There’s a new outdoor education program in the Treasure Valley and if your child loves exploring, hiking, climbing rocks, spotting wildlife, or simply being outside, then it’s one you’ll want to know about.
HAWKs (Hiking Adventures With Kids) recently launched in the Treasure Valley, bringing its proven outdoor education model to local families. While HAWKs is new to Idaho, the program has been helping children connect with nature in communities across the country for years. Their mission is simple: get kids outside, spark curiosity, and help them build confidence through hands-on adventures in the natural world.
Whether you’re looking for a unique summer camp, an after-school activity, homeschool enrichment, or simply more opportunities for your child to unplug and explore, HAWKs is creating year-round outdoor experiences for Treasure Valley families.
What is HAWKs Kids?
HAWKs is a year-round outdoor education program serving children ages 5–12 throughout the Treasure Valley. From seasonal camps and after-school programs to homeschool enrichment opportunities, school break adventures, and special events, HAWKs helps kids build confidence while developing a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors.
Instead of simply keeping kids entertained, HAWKs encourages children to slow down and notice the world around them. Kids learn about local plants and wildlife, practice trail skills, ask questions, solve problems, and discover something new every time they head outside. Every adventure is designed to foster curiosity, independence, resilience, and a deeper connection to nature.
A New Outdoor Education Program with a Proven Model
Although HAWKs is a new addition to the Treasure Valley, families can feel confident knowing they’re joining a program with an established track record in other communities across the country. The Treasure Valley location brings that same successful approach to outdoor education while taking advantage of the incredible parks, foothills, trails, Boise River and other natural spaces that make living in Idaho so special.
What Does a Typical HAWKs Adventure Look Like?
During a typical HAWKs adventure, kids meet their group before heading out to explore a different Treasure Valley park, trail, or natural area. Because locations rotate throughout the year, no two adventures are exactly alike.
Throughout the day, kids might spot wildlife, identify birds, learn about native plants, build trail skills, journal about what they discover, play nature-based games, climb over rocks, or simply enjoy unstructured time to safely explore and follow their curiosity. The experience is intentionally designed to balance guided learning with independent exploration.
Families receive the day’s location ahead of time and periodic recaps highlighting what their child explored, learned, and enjoyed throughout their adventures to keep communication strong.
Why Parents Love HAWKs Kids
One of the biggest reasons families are drawn to HAWKs is the opportunity for kids to spend meaningful time outdoors, away from screens and immersed in nature. Instead of another day indoors, children come home excited to share stories about the wildlife they spotted, trails they explored, insects they discovered, and adventures they experienced.
Beyond outdoor fun, HAWKs helps children build confidence, resilience, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and independence through hands-on learning that feels like play.
Small Groups Mean More Individual Attention
One feature that makes HAWKs stand out is its intentionally small group size. Each educator works with no more than seven children, allowing every participant to receive personalized attention throughout each adventure.
All HAWKs educators are background checked and certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and EpiPen administration. They complete training focused on child development, outdoor safety, and nature-based learning.
Outdoor Education Adventures Throughout the Year
While many families first discover HAWKs through its seasonal camps, the adventure doesn’t stop there. HAWKs is designed as a year-round program that gives children ongoing opportunities to explore, learn, and grow outdoors.
Throughout the year, families can find opportunities through after-school programs, homeschool enrichment, school break adventures, seasonal camps, and other outdoor experiences. It’s a wonderful option for parents looking to keep their children active, curious, and connected to nature during every season.
Flexible Scheduling for Busy Families
HAWKs understands that every family’s schedule looks different, which is why they offer flexible registration options throughout the year. Depending on the program, families may have opportunities to register for full camp weeks, individual adventure days, recurring weekly programs, or seasonal offerings.
For many programs, campers can either meet at the designated trailhead or take advantage of Venture Van transportation from Settlers Park in Meridian, making outdoor adventures even more convenient for busy families.
Idaho Is the Perfect Classroom for Outdoor Education
One of the best parts about life in Boise with kids is having incredible outdoor spaces right in our backyard. From foothill trails and river paths to local parks and nature preserves, there are countless places for children to learn through exploration. HAWKs takes advantage of those natural spaces, helping kids develop an appreciation for Idaho’s landscapes while learning to safely and confidently explore them.
Ready to Explore?
If you’re searching for outdoor activities for kids in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, or anywhere in the Treasure Valley, HAWKs is a program worth exploring. With experienced educators, intentionally small groups, flexible programming throughout the year, and a mission to help children connect with the natural world, HAWKs offers much more than outdoor recreation. They’re helping raise confident, curious kids who develop a lasting appreciation for the incredible places waiting just outside their front door.
HAWKs Meridian Info:
Phone: (208)839-6717
Email: meridian@hawkskids.com
Website: www.hawkskids.com/id-meridian
Find HAWKs on our Summer Camps Guide and use code BWK20 for 20% off a 2026 Summer Camp!