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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar- 7/26/2022- 9/20/2022
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Wednesday, 7/27; 6pm - 8pm
Teen Exploration Day - Archery, Miller Meadow-South, Forest Park
Calling all teens! Join us throughout the county at our Teen Exploration Days. Explore nature through adventurous, playful, and relaxing activities all while learning about conservation and Chicagoland’s unique ecology! Each event will have a main activity such as canoeing, climbing, campfire, archery and all dates will offer various nature related activities and adventures. Ages 13 and up. Registration requested for groups. Call 312-533-5751.
Saturday 7/30; 10am
Explore the African American Heritage Water Trail, Beaubien Woods Boat Launch, Chicago
Experience the African American Heritage Water Trail through this guided event.
Saturday, 7/30; 2pm - 5pm
Family Game Day, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Adults and families, you are invited to an afternoon full of your favorite backyard games and nature trivia. Take a walk with us on the trail in between games.
Saturday, 7/30; 10am - 11:30am
Mental Wellness and You, Green Lake Woods, Calumet City
Does nature have secret tricks to help us to be healthier mentally and physically? This series of wellness programs is designed for youth and families to connect to oneself and nature. Registration required.
Sunday, 7/31; 12pm - 2pm
River Monsters, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Wade in as we explore the Des Plaines River and learn about the creatures that live under its’ surface.
Sunday, 7/31; 10:30am
Hooray for Herons, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join a naturalist for a short talk about these fascinating birds that call the Forest Preserves home, followed by a walk to see them at the pond or river. Ages 18 and up. Registration required.
Thursdays, 8/4, 8/11, 8/25; 10am
Hummingbirds for Kids, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Enjoy a hummingbird activity while watching hummingbirds in the Hummingbird Viewing Area. Registration required.
Thursday, 8/4; 6pm
Teen Exploration Day - Camping 101, Camp Bullfrog, Willow Springs
Calling all teens! Join us throughout the county at our Teen Exploration Days. Explore nature through adventurous, playful, and relaxing activities all while learning about conservation and Chicagoland’s unique ecology! Each event will have a main activity such as canoeing, climbing, campfire, archery and all dates will offer various nature related activities and adventures. Ages 13 and up. Registration requested for groups. 1.5-hour long workshop covering basic camping skills. Register at experience.camping@cookcountyil.gov.
Friday, 8/5; 2pm
Teen Exploration Day - Biking, Birding, & Forest Bathing, Busse Woods, Rolling Meadows
Calling all teens! Join us throughout the county at our Teen Exploration Days. Explore nature through adventurous, playful, and relaxing activities all while learning about conservation and Chicagoland’s unique ecology! Each event will have a main activity such as canoeing, climbing, campfire, archery and all dates will offer various nature related activities and adventures. Ages 13 and up. Registration requested for groups.
Saturday, 8/6; 10:30am
Mosquitos! Trailside Museum, River Forest
Learn about how mosquitos play a key role in many ecosystems and go on a guided walk to track them down in their different life stages. Registration required.
Sunday, 8/7; 1pm
Habitat Walk, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Walk Bur Edge trail with a naturalist and trek through Crabtree’s three habitats - woodlands, wetlands, and prairies.
Sunday, 8/7; 1pm
Songs of Summer, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Who is singing this afternoon? Enjoy the summer chorus of insects while learning how and why crickets, katydids, cicadas, and grasshoppers sing. Registration required.
Wednesday, 8/10; 6pm - 7:30pm
Cooking 101, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Learn basic campfire cooking skills, and how to make a tasty meal. Ages 12 and up. Registration required.
Thursday, 8/11; 8:15pm
Moon Walk, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Let the full moon be our guide as we walk in the largest Urban Night Sky Place in the world. All ages. Please bring binoculars, limited pairs to lend. Registration required. Programa ofrecido en Español.
Saturday, 8/13; 10am - 11:30am
Self-Expression & Body Positivity, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Create a photo journal of nature’s positive attributes and your interactions with nature. This series of wellness programs is designed for youth and families to connect to oneself and nature. Registration required.
Saturday, 8/13; 6:30pm - 10pm
Summer Bonfire, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Join us at Camp Shabbona Woods as we celebrate summer with a bonfire, nature play, artmaking, lawn games, evening walks and more.
Saturday, 8/13; 9:30am - 11am
Nature Journaling Workshop, Schiller Woods-West, Schiller Park
Learn the essentials of keeping a nature journal to deepen your observations and connection to nature wherever you find it. No drawing or journaling experience is necessary. Led by Maureen Clare Murphy, University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist. Meet at Grove 2. Registration required.
Sunday, 8/14; 1pm
Hummingbird Paint, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Sit in the hummingbird garden and draw these avian marvels. Learn how to paint their iridescent colors.
Registration required.
Wednesday, 8/17; 12pm - 2pm
Nature Discovery Day, Swallow Cliff-North, Palos Hills
Drop in for a fun afternoon of nature discovery. We will have nature games, guided walks, art making, kite flying, and more.
Wednesday, 8/17; 10am
Forest Therapy Walk, Carl Hansen Woods, Elgin
Awaken your senses and renew your bond with the nature and the Preserves. Certified Forest Therapy guide. Ages 18 and up.
Thursday, 8/18; 10am
S.E.N.I.O.R.S., Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Seniors Enjoying Nature Inside/Outside Rain or Shine! Join us for a nature inspired adventure for seniors. Ages 55 and older. Registration required.
Saturday, 8/20; 9am - 2pm
Hummingbird Fest, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Join us for activities, viewing, and demos of how the birds are banded for tracking and research purposes.
Saturday, 8/20; 9:30am - 12pm
Junior Nature Photography, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn how to capture nature through hands-on learning about cameras and photography. Any digital camera can be used (point and shoot cameras are fine). All photography levels welcome. Ages 8 to 15. Registration required by 8/17.
Saturday, 8/20; 11am - 2pm
Bach-to-School Adventure Day, LaBagh Woods, Chicago
Say goodbye to summer with a day of adventure and music. Activities include archery, nature obstacle course, walks, and more! In partnership with Bach to Rock Music School.
Sunday, 8/21; 10am - 2pm
Animal Origami, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Drop in to learn how to make animals out of origami.
Tuesday, 8/23; 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Night Sky Celebration, Swallow Cliff-South, Palos Park
Activities will be offered to help us better understand the wonders of the natural light from the moon and stars. Meet at Grove 2.
Wednesday, 8/24; 6pm - 7:30pm
Camping 101, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
1.5-hour long workshop covering basic camping skills. All ages.
Register at experience.camping@cookcountyil.gov
Thursday, 8/25; 4pm
Kayak the Des Plaines River, Maywood Grove, Maywood
Join us as we paddle nearly 6 miles of the Des Plaines River from Maywood Grove to Plank Road Meadow. Instruction, sanitized equipment, kayaks, and shuttle provided. Registration required.
Thursday, 8/25; 5pm - 7pm
Adult Game Night, Edgebrook Woods, Chicago
Adults you are invited to a night full of your favorite backyard games and trivia. BYOB. Ages 21 and up.
Tuesday, 8/26; 1pm (Facebook Live)
Amazing Ants: Hidden Kingdoms, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Ants are everywhere! Being small makes them hard to observe. Join us for a closer look at our local ants and survey Sagawau’s diversity.
Friday, 8/26; 7pm - 9pm
Evening at a Nature Center, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Enjoy a behind the scenes tour of the animal exhibits after hours and take a self-guided walk at your leisure. Registration required. Programa ofrecido en Español.
Saturday, 8/27; 10am - 11:30am
Random Acts of Kindness/Showing our Creations, Sauk Trail Woods, South Chicago Heights
Share your photo journals with other boot campers and learn how to “pay it forward” with random acts of kindness. This series of wellness programs is designed for youth and families to connect to oneself and nature. Registration required.
Saturday, 8/27; 7:30pm - 9pm
Starry Night Walk, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for a guided walk and telescope observations as we admire the night sky and learn about astronomy. Registration required.
Saturday, 8/27; 10am
Summer Sights and Sounds Walk, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Experience the healing powers that nature offers when we open our senses to the beauty that surrounds us. Registration required.
Saturday, 8/27; 8am
Birdability Bird Watching, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join us for an accessible bird-watching opportunity for the mobility impaired, and for anyone who enjoys seeing birds - beginners or experienced! Distance covered will be a few hundred yards on a paved trail, with some limited seating available. Join us for a few minutes, or for an hour! We are at the beginning of fall migration and may see colorful warblers passing through. We will listen for songs and calls. We will have binoculars available to loan. Led by Chicago Audubon’s John Elliott. Registration required.
Saturday, 8/27; 6pm - 11pm
Busse Night Ride, Busse Woods Boating Center, Elk Grove Village
Here’s your chance to ride the Busse Woods trail at sunset, twilight or in the dark! Ticket purchase includes live music, bonfires, refreshments and more. Registration required.
Sunday, 8/28; 10:30am
Summer Blooms, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join a naturalist for a short walk as we check out the late summer blooms at the gardens and along the trails. Ages 18 and up. Registration required.
Sunday, 8/28; 1pm
Cicadas! Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Discover the secretive underground lives of our noisiest insects and learn how to distinguish their calls.
Wednesday, 8/31; 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Orienteering 101, Miller Meadow-South, Maywood
Learn the history and basics of orienteering. Then, put your new skills to work by completing an orienteering game. Meet at Grove 6.
Tuesdays, 9/6 and 9/13; 10am - 12pm
Wildlife Connections, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Stop by the visitor center to learn about reptiles, mammals, and birds from the residents of Misericordia - Heart of Mercy.
Saturday, 9/10; 10am - 2pm
Archaeology Day, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Pay homage to the Calumet Region’s Native American cultural history while investigating the artifacts that tell their stories. Activities include archaeology displays, a mock archaeology dig, and more.
Saturday, 9/10; 1pm
Sweeping the Prairie, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
What kind of invertebrates can we find in the prairie and why is it important to know? Sweep net through the prairie to find out. Family program. Registration required.
Saturday, 9/10; 1pm
Solar Gazing, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us and the Northwest Suburban Astronomy Club as we take a gander at the sun with special scopes.
Sunday, 9/11; 12pm - 3pm
Migrating Monarchs Celebration, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Travel with this amazing butterfly and trace its migration route to Mexico through fun activities, kid’s crafts, and educational displays. See how monarchs are raised, tagged for tracking, and watch butterflies being released. Learn how you can help monarchs and other pollinators! Registration required.
Friday, 9/16; 5pm - 7 pm
Family Pond Paddle, Thatcher Glen, River Forest
Families, enjoy an evening paddling on Thatcher Glen Pond located at Trailside Museum of Natural History. Instruction, sanitized equipment, and kayaks provided. Registration requested.
Saturday, 9/17; 12pm - 3pm
Fall Nature Fest, LaBagh Woods, Chicago
Enjoy food, drinks, games, Jesse White Tumblers, ambassador animals, native plant give-a-ways, and more.
Saturday, 9/17; 10am - 12pm
National Clean Up Day, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Help care for our natural world by joining us for a litter clean-up or pick up supplies for your own clean up in a preserve or park near you.
Sunday, 9/18; 11am - 2pm
Herbal Tea Party, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Walk our gardens to learn about native plants then sample different infused teas made from them. All ages.
Sunday, 9/18; 1:30pm - 3pm
Discovering Spiders, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Let us search, identify, and learn about the amazing adaptations of these arachnids. Registration required.
Tuesday, 9/20; 6pm - 8pm
Day Hiking Leadership Training, Bemis Woods-North, Westchester
Calling all teachers, group leaders and youth educators! Our Day Hiking Leadership Training program gets youth and groups of all ages outside by empowering teachers and group leaders with the skills and resources they need to lead safe and fun outdoor experiences. We will focus on thoughtful trip planning, risk management practices, memorable outdoor activities, outdoor ethics, hiking best practices, appropriate gear, and more!
Training will include two mandatory portions: an online portion available starting two weeks prior, consisting of classroom work and an in-person portion on 9/20. In-person portion will include a group day hike, gear inventory, and lending processes. Online portion must be complete prior to the in-person portion. Participants must be at least 18 years or older, be affiliated with an organization, and be present on hiking trips when borrowing gear. If interested, please email experience.camping@cookcountyil.gov with name and organization.
Thursday, 9/21; 5pm - 7pm
Family Pond Paddle, Thatcher Glen, River Forest
Families, enjoy an evening paddling on Thatcher Glen Pond located at Trailside Museum of Natural History. Instruction, sanitized equipment, and kayaks provided. Registration required.
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