Grantees of Community Foundation Boulder County offer a dizzying diversity of summer programs and events. Following are just a few examples of where to find inspiration and adventure right here in Boulder County.
From the arts to the outdoors to civic engagement, grantees offer a cross-section of performances, workshops, classes, camps, volunteer opportunities, and more – for all ages, interests, and sensibilities:
Animals & Environment
- Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: if you care about wildlife – and helping orphaned, injured, or sick animals back on their feet, paws, or wings – consider being an Animal Care Volunteer; or volunteer at the center’s Thrift Shop. The center provides opportunities for kids to help animals, too!
- Thorne Nature Experience: promoting stewardship of our planet by providing youth with joyful, hands-on, place-based environmental education experiences. Enjoy a self-guided exploration at Sombrero Marsh Environmental Education Center, or participate in the Friday Family Fun event on Aug. 3.
- Wild Bear Nature Center: nature camps, workshops, and presentations for children, youth, adults, and families. Check out the High Altitude Herb Walk on Aug. 18!
- Wildlands Restoration Volunteers: volunteer opportunities for youth and families to learn about our natural environment, and take direct action to restore and care for the land. Consider the Pollinator Habitat Restoration event at Standley Lake on Aug. 7 – a scenic and family-friendly lake to clip and bag flowers of invasive teasel.
Arts & Culture
- Colorado Music Festival and Center for Musical Arts: a plethora of music education opportunities, and another summer season of quality classical music concerts at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium. Check out the Family Fun Concert on Aug. 3, and explore musical arts classes, camps, and social “music jams” for all ages.
- Colorado Shakespeare Festival: don’t miss “a summer of love and ambition under the stars” on the beautiful CU Boulder campus, including Love’s Labour’s Lost, Richard III, and Cyrano de Bergerac – the inspiration behind the hit film “Roxanne” – plus the screwball comedy You Can’t Take It With You. Don’t forget to pack a picnic, enjoy the pre-show talks and entertainment, and stroll through the Shakespeare Gardens.
- MOTUS Theater: original theater that facilitates dialogue on critical issues. Learn more about upcoming events and post-show MOTUS Meals that ignite conversation, and bring our community closer together. And check out these jobs and volunteer opportunities!
Civic Engagement
- Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition: citizenship workshops, festivals, and other events that make Colorado a more welcoming, immigrant-friendly state. Check out the Taste of Ethiopia Festival on Aug. 4, or volunteer.
- New Era Colorado: hands-on democracy. Learn more about voter engagement and making policy, and sign up for internship and volunteer opportunities.
Education
- TEENS, Inc.: for youth in the Nederland and the Peak-to-Peak area, TEENS, Inc. provides a safe, drug- and alcohol-free environment to socialize, develop healthy self-esteem, and learn leadership skills. Check out the no-cost, drop-in Teen Center, and the After-School Climbing program coming up this fall.
- WOW! Children’s Museum: visit Lafayette, and explore the museum’s impressive variety of learning exhibits – from puppets and pirates to experiencing the physics of pulley chairs. And don’t miss the new Forest of Light exhibit!
Health & Human Services
- Growing Gardens: gardening, nutrition, and education. Register for cooking classes and fall foodie classes, or a series of beekeeping classes.
- YMCA of Boulder Valley: a cornucopia of swim lessons, summer camp, personal training, events, and more. Check out the summer program guide for all ages.
Get out, and get in on the fun!
