title
PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events and Activities 12/12/2023 - 1/22/2024
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Tuesday, 12/12; 6pm
Dark Sky Walk, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Walk in the world’s largest Urban Night Sky Place during the darkest night of the month.
Thursday, 12/14; 6pm
Winter Fire Building Workshop, Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook
Learn fire building skills and stick around for a story and s’mores around the fire Registration required. Please visit the website for more information.
Thursday, 12/14; 1pm
Forest Therapy Walk, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
A Certified Forest Therapy guide will help you awaken your senses and renew your bond with nature. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (773) 758-8899.
Friday, 12/15; 7pm
Evening Owl Prowl, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
A guided walk on our trails to search for local owls. Registration required by 12/13. Please call (847) 824-8360. Ages 8 and up.
Saturday, 12/16; 1pm
Owl Program, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for an indoor presentation to learn about unique adaptations of owls that make them silent, skilled nocturnal hunters.
Saturday, 12/16; 10am - 12:30pm
Winter Pop-Up Fun, Evans Field, River Grove
Borrow a pair of our snowshoes, help with litter pickup, warm up by a fire and play in the snow!
Sunday, 12/17; 5:30am
Dawn Owl Prowl, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Listen for owls as part of the annual Christmas Bird Count with John Elliott of the Chicago Bird Alliance. Registration required. Ages 10 and up. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 12/16; 3:30pm - 7pm
Winter Bonfire, Camp Shabbona, South Holland
Join us as we celebrate the beginning of winter with a large bonfire, artmaking, nature walks and more.
Thursday, 12/21; 10:30am - 1:30pm
Winter Break-Out Adventure, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
School is out! Join us for fun and adventure during winter break. Snowshoeing hikes, tracking, shelter building and other winter activities.
Thursday, 12/21; 6:30pm - 9pm
Winter Solstice Night of Lights Walk, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
A self-guided candlelit walk through our woods will delight visitors as we celebrate the shortest night of the year.
Thursday, 12/21; 7pm
Winter Solstice Lantern Walk, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Celebrate the longest night of the year with an evening lantern walk. All ages.
Saturday, 12/23; 10am
Experience Winter: Winter Resident, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Bring the family and enjoy a trail hike with a naturalist. Registration required. Please call (630)257-2045.
Tuesday, 12/26 through Monday, 1/1; 11am - 1pm
Kwanzaa Celebration, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Seven days of music and nature-based activities following the seven principles:
Day 1: Dec 26 - Umoja (Unity)
Day 2: Dec 27 - Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Day 3: Dec 28 - Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility)
Day 4: Dec 29 - Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Day 5: Dec 30 - Nia (Purpose)
Day 6: Dec 31- Kuumba (Creativity)
Day 7: Jan 1 - Imani (Unity)
Wednesday, 12/27 through Thursday, 12/28; 9am - 3pm
Winter Break Craft Camp, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Get creative and learn some new skills. Projects will include woodburning, painting and fiber arts. Registration required. Ages 9-13 and families. Please visit the website for more information.
Wednesday, 12/27; 10am
Experience Winter: Nature Hike, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Bring the family and enjoy a trail hike with a naturalist. Registration required. Please call (630)257-2045.
Wednesday, 12/27; 1pm - 3:30pm
Teen Exploration Day: Snowshoeing and Fire Building, Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
Enjoy the Preserves on snowshoes then learn different methods for fire building outdoors and make s’mores! Snowshoes provided; 4” of snow required. Registration required. Please visit the website for more information.
Wednesday, 12/27; 1:30pm
Winter Secrets Hike, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Bring the family on a walk to see what is happening above, within, and beneath the snow. Registration required. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 12/30 through Sunday 12/31; 9:30am - 11:30am
Restoration Workday, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join a naturalist as we help restore our ecosystems by removing invasive species. Registration required. Ages 10 and up. Please call (630)257-2045.
Saturday, 12/30; 1pm - 3pm
Winter Play Day, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Drop by for outdoor and indoor family fun. Visit the self-directed activity stations and discover seasonal nature through play and exploration.
Tuesday, 1/2; 10am
New Year’s Resolution Walk, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Fulfill your resolution of being more active by taking a brisk guided walk on our trails at Trailside. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Tuesday, 1/2 through Thursday, 1/4; 10am - 12pm
Winter Break Camp, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Children will enjoy three fun filled days with outdoor activities, art making and s’mores at the fire. Cost: $35 per child. Ages 9-12.
Tuesday, 1/2; 11am
Resolution Walk, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Take steps towards your health goals during this light, 1-mile nature walk. Registration required. Please visit the website for more information.
Wednesday, 1/3; 11am - 2pm
Winter Exploration Day, Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago
Bring the whole family and enjoy winter in the Preserves with snowshoeing, nature hikes, art, campfires and more!
Thursday, 1/4 through Saturday, 1/6; 10am - 12pm
Winter Camp, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Explore activities while learning the significance of the winter season in Native American culture. Presented by Trickster Cultural Center. Registration required. Please call (773) 758-8899.
Tuesday, 1/4; 1pm - 2:30pm
Family Winter Scavenger Hunt and Campfire, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Enjoy a winter afternoon on a self-guided scavenger hunt. Afterwards, enjoy refreshments around the campfire.
Saturdays, 1/6 through Sundays 1/21; 9am
Beginner Cross-Country Ski Lessons, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Learn to ski with a certified Professional Ski Instructor of America. Registration required. Cost: $20 per person. Please call (630)257-2045. Ages 12 and up.
Saturday, 1/6; 1pm - 3pm
Birding & Board Games, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Watch and learn about winter birds at our feeders while playing nature-themed board games. Ages 14 and up.
Sunday, 1/7; 1pm
The Science of Snow, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Learn about the winter season, how snowflakes form and how snow can keep you warm through hands-on indoor and outdoor activities.
Wednesday, 1/10; 10am - 12pm
Animal Olympics Trail; Bemis Woods-South, Western Springs
Kids and families can walk a short, looped trail in a fun test of human versus animal abilities! Prize awarded after completion.
Thursday, 1/11; 10am - 12pm
Winter Workshop: Printmaking, Matthew Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center, Chicago
Calling all creatives! Join us for our themed sessions as we explore printmaking. Registration required. Please visit the website for more information.
Thursday, 1/11; 6pm
Dark Sky Walk, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Walk in the world’s largest Urban Night Sky Place during the darkest night of the month.
Friday, 1/12; 6pm - 8pm
Teen S’mores Night, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Hang out by the fire with friends and enjoy a sweet treat. S’mores and supplies provided.
Saturday, 1/13; 10am - 12pm
Teen Exploration Day: Day of Service; Miller Meadow-North, Western Springs
Teens and families, give back this MLK day. Join us for a litter clean-up in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Grove 2.
Saturday, 1/13; 10am - 12pm
MLK Service Day Celebration, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Participate in restoration, celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., and warm up with hot beverages. Registration required. Ages 10 and up. Please call (773) 758-8899.
Monday, 1/15; 10am - 2pm
MLK Day of Service & Brush Pile Burn, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Learn what it takes to keep our forest healthy and participate in a day of service. S’mores provided.
Monday, 1/15; 10am - 1pm
MLK Day of Service & Brush Pile Burn, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of service. Join us for an afternoon of litter clean-up, crafts and cocoa! Registration required. For groups of 10 or more. Please visit the website for more information.
Monday, 1/15; 9am - 2pm
MLK Day of Service, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Stop by the nature center to participate in a self-led litter pick-up. Garbage bags and disposable gloves are available. Registration required. Please visit the website for more information.
Monday, 1/15; 1pm
MLK Day Restoration, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Put on some gloves and join us in removing invasive species. Teens can earn service hours. Tools and eye protection provided. Ages 8 and up with adult.
Thursday, 1/18; 9:30am - 11:30am
Creative Sustainability Workshop, Swallow Cliff Pavilion, Palos Park
Give items a second life by turning them into an ornament, decoration, or bird feeder. Learn to extend the life of clothing with simple mending techniques. Registration required. Supplies provided or bring your own. Please visit the website for more information.
Saturday, 1/20; 8:30am
Bird and Bagel Bird Walk, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Nosh on bagels and coffee inside, then head outdoors for a guided bird walk with John Elliott of the Chicago Bird Alliance. Registration required. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 1/20; 1pm
Skier 101, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Come with all your cross-country ski questions! Find your answers by attending this crash course before hitting the snow. Registration required. Please call (630)257-2045.
Saturday, 1/20; 7pm
A “Winters” Night, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for a guided walk in the dark woods and learn about nocturnal animals. Registration required by 1/18. Cost: $3 per person. Please call (847) 824-8360.
end