This Weekend Bears are the Teachers During Bear Camp at Northwest Trek

Bears of many kinds will share the spotlight at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park this weekend.

Seven-year-old black bear siblings Benton and Fern will get the run of a mock camp site, and grizzly bear Denali will tackle some food containers - all to show visitors how to camp safely in areas that are home to these large land predators.

Camp weekend is Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, at Northwest Trek, and even teddy bears will play a role. Kids are invited to bring their favorite stuffed friends with them for “checkups.” 

But the real bears are the stars. Keepers will talk about what it’s like to care for some of the most powerful mammals in North America. And, with camping season here, demonstrations will show visitors how easily a strong animal with sharp claws can raid a campground. It’s a valuable lesson in how to keep food safe and out of harm’s way. Here’s the schedule of events:

Saturday 

• Noon. Bear “Jeopardy” game in the Cheney Discovery Center. 
• 1 p.m. Watch black bears interact with a mock campsite. 
• 2 p.m. See Denali the grizzly bear receive a special treat.
• 2 p.m. Bear “Jeopardy game in the Cheney Discovery Center. 
• All day: Teddy bear “checkups.”

Sunday

• Noon. Bear “Jeopardy” game in the Cheney Discovery Center.
• 1 p.m. Find out if “bear-proof” containers will stand up to a grizzly bear.
• 2 p.m. Watch black bears Benton and Fern get one of their favorite treats – peanut butter and jelly.
• All day: Teddy bear “checkups.”

An unsecured camping cooler with food is no match for a curious – and hungry – grizzly bear. Bear Camp at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park will provide visitors with information on how to camp safely in bear country.

Plus, it’s baby animal season at Northwest Trek, and there is a newborn bison calf and two new bighorn sheep lambs in the Free-Roaming Area. Visitors can keep a lookout for them while touring the 435-acre Free-Roaming Area aboard comfortable trams.

The 50-minute narrated tours give visitors a great opportunity to see herds of American bison and Roosevelt elk, plus bighorn sheep, moose, deer and other animals. The tram ride and all activities are free with admission or membership to Northwest Trek. For more information, go to www.nwtrek.org.