Outdoors calendar for Idaho in October

Ongoing through Oct. 31

Ridetober Commuter Challenge: Encourages Treasure Valley commuters to use smart transportation options in October. Each day you bike, walk, carpool, vanpool, or ride the bus, and track your commute on SharetheRideIdaho.com, you are entered to win daily rewards. Get started at commuteride.com/ridetober.

Saturday

The Big Race at Tamarack: Features 5k and 10k trail runs and a vertical trail run, or the Big Vertical Challenge, at 311 Village Drive. Fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho (BBBS) to benefit youth mentorship in Idaho. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/ID/Tamarack/TheBigRaceatTamarack and select the event you’d like to participate in. For more information on how to get involved, email info@bbbsidaho.org or call BBBS at 208-377-2552.

Sunday

Museum tour and discussion: 1 p.m. at the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology, 2455 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise. Join Steve Cox, IMMG Board President, for a 45-minute tour followed by time for individual discovery. Free for museum members and children, $5 plus processing fee for nonmembers. Preregistration required at idahomuseum.org/events. Email operations@idahomuseum.org with questions.

Oct. 16

Lecture: Radioactive Fossils: 1 p.m. at the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology, 2455 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise. Neal Farmer discusses naturally occurring radioactivity from geologic sources and fossils that occurs in the Hagerman area. Free for museum members and children, $5 plus processing fee for nonmembers. Preregistration required at idahomuseum.org/events. Email operations@idahomuseum.org with questions.

Oct. 23

Mineral identification: 1 p.m. at the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology, 2455 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise. Coyote Short PG can identify rocks, minerals and Native American artifacts. Bring in your specimens. Free for museum members and children, $5 plus processing fee for nonmembers. Preregistration required at idahomuseum.org/events. Email operations@idahomuseum.org with questions.

Oct. 30

The Buried Dead: Fossils from the Deep: 1 p.m. at the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology, 2455 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise. Seasonal family fun examining fossils. Great for grade school kids. Activities are scheduled in 30-minute increments. Free for museum members and children, $5 plus processing fee for nonmembers. Preregistration is required at idahomuseum.org/events. Email operations@idahomuseum.org with questions.

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