Crystal Valley Blog

There are plenty of activities to explore in the Castle Rock area this weekend! The Backcountry Wilderness Area provides a number of ways for the entire family to get out and explore nature—from a Full Moon Hike to a Backcountry Orienteering workshop for kids to a Winter Wonderland for the youngest tots!

TODAY/TONIGHT, January 28

A SALTY TALE
Did you know that once upon a time, salt was such a valuable commodity that it was used as a method of trade and currency? In fact, the word “salary” comes from salt! While you probably would prefer not to be paid in salt, consider for a moment how important its role has been in the history of civilization. 

This interesting Active Minds discussion will point out various ways that salt has helped us survive over the course of human history. From its key role in preserving food, to its influence in political conflict, to modern angles including gourmet salt and health concerns surrounding high blood pressure, it’s a salty tale indeed!

Active Minds Online, Hosted by Castle Rock Senior Center
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Phone: 303-688-9498

STORYTELLING AFTERNOON
In this fun, interactive online session, YOU are the storyteller! The online facilitator will have plenty of tips and prompts to get your creative juices flowing. Feel free to share (or not!)—either way, you’ll have a good time learning how to tell a great story!

Lone Tree Arts Center Online
1:30 p.m.
Register: FREE

FULL MOON HIKE
If ever there was a good time to get out in the middle of nature and take part in the majesty of life, it would be NOW. Thank goodness there’s a Full Moon Hike to guide you! Sign up for this awe-inspiring backcountry event, and leave your flashlight behind. A naturalist and the moon’s light will walk you through it!

Backcountry Wilderness Area, 6005 Ron King Trail, Highlands Ranch 
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Register: $7 – $10
Phone: 303-471-7052

HAPPY HOUR WITH WINE ONLINE
OBC Wine Project is your online host in this interactive happy hour where you will not only learn about some of their newest bottled wines, but also their red and white cans! Don’t forget to go shopping in advance so you can taste along with the class. You’ll even learn how to make a fun wine “cocktail.”

HRCA on Zoom
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-471-8898

Thursday-Sunday, January 28-31

CIRCUS OMNIUM ONLINE
Any way you look at it, an online circus is bound to be loads of fun! This very special circus offers a multi-sensory platform for audience members who may experience the world in a unique way.

Circus Omnium also has numerous multi-abled international performers who will delight you, not because of they perform despite their disabilities but because of their extraordinary talents.

Circus Omnium Online
Thurs./Fri., 5:00 and 8:00 p.m.; Sat., 9:00 a.m., 1:00, 5:00, and 8:00 p.m.; Sun. 10:00 a.m., 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $20 per family ticket

Friday, January 29

BACKCOUNTRY ORIENTEERING
As a Nature Homeschool Program, this Backcountry Wilderness Area workshop is a half-day close-to-home opportunity for exploration and learning in a natural setting. 

The program emphasizes exploration with a hands-on approach and is built with the Colorado State Education Standards in mind. The workshop is open to the public regardless of a student’s learning-style choice (homeschool, eLearning, or hybrid).

Backcountry Wilderness Area, 6005 Ron King Trail, Highlands Ranch
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Register: $25-$35
Phone: 303-471-7052

Friday-Saturday, January 29-30

TEA IN HONOR OF HOLIDAYS
Okay, so it’s the end of January, but surely it must be a holiday somewhere, right? At least, that’s what you can tell yourself on these long winter weekends!

Cherokee Castle is happy to oblige by continuing to host afternoon teas that are royalty-worthy!

Cherokee Ranch & Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $58
Phone: 303-688-5555

CLARA’S DREAM ONLINE
Students from the On Pointe School of Dance at the PACE Center have been working hard to come up with this twist on the holiday classic, The Nutcracker! This delightful performance of Clara’s Dream is is an all-student danced performance, including the just-beginning 3 year-old dancers! When you buy a ticket for the online performance, you’ll get access to two specific show dates and times—one on Friday and one on Saturday!

PACE Center Online
Fri., 5:00 p.m/Sat., 2:00 p.m. OR Fri., 7:30 p.m./Sat., 4:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30

Saturday, January 30

WINTER WONDERLAND IN THE BACKCOUNTRY
Just for the youngest kids and their parents, this magical outdoor Winter Wonderland adventure in the backcountry includes time with animals, a story around the fire, roasted apples, and exploring in the forest! Kids ages 2-6 will have a blast!

One parent is asked to remain on site throughout the entire program.

Backcountry Wilderness Area, 6005 Ron King Trail, Highlands Ranch 
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Register: $6 – $8
Phone: 303-471-7052

LITTLE CHEFS WORKSHOP
Your young chefs and bakers, ages 4-7, will learn how to create a culinary masterpiece in this IN-PERSON class. Masks and social distancing will be required.

Sign up for Activity number 441551 when you register your Little Chef!

Lone Tree Recreational Center, 10249 Ridgegate Circle, Centennial
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Register: $23-$26
Phone: 303-708-3500

FORT VILLAGE MARKETPLACE
Backcountry Wilderness gives tweens (ages 7-13) a fun opportunity to build a community from the ground up! First, they’ll create a town made from natural material forts, and then they’ll set up businesses in it. They’ll come up with items to “sell,” set up a storefront, or establish a trade—and by the end of the workshop, they’ll have a thriving village!

Backcountry Wilderness Area, 6005 Ron King Trail, Highlands Ranch 
12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Register: $18 – $22
Phone: 303-471-7052

FRENCH BISTRO ONLINE
Learn how to cook like the French at home! This in-depth culinary class will walk you through creating an impressive-sounding menu of Pan-Seared Salmon with Pommes Dauphinoise and Haricot Vert, Champignon and Onion Soup, and Crème Caramel! Only you will know how easy it was to make this simple, yet elegant menu the whole family is sure to enjoy!

Cook Street School of Culinary Arts Online
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Register: $50
Phone: 303-308-9300

Saturday-Sunday, January 30-31

DINOSAUR EXPLORATION
Do you have a dinosaur lover in your home? If so, this special playtime for kids ages 1-8 will be a hit, as kids explore dinosaur-themed crafts and sensory kits! One free adult is included with each child’s admission.

Play Street Museum, 9370 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite A-2, Highlands Ranch
Sat., 9:00-10:30 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m
Registration: $14 per child
Phone: 303-357-3024

No shortage of activities in the Crystal Valley area!

There’s no shortage of things to do near the master-planned community of Crystal Valley! You can get back to nature and still have easy access to all your favorite activities in the Castle Rock area. With beautiful model homes from D.R. Horton, Kauffman Homes, Richmond American Homes, and Century Communities, it’s easy to picture yourself in your own new home, priced from the $300s.