ENVIRONMENTAL EDucation

Details

Join Bogus Basin’s resident ecologist, Ray Vizgirdas, for a hike on one of the mountain’s many multi-use trails. Come learn about the flora, fauna, ecology, geology and everything in between. Participants should expect to hike up to 2 miles as casual pace. Please come prepared for the outing with proper footwear, clothing, water, snacks and sunscreen.

• Location: Varies by Program- see dates for location

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Last Season’s Schedule (2023)

• 6/24 – Natural Gourmet: Edible Plants of Bogus Basin (9:00am-Noon | Frontier Point Lodge)
• 6/24 – Animal Tracks & Signs: Signatures on the Land (1:00pm-3:30pm | Frontier Point Lodge)
• 6/27 – Mountain Wildflowers for the Relaxed Botanist (6:00pm-8:00pm | Frontier Point Lodge)
• 7/1 – Wildflower Photography – macro photography (9:00am-Noon | Pioneer Lodge)
• 7/1 – Nature Photography – Squirrels of Bogus Basin (1:00pm-3:30pm | Pioneer Lodge)
• 7/5 – Keys to Bogus Basin’s Botany – Basic Plant Identification in the Field (6:00pm-8:00pm | Frontier Point Lodge)
• 7/8 – Introduction to Bird Watching (9:00am-Noon | Pioneer Lodge)
• 7/8 – The Natural Gourmet – Edible Plants of Bogus Basin (1:00pm-3:30pm | Pioneer Lodge)
• 7/11 – Bogus’ Mid-Summer Bloomers (6:00pm-8:00pm | Frontier Point Lodge)
• 7/15 – The Natural Gourmet – Edible Plants of Bogus Basin (9:00pm-Noon | Frontier Point Lodge)
• 7/15 – Meet the Butterflies (1:00pm-3:30pm | J.R. Simplot Lodge—lift access required, see Events page)
• 8/19 – Survival in the Mountains – Basic Skills (9:00am-Noon | Frontier Point Lodge)
• 8/26 – Bogus’ Late Bloomers – A wildflower & berry walk (9:00am-Noon | Frontier Point Lodge)
• 9/2 – Survival in the Mountains – Focus on Useful Plants (9:00am-Noon | Frontier Point Lodge)
• 9/9 – Nature Photography – The World Up Close (9:00am-Noon | Frontier Point Lodge)
• 9/16 – Animal Behavior – The Why and the What of the Critters at Bogus Basin (9:00am-Noon | Frontier Point Lodge)

Check out our Events Calendar for more info!

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Pricing

All Ages Welcome

FREE

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Details

Whether it’s a scenic chair ride to the top of Deer Point or a short walk up the Bogus Creek Trail, our weekend Nature Guide staff will be happy to take you on a quick scenic tour where you’ll learn about Bogus Basin, the surrounding landscapes, and the plant & animals that call this place home. Perfect for families with young children or those new to the area wanting a broad overview of what the mountain has to offer. These outings will occur on a rolling basis throughout the day by request. Scenic chair rides will require a single ride lift ticket, unlimited activity pass, summer season pass, or a True Bogus pass.

• Meets at the Bogus Basin Info pop-up tent in the Explorer Base Area

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Schedule

Saturdays & Sundays

• Saturdays & Sundays
• 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

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Pricing

All Ages Welcome

FREE

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Details

Bring your yoga mat and your child for our free weekend morning events. Drop off your child with Bogus Basin’s Nature Guides for an hour long youth program (nature bingo, nature art & more) while you hit the lawn for a peaceful morning of yoga with the folks from Yoga for Life. Drop-ins welcome!

• Meets at the Bogus Basin Info pop-up tent in the Explorer Base Area

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Schedule

• Saturdays & Sundays
• 10 am – 11 am

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Pricing

Ages 5 – 10

FREE

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Details

Sign your child up for a week of Mountain Discovery Camp and give them a summer they’ll never forget. In partnership with the City of Boise’s Parks & Recreation department, this five day camp (M – F/9 am – 4 pm) takes youth on an adventure around the mountain exploring and learning about the alpine ecosystem through games and activities. All weeks (pg. 25) are open for youth ages 9 to 12. See Activity Guide (pg. 39) for select teen camp weeks.

Details

Did you know that Bogus Basin is the flagship site of Winter Wildlands Alliance nationally run SnowSchool winter education program? Now in its 19^th year, Bogus Basin’s SnowSchool fieldtrip program aims to get kids outside on snowshoes to learn about snow science and winter ecology in the Boise National Forest. Open to grades 3^rd through 12^th, Bogus Basin’s SnowSchool program serves up to 3,000 Treasure Valley students each winter season.

Bogus Basin is proud to partner with CAF to offer adaptive recreation equipment and assistance for students during this field trip program. Please indicate your needs on the registration form.

• Location – Frontier Point Lodge

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Schedule

• Monday – Friday
• 10 am – 2 pm

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Pricing

$6 per student

• *For every 10 students, 1 chaperone receives free admission.
• *Student to chaperone ratios beyond 10:1 require a $6 fee.
• *Scholarships are available upon request for Title I schools.
• *Daily group sizes are limited to 60 participants

Details

Hit the trail with one of Bogus Basin’s environmental education staff for a guided snowshoe tour and learn a little about the wonders of winter. These 1 ½ hour tours are a great intro into the world of winter recreation while you learn a little about the flora & fauna that call Bogus Basin home. Perfect for those new to the area or anyone interested in learning a little more about Bogus Basin and the mountain ecosystem. Private and group tours are available on a limited basis. To inquire about private groups email dirk@bogusbasin.org . Maximum of 12 people per tour.

• Location – Frontier Point Nordic Lodge

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Schedule

• Saturdays & Sundays — During Nordic Operating Hours
• Walk-Ins Welcome (based on availability)
• Reservations can be made 48 hrs. in advance (click here to inquire by email)

*Starting December 16th

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Pricing

Full Package (Rentals, Trail Pass, and Tour)	$40
Tour & Rentals OR Trail Pass	$30
Tour Only	$20

*Advanced registration is recommended to ensure your spot in the group. Walk-ins welcome but not guaranteed.

Details

Take a tour with a boost and hit the trails with Ray Vizgirdas, retired Wildlife Biologist and all around Naturalist. With over three decades of experience working for state and federal agencies, Ray knows a thing or two about the outdoors. Each week Ray will cover a new topic based off what the mountain conditions are best suited for. Topics could include the following: Snowpack Dynamics, Animal Tracking, Winter Specific Plant Adaptations, How to Make Emergency Snow Shelters and so much more. Program outings will cover no more than 1.5 miles (usually less than 1 mile) out on the snowshoe trails. Maximum of 12 people per program. Don’t forget to follow us on social media and sign up for our e-blast to keep up with all of the mountain offerings and events.

• Location – Frontier Point Nordic Lodge

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Schedule

• 12/9 – Winter Ecology
• 12/16 –  Plant & Animal Strategies for Winter
• 2/10 – Humans and Winter Survival: Making Snow Shelters     
• 2/17 – Snow Tracking Mammals
• 2/24 – Plant in Winter: Identification & Uses
• 3/2 – Exploring Bogus’ Native Felines & Canids (Cats & Dogs)
• 3/9 –  Reading Animal Tracks
• 3/16 – Winter Wildlife Adaptations
• 3/23 – Winter Plants

• Saturdays
• 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

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Pricing

Themed Snowshoe Program (trail pass & snowshoes not included)	FREE
Half-Day Trail Pass	$17
Half-Day Snowshoe Rental	$17

*Advanced registration is recommended 48 hrs. in advance to ensure your spot in the group. Walk-ins welcome if space is available. Payment for rentals and trail passes are made day of at the Frontier Point Lodge.

Details

Bring your class up to Bogus Basin for a field trip program that will have a lasting impact, for you and the natural environment! Join our environmental education and mountain stewardship team to work on a habitat restoration project. Each program is specially designed for the group and the time of year. These field trips can include projects such as invasive plant removal, native plant propagation and planting, erosion control, trail maintenance, bird box building, and more! All service projects are combined with thoughtful discussions, activities and games.

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Schedule

• Monday-Friday | 10am-2pm
• Dates available September through early December (snow/weather dependent)
• Note: there may be some potential for spring outings — contact Bogus Basin’s EE Supervisor to discuss options

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Location

All fieldtrips will begin their day at the Frontier Point Lodge unless indicated otherwise by the Environmental Education staff.

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Pricing

$5 per student

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*For every 10 students, 1 chaperone is required and receives free admission
*Student to chaperone ratios beyond 10:1 require a $5 fee
*Scholarships are available upon request for Title 1 schools
*Daily group sizes are limited to 30 participants

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How to Register

Interested in helping us expand our Field Trip Programs? Click the email button below to learn more about our Environmental Education Fall Field Trip Pilot Program. Join us for a day of hands-on activities focused on a theme such as watersheds, natural resources, wildlife adaptations, human sustainability, ecosystem interactions, and more. These programs are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Details

Are you passionate about nature and outdoor experiences? Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge with others? If so, the Bogus Basin SnowSchool program needs your help!

SnowSchool is only possible through the dedication of university students, interns, and community volunteers who engage students in this critically important environmental education program. Bogus Basin’s Environmental Education staff provide training to new volunteers prior to the field trip season. No prior teaching experience is required.

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Schedule

• Monday – Friday
• 10 am – 2 pm

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Benefits

• Transportation to and from the mountain provided
• Opportunity for hands-on application of knowledge
• Receive professional environmental education training
• Real world experience teaching students science in an outdoor setting
• Learn marketable leadership skills
• Network with local community organizations
• Gain valuable references for your resume
• Complimentary Bogus Basin Day Pass for each day of volunteering
• Volunteer for 6 or more days and receive a complimentary Season Pass
• Internship credit available to qualified students with 90+ hours commitment

Details

From trail building to native seed collecting, we have many opportunities for you to support our sustainability and stewardship efforts on the mountain. Throughout the year we periodically host volunteer events geared towards people of all ages and abilities that provide our community with a meaningful connection to our landscape. We also offer private volunteer opportunities for organizations to give back with their team.

Summer/Fall Volunteer Opportunities:

• Seed collecting
• Invasive weed pulling & surveying
• Native seed spreading and seedling planting
• Snowshoe & pedestrian trail maintenance

Winter Volunteer Opportunities:

• Recycling sorting
• Recycling education

If you would like to be notified of volunteer opportunities or to coordinate a volunteer event with your organization, please email Nate Collins ncollins@bogusbasin.org