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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar: 5/23/2023 - 6/26/2023
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Wednesday, 5/24; 10am - 12pm
Nature is Accessible Drop-In Event, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Visitors of all abilities are invited to celebrate nature through accessible activities.
Thursday, 5/25; 4pm - 6pm
Archery, National Grove-South, North Riverside
Learn the basics of archery. Ages 10 and up. Equipment provided.
Thursday, 5/25; 5:30pm - 7pm
Camping 101, Dan Beard, Northbrook
Free workshop covering basic camping skills.
Thursday, 5/25; 9am - 11am
Nature Play Date, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Bring your little one for open nature play time! Enjoy Rolling Knolls while helping your children connect with nature.
Saturday, 5/27 through Sunday, 5/28
Family Campout, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Intro to camping for families. Includes meals, all camping gear and outdoor fun. $75 per family (group up to 6). Email experience.camping@cookcountyil.gov to register.
Saturday, 5/27; 10:30am
Spring Nature Walk, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join a Naturalist for a casual walk as we take in the sights, sounds, and scent of spring on our trails surrounding Trailside. Dress for rough, muddy trails. Ages:18 and up. Registration required. Call 708-366-6530.
Saturday, 5/27; 1:30pm - 3pm
Nature Phobias: Snakes, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Learn about the ecological importance of misunderstood reptiles. A close-up encounter will delight visitors.
Sunday, 5/28; 1pm - 3pm
Nature Table, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
A naturalist will have a selection of artifacts from our behind-the-scenes collections for visitors to explore and learn about!
Sunday and Monday, 5/28 and 5/29; 1:30pm
Animal Encounter, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join our staff for an up-close look at one of our animals. All ages.
Wednesday, 5/31; 4pm - 6pm
Archery, Cherry Hill Woods, Palos Park
Learn the basics of archery. Ages 10 and up. Equipment provided.
Saturday, 6/3; 11:30am - 1pm
Self-Love Series: Creating our Future-Attracting our Goals, Green Lake Woods, Calumet City
In partnership with Light of Loving Kindness, join us for a series of Self-Love in Nature workshops. Goal setting, affirmations, and manifestation workshop through vision boarding.
Saturday, 6/3; 9am - 11am
IKES Fish for Fun, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Youth 15 and under can cast a line at this fishing extravaganza. In partnership with The Izaak Walton League-Elgin Chapter and City of Elgin Parks and Recreation. Registration required. Call 847-931-6770.
Sunday, 6/4; 1:30pm
Serpent Safari, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
A program all about snakes.
Sunday, 6/4; 11am - 3pm
Explore the Forest, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Learn about and celebrate the different facets of the Forest Preserves through animal encounters, arts and crafts, and much more!
Monday, 6/5; 9:30am - 11:30am
Let us Play! Forest Exploration Day, Erickson Woods, Winnetka
Engage in creative, imaginative, and child-directed outdoor free-play as a family. In partnership with The Alliance for Early Childhood and Backyard Nature Center. Registration required.
Tuesday, 6/6/; 10 am - 2 pm
Live Healthy Discover Nature, Daley Plaza, Chicago
Celebrate all things Forest Preserves at Daley Plaza. We’ll be there with partners and information about all the exciting things happening in the preserves. The Noontime performance will celebrate Beaubien Woods Gathering Space installation and Sand Ridge Nature Center’s Juneteenth event.
Wednesday, 6/8; 10am - 1pm
Without Limits: Adventure for All, Miller Meadow-South; Forest Park
Individuals with physical disabilities and their friends and families can explore nature through adaptive cycling, rock wall climbing and archery. In partnership with Adaptive Adventures.
Saturday, 6/10; 11 am - 3 pm
Beaubien Woods Celebration
Explore Beaubien Woods and the Little Calumet River on foot, bike and canoe. Lots of outdoor fun at Flatfoot Lake and the Boat Launch with many partner groups
Saturday, 6/10; 8am
Nesting Bird Walk, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Learn about nesting behavior of birds on a guided walk. Led by Chicago Audubon’s John Elliott. Registration required. Call 708-366-6530.
Sunday, 6/11; 10am - 12pm
Bird Banding - Drop in, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Bird banding is a scientific method used to study birds. Drop in and visit the banders to learn more! Weather dependent. Family program.
Saturday, 6/17; 10am - 2pm
Juneteenth Celebration, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Celebrate freedom, family and country with activities, presentations, performances, and exhibits highlighting Black history, arts, and culture.
Saturday, 6/17; 9pm
Dark Sky Walk, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Walk in the world’s largest Urban Night Sky Place during the darkest night of the month and view the stars and planets.
Saturday, 6/17; 11:30am - 1pm
Self-Love Series: Finding our Inner Light, Green Lake Woods, Calumet City
In partnership with Light of Loving Kindness, join us for a series of Self-Love in Nature workshops. Yoga, meditation, and canvas painting.
Sunday, 6/18; 10:30am
Father’s Day Family Nature Walk, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join us to explore the scenic trails around the Museum, learning about wildlife fathers. Family walk. Registration required. Call 708-366-6530.
Sunday, 6/18; 7am - 9am
Intro to Birding, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Learn about the basics of birding basics and go into the field to see our feathered friends. Birders of all levels welcome. Registration required.
Sunday, 6/18; 7am - 9am
Bee-spotter Pollinator Count, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Take a guided walk looking for pollinators and contribute to community science. Registration required.
Tuesday, 6/20; 7:30pm
Campfire Stories, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Enjoy the lingering daylight on the longest day of the year with stories, songs and s’mores around the campfire. $3 per person. Registration required by 6/18.
Wednesday, 6/21; 9am - 3pm
ENTICE Workshop: Illinois Birds for Junior High and High School Teachers, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
In partnership with Illinois department of Natural Resources, this 1-day workshop will focus on the ecology of birds. Learn field techniques to bring the biodiversity of Illinois birds into your classroom. CPDUs Available. Registration required. Register at entice workshops website.
Wednesday, 6/21; 10:30am - 12pm
Summer Solstice Program, Schiller Woods-West, Schiller Park
Join the American Indian Center of Chicago to learn about the Summer Solstice.
Thursday, 6/22; 10am - 1pm
Without Limits: Recreation for All! Busse Lake Boating Center, Elk Grove Village
Individuals with physical disabilities and their friends and families can explore nature through adaptive cycling, paddling, rock wall climbing and archery. In partnership with Adaptive Adventures. Registration required.
Friday, 6/23; 8:30pm - 10pm
Night of Nature Play, Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago
Experience nature play at night and discover what glows in the dark.
Saturday, 6/24; 8:30am
Bird and Canoe, Beaubien Woods, Chicago
Canoe on Flatfoot Lake to explore local birds. Canoes and equipment provided. Registration required. Call 312-415-2970.
Saturday, 6/24 through Sunday, 6/25
Camping 101 - Overnight! Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
Part workshop, part overnight. We provide the gear and the workshop; you provide the provisions. Registration required $50/family of up to 6.