Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) Programs

Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) Programs offers Colorado Wildlife – Skins and Skulls, Who Polluted The South Platte River?, Macroinvertebrates, Inside an Owl Pellet, Schoolyard Habitat, and Nature Play. All programs are 45-60 minutes, and ELK comes to the school or site.

Programs

• Colorado Wildlife – Skins and Skulls — K-12th Grade
• Who Polluted The South Platte River? — 4th-8th Grade
• Macroinvertebrates — K-6th Grade · Hands-on experience with a local sample of lake water to learn about aquatic bug adaptations, how to identify macroinvertebrates, and determine water quality through bioassessment.
• Inside an Owl Pellet — K-8th Grade
• Schoolyard Habitat — K-6th Grade
• Nature Play — PreK-2nd Grade

At a glance

• Ages: 5–18 years old
• General schedule: All programs are 45-60 minutes. ELK will come to your school or site.

About the provider

ELK is a Denver-based 501(c)3 organization established in 1996. Its mission is cultivating a diverse community of leaders and environmental stewards by increasing outdoor equity. ELK serves underserved, underrepresented, youth of color, LGBTQ+, and girls, and it reaches racially and socioeconomically diverse communities in Denver, Aurora, and Commerce City. It serves more than 5,000 underserved, under-represented youth each year through year-round intensive programs and in-school and after-school programs in Denver, Adams, and Arapahoe Counties.

All programs are FREE for ELK families. Parents are invited to attend all ELK activities. All programs are correlated to CO Academic Standards and Next Generation Science Standards and model effective teaching practices.

What families say

“Nature makes me feel more connected to my community.” — ELK Youth

“I never thought that there was an organization I could get to call family, this is what ELK is to me and my 5 children that get so excited when we have an activity with ELK.” — ELK Parent

“I don’t know how you did it. My kids use to hate being outside. I couldn’t get them off their phones or video games, but now they love being outside. They now like to hike, camp and just be outside. Thank you ELK!” — ELK Parent

Last updated August 20, 2026.