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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events - 6/5/2018 - 7/25/2018
Monday - Sunday, 5/26 - 9/3; All Day
Amazing Arachnids, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Join us for an aMAZEing time weaving your way through a new summer exhibit-Amazing Arachnids! The interactive and engaging experience has two components: The Art and Science of Arachnids, which features 100 live arachnids found around the world, and Mission Safari, an immersive experience that introduces different themes of species’ survival and protection through play-and-learn interactives.
Saturdays and Sundays, 5/26 - 10/7; 1:30pm and 2:30pm
Garden Chef Series, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Learn to cook with garden-fresh ingredients all summer long at the Garden Chef Series. Noted chefs prepare recipes in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden’s open-air amphitheater. The Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden is the Midwest's headquarters for fruit and vegetable gardening information. It exhibits the best edible plants to grow in the Chicago area.
Tuesday, 6/5; 5:30pm - 7pm
Camping 101 for Outdoor Youth Organizations, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Master the basics of camping during these free, hands-on workshops for camping skills and teamwork. Learn the basics of tent set-up, campfire building, proper dress, camping etiquette, and more. Registration and adult supervision required; space limited. See website for registration information.
Tuesday, 6/5 and Thursday, 7/19; 6pm - 8pm
Kayak the Pond, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Try kayaking on Trailside’s pond as the sun sets and a campfire crackles. All materials provided. All ages. Registration required.
Thursday, 6/7; 10am - 1:30pm
Kayak Des Plaines, Maywood Grove, Ohio & Des Plaines Ave, Maywood
Kayak nearly 6 miles of the Des Plaines River from Maywood Grove to Plank Road Meadow. Kayaks, equipment and instruction provided. Prior experience a plus. Registration required; call 312-533-5751.
Friday, 6/8; 7:30pm
Twilight Hike, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about animals and more on a guided night walk. Registration required. $3/person.
Saturday, 6/9; 11am - 3pm
Beaubien Woods Celebration, Beaubien Woods, Chicago
Enjoy this annual event suitable for the whole family! Featuring various community partners offering fishing, canoeing, archery, and more. Canoe slots limited; all ages.
Sundays, 6/10 and 7/15; 1:30pm
The Buzz on Bees, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Visit our beehives and pollination garden as we learn about the important role honeybees play in nature.
Tuesday, 6/12; 10am - 2pm
Live Healthy Discover Nature, Daley Plaza, Chicago
The Forest Preserves comes downtown and takes over Daley Plaza with birds of prey, reptiles and information and prizes from many of our partners. This year a Forest Jam Band will perform along with young poets who have created poetry about nature and the preserves for a special 1 pm performance.
Thursday, 6/14; 5pm - 7pm
Sagawau Science: Oriole Express, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
These Orioles fly a long way to nest here. Last year, over 30 were banded. Discuss these colorful Icterids.
Saturday, 6/16; 10am
Sagawau Science: Stream Study, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Evaluate the health of the stream by chemical analysis and invertebrate survey sampling.
Saturday, 6/16; 10am - 3pm
Annual Juneteenth Celebration, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us as we celebrate freedom, family and country with Underground Railroad interactive interpretive hikes, traditional music, a wild edibles display, period recipe samples, crafts and more.
Saturday and Sunday, 6/16 - 6/17; 9am, 11am, or 1pm
Father’s Day Weekend Canoe Adventure, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
How’s this for a unique way to spend part of Father’s Day? In partnership with Friends of the Chicago River, the Garden invites you to participate in a rare opportunity to canoe the lakes of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Herons, ducks, small fish, and maybe even a few turtles and frogs will greet you as we explore their watery habitat. No experience with canoeing is necessary; instruction, canoes, life jackets, and paddles are all provided. Please choose one of the start times that are scheduled. You’ll enjoy a full hour canoeing the lakes of Chicago Botanic Garden. Be sure to register early, as this event always sells out. Location: Meet at Boat Launch, East Road. Children must be at least 5 years old to participate. Maximum three participants per boat.
Sunday, 6/17; 10am - 12pm
Hiking 101: Father’s Day Hike, Orland Grassland and Water Reserve
Take Father’s Day out on the trails with a guided hike through rolling prairie and wetland. Recommended for ages 10 & up.
Sunday, 6/17; 1pm
Dads at Work, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
The roles that fathers play in the animal kingdom vary greatly by species. Enjoy a short hike to look for “dads at work.”
Thursday, 6/21; 9am - 6pm
Summer Solstice Event, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glancoe
Celebrate the longest day of the year and the 20th anniversary of the Chicago Garden’s Wellness Programs. The event includes a free yoga class, plant giveaway, and free drop-in classes and demonstrations.
Friday, 6/22; 6:30pm
Twilight Canoe Trip, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Explore a local lake in a canoe at twilight. Ages 18 & up.
Friday, 6/22; 8:30pm
The Astronomer’s Night Sky, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
View celestial wonders through telescopes, clear skies permitting. In the event of poor skies, there will be an astronomy slide show.
Saturday, 6/23; 11am - 1pm
Paddle the North, Big Bend Lake, Des Plaines
Join us as we paddle Big Bend Lake and explore the Des Plaines River Watershed. Instruction and gear provided. Registration required. Space is limited. Ages 5 & up.
Monday, 6/25; 6:30pm (pre-movie activities start) (movie begins at dusk)
Movies in the Park: Films from the Forest, Carver Park, 939 E. 132nd St., Chicago
Join us for a movie night in partnership with the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks. “Black Panther” will be shown, complimented with family-friendly activities from the Forest Preserves and free popcorn courtesy of the Chicago Park District.
Wednesday, 6/27; 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Full Moon Frogs, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Use your sense of hearing to identify which frogs are calling tonight. Data will be used in a Calling Frog survey for the Chicago Wilderness Region. Ages 10 & up.
Wednesday, 6/27; 6:30pm (pre-movie activities start) (movie begins at dusk)
Movies in the Park: Films from the Forest, Willye White Park, 1610 Howard St, Chicago
Join us for a movie night in partnership with the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks. “Hidden Figures” will be shown, complimented with family-friendly activities from the Forest Preserves and free popcorn courtesy of the Chicago Park District.
Saturday and Sunday, 6/30 - 7/1; 10am - 5pm
Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Stroll and shop among 100 juried artists on the Esplanade. This one-of-a-kind art festival brings botanic-themed and botanic-made photography, paintings, ceramics, cement, metal, fiber, wood, jewelry, and other pieces to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Find remarkable items to purchase or just admire them during your visit to this annual event.
Sunday, 7/1; 1:30pm
River Round-Up, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Bring a change of shoes. We will jump in the river to examine what lives below the surface of the water.
Sunday, 7/1; 10am
Prairie Wildflowers, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Go on an identification hike to see what’s blooming. During this Sagawau Science event you’ll learn the natural history and ethnobotany of the plants. Registration required.
Fridays and Saturdays, 7/6 - 8/18; 4pm - 9pm
Summer Nights, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
This summertime event is back for a fifth season! Enjoy Brookfield Zoo in a new light with cooler evening weather, enhanced dining and drinks, live music, roaming performers, kids entertainment, and a new laser light show, all surrounded by wildlife and nature. Also join us for family-friendly programming on select Sundays throughout the summer.
Saturday, 7/7; 5pm - 7pm
Nature Obstacle Course, Twenty-Sixth Street Woods, La Grange Park
Attempt this obstacle course created from natural materials. Other nature play, exploration, and art activities too! All ages.
Saturday, 7/7; 1pm
Warrior Walk, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Enjoy a guided hike based on the Warriors book series. Featuring oak forests of the Thunder Clan & the Des Plaines River of the River Clan.
Saturday, 7/7; 12pm - 4pm
Outdoor Block Party, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Join us for nature play, pop-up adventure play, creative reuse, primitive skills, games, a hike and more! We’ll also have a good truck on site. Co-hosted by the Youth Outdoor Ambassadors and Alumni.
Saturday, 7/7; 1:30pm
Butterfly Bonanza, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
July is for butterflies! Enjoy a naturalist-led scavenger hunt for butterflies. All ages.
Sunday, 7/8; 1pm
Skeeters, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
They buzz in your ears, drink your blood, and are known to make grown-ups cry! Learn about these bothersome insects.
Friday, 7/13; 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Painting by the Pond: Summer Edition, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
In this instructor-led course, create a beautiful summer landscape using a large tree slice as your canvas. Materials provided. Payment due upon registration. Limited space. Ages 21+. BYOB (no glass). $20/person. Refunds not available for any reason.
Friday, 7/13; 8:30pm - 10pm
Lucky Thirteen Teen Night Hike, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us on Friday the 13th to check out some of the local night life. Learn how the number 13 relates to nature.
Saturday, 7/14; 11am - 4pm
Kids’ Fest, Wampum Lake, Thornton-Lansing
Discover a new appreciation for nature while you hike, climb and paddle through this annual outdoor extravaganza for the whole family. Canoe slots limited; all ages. See website for registration information.
Saturday, 7/14; 8pm - 9:30pm
Bats-Night Stalkers, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Explore the world of bats by seeing and hearing them with special bat-detecting equipment. Adults and children ages 10 & up.
Thursday, 7/19; 11am - 2pm
Insect Fest, Cummings Square, River Forest
Come celebrate and learn about insects. Explore how pollinators help us build a bug playground and follow the migratory patterns of monarch butterflies. All ages.
Friday, 7/20; 8pm - 9:30pm
What Glows in the Dark? Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Discover why fireflies glow before hiking our 1.75-mile trail. Search for these insects on a flashlight free adventure. All ages. Limit 30.
Saturday, 7/21; 9am - 11am
Paddle the Northwest, Bode Lake, Streamwood
Join us as we paddle Bode Lake and explore the Poplar Creek Watershed. Instruction and gear provided. Registration required. Space is limited. Ages 5 & up.
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