aware of their surroundings in nature.

Every Sunday at the Cherry Creek beach through Labor Day, we present our very popular program, “Skins & Skulls,” which is your chance to meet wild animals.

Every Friday night at 8 p.m., the park presents ranger talks, and every Saturday night at 7 p.m. there’s a campfire program, which is informative, fun and educational. The programs are held in the park amphitheater at the campground. Guest speakers entertain and inform kids and adults on various topics.

Friday, June 17: Cherry Creek State Park Ranger McKay will teach the group how to survive in the wild, what to bring and what to expect.

Saturday, June 18: Historian, Irene Hubert from the Cherry Creek Valley Historical Society will talk about what it was like to be a dad on the California-Oregon trail. What his jobs would have been and the many jobs he had getting his family to their new home.

Friday, June 24: Rangers and visitors will gather around the campfire, make s’mores and a variation of s’mores called shut-ups, and tell ghost stories.

Saturday, June 25: REI Outfitters will be here to talk about the “Leave No Trace” outdoor ethic and how to camp outdoors responsibly.

Colorado State Parks get everyone outdoors! Attracting nearly 12 million visitors per year, Colorado’s 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado’s economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 225,260 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,100 campsites, and 57 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.

Contact:

Karen Ebersole, (303) 690-1166, ext. 6566, cherry.creek.interp@state.co.us