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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar: 10/18/2022 - 11/15/2022
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Every Day, 10/18 through 10/30
Ice Age Giants, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
During the last major ice age, our human ancestors lived alongside enormous animals that made Earth their home for millions of years. This summer, Brookfield Zoo is unleashing more than 20 life-sized, animatronic re-creations of these giants that roamed North America and Eurasia before disappearing in a mass extinction about 10,000 years ago. Viewing is free with general admission.
Saturdays and Sundays, 10/18 - 10/23
Boo! at the Zoo, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
This not-so-scary and fun-filled event has something for the entire family to enjoy. Check out the creatures, creepy crawlers, and more in your costumes at this Halloween-themed event.
Thursday, 10/20; 4pm - 6pm
Archery 101, Cherry Hill Woods, Palos Park
Learn the basics of archery. Ages 10 and up. Equipment provided.
Thursday, 10/20; 10am
Forest Therapy Walk, Linne Woods, Morton Grove
Awaken your senses and renew your bond with the nature. Certified Forest Therapy guide. Ages 18 and up. Registration required.
Saturday, 10/22; 1:30pm
Introduction to Lichens, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Learn about the fascinating life of lichens! Program will consist of a talk, followed by a short walk. Ages 18 and up. Registration required.
Saturday, 10/22; 7pm - 9pm
Dip Netting and Telescopes, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Search the pond for invertebrates, amphibians and other aquatic organisms and join Adler Planetarium Scopes in the City to view the night sky with their telescopes. Registration required.
Saturday, 10/22; 1pm
Bur and Color Blur, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for a fast paced 1.4-mile hike around Bur Edge to take in some fresh air and enjoy the fall color. Ages 18 and up.
Saturday, 10/22; 10am
Fall Color Walk, Palos Park Woods, Palos Park
Walk through beautiful preserves to look for the changing colors of fall. We will have color scavenger hunts for little ones too. Family friendly. 3.4 miles.
Saturday, 10/22; 1pm - 4pm
Pumpkinpalooza, Bunker Hill, Niles
Family-friendly activities including pumpkin painting, gourd ring toss, leaf rubbings, fall-themed obstacle course and more. Supplies limited.
Saturday, 10/22 to Sunday, 10/23
Overnight Camping 101, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Part workshop, part campout! Learn camping skills and then spend the night. Program begins at 5:30pm. $50 per family. Registration required.
Sunday, 10/23; 1:30pm
Creatures of the Night, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Experience some creepy, spooky, and nocturnal animals of the Forest Preserves. All ages.
Sunday, 10/23; 9am - 1pm
Red Gate Woods: Dawning of the Atomic Age, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
A presentation by former Argonne scientist Dave Dolak. Afterwards, drive to Red Gate Woods for a guided walk to the site of the world’s first nuclear reactor. Ages 16 and up. Registration required.
Wednesday, 10/26; 3:30pm
Kayak the Des Plaines, Schuth’s Grove, Riverside
Kayak 3 miles of the Des Plaines River from Schuth’s Grove to Plank Road Meadow. Instruction, sanitized equipment, kayaks, and shuttle provided.
Thursday, 10/27; 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Adult Pumpkin Carving, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Embrace the kid in you by carving a pumpkin while surrounded by natural beauty. All supplies provided. $25 per person. BYOB. Ages 21 and up. Registration and payment required by 10/26.
Friday, 10/28; 4pm - 7pm
Stars, Spooky Stories, and S ’mores, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Join a family-friendly evening with a cozy fire, s ’mores, a “spooky” story trail, star gazing, pumpkin painting and more. Costumes encouraged!
Saturday, 10/29; 7pm
Nature at Night: Flashlight Discoveries, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Flashlights will be used to investigate the woodland’s nooks and crannies in search of creepy crawlies. Family friendly.
Saturday, 10/29; 10am - 2pm
The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Discover all the hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt. Take home a tiny pumpkin (while supplies last) for finding them all. Costumes encouraged.
Sunday, 10/30; 12pm - 5pm
Trunk or Treat, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Sponsored by the Forest Preserves and East Side Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween event, complete with plenty of candy.
Sunday, 10/30; 9am - 4pm
Giant’s Hollow-ween Hunt, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Take a self-guided hike on our Giant’s Hollow trail to hunt for hidden Halloween clues to earn a treat.
Sunday, 10/30; 7pm - 8:30pm
Day of the Dead Celebration, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Join us for the unveiling of the animal altar dedicated to endangered and extinct species. Take a night walk and enjoy stories at the campfire. All ages. Registration required. Programa ofrecido en Español.
Sunday, 10/30; 10:30am and 1:30pm
The Un-haunted Forest, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Come in costume for a magical walk through the forest. $3 per child. Registration required by 10/27. All ages.
Thursday, 11/3; 3pm - 6pm
Crafternoon, Swallow Cliff Woods Pavilion, Palos Park
We will have various nature-themed arts and crafts projects for you to enjoy.
Friday, 11/4; 5:30pm - 8pm
Stars, Stories, and Smores, Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago
Join us for s’mores by the fire, storytelling, astronomy and more.
Saturday, 11/5; 10am - 12pm
Restoration and S’mores! Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Get your conservation blood pumping as we remove invasive brush. Warm up with a brush pile and s’mores, weather permitting. Registration required. Ages 10 and up.
Saturday, 11/5; 10am - 12pm
National Bison Day Celebration, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Celebrate North America’s National Mammal! Registration required.
Saturday, 11/5; 1pm (Facebook Live)
Fall Garden Clean-Up, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Join Sagawau on Facebook for tips on how to clean-up your gardens to benefit wildlife.
Saturday, 11/5; 5pm - 8pm
Stars, Stories, and S’mores, LaBagh Woods, Chicago
Enjoy an evening experience at this annual event. In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, listen to storytelling, take a night hike, make a s’more, view stars and more.
Saturday, 11/5; 1:30pm
Photo Scavenger Hunt, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Challenge yourself to find and photograph all the autumn items on our provided list. Afterwards, relax by a campfire and show off your best photos! Registration required.
Wednesday, 11/9; 6pm
Campfire Cooking 101, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Learn basic campfire cooking skills & how to make a tasty meal. Registration required. Ages 12 and up.
Thursday, 11/10; 10am
Forest Therapy Walk, Bunker Hill, Niles
Awaken your senses and renew your bond with the nature. Certified Forest Therapy guide. Ages 18 and up. Registration required.
Saturday, 11/12; 1:30pm
Prairie Seed Collection Workday, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join staff for an afternoon of plant identification and seed collecting in a nearby prairie. Ages 18 and up. Registration required.
Saturday, 11/12; 4pm - 7pm
Stars, Stories and S’mores! Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Join us for s’mores by the fire, storytelling, and astronomy.
Sunday, 11/13; 1:30pm
Changing Seasons, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn how local nature adjusts to the changing seasons and prepares for winter. All ages.
Sunday, 11/13; 1pm
Fossil Quarry Tour, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Learn about Chicago’s ancient history through fossils with a presentation by Columbia College Chicago professor Dave Dolak followed by a visit to a fossil reserve quarry. Registration required.
Sunday, 11/13; 1pm
Prairie Pickin', Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Identify native plants by their seeds, then collect seeds that will be sown to help the prairie flourish. Wear long pants, long sleeves, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.
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