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Why Colorado Springs is an Adventurous Family’s Dream Vacation

By U.S. News & World Report

If you’re looking for a family-friendly destination that is not just warm, but filled with opportunities to stay active and seek out adventure, consider Colorado Springs. There’s a reason why Olympic athletes train in this city, which is often touted as one of the healthiest U.S. cities. With mild temperatures year-round and low humidity (even in winter, snow doesn’t stick around long), plus more than 300 days of sunshine, Colorado Springs beckons visitors to embrace the great outdoors. Set amid majestic mountains, and conveniently located within driving distance of Denver International Airport, Colorado’s second largest city has more than 55 major attractions for families to explore. Here are a few standout spots not to miss on your Colorado Springs adventure, along with enticing reasons to plan a trip.

[See: 10 Bucket List Winter Family Vacation Experiences.]

Pikes Peak

Towering over Colorado City, Pikes Peak is one of Colorado’s fourteeners, or peaks that reach 14,000 feet or higher. Nicknamed America’s mountain, as it was the inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful,” this purple mountain majesty is a bucket list item for many Americans. You can reach the 14,000-foot summit via the highest and oldest cog railway in the world dating to 1891 as you climb nearly 9 miles through forests and past waterfalls across five states. The elevation may make you feel a bit dizzy and short of breath, so take it easy. At the top of the mountain, make sure you race to the line for homemade doughnuts, as you have limited time to spend at the summit. You can also drive a winding, hair-raising highway up the mountain or even try to hike to the top. The nearby Manitou Incline, originally built for cable cars to carry materials up Pikes Peak, dares extreme athletes to make the one-mile trek up 2,000 vertical feet. Rumor has it you’ll be alongside Olympic athletes anytime you attempt this incredible climb.

Garden of the Gods

Close to Pikes Peak in the Manitou Springs area, Garden of the Gods is a 1,300-acre National Natural Landmark of dramatic red rocks that stand sharply in contrast against the surrounding mountains and bright blue Colorado sky. Wander among these monoliths of sandstone, watching rock climbers make their way up and marveling at their size and varying formations. Best of all for frugal families, this park is entirely free of charge and offers both longer and shorter trails to tackle, depending on the ages of kids in tow; alternatively, you can opt for a jeep or Segway tour. Kids can see if they can spot the shapes that give each rock their nickname, such as Kissing Camels and Sleeping Giant.

Cave of the Winds

Not only can you explore a 500-million-year-old cave at a more than 6,000-foot-high elevation at Cave of the Winds, you can get in a thrill, too. Step inside the ancient cave discovered by two adventurous boys in the late 1800s on the 45-minute Discovery Tour. The tour offers an overview that is not too long or scary for young children, squeezing past tight formations and viewing plenty of stalactites and stalagmites along the way. Afterward, head outdoors for fantastic views over a vast gorge, trying the Ropes Course, which dangles over the edge or soaring along over the canyon in the Bat-a-Pult, a seated ride similar to a zip line that’s perfect for a parent and child to ride together.

[See: 10 Places to See Golden Aspens This Fall.]

The Broadmoor Seven Falls

Get in some hiking in Colorado Springs at one of many area parks and trails, or check out the newly opened Broadmoor Seven Falls, a series of seven cascading waterfalls in a box canyon located just 1 mile from The Broadmoor Resort. Climb 224 steps to the top where you can explore even more trails or just soak in the views of the falls from on high. There’s also a zip line over the falls with rope bridges and rappelling and a restaurant.

Where to Stay

Active families can keep their adrenaline pumping at Cheyenne Mountain Resort, which offers plenty of on-site recreation opportunities and picturesque views of Cheyenne Mountain. The resort has a private 35-acre lake with kayaking and boating, indoor and outdoor tennis and pickleball (a hybrid of pingpong and tennis). Plus, the resort features an 18-hole Pete Dye designed golf course at the base of the mountain, a variety of pools, including an Olympic-size pool and a water area for kids. Meanwhile, parents can work out at the full-size fitness center and take advantage complimentary child care or dart into the on-site spa for some relaxation. The resort is designed to optimize the outdoor views with ample outdoor seating for relaxing, dining and working.

A unique accommodation close to Garden of the Gods is Glen Eyrie Castle, the original English Tudor-style 800-acre estate of General William Jackson Palmer, who founded Colorado Springs. Dating back to the 1800s, the castle offers 17 rooms, a beautiful outdoor terrace, frequent herds of bighorn sheep, wild turkey and deer grazing, a bookstore in the former carriage house and elegant decor. There are also lodges throughout the property to house larger families.

[See: 6 Family-Friendly Adventure Trips You Can Afford.]

Whether you choose to visit Pikes Peak or simply enjoy a meandering hike in the gorgeous weather, there’s no shortage of adventure to be had in Colorado Springs.

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Why Colorado Springs is an Adventurous Family’s Dream Vacation originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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