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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events and Activities 5/14/2024 - 6/10/2024
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Wednesday, 5/15; 11am - 2pm
Nature Play Day; Bemis Woods-South, Western Springs
Help connect your little one with nature during open nature play time. This event will be held at Grove 7. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Thursday, 5/16; 6pm - 8pm
A Symphony of Nature: A Forest Therapy Walk; Caldwell Wellness Center, Chicago
Explore the sounds of nature all around us as we gather with the healing sounds of singing bowls. We will conclude the event with a tea ceremony and a final singing bowl session. Registration required. Please call (312)533-5751.
Friday, 5/17; 6pm - 8pm
Nature Noises, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Relax and enjoy the sounds and sights of nature. You can sit around a campfire, tell stories, enjoy s’mores, and take a walk to see what the trails have to offer your eyes and ears. Registration required. Please call (708)868-0606 or visit the website.
Friday, 5/17; 7:30pm
Night Hike, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Enjoy an evening walk and learn about nocturnal animals at River Trail. Registration and payment are required by 5/15. The cost is $5 per person. Please call (847)824-8360.
Saturday, 5/18; 10am - 12pm
Kite Fest; Barrington Road Pond, Hoffman Estates
Participate in all thing’s kites for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. There will be a timed flying demonstration, crafts, and more. For more information, please call (630)837-0301.
Saturday, 5/18; 10am - 12pm
Let’s Go Fly a Kite, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Bring a kite over to Barrington Road Pond to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.
Saturday, 5/18; 11am - 3pm
Nature Block Party, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Join us for a day of celebration and exploration as we honor the incredible diversity of life at Eggers Grove.
Saturday, 5/18; 1pm - 3pm
Welcome Back, Cicadas, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Welcome the brood of cicadas from the 13-year cycle. We will search for their emergence holes and learn how to identify good cicada trees.
Saturday, 5/18; 1:30pm
Teens and Turtles: Teen Exploration Day, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Teens will explore the world of turtles. Registration required. Ages 13-17. Please call (708) 839-6897.
Saturday, 5/18; 4pm - 7pm
The Sounds Natural Creative Retreat Series, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Please join us for the kickoff event. The Sounds Natural Creative Retreat invites families to enjoy art, activities, food, music, and workshops with the option to stay overnight in your own tent. Registration required. There is a limited number of camping sites available. Please call (708)868-0606 or visit the website.
Sunday, 5/19; 8am
Des Plaines Canoe and Kayak Marathon, Dam No. 2 Woods, Mount Prospect
Join the second oldest continual canoe race in the United States! The race begins at Oak Springs Road in Libertyville and ends at Dam No. 2. Live music and refreshments for sale. Registration required. For more information, please visit the website.
Sunday, 5/19; 1:30pm
Spring Stroll, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
A walk to highlight the signs of spring.
Tuesday, 5/21; 9:30am
Wellness Walk for Toddlers, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join us for a short and calming nature discovery walk. Registration required. Ages 2-4 with an adult. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Wednesday, 5/22; 10am - 12pm
Nature IS Accessible, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Visitors of all abilities are invited to celebrate nature through accessible activities.
Thursday, 5/23; 3pm - 6pm
I Spy with my Five Senses, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Enjoy a scavenger hunt that uses your five senses. Ages 5-13. For more information, please call (312) 415-2970.
Thursday, 5/23; 5:30pm - 7pm
Camping 101, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Join us for a workshop covering basic camping skills. For more information, please visit the website.
Thursday, 5/23; 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Foster Family Pond Paddle, Thatcher Glen Pond, River Forest
Foster families can connect with other foster families while kayaking on the pond. Registration required. Instructions will be given, and equipment will be provided. Please call (312) 533-5751.
Saturday, 5/25; 10:30am - 12pm
Cicada-Palooza, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join us and learn about the broods of cicadas and their 17-year cycle. This family program will include insect discovery walks, live cicada viewing, and more. For more information, please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 5/25 through Sunday, 5/26; 4pm - 11pm
Family Campout, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
This event is an introductory course to camping for families. The cost for the event will include meals, camping gear rental and outdoor activities. Registration required. The cost is $75 per group of 6 or less people. Please call (708)868-0606 or visit the website.
Sunday, 5/26; 1pm
April Showers Bring May Flowers, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Delight in the sights, scents, and stories of spring flowers on a guided walk.
Wednesday, 5/29; 4pm - 6pm
Archery, Cherry Hills Woods, Palos Park
This session will teach the basics of archery. Equipment will be provided. Ages 10 and up. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Thursday, 5/30; 4pm - 6pm
Book Swap, Twenty-Sixth Street Woods-West, LaGrange Park
Bring in your gently used books and leave with some new-to-you books! The books can be of any genre and reading levels. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 6/1; 9am - 11:30am
IKES Fish for Fun, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
You are invited to this annual fishing extravaganza, which is held in partnership with the City of Elgin Izaak Walton League-Elgin. This event will include give-a-aways to participants, prizes for category winners and refreshments for all attendees. Registration required. This event will take place outdoors and is subjected to weather conditions. Ages 15 and under. Please call (773)758-8899.
Saturday, 6/1; 1pm
Creek Survey, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Learn about how clean water supports a biodiverse ecosystem. You can help us survey Sagawau’s creek and see what life it supports. Registration required. Ages 12 and up. Please call (630) 257-2045.
Sunday, 6/2; 11am - 12pm
Summertime Stories, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for an educational day which includes stories told by the Naperville Chinese Storytime Group, nature-based art, and a fun activity. Registration required. Supplies will be provided. Ages 3 and up with an adult. Please call (708) 839-6897.
Sunday, 6/2; 11am - 3pm
Explore the Forest, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Celebrate everything the Forest Preserves has to offer through animal encounters, arts and crafts, recreation, and much more at this special event!
Sunday, 6/2; 2:30pm - 4pm
Cicada Celebration, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
This year’s cicada emergence is a once-in-a-lifetime event! You will learn about what makes this summer so special. Join us for crafts, games, and refreshments. Registration required. Please call (708)868-0606 or visit the website.
Monday, 6/3; 9:30am - 11:30am
Let’s Play! Forest Exploration Day, Erickson Woods, Winnetka
This event is presented with The Alliance for Early Childhood and Back Yard Nature Center. Join us for this family program and engage in creative, imaginative, and child-directed outdoor activities. Registration required. Please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Tuesday, 6/4; 10am
Live Healthy Discover Nature, Daley Plaza, Chicago
The Forest Preserves takes over Daley Plaza! Please join us and our partners as we provide information about the events, activities, and resources within the Forest Preserves. The noon performance includes two Chicago Public School student bands that participated in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Connect program. They will perform original compositions about water and nature.
Wednesday, 6/5; 10am
Storytime and Picnic, Twenty-Sixth Street Woods-West, LaGrange Park
Join us for a fun and relaxing day. The day will start with a librarian from the North Riverside Public Library reading a nature-themed book followed by a fun activity. You can conclude the day by having a picnic with your family. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Wednesday, 6/5; 6pm - 8pm
Camping and Cooking 101, Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
This 2-hour workshop will cover basic information on camping and outdoor cooking. Registration required. Camping and cooking gear will be provided. For more information, please visit the website.
Thursday, 6/6; 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Night of the Frogs, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join our bilingual night walk to hear seasonal frog calls and other nocturnal creatures. Native Spanish speakers are encouraged to attend! Registration required. Ages 16 and up. Please call (708)868-0606 or visit the website.
Thursday, 6/6; 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Without Limits: Adventure for All, Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch, Willow Springs
Enjoy climbing and kayaking in this program specially designed for individuals with a primary physical disability or visual impairment. Registration required. For more information, please visit the website.
Friday, 6/7; 10am
Senior Nature Collaging, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join local artist, Phyllis Frick, in making collages of plants, animals and landscapes. Registration required. Ages 55 and up. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 6/8; 9am - 11am
Bilingual Community Bird Walk, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Join Friends of the Forest Preserves and Chicago BIPOC Birders for an early morning birding adventure.
Saturday, 6/8; 10am
Pedal the Preserves, Miami Woods, Morton Grove
This event is presented with Ride Illinois and Niles-Maine Library. This is a family friendly program that will teach bicycle basics, simple maintenance, and safe riding skills. We will test our skills by exploring the North Branch Trail. This event will begin at Grove 1. There are a limited amount of loaner bikes and will be available upon request. Registration required. Please call (773)758-8899.
Saturday, 6/8; 11am - 3pm
Beaubien Woods Celebration, Beaubien Woods, Chicago
Join us for archery, canoeing, and more. Registration is encouraged. For more information, please visit the website.
Sunday, 6/9; 1pm
Rocks on the Beach: Great Lakes Geology 101, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Enjoy a presentation that highlights how beachcombing for rocks on the shore of Lake Michigan provides a window into the geologic story of the Great Lakes. Registration required. Please call (630) 257-2045.
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