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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events - 7/27/2018 to 9/11/2018
Summary:
Every Day, 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.
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, kid’s 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.
Thursday, 7/26; 4pm - 7pm
Paddle 101, Beaubien Woods Flatfoot Lake, Chicago
Always wanted to try canoeing? Learn the parts of a canoe, paddling techniques, and safety tips before testing your new found skills on the water. Canoes supplied.
Friday, 7/27; 8pm
Full Moon Night Hike, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Learn about the habits of nocturnal animals, then head outside to view them. Registration required.
Saturday, 7/28; 1:30pm
Midsummer Mushrooms, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for a 1.75-mile hike as we look to see fungal fruiting bodies. Ages 18 and up. Registration required.
Saturday, 7/28; 10am - 12pm
Powderhorn Hike and Paddle, Powderhorn Lake, Burnham
Explore the unique surroundings of Powderhorn Lake on land and water guided by the Forest Preserve’s ecology team. Ages 16 and up.
Sunday, 7/29; 1pm
Catching Dragons and Damselflies!, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
They may not breathe fire, but they did live with dinosaurs. Come practice your catch and release skills while learning more.
Tuesday, 7/31; 6:30pm (film starts at dusk)
Movies in the Park: Films from the Forest, Fuller Park, 331 W. 45th St., Chicago
In partnership with the Chicago Park District, the Forest Preserves of Cook County offers family friendly, free and fun, nature based, outdoor adventure activities before the showing of Moana (PG). Test your wayfinding skills without a GPS and create instruments to help Moana help her community.
Thursday, 8/2; 12pm - 4pm
Teen Exploration Day, Powderhorn Lake, Burnham
Join us for environmental education and outdoor activities. Try canoeing, games and archery.
Ages 13 and up.
Thursdays, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16; 10am - 11am
Wellness in the Woods: Yoga, Dan Ryan Woods-Central, W. 83rd St, east of Western Ave.
Bring your own mat. Recommended for ages 50 and up. In partnership with Oak Street Health-Ashburn.
Saturday, 8/4; 10am - 11pm
River Paddling
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch, Chicago
Always wanted to try canoeing? Learn the parts of a canoe, paddling techniques, and safety tips before testing your new found skills on the water. Voyager canoes from Wilderness Inquiry supplied. A tour of the river by voyager canoe is available for registered participants from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Funded in part by the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust.
Sunday, 8/5; 9am - 5pm
CAMBr Meltdown, Pulaski Woods, Willow Springs
The CAMBr Meltdown is Chicagoland’s premiere mountain biking event, with racing for all ages and abilities. Free for spectators.
Sunday, 8/5; 1pm
Bugapalozza! Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Explore insects with activities and crafts. What will you catch (and release) on your insect safari?
Wednesday, 8/8; 4pm - 6pm
Archery 101, National Grove-South, Groveland Ave, North Riverside
Learn all things archery: history, bow parts and proper technique. Equipment provided. Ages 10 and up.
Friday, 8/10; 7:30pm - 9pm
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 and up. Registration required.
Friday through Saturday, 8/10 - 8/11
Family Campout, Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
Intro to camping for families. Includes meals, camping gear, and outdoor fun. Registration required. $75. Camperships available.
Saturday, 8/11; 9:30am - 2pm
Upper Des Plaines Paddle & Clean-Up, Dam No. 1 Woods, Wheeling
Join in clean-up efforts as we paddle along the river, learn about aquatic life, and why it is important to keep our rivers clean. Tools provided. All ages. Registration required.
Saturday, 8/11; 10am - 1pm
Hiking 101: Explore the Thorn Creek Trail, Sauk Trail Woods-Central, South Chicago Heights
Enjoy a guided hike observing the preserve’s ecology. Learn tips to become a better hiker. Ages 10 and up.
Saturday and Sunday, 8/11 - 8/12; 10am - 3pm (weather permitting)
Kite Festival, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Enjoy soaring stunt-kite performances set to music by members of the Chicago Fire Kite Team and members of the Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois. The Festival takes place in the meadow west of Evening Island. Visitors can walk there or take the free tram. Ice cream, beverages, and many lunch options will be available for purchase on-site.
Wednesday, 8/15 and 9/5; 5pm - 8pm
Farm Dinners, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
This unique farm-to-table dinner celebrates the connection between Midwestern farmland and locally grown food. The dinner table will be set in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, where the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest Youth Farm students plant, cultivate, and harvest the sustainable, organic produce for the meal. The Farm Dinner includes cocktails, a garden tour, and talks with the chef and Windy City Harvest participants. Proceeds support the Youth Farm.
Thursday, 8/16; 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.
Saturday, 8/18; 10am - 2pm
Back-to-School Paddle & Adventure Day, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
As we say goodbye to summer, come out for a day of paddling, archery and more. Instruction and gear provided. Group registration required. All ages.
Saturday, 8/18; 9am-2pm
Hummingbird Fest, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join us for activities, viewing, and demos of how the birds are banded for tracking and research purposes.
Monday, 8/20; 6:30pm (film starts at dusk)
Movies in the Park: Films from the Forest, Rowan Park, 11546 S. Avenue L, Chicago
In partnership with the Chicago Park District, the Forest Preserves of Cook County offers family friendly, free and fun, nature based, outdoor adventure activities before the showing of Moana (PG). Test your wayfinding skills without a GPS and create instruments to help Moana help her community.
Wednesday, 8/22; 4:30pm - 6pm
River Kayaking 101, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Instruction provided prior to a short paddle along the Des Plaines River to Maywood Grove. Perfect for new kayakers. Registration required. Call 312-533-5751.
Friday, 8/24; 7pm - 9pm
In the Cabin, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Experience what pioneer life might have been like 200 years ago with activities of the time.
Registration required.
Saturday, 8/25; 6pm - 11pm
Busse Woods Night Bike Ride and Paddle, Busse Lake Boating Center, Elk Grove Village
Paddle on Busse Lake and bike the loop trail at sunset, twilight, or in the dark. Ticket includes live music, bonfires, snacks, and beer.
Saturday, 8/25; 7pm - 10pm
Date Night Hike, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Couples and friends are invited to hike our trails and relax around a campfire with dinner and drinks. Ages 21 and up. Registration required. $15/each person.
Saturday and Sunday, 8/25 - 8/26; 11am - 4pm
Heirloom Fest: Tomatoes and More, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Learn from the experts all about heirloom veggies - how to grow them, cook with them, and save their seeds. Hands-on games and activities will be available from families. Purchase fresh produce, take a tour of the Regenstein Fruit and Vegetable Garden, and more.
Sunday, 8/26; 7:30am - 9:30am
Bike the Garden, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Bike the Garden is the one day of the year that bicyclists of all ages are allowed to ride the full perimeter of the Garden. After your ride, unwind in the festival area across from the McDonald Woods Pavilion, featuring vendors and information tables.
Sunday, 8/26; 10am - 12pm
Hiking 101: Hike through History, Oak Forest Heritage Preserve, Oak Forest
Discover the uncommon history beneath the surface of this iconic preserve that spans 13,000 years. All ages, recommended for ages 12 and up.
Sunday, 8/26; 1pm
Painting Hummingbirds with Watercolors, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Sit in the hummingbird garden and draw these avian marvels. Learn how to paint their iridescent colors. Registration required.
Sunday, 8/26; 11am - 2pm
Family Fish School; River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Have fun with your family learning about fish and fishing with the Forest Preserves’ Fish Biologist.
Saturday and Sunday, 8/28 - 8/29; 11am - 4pm
Herb Garden Weekend, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Learn how to grow and use a variety of kitchen garden herbs. There will be displays, demonstrations, vendors, and a parsley seedling giveaway, while supplies last.
Friday, 8/31; 7:30pm
Sundown Serenade; Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Animal vocalizations can be heard floating through the air on a summer night. Walk with us as we listen to a serenade. All ages. Registration required.
Saturday, 9/1; 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Miniature-Nature Scenes, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Express your creativity, stimulate your senses, and improve your coordination by using loose, natural objects to build natural scenes on tree cookie platforms! All ages. Registration required.
Limit 25.
Friday, 9/7; 4pm - 7pm
Fair at the Square, Cummings Square, River Forest
Come and enjoy this ‘creative-reuse carnival’ with carnival-themed games made from repurposed materials! Win prizes, learn about local plants and animals, and more. All ages.
Saturday and Sunday, 9/8 - 9/9; 10am - 5pm (Saturday), 10am - 4pm (Sunday)
A River Thru History: Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous, Columbia Woods, Willow Springs
Look back 200 years to frontier life and enjoy food, music, crafts, reenactments, canoe races, games and more. Park free at UPS parking lot at Willow Springs Rd and 75th St and take the shuttle bus to the event site. Adult admission $10; family pass $25; senior (over 62) $5; children (6-17) $5. Free for kids under 6. Cash only. Check out aRiverThruHistory.com.
Saturday, 9/8; 10am - 11:30am
Coffee in the Woods? Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Learn all about campfire safety and learn how to build a campfire. After, enjoy making a delicious cup of coffee and checking out Camp Shabbona Woods and Sand Ridge Nature Center trails. Registration required.
Saturday and Sunday, 9/8 - 9/9
CLIC Training (Camping Leadership Immersion Course); Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
For leaders of organized groups. This overnight course teaches essential camping skills so you can confidently lead a youth group camping trip. Complete the course, then bring groups of up to 30 for overnight stays at Camp Sullivan. Training required to access camping gear. Registration required.
Sunday, 9/9; 12pm - 3pm
Migrating Monarchs Celebration, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Learn about this globe-trotting butterfly and trace its migration route through fun activities, crafts and displays. See how monarchs are raised, tagged for tracking and watch butterflies being released.
Sunday, 9/9; 1pm
Bee Sit, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Enjoy a leisurely sit among wildflowers as we learn to identify and photograph native pollinating insects for the Native Bee Monitoring Project. Bring your camera and camp chair. Ages 16 and up. Registration required.
Sunday, 9/9; 11am - 3pm
Color the Preserves, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Celebrate creativity and color as all ages are invited to try different media and techniques to create art. Sculpt, paint, draw, weave and/or take a mini-class to hone your skills. All ages.
Sunday, 9/9; 1:30pm
Creatures of the Night, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Experience some creepy, spooky and nocturnal animals of the Forest Preserves.
Sunday; 9/9
Zoo Run for the Animal Care and Conservation Fund, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Join us for the return of the Brookfield Zoo Run, with courses located entirely within the zoo! The Chicago Zoological Society Animal Care and Conservation Fund is dedicated to making a difference for species across the globe and with each race entry. We will raise both awareness and funds for this great cause.
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