By Harriot Manley

The glorious, gargantuan Big Ditch, a world of learning (Photodisc)

On the trail, my two kids are forever peering under rocks to ferret out weird creatures, while I'm left trying to keep up with their chorus of "Hey, Mom, what's this?" To keep from digging for the Peterson guides every two minutes, I've found a solution: the information-rich and activity-packed courses for families offered at a growing number of national parks. Sponsored by field institutes, schools, or natural history associations, the programs are taught by wildlife biologists and other naturalists. The courses, predominantly at parks in the West, suit kids ages six through 12. Here's a sampling from this summer's best courses.

Grand Canyon National Park – Search canyon walls for ancient rock art or hunt for fossils during one-day "Meet the Canyon" classes, with easy hikes led by scientists. "Learning and Lodging," a two-day option for kids ages ten and up, involves more strenuous hiking and includes breakfasts and lunches and two nights at the Yavapai East Lodge or the Maswik Lodge. The day course is $95 per person (no kid discount); the two-day class is $370 per adult ($572 for two) and $168 per child. Grand Canyon Field Institute, 866-471-4435, www.grandcanyon.org

Olympic National Park – A summerful of weekend courses like "Bears, Cougars & Wolves, Oh My!" (July 11-13) explore the ultra-lush Hoh Rainforest, with naturalist-led hikes nosing around under old-growth conifers draped with moss. On this weekend, families look for evidence of carnivores and stay in cabins nearby at the Rosemary Inn, a lodge built in the early 1900s on the shore of Lake Crescent. Three-day courses include meals and lodging and cost $195 per adult, $115 per child. Olympic Park Institute, 800-775-3720, www.yni.org/opi

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Grand Teton National Park – On "Birding, Banding, and Breakfast" excursions, held at daybreak on Fridays in June, families hike a half-mile loop to check the nets used to capture migratory songbirds. Help scientists band the birds, set them free, and then head back to the Teton Science School and gorge on eggs, bacon, and fruit. Cost is $12 per adult, $7 per child (free for ages five and under). Or, July through mid-August, mountain bike or hike on "Summer Saturdays for Families." Pick from a schedule that introduces kids eight and up to insects, geology, or astronomy. Cost is $70 per adult-child pair. Teton Science School, 307-733-4765, www.tetonscience.org

Big Bend National Park – Try a course, led by a bat biologist, on the 20 species of winged mammals that call Big Bend home. Let the kids stay up late—the class goes till midnight, with a walk to see the ultra-fine nylon nets used to capture bats for observation. The May 17 course is $50 per person, with similar classes on butterflies and black bears offered year-round. Big Bend Natural History Association, 915-477-2236, www.bigbendbookstore.org

Yellowstone National Park – Naturalists teach the four-day "Yellowstone for Families" course, which explores everything from geysers and mud pots to bison and elk. Offered June through September, the class comes in two guises: easy one- to three-mile rambles or tougher three- to five-mile hikes. Cost is $545 per adult and $333 per child and includes breakfast, lunch, and lodging at Mammoth Hot Springs Lodge at the park's northern edge or Grand Village at the southern boundary. Yellowstone Association Institute, 307-344-2294, www.yellowstoneassociation.org

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