Wild about the Grasslands! Spring Adventure Camp 2010 is planned at Empire Ranch Headquarters in Sonoita from March 17-20. This is an ecology and ranching heritage program of the fundation and Bureau of Land Management. This outdoor education program connects kids to the outdoors through hands-on, minds-on activities on the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.

Students will have activities that include exploring the semi-desert grasslands around Sonoita. Contributd photo.

Through guided hikes and hands-on explorations students, grades 5-8, attending Spring Adventure Camp I, will discover the importance of the Cienega Creek as a resource to the Las Cienegas NCA and the Cienega Watershed. Students will learn about recious water source to support a diversity of plants, wildlife, and its significance to the people who depend on it. This program is March 15-17 from 09 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $85 per person; $95 after Feb. 5. The fee includes a custom-designed, long sleeve T-shirt and nature heritage discovery journal.

Spring Adventure Camp II is designed for students grades 6-10, who attended Wild about the Grasslands! Summer Camp or Spring Day Camp I. Students will learn camping in the outdoors. They will have an evening of activities focused on Dutch oven cooking, wildlife spotting, cowboy music, and observing the night sky. The next day they will explore the semi-desert grasslands. Students will practice responsible outdoor recreation as they participate in a geocaching stewardship monitoring project.

This advanced program is March 19-20 from 3 p.m.-1 p.m. The cost is $60; or $70 after Feb. 5. The fee includes a custom-made long sleeve T-shirt, dinner, breakfast, and light lunch.

A discounted fee of $135 or $155 after Feb. 5 is offered for students registering for Spring Camps I & II. Limited scholarships are available. For more information, call 1 (888) 364-2829, or e-mail admin@empireranchfoundation.org.