Boise Environmental Education (BEE) offers families an assortment of regular monthly programs and special events designed to educate, inform and engage on environmental topics. Most programs are free at Foothills Learning Center, BUGS and the WaterShed.
The WaterShed
The WaterShed offers free opportunities for all ages through the following programs:
- WaterShed Weekends - 3rd Saturday of each month, all-ages family program
- School Break Drop-In Programs - Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Breaks
- Homeschool Programs - year round for all ages
- WaterShed Wednesdays – Summer, all-ages family program
The WaterShed will be closed for renovations August 23, 2023 - Summer 2024. During this time, limited on-site programs for school groups and homeschools will be offered. Check out our online programming so you can connect and learn at home. Whether you're looking for activities, short informative videos, or information for lifelong learning, you'll find it here.
BUGS
The Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS) beautiful organic garden not only produces vegetables and flowers but also youth and adults who learn and absorb the fundamentals of gardening though science, health and environmental based lessons and activities. BUGS understands that a student that is able to dig in the soil, plant a seed, and watch it grow will be excited to eat the fruits of their labor, and will understand the science behind healthy soil, sprouting seeds, photosynthesis and more.
Community Forestry
The Boise Parks and Recreation Community Forestry program offers opportunities to learn more about trees and how to care for them.
- Tree Walks - Held at local parks, join an Arborist to learn more about the trees that grow in Boise.
- Tree Care Classes - Offered February through mid April, these free classes help you learn how to care for trees on your property. Classes are offered at the Boise Public Library.
Foothills Learning Center
Foothills Family Days are offered every 2nd Saturday of each month. Stars, wiggly worms, sheep, and bees; the topics always change, but it’s always a blast! Activities include: educational opportunities, crafts, scavenger hunts and a backyard ready for picnicking. A great lead in to an afternoon in the foothills or at Camel’s Back Park.
Zoo Boise
Zoo Boise offers a wide variety of family programming for all ages. Programs include:
- Stroller Safari – Adults with children 2 and under who are looking to learn more about nature will enjoy a short zoo tour and an up close animal encounter.
- Preschool Zoo – For adults and children 3-5 activities are designed to be multi-sensory and may include mini zoo tours, movement activities, listening to stories, crafts, touching artifacts, and meeting live animals.
- Homeschool Zoo - Classes align with Idaho State Science Standards and focus on topics and principles based on grade level K-5.
- Family Weekends – 6 and up plus an adult get a memorable afternoon at the zoo including guided tour and activities plus an animal meet and greet
- Snooze – those 7+ with an adult will experience a camp out unlike any other. Sleep under the stars, surrounded by exotic animals, right in the middle of the city!
