Saguaro National Park has a great idea for helping kids learn about'”and be more comfortable in'”the out-of-doors. For three days later this month, young people ages 10 to 14 can participate in a three-day "Wilderness Exploration Day Camp" at the park, and the staff has scheduled the event to coincide with a scheduled holiday in the local school's calendar. 

The camp will be held February 26-28, 2015, in the park's Tucson Mountain District (West) Unit; as the name implies, that section of the park is right on the western edge of the Tucson metro area. The three-day experience is structured to encourage young people to explore the desert, learn about nature, and have fun in the great outdoors.

This is a great example of fun with a purpose: camp organizers say the ultimate goal is to provide young people with a sense of stewardship for not only National Parks, but for nature and the environment on a global scale as well.

So, what will the youngster's do during their 3-day introduction to outdoor activities?

According to a park spokesperson, "The camp offers a variety of fun, hands-on activities such as hiking, exploring, map and compass reading, learning how a GPS helps you navigate through the desert, checking caves and burrows for tortoises and Gila Monsters, and an exhilarating night hike through the magic of the desert after dark."

These young people learned about the natural world during a previous park event. NPS photo.

"Participants will also learn how to pick a camp site, pitch a tent, and cook with a backpack stove, and be introduced to hiking safety and Leave No Trace land use ethics. A high value is also placed on unstructured down time, where participants chat, eat, and snooze at their 'campsite'. The camp finishes around a campfire, sharing stories of the adventures discovered during the camp."

Camp hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, from 10:30a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday (includes a night hike), and 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday (includes a campfire and celebration). While waiting for their youngsters to hike out from the base camp, parents are invited to gather around the "parent campfire" for hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows, beginning 30 minutes before the pickup time each evening.

February usually offers some of the best weather for the year for outdoor activities in the southern Arizona desert, and there's another reason for the timing of this event: it coincides with the annual "Rodeo Break" in town.

The Tucson Rodeo, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, is a big deal in the local area. Public schools, and even the Pima Community College take a two day "rodeo holiday" on Thursday and Friday, February 26-27. That allows the park to schedule 3 days of activities for the Wilderness Exploration Day Camp

Advance reservations are needed for this program, and space is limited. The $40 fee for the program seems very reasonable, and there may be some scholarships available. If you're interested in more details, you'll find them here, or you can contact Ranger Chip Littlefield at 520-733-5157 or by email at this link. The camp will be held at the park's Environmental Education Center, 2700 North Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona 85743.